Sails in the sunset at Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia.
Photo : G Ross.
Some sailed over the ocean in ships, earning their living on the seas.
They saw what the Lord can do,
His wonderful acts on the seas.
Ps 107 : 23 – 24.

Issue 5, September 2006, Highlights:

Editorial

Viewpoint

Farewell to the Pallotines

Creating a Vocations Culture 1

Creating a Vocations Culture 2

Creating a Vocations Culture 3

Remote communities of La Grange

KCP Magazine

Farewell to the Pallottines
By Bill Worth

Photo: The farewell Mass con-celebrated by Bishop Saunders and the Pallottines on Sunday 2 July at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral, Broome.
Photo: A Hayden.

Aboriginal Sunday, the first Sunday in July, was the occasion chosen to farewell the Pallottine Congregation from the Kimberley along with the last Pallottine working in the Broome Diocese, Fr Kevin McKelson.

In Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral a large collection of well-wishers joined in a Mass led by Bishop Saunders and concelebrated by Fr Ray Hevern, Fr Joe Butscher, Fr Michael McMahon, Fr Joe Kearney, Fr Kevin McKelson, Fr Daniel Chama and Fr Richard Tomelty. Notre Dame University, Broome hosted a farewell brunch to honour the occasion. Mr Gavin Greaves, the Executive Director of the University’s Broome Campus made a presentation to Fr McKelson on behalf of the University where Fr Kevin had been working as chaplain. Bishop Saunders gave a gift to the Pallottines to symbolically mark the end of their 105 years in the Kimberley. Father Hevern, the Regional Superior of the Pallottines, responded.

Photo: Fr Kevin McKelson with well-wishers at the farewell brunch at the University of Notre Dame Australia, Broome Campus. Photo CAS

Talented Broome artist, Sally Bin Demin donated two silk screens which were presented to Fr McKelson and Fr Hevern - each of them reminiscent of Kimberley colours and motifs.

Photo: Artist Sally Bin Demin presents one of her creations of Kimberley colours to Fr Kevin McKelson. Photo: N Baker.

Mr Greaves said how indebted the University was to Father McKelson for his work on Campus – for his wisdom and dedication to the needs of the growing University community. Bishop Saunders drew attention to the great work in linguistics and liturgy pioneered by Fr Kevin. He went on to say that the Diocese is what it is today because of the commitment of the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers to Mission and ministry in the region.

Fr Ray Hevern spoke of the Pallottine history in Beagle Bay, Lombadina, Broome, Derby, La Grange, Balgo, Wyndham, Halls Creek and Kununurra. [A copy of his speech will be reprinted in a future edition of Kimberley Talk-About along with a copy of the farewell talk given by Fr Kevin McKelson on the day].

Photo: Pallottine Regional Leader: Fr Ray Hevern

On the Sunday afternoon there was a prayer gathering in the Cathedral led by the Pallottines – a Rosary reflection on their own mission experiences and that of their confreres. It was well attended by many parishioners who have had a long association with the Pallottine Priests and Brothers.

Photo: Present at the farewell celebration in Broome were : back – Pallottine Frs Michael McMahon, Joe Butscher, Ray Hevern. Front - Frs Joe Kearney, Kevin McKelson, Br Gunther.

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