venerandae memoriae, die XVmensis Augusti anni MCMLXVII novam Romanae
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not far from any of us, since it is in him that we live and move and have our
being".11
And ever since, men and women have set out to tell the same story,
witnessing to Christ's truth and love, and contributing to the Church's mis-
sion. Today, we think of those pioneering Priests, Sisters and Brothers who
came to these shores, and to other parts of the Pacific, from Ireland, France,
Britain and elsewhere in Europe. The great majority were young - some still
in their late teens - and when they bade farewell to their parents, brothers
and sisters, and friends, they knew they were unlikely ever to return home.
Their whole lives were a selfless Christian witness. They became the humble
but tenacious builders of so much of the social and spiritual heritage which
still today brings goodness, compassion and purpose to these nations. And
they went on to inspire another generation. We think immediately of the
faith which sustained Blessed Mary MacKillop in her sheer determination to
educate especially the poor, and Blessed Peter To Rot in his steadfast resolu-
tion that community leadership must always include the Gospel. Think also
of your own grandparents and parents, your first teachers in faith. They too
have made countless sacrifices of time and energy, out of love for you. Sup-
ported by your parish priests and teachers, they have the task, not always
easy but greatly satisfying, of guiding you towards all that is good and true,
through their own witness - their teaching and living of our Christian faith.
Today, it is my turn. For some of us, it might seem like we have come to
the end of the world! For people of your age, however, any flight is an
exciting prospect. But for me, this one was somewhat daunting! Yet the
views afforded of our planet from the air were truly wondrous. The sparkle
of the Mediterranean, the grandeur of the North African desert, the lushness
of Asia's forestation, the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, the horizon upon
which the sun rose and set, and the majestic splendour of Australia's natural
beauty which I have been able to enjoy these last couple of days; these all
evoke a profound sense of awe. It is as though one catches glimpses of the
Genesis creation story - light and darkness, the sun and the moon, the
waters, the earth, and living creatures; all of which are "good" in God's
11 Acts 17:25-28.