Displaying items by tag: Bob Irwin MSC

Some Province Diary Photos

Stephen Hackett with Daramalan Principal, Rachel Francis-Davies

Our students venturing into media studies

Claude Mostowik, Justice issues

Vietnam, 8^th December, Hoang and group

And Bob Irwin at home in Vietnam but at present home in Sydney

Terry Bowman MSC, Mass and Burial

With thanks to Bob Irwin for text, John Walker for photos.

In the early afternoon of Sunday 24^th of November 2024, our beloved Terry Bowman MSC went for a walk, or as the author of the book of Genesis would put it (chapter 5): Terry went for a walk with his God and he NEVER CAME BACK. God suddenly took him from us.

Ahh, Terry, we miss you terribly. Whilst our faith reminds us that you are fine, you are with your loving God, but we here, who are still on our journeys, sad; some still weep, some still in shock. You have gone too soon.

The book of Ecclesiastes, as read by Gerard, reminds us that there is a time to hurt, a time to weep, a time to mourn, but there is also a time to heal, a time to laugh, a time to dance, and as Terry might say, a time to SING.

We best honour Terry today by praying in a spirit of great gratitude for his loving presence amongst us, ever joyful, kindly, full of fun, and compassionate. Today, whilst we might feel sad for ourselves and our boss, we are here to celebrate and give thanks to God for Terry… AND THANKS TO TERRY FOR ALL THE HAS BEEN FOR US. He would prefer that, I think!

The sharing of memories last night and the eulogy of Paul and Gerard this morning told us so much about Terry and gave us insight into why he is loved so much, what a loving pastor he has been to so many people.

So let me just try to summarise something of the man with a few words, namely: Terry Bowman, a lover of life, a lover of people, a lover of God and His Church.

Living with Terry in the Coogee Presbytery for six years, is one of the delights of my life, as I enjoyed his good humour, his somewhat naughty wit, his cooking, his ducking down to what he called his other home, the Coogee Bay Pub Tab, his constant concern for the people of the parish, the school, the MSC family, and his many friends and his wonderful extended family.

MSC

Terry was not just a good man with a big voice and joyful approach to life, with a heart bigger than his body, but he was also a man who vowed his life to be a Missionary of the Sacred Heart. We know from his story that he served in MSC parishes in South Australia, the Northern Territory, Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales.

It is easy to do a quick checklist concerning what should be the spirit of an MSC parish would operate. It should have the spirit of a loving family. Our MSC rule of life, our Constitutions, in number 32 we read the qualities needed… let me list some of them and you will see how Terry embodied those qualities: KINDNESS; UNDERSTANDING; COMPASSION; MUTUAL FORGIVENESS, GENTLENESS; HUMILITY; HOSPITALITY; AND A SENSE OF HUMOUR.

Humility? Yes, he could steal the show, if you let him! But today, it is all about you, Tessa!

THE PRIEST

As a priest and pastor, Terry brought more people into the Church than we could ever know.

He had wanted to be a priest from an early age and eventually after studying at the Late Vocations Seminary just up there on the hill behind the Monastery, he was ordained in 1988.

Many years ago, when I was discussing with a parish council about what kind of priest they needed in their parish, the reply was simple: send us someone who is KIND; that is the quality we most need.

Terry had kindness in spades. His ability to love so strongly was based on his surety that he was unconditionally loved by God, and that means that all people are loved the same way, and he was there to remind us of that, as best he could, in what he said, and in how he treated us.

A large part of his attractiveness and effectiveness was that it was so obviously "one of us". He had his own weaknesses and fears and anxieties, and demons, as those who knew him well could attest, but he approached life positively, with a song, with charm, and kindness.

As a priest at Mass and in the pulpit, he inspired, not with any pomposity but with a genuineness in his words, his prayers, his preaching and his singing.

He cared for young and old, the sick and dying and the brides and grooms and the newborn and all in between… with good humour and the love of the Good Shepherd.

He loved to celebrate all the Sacraments and he led them in his own inimitable and attractive way.

AND NOW: WHAT OF US

It is very obvious that Terry's life was not wasted! Scripture reminds us that "the life and death of each of us has its influence on others" (Romans).

… And as Shaz read in the second reading… "May his good deeds go with him”. Might I suggest that we make sure that his death is not wasted on us, either. Let us, as the people of God, be truly grateful to God and Terry for all that we have received.

If Terry’s overcoming difficulties and staying positive touches us…, we should do the same. Whatever it is we most admire in Terry, let it become a bigger part of how we live our lives. Jesus reminds us today in the Gospel to go to him, "all you who are labour and overburdened, and I will give you rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Let us, like Terry, grow closer each day to Jesus, so that we can live life with joy and song, no matter the problems we must cope with.

Thanks again, Terry. Your life and death are definitely not wasted on us.

Letter from Vietnam… Uncle Bob

I hope you are all doing okay down there in UC, the Vietnamese word for Australia.

It is nearly the end of October so I thought I had better write you a quick note before we get to November's All Souls and All Saints Days (and Halloween).

Some rather lovely things have happened here this month for the MSC community: a retreat with Krish about Now that (we had a terrific gathering lunch with our parents from bowel lock, on the way), a celebration with the MSC Sisters Gen it from Rome, the outstanding celebration for Chevalier Day with many A MSC including a Commitment Ceremony followed by a fund lunch with good representation of OLSH in MSC Sisters, the donation by a generous benefactor of a new alter for the main chapel plus a crowd of new pre-junior (individual kneelers for the uninitiated), the approval by the Oz provincial and counsel of all the recommendations from the Viet community discernment in July, and, best of all, the gradual increase in the number of prospective candidates appearing on the scene.

For myself, things have hummed along. No more trips with the drivers from hell but did have a concern when the Vinh fast Electric Taxi lost power for five minutes in the middle of a busy intersection. A bit of a worry! The big drama for me this month was these are problems. My first EV is expired on the 17th, so the Bursar and I did a rush to Bangkok to get a new TVs are as you have to leave the country as it turned out there was no way the Visa would be ready in time for an important meeting back here… Thankfully, 10 arrive arrange for an agent to organise a Visa on arrival for me so I could get back into Saigon. The second EV's arrival five days later… Lesson, when you visit Vietnam make sure you order your EV is well in advance.

So I am back in the saddle with plenty to do, helping to write the terms of reference for all the new committees now approved. Individual work with seven of the students, English classes with other aspirants, weekend retreats each month for the six candidates for final (my hearing must be failing, quiet as depiction of God in his younger days was as a camera watching him)… I thought he made a model of God as a camel… It caused some hilarity for much of the day! As I mentioned before, these days most Vietnamese in the city are used to foreigners so you hardly get a second look except from the topless and, interestingly, some older teens wanting to practice English. A recent local bus trip had me being quizzed then photographed with a couple of 18-year-old boy owes, much to the bemusement of the driver and conductor and passengers. And then the next day a walk in the park had me in year 12 girls birthday group. It must be the and hat! (Large straw one from the Oz Cancer Council).

Enough… Don't forget the prayer! Take care of yourself. God bless. See you in December…

                                                              Uncle Bob.

Bob Irwin MSC, the Spirit of Chevalier

John Mulrooney writes:

After the mass Bob Irwin received the ‘Esprit de Chevalier’ medal in recognition of his contribution to education in Australia. This award comes with the significant medal and looks a little like the Order of Australia medal!! This award started some years ago and initiated by the College Board. John Franzmann, Tyson Donnelly and Chris McDermott have been previous recipients.

At the Chev mass we had student and staff representatives from Monivae and Daramalan College. This has become quite a tradition in recent years. We were delighted the Provincial, Stephen Hackett, was able to be with us for the eucharist celebration.

After the mass the students participate in competitive games with their ‘home room’ (the group they start each day with which includes Year 7-12 students) and includes a bar-b-q lunch which is prepared by a number of past students of the College.

Chevalier Institute, 2024.

The new brochure for Chevalier Institute is available in hard copy or online.

Bob Irwin MSC writes: the Chevalier Institute was founded 21 years ago to support Lay adult faith formation in the Chevalier Family’s Spirituality of the Heart.

Why called an INSTITUTE?

Because it is much more than an organisation to deliver retreats and courses. One of its primary functions is to act as a real Institute… researching, seeking, finding new ways to express the spirituality to meet the needs, the weaknesses of the progress of the times, but remaining true to the original charusm of Father Chevalier.

Why even have our Chevalier Institute?

As the policy for Spiritual Formation for Staff and Board Members in our MSC schools in Australia states: “the need for proactive formation of lay people and institutions in the MSC charism is not just based on the diminished numbers of MSC, not just because of the increased role of the laity in MSC Colleges. Importantly, it is by virtue of the fact that people in their living and working find deep meaning in their lives, and, if possible, encounter the Heart of the living Christ, and, when able, to bring Him to others.  

Bob and Anne

We are ever grateful to Anne McAtomny, the current Director of the Institute and each of the Directors of Faith and Mission in our Colleges. We also acknowledge with much thanks those who have been in those positions in the past who taught us much.

July Province photos and stories

Thanks to Hoa MSC for the compilation

One way to celebrate a birthday, Stephen at his first Provincial Council meeting

Bob Irwin and his course in Israel

Ted McCormack and his birthday cake – 90.

Quiet moments at Kensington, Cardinal John Ribat, Phil Hicks, Ben Fleming

And Jac Boelen and Gerard Shanley

The Mission Conference

Richie Gomez, Philippine Province, explaining “CEPAGCO – MSC Centre for the Poor”

And seeing Parliament House