Author Archives: Church Mouse

I first came to Redfern on Trinity Sunday. I think the year was 1981. We had recently moved to Sydney, were living in West Ryde, a fair way from Redfern, and had attended Mass at various parishes near where we lived.

On this particular Sunday, having heard of Ted Kennedy and Redfern, we decided to go there. I saw a man who was older than I expected but whose voice was strong enough to fill the church. When it was time for the sermon, I sat back and remember thinking … Continue reading →

Ted Kennedy’s presence in my life since I first met him at Mass in Redfern in 1979 has been one of great joy and fun with the odd anxious moment caused by his stubborn refusal to surrender to the dictates of modern healthy living….lettuce, greens (Wappo food) and the odd bit of exercise

But it is Teds spiritual `exercise” that has given me the greatest joy and indeed hope and courage in an otherwise alien and misogynistic institutional Catholic Church. Teds presence in Redfern has been a great gift … Continue reading →

When we first came to Sydney from Adelaide in 1968 several of our friends gave us advice about the Catholic Church in this city. In particular:

• to understand the Sydney Church read Tom Kenneally’s Three Cheers for the Paraclete; and
• make sure we get to know Ted Kennedy, if we wanted to see the Church as it really can be.

Sharing the Eucharist with Ruth then aged four when she asked "Could she have some special bread too” (at Neutral Bay and the mafia reported you to “the cathedral”.

Standing so many traditional Gospel interpretations on their head and making of them contemporary and pertinent sense.

I walked from one end of Redfern St to the other. I was a visitor from the Bush. I decided to settle down in Stirling Street, Redfern with my two sons Lenny (31/2) and Keith (12 months).

I was lonely.

I want my words to draw circles, like two hands in the air. I want the nothing that they circle marry the nothing that they capture inside. For those who see, to say, what an extraordinary marriage! For those who don’t see, to say, that nothing actually happened!

I have experienced something quite wonderful at St Vincent‘s Church.

The warmth of the community, the stimulation of Ted’s sermons and his extraordinary vision and generosity, the very practical works of social justice, the energy and the space to grow as a Christian are all things I treasure.

Your friendship support and love have been a backbone for me and I feel so privileged to know you.

Thank you for all your help over the years, in listening and supporting me.

I liken the Redfern Community to the Kingdom of God, described by Albert Nolan’s Jesus Before Christianity:

Ted,
You always pointed us toward

• life
• liberty
• possibility