At a certain
point you say
to the woods, to the sea,
to the mountains,
the world,
Now I am ready.
Now I will stop and be wholly attentive.
You empty yourself and wait,
listening...
Annie Dillard
Parish Farewell at Esk
On the 28th November, 2007, the Parish of Esk put on a special morning tea to farewell “their Sisters”, Mary Brennan and Mary Ormesher. As Directors of Brisbane Valley Social Services, Genny Bannon and I were invited to attend to represent the Society. We set off early from Brisbane to make sure that traffic on one of Queensland’s most congested roads did not prevent us from arriving on time.
It was clear from the beginning that this farewell was more than a Parish occasion; it was a town, or more accurately a Shire event. A big marquee was set up on the lawn in front of the Parish Hall. We learnt that this was lent by the local SES. Tables and chairs were set in its shade and one with a special cloth marked the place for the guests of honour. Anne Brennan, Genny and I joined the two Marys at this table, along with Mrs Loma Spencer, a long-standing member of the Management Committee of BVSS, who had been asked to be the MC for the occasion.
After some introductory remarks, Loma
read her speech of appreciation for the work that Mary Brennan and Mary Ormesher
had done over many years in the Esk district. (This has been published elsewhere
for the Province). Then I was called upon to read Mary Brennan’s “Parish
Farewell” on her behalf. Since the Shire Chairman had to be out of town that
day, one of the Esk Shire Councillors, Mr. Laurie Witham, made a speech
outlining the contribution of the Sisters to the district, making it clear that
they were held in high esteem by everyone and expressing sorrow at their
departure. He then presented each of them with a framed Certificate of
Appreciation from the Esk Shire Council. Mrs. Margaret Moffat, (newly shepherded
into the role of President of the Parish St Vincent de Paul by Mary B) spoke of
the work the sisters had done for the district through St Vincent de Paul and
also presented them with a Certificate from the St Vincent de Paul Society. A
young boy, Dean, who we may see on stage one day, read his carefully written
speech to thank the sisters on behalf of the children for the Drama Days that
they had organized each year in the July school holidays. He presented the
sisters with a box of chocolates.
Father Hegarty P.P. then spoke making the point that the Sisters were more than
just Social Workers. He said that they carried out their work with the
compassion and care of vowed religious who had dedicated their lives to God. Our
two Marys were also presented with beautiful flower arrangements, while the St
Mel’s Ladies gave them patchwork cushions which were passed around to be signed
by those present and the Ecumenical Choir.
With the formalities of the morning over, we were invited to enjoy the morning tea, the best that country cooks could offer. During this time everyone came up to our two Marys for a personal chat and farewell. People had come from the length and breadth of the Shire and a young mother and her two babies had even made the trip from Brisbane to be present for the occasion.
Over the years, Genny and I have had the privilege of attending the Management Meetings of Brisbane Valley Social Services and gaining some idea of the struggles and concerns of the people of the district. This Parish farewell gathering gave us an opportunity to see how deeply loved and appreciated our sisters have been for their presence among the people and their compassion and care for those in need. Many lives have been touched in the 33 years of the Society’s presence in Esk.
Rita Carroll, RSCJ
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