Leaving Bathurst Island- Wurruminyanga – 2022, Vince Carroll MSC.
Its been a great privilege for me to have worked for a few short months on B.I., following in the footsteps of some mighty MSC – such as + Gsell, McGrath, Pye, Howley and Fallon. Our first Australian and iconic mission! I think I owe my vocation partly to Gsell’s book, read at age 15. A privilege and a challenge – being parachuted in here at almost age 82 - has made me call on all my resources often.
And good for my own spiritual journey and growth, demanding that I rethink and think again, what are we doing (here) and what legacy might we have left: how best to pray with the people and journey on? I don’t claim I have contributed much, but my aim in coming was to help ease the pain for the people as they grapple with their present community and church situation, and the fact that their missionaries are leaving them, now. Of course, rightly or wrongly, they think MSC = Catholic and vice versa. “Will it be the same?” is their plaintiff cry - “when these others come?” I hasten to assure them that the SVD are Catholics (not Moslems) and are good, if not “the best” Missionaries.
I jumped at the idea when the Vicar General (Malcolm F - still! - round about here since ‘78 when there were 42 MSC in the NT! – 4 now!) suggested it to me on Sat 8th Jan. I was on the plane by Thurs 13th! I had thought I was “too old” for Mission work when I was nearly 40 (PNG) and then South Africa (57)!
Thanks be to Bob I. who stepped into my shoes at Downlands and added “his own special talents” there. 14 Sundays later now. And I am now taking a short break (2 weeks) to do things in Qld that I need to do.
Its been a steep learning curve for me here, and I think it half killed me … the heat, the insecurity, my age… what’s going to happen next!? But I think I have coped. The people have made me very welcome: its “father” all round town. A priest is needed here. I think we have had 8 funerals and three deaths with their earlier and associated Healing services. The people are funny, like a good leg pull (e.g. “crocks in the 4 inch fresh water creek” I dip in! - right), and will get whatever they can out of you if you are silly enough to play along. Ask Sr Ann! “A gift today is an obligation tomorrow”, Rex Pye used to say! They also seem to have a deep faith and spirituality. But attending church is of the Italian type: when there is something that has to be celebrated, they will be there in goodly numbers. I am amazed at the number who come to communion on such occasions. The place is extraordinary in its Art and Cultural aspect: Bima wear, Tiwi Art, the Keeping place, and the gem of all – Sr Ann’s museum. There is nothing better than it anywhere in Australia on an aboriginal peoples Culture and on our MSC Mission here.
I suppose a lot of people who are not in the know think of “Tropical Islands as places of beautiful sunsets, coconuts blowing in the breeze in front of blue misty mountains with pretty girls ears-decked with frangipanis waiting on you’’ – the typical nirvana of the glossy brochures, and tourists come here in plenty search for something they have lost, or looking for what they want. But BI is not that! Or not only that! It can be at times (few and far between): a place of rest and recovery.
But being here has forced me to reflect, especially with the visit of Fr Leo and Fr Chris these last days, on what we are really on about, what do we hope really is the legacy we have left? Yes, it might be in some worthy monument in the Heritage place (A bust of Francis Xavier Gsell perhaps, or some such?). Or is it what has happened in the hearts and minds of people over these 100 years or so of MSC and OLSH presence here? The Tiwi will, in their wisdom, and in their own time, probably be thinking it out, over the next months and years. It maybe a deepening experience for them, a growth point!?
Fr Chris’ visit was a necessary event, and he spoke well to the people. They find it hard to comprehend all the same. He spoke to Sr Ann’s Strong Women at a social event and then at a meeting and mass on Sunday, and he was available for over four days; Fr Leo all the while doing excellent backing up work in the good-missionary-way he has. Fr Chris was still regaining strength after huis Covid attack. But that all wernt as well as could be given the circumstances.
Bathurst Island will miss the MSC presence, there is no question. About a year into the SVD time, they will still remember us with great affection, and its then, in my opinion we should take our final farewell. Frank A’s song comes to mind: “You will draw water joyfully from the Springs of Salvation”.
Iron John helped (*See below). and I have heard more confessions than in the last 10 years!). I have kept myself pretty focused: e.g. not trying to go to the School or College unless asked, keeping away from the Club, avoiding Community Meetings etc – but PP “work” can be and is done, anywhere- e.g. I’ve taken in as many games of footy as possible (standard pretty good, and the last 2 games finished 2 points the difference at full time at the level of 70 points) and the local two shops are often places the people are “reminded” they had something to ask of you. It sings well in any languages I know.
+ Iron John is a Jungian type fellow I met in my Heronbrook Sabbatical in ’88. Refer Johnston et alii. He lives in the bottom of the well of most men (and women) and is rusted on there. He comes out only when he has to: when you may think for example; “This has to be done and I have to do it – and if not now, when?” He is found often on battlefields. But its exhausting wrestling like Jacob with this fellow; too much of him and you will soon burn out, but as I said to Sr Ann, “he makes you tough!” Boys or men playing a hard game on the football field are only playing with Iron John - that not the real thing – but counterfeit! I've had to call on Iron John many times since I’ve been here!
From the recent edition of Be on Earth the Heart of God.
