Monday, 7 November

Timbercrete blocks arrive

Last week was a quiet week on the building site.  But today we are making up for it.  First the steel fabricators came to put the buildings framework into place- it is like some giant Meccano set, with all the steel fitting exactly and seemingly effortlessly.  Then a truck came all the way from Kyabram, Victoria, with the first load of Timbercrete blocks for the building. 

The first pallet of Timbercrete is on site

The building takes shape

On other fronts life at Mount Carmel has not been quiet at all.  We have had fifteen Carmelite sisters from the Our Lady of the Southern Cross Association with us for their triennial General Assembly.  There were sisters from Carmels in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.  Some of us friars have been involved in some sessions.  I spent a morning on St Teresa and her times and our challenge in our times. 

Today, Sr Moira Kelly from Ormiston Carmel was elected the new President of the Association. 

Srs Benedicta, Cecilia, Eliane, Sarah and Moira

In this photo sisters congratulate Sr Moira after her election.  They are Sr Benedicta from Gelorup, WA, Sr Cecilia from Ormiston, Qld,  Sr Eliane from Bomana, PNG, and  Sr Sarah from Varroville, NSW.

Also last week we had on Wednesday a visit from contestants in the Miss Earth Australia competition.  They came to plant trees.  I became involved in organising their visit, as you can see from the photo below.

Miss Earth Australia contestants with Greg Burke

Contestants mediating in our chapel

 Among those who chaparoned the contestants was Fr Pat Corbett, CSsR, who was at Galong for many years.  He has obviously fallen on his feet if this is included in the duties of the vice-Provincial.  Sadly I forgot to get a photo of him.  However the day was about planting trees and we soon got down to it.

Contestants planting and trees

Clr Fred Borg and contestants celebrate

 We were visited by Campbelltown City Councillor Fred Borg and his wife Coral.  Fred encouraged the girls in their concern for the environment and their continued involvement in the life of the community.  It was a very successful day on many fronts.  Next year I will better know what to expect!

 This was the second time the Miss Earth Australia contestant visited us this year.  When they came previously I was in Galong giving a retreat.  Fr Johny took some snaps to record the first visit.  Since he shared them recently I thought I would include them here.

Our prior, Paul, leads by example

Gabriel gives outstanding witness

Contestant preparing to plant a tree