Author Archives: Church Mouse

As I was gathering my thoughts to compose an introduction to my reflection on Fr Ted and St Vincent‘s Redfern, two things struck me in regard to the simple title of this piece that I had just written.

1. "Fr Ted Kennedy" – How often do we mention Ted’s surname, or even his title "Father"? Our traditional way of addressing him is "Ted" or "Fr Ted". I would think that this is a very natural instinct and indication of the intimacy of our relationship with him, of his attitude for a “fair go” for … Continue reading →

Where does one find God: within or without? Where does one find a gathering of the “people of God”? I found such a gathering (my idea of what “church” is) at St Vincent‘s Church in Redfern, Sydney. Catholic, it is, in terms of its representation: people of varying social class and background, some Aboriginal, Anglo-Celtic and other ethnic background, one or two who have some form of mental illness, and very young children occasionally running around, oblivious of the liturgy.

The death of an Aboriginal man, Ocky, at the back of the Church.

Ocky’s Camp: the dim back corner of the Church. A little row of medicine bottles for his chest complaint, a little carrier bag, a few papers, the plate of his last meal, and some tattered blankets on the floor. Beside his head, a pair of thick-lensed glasses.

I was in Redfern from about late eighties until 1993. People from about 167 Parishes in Sydney were attracted to the Redfern church Community headed by Father Ted Kennedy. His preaching of the Gospel, reading and sharing theology was refreshing. It challenged us to practical works of peace and justice. Mum Shirl Smith was a powerful model for us all. I recall wonderful celebrations of Easter where Parishioners were involved in creating touching authentic ways of celebrating; Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The Gospel imperative called us to join peace ventures, attend court … Continue reading →

I have been connected to St Vincent‘s Redfern since the late 70’s.

It was through St Vincent‘s that I have become friends with many Aboriginal people over the years including “Mum Shirl’

It was at St Vincent‘s that my marriage to Peter Griffin was publicly declared with friends, family and strangers.

When I think back to the first time I met you in Kettering I was a bit scared of you being a Priest. My experience in my late teens was not very positive regarding the Church. But your love, insight and encouragement changed all of that. You helped me find and believe in my own spirituality. When we came to Australia in 1979 you took us into your home in Burrawang and were able to truly share your life and friends without the slightest trace of ownership.

The gospel message that was lived in the community of Redfern was shared with the world beyond. I first met Ted Kennedy in 1970 when he came to Queensland to give a pre-ordination retreat. That encounter changed my life.

By living in Redfern Ted had begun to view the world from the perspective of the excluded. When he shared the gospel from that perspective old beliefs were destroyed and new ones were born. After seven years of study, during those few days, the gospel lived in a way I had … Continue reading →

The Man and the Philosophy

As is often the case, the philosophy comes before the philosopher. If the thoughts and words and actions of the person are such that they touch the very essence of our conscience and spirit, then we are led to seek the source of the wisdom. If we see around us people living the philosophy and sharing the great gifts of God’s presence in their lives, then we are drawn closer by their example to the source of the inspiration.

The thing about St Vincent‘s Parish is that it is not a “parish” which can be understood as an area within which Catholics living there are served. Perhaps Redfern is more adequately described as “community’, for a community is a group of people bonded together with a certain focus. Members are not necessarily connected geographically.

I have been attending Mass at St Vincent‘s Redfern pretty consistently since 1983. Through my involvement with TCFA (A national Catholic university association) I had meet Ted Kennedy and had contact with his church at Redfern. Since leaving uni, I had lived and taught in the outer urban wilderness of Green Valley and in the underdevelopment of Sri Lanka. Returning to Sydney sick, I went to live with my parents and began going to church at the parish in which I had grown up. Each Sunday I would walk out feeling angry and alienated. It … Continue reading →