Reflections from the Sisters: October 1, 2007

Today Aussies celebrated Labour Day, so we enjoyed a holiday from work.  Father Martin Maunsell, the pastor of Saint Michael’s Church in Lane Cove, offered Mass in our convent chapel, reminding us that we are called to turn to the Lord in childlike openness and trust like St. Therese.  Before departing, Father Martin extended an invitation to us to join his parish in an outing to the Sydney Opera House, an offer that we were excited to accept. 

The holiday evening brought another adventure as we set out across town to Theology on Tap at PJ Gallagher’s Irish Pub.  Father Dom Murphy was giving a talk on the Theology of the Body, the third in a series of talks at the pub.  Theology on Tap, one of the better American exports, is fairly new to Sydney but is rapidly gaining popularity.  Over 200 college aged young adults were crowded into the pub’s first floor and listened with rapt attention to Father’s excellent presentation.  He began by noting that such a setting suited him well since the Dominican Order was founded in a pub, where Dominic conversed with the innkeeper throughout the night.  After the talk, we had the chance to mingle with the young people whose interest in the faith and in discussing vocations painted a portrait of hope for the future of World Youth Day and of Sydney.  Next month’s Theology on Tap speaker is Cardinal Pell on faith in the public sector, a topic as controversial and essential in Sydney as in the United States.