3 human trafficking a concern for all people of mercy. From the Chair

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1 EDITION 28 autumn 2016 CONTENTS 1 from the chair 2 editorial 3 human trafficking a concern for all people of mercy 5 leadership formation program update 8 ministry updates 14 reflection PHOTOS: MERCY PARTNERS, MCSNQ dr raymond campbell chairperson, mercy partners council From the Chair Greetings WELCOME TO 2016! This is our first newsletter for the year, and it has been a busy year already! So far the Council has conducted three major events with the ministries. The Year of Mercy Celebrations in Brisbane and Rockhampton brought together people from the ministries to reflect on the opportunities and challenges the Jubilee Year offers. We have already seen action taken following from our discussions watch out for the Holy Cross Laundry Trucks in Brisbane with the Year of Mercy Door painted on the side! The Directors and Leaders Gathering in Brisbane last week was very successful on another level. It was a great opportunity to meet with Directors and ministry leaders for all to contribute to the ongoing development of Mercy Partners. Everyone entered into the spirit of the gathering, sharing wisdom and advice. This time before Easter causes us to reflect more deeply on the mercy of God. In his feature article, Julien O Connell AM advocates for our support in the works of Mercy International on the issue of human trafficking. This problem is of course related to the very urgent problems of poverty and marginalisation of groups of people, particularly women and children. This Lent, we were called to be people of mercy and justice, doing our little bit to address the suffering in the world, regardless of its cause. Let us not forget that it is the wrongdoer who also stands in need of mercy. From the cross, Jesus forgives the thief and pours the Father s mercy on him. We are called to acknowledge our need for mercy. The poem on the last page of this newsletter reminds us of how the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus has meaning in our own times. This Easter, let s be people of mercy and justice. Let s be resurrection people. Blessings diary date Jul-Aug 2016 Regional Year of Mercy Retreats (Brisbane, Rockhampton, Townsville); Oct 2016 Leadership Formation Program Completion 1 Mercy Partners NEWS Edition 28

2 mercy partners update judith gardiner executive officer, mercy partners From the Executive Officer THIS YEAR WE WILL HEAR A LOT ABOUT MERCY AS WE LIVE THIS JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY WE WILL HEAR of many examples of mercy from our ministries, and you are encouraged to send us any special stories of mercy that touch your heart so we can share them with others. We report on the recent Year of Mercy Celebrations in Rockhampton and Brisbane, and the recent Directors and Leaders Gathering. This edition of our newsletter will focus on mercy and justice. The God of the Old Testament showed his great mercy to his people, revealing himself to Abraham as a personal God, bound together by a covenant; to Moses, delivering the descendants of Abraham from the slavery of Egypt; to the prophets and the kings: continually forgiving their failure to keep the covenant. The Hebrew Scriptures also tell us of the wrath of God, where God is righteously angry, but whose anger rapidly turns to tenderness and forgiving love. The New Testament, of course, tells the story of God s greatest mercy the gift of his son. Jesus is sent from God, to demonstrate in human terms what mercy is. Mercy heals, teaches, liberates and gives abundant life. Caroline Thompson in her reflection shares with us this connection between mercy and justice in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. Mercy is intimately related to the concept of justice. Sometimes we think that showing mercy to a sinful person, goes against our sense of justice that sin should be punished and we should pay for our sin. God s mercy however demonstrates that justice is not about punishment or retribution. This theme is taken up by the students at All Hallows and St Ursula s who have contributed their insights into what mercy might look like in our modern context, and Wendy Blezard from Townsville tells us about the Safe at Home program aimed at assisting older people in the community. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy we will explore the charisms of those founders of religious institutes who are prominent in our stories, particularly Catherine McAuley, Nano Nagle, Francis of Assisi and Elisabeth Ward. Anna Burke (The Quality of Mercy, 2015, p 48), speaking of Catherine McAuley, Nano Nagle and Mary Aikenhead (founder of the Sisters of Charity) says that these women are recognised as women who worked tirelessly to set free the oppressed people of their time. These women were drawn into the heart of mercy, ever radical, always prophetic. In his proclamation of the Jubilee Year of Mercy (Misericordiae Vultus, 11 April 2015), Pope Francis asks us to ponder the reality that without mercy there is no justice. Mercy and justice are, the pope says, a single reality. Sr Marie Casamento a Good Samaritan Sister who worked in Brisbane schools in the 1980s and 90s provides a reflection that is at the heart of mercy, radical and prophetic. Her poem juxtaposes the plight of refugees and the passion and resurrection of Jesus, a topic close to Pope Francis heart. Francis, considering the questions of mercy and justice asks who am I to judge? just as Jesus asks the Pharisees about the woman caught in adultery: who are we to judge. Our world too is filled with ordinary people who work tirelessly to set free the oppressed people of our time. We see them daily in our schools, hospitals, community care setting and homes for the aged and frail. In this issue we will acknowledge the great work done over many years by Mr Bob Campbell, CEO of Holy Cross Laundry and soon to retire. In this edition of Mercy Partners News, our feature article from Julien O Connell AM raises the issue of human trafficking and the work being done by Mercy International. There are some practical ways you can support this work. We reflect also on the recent Year of Mercy Celebrations in Brisbane and Rockhampton, and report on the Directors and Leaders Gathering held in Brisbane last week, events which seek to bring the mission of Mercy Partners to contribute to the emergence of a world where the healing, liberating and life-giving mercy of God is experienced. Farewell to Bob Campbell MR BOB CAMPBELL, the CEO of Holy Cross Laundry (HCL) retires this month. Bob has been with the laundry for over twelve years and saw its transition from the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy Brisbane to being part of the Mater Misericordiae Health Services Brisbane in Bob also ably managed the relocation of the laundry from its site at Wooloowin to the new state-of-the-art facility at Banyo. He has had an impressive and committed career, ensuring that the laundry not only remained a viable business but also a ministry to the many disabled employees of the laundry. Bob is noted for his enormous compassion, his enthusiasm and his dedication to the mission of mercy. Bob has been a great supporter of Mercy Partners since its very beginnings and was one of the first to complete the Formation Program. The new CEO of the laundry is Mr Troy McDowell who is a current member of the Holy Cross Laundry Executive Team, having commenced at HCL in November 2014 as the Financial Controller and in October 2015 was appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer. He has a background in senior management, financial management, information technology, human resources as well as product manufacture supply and logistical services. Troy will officially take up his CEO responsibilities on Monday 4 April. Best wishes to Bob on his retirement, and congratulations to Troy! 2 Mercy Partners NEWS Edition 28

3 mercy partners update Human Trafficking is a Concern for all People of Mercy by Julien O Connell AM The Jubilee Year of Mercy has sparked many discussions about what it means to be a person of Mercy and to fulfil the mission of Catherine McAuley. Mercy is not just about forgiveness, Pope Francis called on all of us to act with compassion and extend our care beyond our own experiences and local community. THERE ARE FEW issues more pressing to our global community than human trafficking and modern day slavery. An estimated 30 million victims of human trafficking and modern day slavery endure untold exploitation in sweatshops, brothels, restaurants, salons, agricultural labour, forced marriages and other circumstances hidden from view all around the world. At least one of every five people trafficked is a child. As you are aware, Mercy International Association is engaged in the fight to eradicate human trafficking. Through our non-government organisation seat at the United Nations, Sr Áine O Connor rsm and her team work diligently toward making a global difference to fight this exploitation of basic human rights. The fight to end human trafficking is not straightforward or easy; this vital work is the modern manifestation of Catherine s work with the most impoverished in our global community. As you would imagine, continuing and growing this work in the future requires a solid financial basis. MIA Fundraising, co-chaired by myself and Sr Denise Fox rsm, is campaigning to raise awareness and funds to assist the financial demand of continuing Mercy s work at the United Nations and beyond. Throughout our campaign, we have had a number of conversations with supporters who are shocked by the statistics and related information of this disturbing issue. Human trafficking is a gross disregard for human life, which is exactly why it is of the utmost importance Mercy continues to advocate against it and raise awareness within our own communities. As people of Mercy we cannot allow ourselves to turn away from the plight of those most disadvantaged in our global community. MIA Fundraising is launching our 2016 campaign to raise funds to assist the financial demand of continuing our work at the United Nations headquarters and beyond. We know we will have your support to promote our cause within your community or ministry. Julien O Connell AM, Co-Chair of MIA Fundraising We call on you to join the fight to end human trafficking and show your support for the cause by purchasing and wearing our Break the Chains wristband. The genderneutral, adjustable wristband is symbolic of the physical or metaphorical chains victims of human trafficking are forced to live in. Proceeds go towards Mercy s work on human trafficking at the United Nations and beyond. Edition 28 Mercy Partners NEWS 3

4 mercy partners update Directors and Leaders Gathering Last week Mercy Partners Council convened a gathering of ministry Directors and Leaders. Held at Royal on the Park in Brisbane, the gathering included a dinner and a day of dialogue. The purpose of the gathering was to share understandings of Mercy Partners, especially the canonical obligations of the Council of Mercy Partners and to consider strategic directions in Formation Programs. Directors and ministry leaders also agreed that the event allowed people to network across all the ministries that now comprise Mercy Partners. Dr Ray Campbell provided two input sessions and there was a great deal of productive discussion among participants. Ray s two presentations are available on the Mercy Partners website ( conference-papers). Sharing, understanding and networking 4 Mercy Partners NEWS Edition 28

5 formation update dr caroline thompson mercy partners director of formation program From the Formation Corner JUSTICE AND MERCY PHOTO BOX BACKGROUND 123RF-ALEXANDR PAKHNYUSHCHY JUSTICE AND MERCY have existed in theological, spiritual and practical tension within the Church, and society more generally, for a long, long time. Despite their links to the very nature of God in the Hebrew scriptures, justice and mercy have come to represent very different ideas in the contemporary context. Richard Rohr (2015) in seeking to explore the roots of this tension suggests both theological and psychological causes: Poor theology has led most people to view God as a sometimes benevolent Santa Claus or as an unforgiving tyrant who is going to burn us in hell for all eternity if we don t love him Psychologically, humans tend to operate out of a worldview of fear and scarcity rather than trust and abundance. This stingy, calculating worldview makes both grace and mercy unimaginable and difficult to experience. Justice today is frequently tied to a legalistic mindset which insists that wrongdoers are punished and individual rights protected. This system is retributive, rational, often rigidly black and white and fits an individualistic view of the world and our place within it. Applying this concept of justice to God leads to a punitive and retributive God, Mere divine retribution leads to an egosatisfying and eventually unworkable image of God which situates us inside of a very unsafe and dangerous universe. Both Jesus and Paul observed the human tendency toward retribution and spoke strongly about the limitations of the law. (Rohr, 2015) In this Year of Mercy we are all challenged to rethink the link between justice and mercy and to recapture the beautiful biblical images of our God who forgives, again and again; who pours out love upon all people; whose love and mercy are never ending. God s justice is not rigid, retributive or judgemental. It is a justice which pours out love and forgiveness. It is a justice which does not take account of past sins or expect the recipient to carry the weight of remorse. God s love and justice are transformative. They can transform us, and through us, transform our world. The Gospel stories remind us again and again of the power of love in the words and actions of Jesus we need only think of Zacchaeus, the Samaritan woman at the well, the Good Samaritan, the prodigal son; the list goes on. Jesus call to treat everyone we meet as an expression of God s love is a radical concept in a transactional world where retributive justice dominates. I believe that Pope Francis called this Year of Mercy because he saw the urgent need for a new way of thinking and expressing our common humanity: > > to challenge us to transform the world, one person, one situation at a time > > to love without reason or counting the cost > > to love because we are created in love and God s love lies within us all. As Rohr (2105) asserts, Isaiah says of God, My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways (Isaiah 55:8). Yet I am afraid we largely pulled God down into our thoughts. We think fear, anger, divine intimidation, threat, and punishment are going to lead people to love. Show me where that has worked. You cannot lead people to the highest level of motivation by teaching them the lowest. God always and forever models the highest, and our task is merely to imitate God (Ephesians 5:1). Micah 6:8 Let no one be discouraged by the belief there is nothing one person can do against the enormous array of the world s ills, misery, ignorance, and violence. Few will have the greatness to bend history, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. And in the total of all those acts will be written the history of a generation. Bobby Kennedy Edition 28 Mercy Partners NEWS 5

6 formation update Year of Mercy Celebrations Mercy Partners hosted celebrations of the Year of Mercy in Brisbane (9th February) and Rockhampton (3rd March). These events were a great opportunity to gather together as partners in mercy to reflect on what mercy means in our ministries and our lives. Archbishop Mark Coleridge led the reflection at the Brisbane gathering urging everyone present to make mercy both a verb (mercying) and a public act not something you do in private but something you proclaim to the world. Pope Francis invites us to be renewed by God s mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives too; and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish (March 31, 2013). 6 Mercy Partners NEWS Edition 28

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8 mercy partners ministry updates Students share their message at the Schools Vigil all hallows school Advocating for a Better Way by Angela O Malley On Thursday February 18, a small group of All Hallows students and staff members attended the Schools Vigil outside the Lady Cilento Hospital in support of the action taken to advocate for baby Asha not to be sent back to Nauru. MANY RELIGIOUS INSTITUTE schools sent representatives to the event which was chaired by students from Brigidine College and supported by the students themselves speaking about why they were there. The students joined hundreds of people who in some way participated in an eight-day round the clock vigil advocating for better treatment for people who are refugees or who are seeking asylum in Australia. The very simple message conveyed beyond advocating for baby Asha was that the detention centres on Nauru and Manus are not safe, are not a humane response to a situation facing countries around the world and should be shut down. There has to be a better way to stop an already traumatised people experiencing further physical and mental suffering. Later that evening a number of staff attended a fundraiser for the Romero Centre (a program run by Mercy Community Services for people with a refugee background). The guest speaker was Kon Karapanagiotidis, founder and CEO of Asylum Seekers Resource Council, who was also in Brisbane during the vigils. Despite the many problems and challenges faced by advocates, Kon s message was one of hope a belief in the goodness of people and a belief that by remaining faithful to values which support the human dignity of each person and compassionate outreach to people who are desperately seeking refuge, change will eventually come. Angela O Malley is All Hallows School Director of Mission PHOTO ALL HALLOWS SCHOOL 8 Mercy Partners NEWS Edition 28

9 mercy partners ministry updates all hallows school The Inaugural Mass in the Year of Mercy Each year, the School s inaugural mass is a wonderful whole School celebration when we pray not only for the leadership of both the elected student leaders and all Year 12 students but for the whole community. AT THIS YEAR S mass on Wednesday February 17, the beautiful words of the prayers of the mass and hymn lyrics highlighted the School s 2016 theme to Live Mercy Simply and Joyfully. Bishop Bill Morris, the School Captains and the student readers and choir led us in a number of prayers and reflections which highlighted our understanding of the need to both give and receive mercy. The penitential rite was a special prayer for all of us as we seek mercy so that we may be merciful to others. Sisters and brothers, in the Jubilee Year of Mercy, let us acknowledge the times when our attitudes and actions are incompatible with our call to be women and men of mercy. For those times when we act out of prejudice, envy or spite, Lord have mercy. For those times we fail to see what is simply beautiful, simply true, simply liberating, Christ have mercy. For those times we wilfully choose to ignore the sources of love and joy in our lives, Lord have mercy. God-with-us, you teach us how to live with hearts that are just and true. We pray that our faithfulness to you is constant, humble and joyful. all hallows school Launch of Whole School Project Open House live simply so that others may simply live by Angela O Malley At the first Year 5-12 Assembly this year, our School Captains and Social Justice Captains launched the 2016 Whole School Project which they have titled Project Open House. INSPIRED BY THIS year s whole School theme with its invitation to live simply and joyfully in mercy, this project aims to support and assist two local programs: Work and Welcome Program and a Teaching and Healing Garden at the Mater Young Adult Health Centre. PHOTO ALL HALLOWS SCHOOL The Work and Welcome program which is run by the Multicultural Development Association has been adopted by eighteen schools in Queensland and aims to support vulnerable people particularly those with a migrant or refugee background by providing short-term employment and job opportunities. Our fundraising for the wages to support this employment includes the invitation for staff to commit to a payroll deduction and it aims to provide employment in suitable roles for at least one person for a term at All Hallows. The benefits to the community are reciprocal as it provides an opportunity for our school to be further enriched by cultural diversity and to understand different cultural perspectives and history. The Mater Young Adult Health Centre aims to educate young adults on how to better manage their conditions and provides programs to address the emotional, social and educational needs of its patients. The creation of the garden is in keeping with this holistic approach to health. The launch and the creation of the banner and logo will help focus the fundraising and awareness raising of the various issues associated with the project. Edition 28 Mercy Partners NEWS 9

10 mercy partners ministry updates mater health services, brisbane Mater Neurosurgeons Partner with ROSA the Robot in an Australian First by Veena Herron Mater surgeons have given new hope to people with epilepsy through an Australian-first surgery incorporating the use of ROSA robotic assistant technology. The ROSA robotic system is used in the accurate drilling of holes for electrode placement for Stereo EEG procedures. Once the electrodes are in place, the Mater Centre for Neurosciences team monitors a patient s seizures, analysing brain activity and movement during a seizure to identify if they are a potential candidate for brain surgery, in order to control their seizures. THROUGH MATER CENTRE for Neurosciences, Mater is one of only three hospitals in Australia to perform the procedure a Stereo EEG and the only hospital to utilise the ROSA robotic assistant technology. Thousands of Queenslanders suffer from epilepsy, a neurological condition that affects the nervous system. Epilepsy affects up to Queensland families, many of whom do not respond to medical treatment and therefore surgery is their best option, Mater Neurosurgeon Dr Jason Papacostas said. ROSA, a Robotized Surgical Assistant, represents a new milestone for neurosurgeons and their patients, halving surgery time and offering increased efficiency, security and flexibility. Procedures using ROSA typically take one and a half to two hours, in comparison to six hours with a frame-based approach. In our first surgery with ROSA we inserted 13 electrodes deep within the brain in just less than two hours, whereas in the past that would take four or so hours, Dr Papacostas said. For patients such as Dean Parkin, the first in Australia to undergo surgery using the ROSA technology, the possibility of being able to control seizures presents an opportunity to truly change their lives. Dean has been unable to work, he has been unable to stay in employment, he has been unable to go out and socialise and spend time with his young family, Clinical Nurse Consultant in Epilepsy Peter Jones said. It s possible that this could offer Dean a cure that is what we are hoping for and what we look to offer our patients. The robot is another innovation in the advanced surgery for epilepsy offering at Mater Centre for Neurosciences. The centre provides an advanced epilepsy service using state-of-the-art equipment to provide a full range of epilepsy care, ensuring patients receive the best treatment for their needs. Veena Herron is Mater Health Services Senior Marketing and Communication Officer PHOTO MATER HEALTH SERVICES, BRISBANE 10 Mercy Partners NEWS Edition 28

11 mercy partners ministry updates mercy community services north queensland Safe at Home Program by Wendy Blezard The Safe at Home Program is conducted in Townsville by Mercy Community Services North Queensland and is a Ministry in Mercy Partners. THE SAFE AT Home Program offers Townsville residents monitored personal medi-alert alarms and a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week personal emergency response service. We provide support to those who wish to live a safe, full and independent life but require the assurance that, if assistance is required, it is only the press of a button away should an emergency arise. I, Wendy Blezard (Co-ordinator for Safe at Home Program), was recently invited by Townsville s Community Information Centre to have a two-week window display on their premises. Needless to say I jumped at the chance for some marketing and here is the end result. It was a lot of fun putting the display together and here s hoping I did Mercy Community Services North Queensland and Mercy Partners proud. Wendy Blezard is Program Co-ordinator of Mercy Community Services North Queensland Safe at Home Program Miracle PHOTO MERCY COMMUNITY SERVICES NORTH QUEENSLAND Not the one who takes up his bed and walks But the ones who have known him all along And carry him Their shoulders numb, the ache and stoop deeplocked In their backs, the stretcher handles Slippery with sweat. And no let-up Until he s strapped on tight, made tiltable And raised to the tiled roof, then lowered for healing. Be mindful of them as they stand and wait For the burn of the paid-out ropes to cool, Their slight lightheadedness and incredulity To pass, those ones who had known him all along. Seamus Heaney Irish poet, playwright, translator and lecturer, and the recipient of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature TELEGRAPH.CO.UK Edition 28 Mercy Partners NEWS 11

12 mercy partners ministry updates Anne McGuire rsm (centre) and St Ursula s College, Yeppoon Year 12 House Captains (clockwise from left) Miranda Campbell, Sophie Stein, Beth Rayner, and Lucia Pilcher, proudly displaying Caritas Project Compassion campaign posters on campus. st ursula s college, yeppoon Opening the door to Mercy, Simplicity and Opportunity by Karyn Redmond Let God have a part of your life; let Him lead your steps. between stability in a community, and the availability of basic necessities, said St Ursula s College, Yeppoon, Deputy Principal - Spiritual and Pastoral, Mrs Kathy Curran. The presentation from Sr Anne McGuire inspired the students to reach out, take the opportunities available and help make a difference, even if it s a small difference, in the lives of others, Mrs Curran said. THOSE WERE THE encouraging words spoken by Fr Noel Milner as he celebrated the Commencement and Commissioning Mass for St Ursula s College, Yeppoon, to mark the beginning of the 2016 school year. Year 12 House Captains have devoted each week of Lent to fundraising for Project Compassion, selling icy cups, baked goods, and cut-out paper hearts which read I care for Caritas around campus for Valentine s Day. Student Leaders of the College have taken Fr Milner s message on board, and after hearing from a Caritas guest speaker recently, are determined to put their faith into action during this Year of Mercy. Head of Mission for Caritas Australia, Anne McGuire rsm, visited St Ursula s College, Yeppoon, in February, during a tour of the Rockhampton Catholic Diocese to raise awareness for Project Compassion, Caritas annual fundraising campaign for overseas relief. Sr Anne McGuire helped the students realise the link With senior students pledging to create a unique footprint in the history of this College so our legacy is one of which we can all be proud, during the Commencement and Commissioning Mass, Mrs Curran believes they are true to their word. They have worked hard to raise awareness and funds for Project Compassion, while drawing on the values of mercy and simplicity and, as a College community, we are very proud of their efforts to assist people in need. Karyn Redmond is the Public Relations Officer (Communications) at St Ursula s College, Yeppoon PHOTO ST URSULA S COLLEGE, YEPPOON 12 Mercy Partners NEWS Edition 28

13 mercy partners updates Mercy Partners Leadership Formation Retreats, 2016 Take the opportunity to listen, reflect on, and discern the power of Mercy in your life. Make a retreat with Mercy Partners in the Year of Mercy! Townsville July at the Prayer House Rockhampton July at the Dreamtime Centre Brisbane 7-8 August at Ormiston Retreat Centre Cairns August at Seville Retreat Centre Mercy Partners is also convening a Leadership Formation Program conference to enable those who were unable to complete the program to catch up on the topics they missed. The conference will be on October in Brisbane, at Brisbane International, Virginia. New Resource: Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy Reflections Mercy Partners has developed two series of reflections on aspects of Mercy designed to be part of ministry prayer during the Year of Mercy. > > Mercy Moments, for prayer or reflection, published each fortnight and posted online. > > Board Prayer resources for the commencement of a Board meeting. The complete resource packge can be downloaded (26- page PDF). Individual resources can be downloaded. Visit au/year-of-mercy-resources This video clip by Missy Higgins is a powerful call to justice for refugees watch?v=tsfai0ylwu0 Edition 28 Mercy Partners NEWS 13

14 reflection This beautiful poem written by Sr Marie Casamento SGS captures the challenge of refugees and the Easter journey Before the Eyes of the World Before the eyes of the world, in the dead of night they came, seeking passage between their lands of desolation and the possibility of a better life. There were no palms beneath their feet, no shouts of hosanna, only the rubber of a life raft buffeted by the waves, amid the silence imperative in making an escape. Before the eyes of the world, in the glare of daylight, our eyes glued to our television screens, he sat before us, a young lad on a Middle Eastern mat; his chest stripped, laid bare revealing rows of ribs, bare-boned evidence of malnutrition, no bread to break, no wine to bless, no fish. And the voices cried crucify them, crucify them as they refused entry of food to their villages. Women wept, mothers wept wept, wailed in desperation for their children. In the midday heat of the sun, before our unseeing eyes, they clambered ashore, scrambling over rocks, crawling under barbwire barriers, going to who knows where somewhere, peering into the vacant stares of the onlookers, hoping desperately for an offer of asylum. On and on they stumble, on and on across borders, boundaries and seas, continuing their journey along the Via Dolorosa. The stirring of the dust from the remnants of an exploding bomb clouds vision. Suddenly Simeon appears scooping up one son in haste and throwing him into the back of an open truck. A lone child stands momentarily still, stunned, then runs crying Daddy, Daddy, Daddy. Suddenly he jumps, scrambles on board the waiting truck. What time is it? Dawn or mid-afternoon? The glint of the sun strikes a figure hanging lifeless on a cross. The glint of dawn light bathes a small child, not yet school age, as he lies lifeless, face down in the water. The sky darkens, storms approach, further bombing is heard as the veil of the temple is rent in two. Dawn breaks. A woman s eyes peer into an empty tomb. A new day in far-away lands begins. Women open doors. Men gather around barbeques on beaches. Families open arms as eyes recognise the pain etched on worn faces. Rallies begin, marches continue, palms, banners, voices cry, plead; Let them stay, let them stay, let them stay. Though the doors were barred, Jesus stood among them. Roll back the stone, stand among us, you are welcome. Resurrexit! Marie Casamento is a Good Samaritan Sister who works as an art psychotherapist. Source: This article was first published in the March 2016 edition of The Good Oil, the e-magazine of the Good Samaritan Sisters and is reproduced with permission. PORTRAIT THE GOOD OIL 2016 Mercy Partners. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of Mercy Partners. Supplied content is used with permission of the copyright holder as noted and ownership of this content remains the property of the original copyright holder. Please apply to the Editor in writing for permission to reproduce any part of this publication: judith.gardiner@mercypartners.org.au. Note: this publication may be transmitted without permission for the purpose of genuine promotion of the mission of Mercy Partners and its ministries, or for study. MERCY PARTNERS info@mercypartners.org.au PO Box 424 Banyo Q 4014 Lvl 2 McAuley Bldg 131 Queens Road Nudgee Q 4014