At Yaruman or Ringer Soak, a remote community south-east of Halls Creek. These community women, from left, Sheila Walker, Angela Gordon (back) and Ruby Ungiya relax after a celebration that commemorated the gift of Aboriginal people to Australia.
Photo: CAS

“Let your spirits rejoice in the mercy of God, and be not ashamed to give Him praise. Work at your tasks in due season, and in His own time
God will give you your reward.
Sirach 51:29-30

Issue 3, June 2009, Highlights:

Editorial

A memorable 60 years

Viewpoint

Youth News and WYD

Kimberley Volunteers

Kimberley Kitchen

Billard Summit - A new beginning

Respect - Walking the fine lines

The Year of St Paul

NATSICC Assembly

Kimberley Community Profile

Remembering WYD and Rome
Rebekah Treacy

By When I first arrived in Rome, I knew I definitely no longer was in Australia and I was extremely excited before the wonderful journey even began. The second we left the airport, it all kicked in properly that I was actually in Rome, half way across the world, miles away from home and family. As a tourist, ancient buildings, massive statues, the most beautiful churches, busy traffic is what I see looking out the window as we tour around Rome. We passed the Colosseum, and again I thought to myself I’m actually in Rome; it all happened so fast that I had to keep reminding myself I’m here, its all happening, and its all going to happen. Everyday we did something exciting. The second day in Rome we walked to Saint Peter’s Square: what I was thinking when I first stood in the area, words can’t explain. Every church I walked into put me in great awe. Every single one had the most incredible paintings, which I could have just sat and looked at for hours. I didn’t want to walk away from them, they had this grand feeling about them...

Although the entire journey was memorable the most unforgettable place we visited was Assisi. It was about a three hour bus drive from Rome, but felt like half an hour. The country was seriously breath taking, and driving up to Assisi seeing it situated on a hill above the small town, was like a fairytale. We walked around the village of Assisi, exploring everything that was there, and we were all so privileged in being able to have mass down in the actual tomb of St Francis.

The group was so welcoming and friendly, by the second day we were all used to each other. Some of the people in the group were very strong in their faith, whereas others just like myself were still trying to find that part with the help of each other. Near the end we all got together as a group and shared our experiences, our highlights, what we got out of this trip, what we were going to take back with us. All in all listening to everyone’s comments got me thinking a lot about my own place, and where I’m standing with my own faith. I’m not strong in my faith, as far as it goes, for honestly I don’t get much time in my life, or I don’t make much time in my life to think about my faith, about God. But this trip to Rome has somewhat widened my views. It has given me a deeper understanding of faith and has given me time to be in the right place and with the right people, to allow myself to think about and express exactly what I want. The experience in Rome was once in a life time, and is definitely one I’ll never forget.

Photo Caption: Rebekah, third from bottom right, assists with carrying the Cross for the Handover in St Peter’s Square, Vatican, on Palm Sunday, 5 April 2009.