Identity and Community
Fr Phil Doyle CSSp: “One talk, for an hour” Spiritan priest, Fr Philip Doyle, currently ministering at Raymond Terrace, this year celebrates his golden jubilee of ordination. At school in Dublin a young Phil heard a visiting Spiritan Father speak. “He gave one talk, for an hour.” The Spiritans were missionaries in Africa. Phil corresponded with the priest who sent him literature. “Unfortunately, my mother opened the envelope and she said, ‘You know your asthma will not take Africa. You’ll have to think of something else.’” So for seven years he worked – but Africa had lodged itself in his heart. A Spiritan friend suggested he talk to the current vocations director, who said, “Let’s try it for a year.” Fr Phil studied philosophy and theology, was ordained and headed to Brazil, mastering Brazilian Portuguese. “I would go out on the street and I would talk to the children, because they wouldn’t laugh at you.” One day, “a telegram arrived saying ‘Dad died last night.’ The superior
said, ‘Go down to Rio, spend a couple of days there and you’ll get over it.’ Seven months later, he tells me, ‘Your mother died last night.’ So within seven months, as well as Mum and Dad, four uncles and two aunts died – and I never got home.” A later superior’s attitude was, “You got your vocation from your family – what are you afraid of?” After Brazil, Fr Phil worked in Canada for ten years, then ministered to a Portuguese community in Jersey. He returned to Dublin to nurse his sister. After she passed away Fr Phil was ready to return to work. “I’m a firm believer in doing a job and then letting the people take over and move on...” Australia beckoned. Fr Phil was in Mt Barker for 12 years but a melanoma led to further change – and Mt Barker’s loss was Raymond Terrace’s gain! He is much loved − for his warmth, his grounded homilies, his affection for his parishioners − and his jokes. Whatever you do, don’t try to out-pun Fr Phil!
Journeying with L’Arche (The Ark) L’Arche is an international movement supporting, and advocating for, people living with intellectual disabilities. Founded by Jean Vanier in 1964, L’Arche aims to create communities where people with and without an intellectual disability live together and contribute equally to their community. L’Arche is an ecumenical Christian organisation with more than 150 communities world-wide, and encourages diversity by welcoming all, regardless of religious backgrounds. The diocese has strengthened its relationship with the Hunter Friends of L’Arche community throughout 2016, initiating a ‘journey’ day in May, where members of the local and Sydney L’Arche communities, living with and without disabilities, told stories of how they came to be involved and how their lives have changed as a result of becoming L’Arche members. Hunter Friends of L’Arche also send monthly updates and stories that are shared through diocesan news website, mnnews.today, and social media. Hunter friends of L’Arche meet monthly and invite all to come along, make some new friends and become a member. Meetings involve community meals, art and craft workshops, prayer, social gatherings and celebrating each other’s successes.
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The diocese will continue to journey with Hunter Friends of L’Arche, as they strive to establish their first home in the Newcastle-Hunter region, build their membership, celebrate and dream together.