In April this year, Emmanuel Community moderator, Violet D’Ornellas visited Perth, Western Australia to visit her only sister Iris Pitts and her daughter and family in Canning Vale - Bonnie and Michael Knox whom she had not seen for almost five years. There was a great family reunion, meeting all the new additions to the family. 

While there this gave her an opportunity to continue ministry, and share the gospel and pro-life message, and give teaching on the gifts of the Spirit with groups, as she had done on a couple of earlier visits.

Many Trinidad and Tobago families live in Australia and find it a relaxed society, very family-oriented, with great government support and incentives.

But as Violet had observed previously, there is a deep hunger for God despite the society being so comfortable.  Perhaps too comfortable to need God?

Bishop Sproxton and Violet D'Ornellas

While in Canning Vale, Violet attended St Emily’s parish where Philippine priest Fr Robert Corrillo serves. Mass is held in the school on Sundays and weekday Mass is held at Father’s house.

Violet was also able to pray with prayer groups run by Sr Margaret Cannon who assists the parish priest. There was also a telephone visit with Mrs Watkins, Fr Girod’s sister.

Archbishop Hickey was away at a priests’ conference, but Violet was able to meet with Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton on May 17, and present him literature on Emmanuel Community. Bishop Sproxton expressed great interest in lay communities.

Abortion is legal in Australia and Bishop Sproxton shared the deep concerns that both the government and Church had that Australia would be a dying nation as they have already fallen so far below the level of birth rates to replenish the population. The recent Bishops’ Pastoral letter was written on their concern for the death of so many Australians by abortion.

Many programmes are being funded by government through hospitals and other faith-based communities such as the Sisters of St Joseph of the Annunciation and others such as “Mamreh” to offer counselling to women who need guidance and help as to the services available to help families make an alternative to abortion, if this is their need.

Mamreh is named after the Genesis 18 reference to the three men who appeared to Abraham and Sarah and promised them a son. The motto of Mamreh is “No family should be alone in Crisis”.

Another Counselling Service is run jointly by the St John of God Hospital and the Mercy Group. There are many services provided by the archdiocese such as a “Respect for Life” office and also Natural Family Planning etc.

With the medical, spiritual, and psychosocial support available in the community, as well as counselling services, all women/partners/families have the capacity to fulfil their own unique purpose and potential as responsible parents.
EMMANUEL COMMUNITY