An Excluded Faithful

Imagine the irony of this!  St Vincent’s Redfern is a small Catholic Church in the heartland of the Archdiocese of Sydney, which is in the control of Cardinal George Pell.   For years the loyal parishioners have been running a ‘Sharing the Meal ‘ Program which provides cooked, fresh and delicious meals for hundreds of marginalised people each week.  For over six years they have been asking the Parish Priests of the church for running water, maybe a toilet and even perhaps a sink.  Alas to no avail.

This week work began, without notice to the parishioners, the erection … Continue reading

Bishop David Cremin’s visit

Bishop David Cremin came to St Vincent’s this morning to show his support for the community and dedicate a photo of Fr Ted Kennedy mounted in the church foyer as a sign of welcome to all.

The bishop chose Naidoc Day in post-Apology Australia to visit Redfern, unveiling the picture of Ted as another gesture of the community’s recommitment to Reconciliation with Aboriginal brothers and sisters.

Aboriginal member of parliament Linda Burney last week said that many Aboriginal people regard that Apology in a manner similar to the "coming-down" of the Berlin Wall.

The community also wanted to make a … Continue reading

No meal for the Pope

The following is an excerpt from an email just received from one of the co-ordinators of Sharing the Meal. Is it right that the Neocats close down the Meal for WYD so they can conduct their catechesis classes? And how about proclaiming love & compassion from the pulpit in one breath and denying the marginalised & disadvantaged a meal in the next?

Dear All

Last Friday following morning Mass I approached Frs Clesio and Joe in the sacristy. I requested information re WYD Masses especially during the Pope’s visit on the Tuesday & Friday. These are ‘Sharing the Meal’ … Continue reading

Cause for celebration

Last Sunday the community celebrated a special Mass in honour of the 96th birthday of one of its members, Eileen. Photos may be viewed here. The following message of thanks comes from one of Eileen’s daughters: Dear all

Many thanks for the humungous effort you all put into making yesterday such a memorable and joyful event for Eileen. Eileen was deeply moved, as were we her family. It was wonderful to feel the joy of the Redfern community, and to know that we are capable of recovering a spirit of optimism untarnished by the tensions, hurt and so many … Continue reading

Mum Shirl memorial rededication


New Mum Shirl memorial plaque

On February 27, the Mum Shirl memorial outside St Vincent’s church was rededicated by Lord Mayor, Clover Moore MP.

The following article appeared in this month’s issue of The South Sydney Herald:

Saint of Redfern remembered ‘Mum’ Shirl (1924-1998)

The City of Sydney lit up Redfern Street on February 27 in an official memorial service for Colleen Shirl Perry, better known as “Mum Shirl”.

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Mural under threat

The iconic St Vincent’s mural is under serious threat from the poor adhesion to the wall of the original painted surface beneath the mural. Unfortunately, the circumstances under which the mural were painted precluded the wall from being adequately prepared.

The condition of the wall has been exacerbated by the parlous state of repair of the church’s roof, guttering and drainage allowing the ingress of water during several periods of heavy rain earlier this year, and accelerating the separation of the mural from the wall in numerous areas.

Running repairs were performed as recently as last Friday evening, so the … Continue reading

More support from Toukley

Back in October last year, our friends in Toukley on the Central Coast of NSW (see Church Mouse Journal) were shocked by a letter from our dear friend and caring pastor, Cardinal George Pell. In due course they replied with the following:

Small Church Community Toukley
Postal address c/o. PO Box 278, BUDGEWOI NSW 2262

27th November 2006

His Eminence
George Cardinal Pell
Polding House
133 Liverpool Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000

Dear Cardinal Pell,

We have taken some time to assimilate your letter to us of 6th October last.

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Save Black Fella’s Dreaming

The Blackfellas’ Dreaming Museum (and here) is a large and overwhelming testimony of Australian History through Aboriginal eyes. And it easily moves people.

Gathered by an Aboriginal man, Gordon Syron, an urban Aboriginal art pioneer, it is one of the largest Aboriginal owned collections that is not connected to any institution. The art works are currently being catalogued for a Bonhams & Goodmans auction with a date set for 9 May 2007. This collection should not be spilt up and sold off to private collectors overseas. It should be a National Treasure, placed safely in the … Continue reading