pathways 3: BOOKS

pathways, August 2007

A couple of years ago the Blessed Sacrament Congregation in Australia commissioned Mr Damien Cash to write its history.

 

"At this stage in our journey and with no vocations on the horizon it seemed timely to commit our story to writing before any more of the memory became lost to the grave," Congregational leader Fr Graeme Duro SSS, said.

 

"As written in the introduction: In many ways, this history is a journey through the life and times of the Catholic Church. It is a story of faith — in the days when faith was great, and when faith was hard to find. This book is a record of the dreams and sacrifices of good men. It tells of rich and glorious harvests, and of harvests that were not reaped and harvests not sown. The history of the Blessed Sacrament Congregation in Australia is the journey of a church in transition, living and dying, longing to be born again.

 

In launching the book, The Road to Emmaus, earlier this year, former superior-general (1993-1999) and historian, American Fr Norman Pelletier SSS, said it was the story of a journey of light and darkness.

 

"The loss of light can make the travel arduous but with faithful companions the journey can become an adventure. But not just any adventure, this is a story of faith and of the men whose faith guided their journey and who, today, continue to be challenged by that faith."

 

He said:  "Damien Cash has recorded for us 'the dreams and sacrifices of [the] good men' who started this journey in 1929 and whose legacy continues in the lives and ministry of the present members of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament ...

"(Damien Cash) has brought a remarkable amount of objectivity to his work and thus has succeeded to produce a book that is both scholarly and readable. Cash has told a story seen through fresh eyes and unencumbered judgment. He has given us a balanced view of a Church in transition while telling us all about the enormous struggle the members of the Blessed Sacrament Congregation were going through in order to adapt to the contemporary world and at the same time remain faithful to their Eucharistic charism as handed down from one generation to the next.

 

"Coupled with his objectivity is the remarkable honesty with which Cash wades through the rough waters of life in the Catholic Church post Vatican Council II. This latter was made possible in part through the courageous decision on the part of the religious of the Blessed Sacrament and their leadership to open the community's files and its archives to the author. They are to be commended for their bold plunge into the cold waters of outside scrutiny.

 

"The honesty found within the pages of this book is refreshing ...  The author is at his best when describing the members of the Blessed Sacrament community. He is delicate but pulls no punches. He recalls some of the earlier members of the Province, like Fr Rosario Morin as "having a mournful voice" (182), Fr Charles Charest, as having "no sense of humor" (212) and Fr Tom McNevin and Ed Wood who had "initially experienced a somewhat strained relationship. After Wood had threatened to throw McNevin out a window, 'they got on wel; ...'.

 

"This book offers an unvarnished account of the life and times of men on a journey. "Admittedly the values expressed in this book are unambiguously religious; however the reader will discover that the men in this story do not check their humanity at the gate of the monastery as they enter. It's a good story, interestingly told; at times fascinating, professionally researched and unreservedly enjoyable. Read it and enjoy it!"

 

(further comments by Fr Pelletier and Mr Cash's response)

 

 

A book containing a chapter on Mary Gonzaga Barry, the founder of the Loreto Sisters in Australia, was launched on Thursday, July 26, by the former Premier of Victoria, Ms Joan Kirner.

 

They are but Women: The Road to Female Suffrage in Victoria is a Melbourne University postgraduate history student essay collection, published to mark the 2008 centenary of women's suffrage in Victoria.

 

"It is important never to take voting rights for granted and to remember how hard women struggled to gain the vote against enormous prejudice," Ms Kirner said.

 

The book explores the road to women's suffrage from a number of different angles. Early pioneering feminists, working class women in North Carlton, welfare workers, religious figures, women opposed to suffrage, and the last minute support of staunch anti suffragist Victorian Premier Sir Thomas Bent, for the suffragist cause.

 

Mary Gonzaga Barry IBVM was an inspirational leader who initiated a philosophy of education that was noted for its foresight and comprehensiveness. Her interests spanned a wide field - from the first Catholic Teacher Training College for young women to the first free kindergarten in Australia.