It is unlikely you have heard of the name of Sydney man, and long-standing parish & St Vincent de Paul member, Stan Arneil. He published his “One Man’s War” book years ago. The book is the publication of his secret diaries, written when he was a prisoner of war in Changi. It was a story of the daily struggle of survival.
Stan Arneil’s diary notes regularly included his anticipation, for example that “this Christmas, I look forward to dinner around the family table” or “just before Christmas, I look forward to seeing Sydney Heads as we sail into the harbour.” When the return to Sydney did not happen that year, the diary would begin a new year, with references about “this coming Christmas” he would be home. Stan Arneil never lost hope. He never lost hope in waiting for the day when he would return home.
In our Diocese, this weekend marks the annual Perpetual Day of Remembrance Sunday. Our Sunday Masses hold in our prayers the many needs of those who have been affected directly or indirectly by the crime of sexual abuse by Clergy or other Church personnel in this shameful part of our Diocesan history. The sufferings and losses experienced have been extreme, and ongoing.
Perpetual Day of Remembrance Sunday is our Diocesan community’s expression of solidarity with survivors, including our prayers with and for them. Solidarity – being with the other, especially in time of hardship – is an essential part of our being followers or disciples of Christ our Saviour. Being with the other is a powerful means of helping to lift the weight of isolation or aloneness which is often felt. We remember Paul the Apostle’s teaching to the early Church at Corinth, calling the Church the body of Christ and that – “… if one part is hurt, all parts are hurt with it…” (1 Cor 12: 26).
In the Gospel for this Sunday, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth her cousin met and shared mutual support – as pregnant women have done since time immemorial! Their “waiting” was the waiting of two women of deep Faith, trusting that God’s faithful love would, as promised, soon be revealed in a new way.
There is a lovely saying – “God is present in the waiting”. We all wait for wholeness or healing and all have that yearning for “all to be well”. We particularly express loving solidarity with abuse survivors particularly this weekend, and in the next few days before this Tuesday, which is also the annual Our Lady of Sorrows Feast Day. We ask that Mary’s intercession be with us. Most particularly as we pray the Eucharist, we renew our trust in our Saviour’s loving presence and entrust to the Saviour our cares, needs and petitions – and waiting in Hope.
Fr Kevin