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poetry and prose
Poetry and prose Trial or Treasure? What is light without darkness? What is shade without sun? What is joy without sadness? What’s plenty unless you’ve had more? What’s leisure without any toiling? What’s sunshine without ever rain? What’s perfection without any spoiling? What’s love if we never feel pain? To really appreciate goodness We have to endure in this life Not only the things that bring pleasure But the contracting sadness and strife Gold has to go through a furnace Fine timber means felling a tree A diamond has to be faceted Before its true beauty we see Though Christ lived a life of perfection He was nailed by His hands to a cross He proved by His resurrection That suff ’ring is far from a loss So accept not only the pleasure For beneath the hurt and the pain There lies a hidden treasure The hurting will not be in vain Our pain is all part of the pattern To bring us fulfilment and grace So remember next time there’s a void in your life It’s the holes that bring beauty to lace It’s possible you have been chosen To fulfil a part in God’s plan Be patient, He may just be moulding you For a service to your fellow man. Margaret Wiles Babinda, Queensland
The Society is a lay Catholic organisation that aspires to live the Gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice, hope and joy, and by working to shape a more just and compassionate society. This logo represents the hand of Christ that blesses the cup, the hand of love that offers the cup, and the hand of suffering that receives the cup. The Record is published four times a year by the St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia. National Council of Australia PO Box 243, Deakin West, ACT, 2600 Contact: Donna Scheerlinck Phone: 02 6202 1200 Email: admin@svdpnatcl.org.au Web: vinnies.org.au Editor: Rebecca Comini Catholic Communications Melbourne The Record is overseen by an editorial committee comprising Syd Tutton (Chairperson), Rebecca Comini, Danusia Kaska, John Campbell, Raymond James, Tony Thornton and Dr John Falzon. Advertising: Tony Thornton Phone: 02 6202 1200 Email: tonyt@svdpnatcl.org.au Design: Catholic Communications Melbourne PO Box 146, East Melbourne, Victoria, 8002 Phone: 03 9926 5677 Web: www.catholiccommunications.com.au Printing: Doran Printing 46 Industrial Drive, Braeside, Victoria, 3195 Phone: 03 9587 4333 Fax: 03 9587 3177 Email: sales@doran.com.au Web: www.doran.com.au Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers.
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The Record – Autumn 2009