News from Emerald
16 September, 2024
‘We are but travelers’, St Mary Mackillop said, went on saying, ‘let’s trust in God.’
My name is Manh Le svd. I belong to the Divine Word Missionaries. Currently, I am living on Palm Island, St Anne’s parish, Townsville.
In anticipation of going on leave to Rome, Fr Truc asked the SVD community for support for Fr Francois. So here I am, after 4 years living and working in a small space of Palm Island with the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Island community, I accepted the request, looking forward to the opportunity to mission in the Central Highlands.
I arrived in Emerald on August 9th, to be welcomed by almost a week of rain (it felt like the Amazon of Brazil where I was for 15 years). Fr Francois and parish secretaries, Francie and Cathy introduced me to the busy life of the parish. I realised the extent of distance Emerald covers, from Springsure, Rollston, Anakie and the Willows compared to the total drive in Palm Island of 10kms.
Yes, the Church not only has a mission but the Church is mission by nature. So I respectfully acknowledge the hard work of so many people in the Highlands, especially the First Nations people.
At the Gemfields, I experienced the hardship of ‘digging’ to find tiny colourful rocks. How many times has the land there been turned up and down in search for these gems? How many people have lived there giving their life to the search? And, how many big companies, including mining companies, put all their resources to follow the dream of the ‘lucky country’?
What stands out the most during my time here is the people I have met. During my visit I have met hard workers who look after cattle, cotton farms, work in beauty shops, the fruit pickers and elders in the nursing home. The people at church are so engaging and participating in their prayer. They come to church authentically searching to have a real encounter with the Lord Jesus and the Eucharist (even if my reflections some time go longer than usual, they still seem to be present and not asleep!) A lady approached me saying, “My mother is Aboriginal, but my father is Irish, so no one knows that I am Aboriginal here, and today you made me feel like I belong, and proud, thank you!”. The diversity of multicultural community present in Emerald and in the Churches is wonderful.
One of the most enjoyable things which I have experienced has been celebrating liturgy with the students and teachers (usually I find it very challenging). Masses have been well prepared with student participation at every level. In Springsure (80km from Emerald), I visited Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School. There I talked to every class and then on Sunday presided at Mass with the help of teachers; it was a beautiful Liturgy: the songs, readings, all made for the children and given by the children. What I loved the most was the singing of the Creed, ‘Yes we believe in God’.
Thank you to Fr Francois and all who have made me welcomed and allowed me to be the Vietnamese-Brazilian-Aussie-Palm Island missionary. I ask for your prayers for all on Palm Island as we continue to pray for this Country to be healed and strong. Let’s live justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God. Amen.
