Karen
On Thursday afternoon, Sr Karen Englebretsen made her final profession of vows (for life) as member of the Sisters of the Cross and Passion. Congregational Leader, Sr Therese O’Regan CP received Karen’s vows, with her two community members Sr Brigid Murphy CP (also Karen’s formator) and Sr Emily Tran, as witnesses. Karen made her first profession in 2018 while living with her community in Endeavour Hills. Karen is well known to the parishioners and Passionist Family at Endeavour Hills and at Holy Cross. She and Brigid, unexpectedly spent two years living with us (in ‘The Tavern’) because COVID-19 prevented them from their planned relocation.

The Cat and the Rabbit

There is quite some strong feeling among various Vietnamese, that this new year, is not as the Chinese celebrate, the year of the rabbit, but, rather, the year of the Cat! The Chinese zodiac, cycles through one sign per year, over twelve years. The animal signs follow the same order every dozen years: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (also translated as Ram and Sheep), Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. 

Tết means ‘festival’ in Vietnamese language. It is most commonly short for Tết Nguyên Đán (Lunar New Year) which is one of the most important celebrations in Vietnamese culture. Tết Nguyên Đán, means "Festival of the First Day of the Year". and it celebrates the arrival of spring based on the Vietnamese calendar.
Tết is generally celebrated on the same day as Chinese New Year (also called the Spring Festival),but the one-hour time difference between the two countries means the new moon occurs on different days.
Tết is a national holiday usually spread over 3-9 days, and this year will run from Friday January 20th to Thursday January 26th. It is customary for Vietnamese people to return to their families for the festival holiday if that is possible.

Passionist Companions were officially constituted in our Province in 2002. Companions seek to live Passionist spirituality in their various life circumstances (family, home, community, place of work, parish, relationships).
There are several Companions groups, mostly based around a local Passionist community such as at Holy Cross. Professed Passionists participate as equal members in these local groups but they do not lead the groups. Members gather most months of the year for a time of reflection, sharing and social enjoyment. Most years we have a Passionist Institute offering more time to reflect and share about aspects of the Passionist charism.

When we consider any year of our life, we know that so much that happened was unexpected. Some was good, some was painful. Some taught valuable lessons, some opened up new understandings of love.

Who knows what 2023 will bring, personally, communally, nationally and globally? Whatever comes our way, no matter how painful, will be shaped for good by the Lord of life, so we can embrace the year with confidence born of faith.

We had a lovely Christmas Eve at Holy Cross. Erick trained a small troupe and had a large contingent of children join them in an African Christmas dance after communion. It was a little like this video by the Masaka kids from Southern Uganda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzoGE9MUo7o
Pastor suggested kids from Tanzania are not too bad at this sort of thing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2YmMd1bsxg

Christmas Carols will begin at 7.00pm and Mass at 7.30pm. This will be ‘amid the trees’. You can drive down the community driveway and park on the oval. It will help if those who can bring a chair, do so, please and it would be wise to bring warm clothing and insect spray.
Some people have mentioned they have allergic reactions to some of the trees where we now celebrate Christmas Eve Mass.

We moved from the oval because facing the setting sun (on the truck) was hot and unpleasant, and the band who were spending rehearsal time in the direct sun were uncomfortable. Unfortunately, nothing is perfect. We apologise for those who suffer from allergies. There is seating available in the car park area away from the trees.

Come Away Days – review
The Come Away team had their annual review last week. As a result of feedback received from participants, there was enthusiasm for the five days that were help. It was agreed to keep the content relevant and related mainly to significant liturgical seasons or ‘events’. The team will be a little smaller, so it was suggested the content be streamlined without excessive handouts, although some of these could be made available via email after the day as happened this year.

I meant to include this video link below (Advent dialogue) in yesterday’s newsletter, so here is that link and some additional material.

Advent dialogue
A little over a week ago, our Vietnamese student Tri interviewed Erick and religion teacher Shane Taylor from Our Lady of Mercy College, Heidelberg on the topic ‘Where do you find Hope and Peace in the midst of Suffering’. Apart from rich insights and sharing from Shane and Erick, Tri’s expertise as interviewer and film editor, is clearly on display. You can paste the link into Google search.
https://youtu.be/QUUoqsm9RSU

Cracked Pots – a parable
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house.