Sandpiper: May - July 2020

SANDP I PER | JULY 2020 13 WANGARATTA is about 16,000 kilometres away from the eternal city of Rome in Italy, but my academic studies at the Gregorian University, remarkably, were able to continue from Australia. I, along with students from across the world, logged into our computers to follow lectures and complete examinations to conclude the 2019/2020 Roman academic year, which began in October. It was from St Patrick’s Presbytery in Wangaratta where I continued my studies amid the routine of parish life, while other classmates from the Gregorian University also completed their studies online from homes or parishes throughout America or Europe. The time difference between Italy and Australia meant that I was able to complete my studies at civil hours, with classes in the late afternoon or early evening here in Australia. My subjects for the semester included studying the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), as well as a biblical seminar on Jesus as the Sage of God and Divine Wisdom. Other subjects included Canon Law, patrology, sexual morals, fundamental theology, pastoral COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to support each other and help to facilitate the return of public Masses at St Patrick’s and Our Lady’s, which took effect from June 2. While numbers have been restricted, there was a sense of gratitude and joy among parishioners for the opportunity to be able to attend Mass again. During my stay in Wangaratta, I was often inspired by the faithfulness of parishioners in their Mass attendance and their generosity in seeking to put others before themselves through their thoughtfulness. The need to book ahead for Mass was also a new experience, however, this ensured that as many people as possible had the opportunity to attend Mass. The situation inside St Patrick’s and Our Lady’s churches, as it is indeed for all places of worship across Victoria and in the Diocese, is also unique at the moment. At both St Patrick’s and Our Lady’s, there is physical distancing in place with only every second seat occupied, hand sanitiser is at the door, contact details of worshippers are recorded and thorough cleaning of the churches is ensured. Then, there are changes within the liturgy such as the distribution of Communion under only one species with the Body of Christ and no sign of peace. It is indeed a challenging situation which we find ourselves in, however, we make the most of it and look forward to the time when restrictions will ease further and we will be able to gather together as a whole community of faith in our parishes across the Diocese. I suspect that once we come through this COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a renewed sense of gratitude for so many things. We have all had to make sacrifices in recent months. As an example, it was three months after arriving back from Italy that I had the opportunity to visit my grandparents for the first time since returning to Australia. It took about the same length of time for me to be able to see my best mate for the first time. However, I know that my experience is not unique, as we have all been challenged by our time in isolation. As I reflect on this, I am conscious of couples in the Diocese, who have had 50th wedding anniversary celebrations put on hold and I am also mindful of those who have grieved the death of loved ones under the COVID-19 restrictions in recent months. These situations are just two of many examples. We have all been affected in some way but we will get through this together. May we continue to pray for and support each other as best we can. A View from...Home By Jackson Saunders theology, political philosophy and a unit on the history of 2000 years of theology. The studies were time consuming, with the culmination of this work including nine exams. One was a multiple choice, two were written and six were oral examinations. Thankfully, all exams were able to take place in English, with the exception of the multiple-choice examination, which was in Italian. As I completed the nine exams from Wangaratta across a three-week period, there was a sense of a marathon taking place. Each subject needed to be studied thoroughly and the need to translate lectures from Italian into English was necessary in order to understand key concepts. While I focused on my studies to complete the Roman academic year, which concluded in mid-June, I was also assisting in Wangaratta and King Valley Parishes. This was a great joy, as there is a terrific chemistry amongst the parish team including Parish Priest, Fr Mike Pullar, assistant priest, Fr Dean Bongat, secretary Mary Ellen Cheshire and housekeeper, Kellie Chamberlain. As we dealt with the challenges of the Jackson Saunders outside Our Lady’s Church, Wangaratta.