Author Archives: Church Mouse

What does Redfern mean to me?

By | | Reflections
Leave a comment

I have an image of an arc floating on a vast sea with sails set to the horizon. There are people on board from diverse cultures and backgrounds, rescued from a sunken vessel. This image slowly emerged during my 10 years as a parishioner of St Vincent’s Catholic Church in Redfern, Sydney.

Today, from my home in New Zealand that image remains a powerful symbol of hope as I live and work among mostly young people who are starving for the real bread – a church that can taste the … Continue reading →

What St Vincent’s Redfern has meant to me

By | | Reflections
Leave a comment

For the first few years of my coming to Redfern to Mass, St Vincent‘s meant chiefly the value I placed on the friendship and support of Ted Kennedy.

I had been closely associated with Ted during his time as Chaplain at Sydney University and had come to appreciate the genuineness, the generosity, the breadth of mind, the commitment to freedom and justice that marked his Catholicism.

People of many faiths come together in Redfern

By | | Miscellaneous
Leave a comment

An Interfaith service was held at St Vincent’s on the anniversary of the Mass of Compassion for the Muslim community in Australia.

The theme was one of creating a space for friendship, celebrating diversity, coming together in peace and harmony.

Spokesperson Mary McMahon said:


‘At this time of sadness and suffering in the Australian community following the massacre in Bali, we remember … Continue reading →

Biographical entry, Australian Women’s Archives Project

By | | Mum Shirl
Leave a comment

Mum Shirl AM, MBE – Community worker

Born: c. 1924 Erambie Mission, West Cowra, New South Wales, Australia. Died: 28 April 1998.

A Wiradjuri woman, MumShirl was born Colleen Shirley Perry on Erambie Mission, West Cowra, New South Wales, around 1924. Her married name was Shirley Smith.
MumShirl wrote about her life in her book MumShirl: an autobiography. This book tells the story of her life working with Aboriginal people. MumShirl’s welfare work began with visits to Aboriginal people in jail, a commitment which was eventually recognised by the Department of Corrective Services … Continue reading →

Book Review – Labour History

By | | Worthy
Leave a comment

Book Review – Labour History – 1/05/2002

Ted Kennedy, Who is Worthy? The role of conscience in restoring hope to the church.
Pluto Press, Sydney, 2000. pp. 151. $27.95, paper.

One of the many stories in this small book tells of an exchange between the author and the Sydney Archdiocesan secretary in 1968. Kennedy had failed to insist that the Protestant partner in a forthcoming mixed marriage promise to raise any children from the marriage as Catholic. This was less an act of defiance than a response to the fact that the bridegroom … Continue reading →

Refugees and Asylum Seekers

By | | Homilies
1 Comment

On that most eventful day, 11th of September, the Dalai Lama issued a call to reflect on.

"There are two possible responses to what has occurred today. The first comes from love, the second from fear. If we come from fear we may panic and do things – as individuals and as nations – that could only cause further damage. If we come from love we will find refuge and strength, even as we provide it to others.

We will set the course for tomorrow, today. At this hour. In this moment. Let us seek not … Continue reading →

Muslims & Catholics come together for Mass in Redfern

By | | Miscellaneous
Leave a comment

The Catholic Community of St Vincent’s at Redfern celebrated a MASS OF COMPASSION AND SUPPORT for those who drowned while attempting to come to Australia on the SIEVX (Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel X) in October 2001, for those suffering the loss of their loved ones in that disaster and for all of our Muslim brothers and sisters who have suffered abuse and harassment in Australia.

One of the organisers, Mary McMahon, said today that the Redfern Catholic community, including the Aboriginal community wished to express deep sorrow for the refugees … Continue reading →

A great hero

By | | Mum Shirl
Leave a comment

Tribute to Mum Shirl – Williame Deane

In late November 2000 the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative in Sydney’s inner city Annandale staged the exhibition, "Mum Shirl: The Sacred Trust of Memory", which subsequently moved to the Powerhouse Museum. It was opened on 22 November by the Governor-General, Fr Ted Kennedy and family members. The packed crowd of Aboriginal and other Australians overflowed and blocked one lane of busy Parramatta Road, one of Sydney’s main thoroughfares.

The text of Sir William Deane’s speech is reproduced below.

White Inhumanity

By | | Mum Shirl
Leave a comment

Tribute to Mum Shirl – Ted Kennedy

In late November 2000 the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative in Sydney’s inner city Annandale staged the exhibition, "Mum Shirl: The Sacred Trust of Memory", which subsequently moved to the Powerhouse Museum. It was opened on 22 November by the Governor-General, Fr Ted Kennedy and family members. The packed crowd of Aboriginal and other Australians overflowed and blocked one lane of busy Parramatta Road, one of Sydney’s main thoroughfares.

The text of Fr Ted Kennedy’s speech is reproduced below.