Marist Brothers Darlinghurst Old Boys Union

Blue & Blue - Feb 2009

Welcome to the first edition of your B & B for 2009.
From the executive:

For those of you who could not make it to the 2008 Mass & dinner, I can report it was a great success with around 45 in attendance. During the get together we conducted the 2008/09 AGM. Members present re-elected the existing executive but some committee members did not stand. We remain strong at the top.

Our Mass was again presided over by Fr Ron Harden who was assisted by Fr Phil Robson. Br Tony Butler again provided the music from the St Pats organ. Thanks to each of you for your contribution.

During the dinner, we were addressed by Fr Phil, who has worked at The Berne School since its inception and most recently has joined the Marsfield Parish. Fr Phil thanked the OBU for its continued support and gave us an insight into education given to the “more difficult” students who have been removed from mainstream schooling. We have been supporting this school (previously known as The Berne Education Centre and will continue to donate funds to that most deserving Marist cause.

Later during the dinner, old boy, Fr (Dennis) John Hallinan OP (Vin’s brother) gave a talk on his life in the Vatican with the Dominican order. A little while ago, at age 75, he had to do a theological exam to qualify for the position with the order in Rome. Tough ask he reckons. Fr John (as we know him) is one of several priests who hear confessions in one of the Vatican Basilicas. Apparently, Fr John in this confessor role is able to especially forgive the very few sins not able to be forgiven by everyday Priests. Apparently this includes assault on the Pope and desecration of the holy host. Large signs outside the confessional proclaim the language the confessor can understand but Fr John says that does not stop people coming in and confusing him no end in some obscure tongue. We thanked Fr John for attending the dinner whilst on leave from Rome and wish him every blessing in his works for the church.

We remain in a healthy financial position with a reserve being built up towards our Centenary celebration. All accounts and end of year statement are audited. Thanks to your continued support we remain ready and able to again assist Marist causes in 2009. We thank Vin Hallinan for the Treasurer’s role he performs diligently.

I have previously raised the need to plan for our MBHSD Centenary in 2011. The executive would like to form a sub-committee this year to begin work on the event. No OBU member has come forward as yet and I now ask for your urgent consideration of being involved. Your opinions are also sought on all aspects of the celebration including – who should be the guest/s of honour; what form should it take? (procession in Darley/Liverpool sts); lunch or dinner? How should we advertise? Etc, etc, etc….

Please give us your feedback now!

Membership Subscriptions – now due for 2009. Please complete the attached form and send it back to Larry.

This year’s Luncheon will be held on Thursday, 2 July and the annual Mass and Dinner will be held at St Pat’s, Church Hill on Thursday, 5 Nov. Both events have suffered from declining attendances in the past year and we would like to see members attend both if they can. Mark your diary and contact a few mates to do the same.

From the members:

We are back in touch with Fr John Andersen (’62) who says he was able to attend the WYD celebrations with a group of 15, some from Iquitos, on the banks of the Amazon and some from Lima. They attended the Marist International Festival at St Joseph’s College where the young people had a marvellous experience of Marist community.
They stayed on at St Joseph's for World Youth Day, and the group had the privilege of animating Spanish speaking catechesis at Villa María Parish Hunter's Hill, and St Therese Parish, Dover Heights. The whole World Youth Day experience had profound effects in the lives of those young people. After WYD, thanks to the generosity of Fr John’s family, as well as Maitland Toyota and the Benedictine Sisters at Jamberoo, plus especially the Marist Community and families of Marist Pearce, the group was able to see Maitland, Jamberoo and Canberra. Br Greg McDonald and the community at Pearce were extraordinarily hospitable to us.

From the members (Peter Vild cont):

Classmate Chris Hanna (Marist Pagewood 1966) attended Rowland’s funeral as a representative of Botany Parish, where Rowland’s mother Julie is a long time parishioner. He reports that Brother Carl, Rowland’s Maths Teacher from Pagewood days, was a mourner. Rowland is survived by his wife Margaret, mother Julie and brother Claude.
John Chippendale (’54) writes “Have you ever had doubts about everyone having a guardian angel “who guides and protects us”, you might like to reconsider in the light of the following. On May 11, this year, Reg Scott (L.C. 54) was driving home along Anzac Parade, when he suddenly felt unwell. He pulled into a side street and managed to steer the car into a vacant parking spot on the side of the road, where he suffered a severe stroke. The side street happened to lead to the Prince of Wales hospital which also happened to be close by. A passer-by (stranger) noticed Reg and rang an ambulance. The ambulance was quickly on the scene and took Reg speedily to the hospital, where he was fortunate enough to receive immediate treatment in the emergency admission ward. It is now generally agreed that speed in receiving treatment at a hospital, is essential in the successful treatment of stroke cases. This was certainly the case with Reg. He remained in the Prince of Wales hospital for the next 9 weeks where he received expert diagnosis, treatment and physiotherapy. Classmates from LC 54 visited Reg during his stay. Such was his recovery that Reg was able to return home after 9 weeks and is now making a nuisance of himself, at home, with his wife Jan and family. His recovery has been quite remarkable, as was the sequence of events which led him to the hospital. Do you still have any doubts? Reg sends his regards to all old boys. His classmates intend to take Reg to lunch in the near future.

Bill Halcro told us a while ago of the passing of Gordon Fetterplace, who completed his LC at Darlo in 1950. His funeral was held on 28th March 2008, with a Mass with (8) priests in attendance, which was celebrated at Campbelltown Catholic Church. At Darlo, Gordon was a very fine footballer. He was an MCC rep in 1950. Several Old Boys attended mass, including Bruno D'Adam, John McCauley, Des Donovan and myself. At Campbelltown, Gordon was
very involved in Community Activities, including many years as Lord Mayor
there. Many Old Boys and Brothers around this era at Darlo will remember
Gordon.

That’s it for now – keep the news coming in. Hope to see many of you at the dinner.

Warren Thomas