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
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
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.
Here’s a winter bush
that blazons white
and blooms five petals
from pink cups.
It’s pods are hard
clusters of seed
that seem round
basket of loaves.
Its leaf looks a knife
but like a pine’s
tough fur
prickles soft.
Here’s a winter bush
blazoning white.
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