Sixteen and a half years ago I visited Australia and it so happens that I have seen with my own eyes the beautiful part of that country that is now burning.
I was there in August, 1992 which was a newsworthy time that sticks in the mind of many when I mention two things that happened while I was there. The first was "Squidgygate," where personal intimate recordings of Princess Diana, where she is called by a beau "Squidgy" were smeared all over the press. The recordings were made several years prior (by some innocent neighbors who just happened to pick up the cell phone signals, I mean, duh, yeah, right, just so happens) but interestingly they were released while I was in Australia. I had bought a platypus plush toy and thus named it Squidgy. To this day I wonder about people's cruelty to one another.
A few days after Squidgygate was announced Hurricane Andrew ripped into southern Florida in the USA. I watched grainy pictures of the news coverage as I was still in Australia, but about to leave. Hurricane Andrew remains one of the most destructive hurricanes in USA history.
My nature tour of Australia had taken me to Perth on the west coast and then Melbourne on the south. While in Melbourne we took a bus (coach) to visit Healesville Sanctuary, and tour the surrounding areas. I remember beautiful scenery of hills, meadows with well fed black Angus cattle, forests, a lovely bucolic scenery. At Healesville Sanctuary I was startled and cautious to encounter face to face an emu that had apparently escaped confinement. They can deliver quite a dangerous kick to the groin so I was justifiably cautious. Healesville was very nice with koala, kangaroos and wallabies all lolling around in ease and comfort. People on a small paddock near where I live now keep one or two emu among their goats. I understand that they are good to eat and have researched recipes.
If you look at Google maps, Australia, Healesville, you will see that it is just down the road from Maryville, one of the villages that has burned to the ground in the firestorm.
Another thing I recall of that day in the area is that I saw from the coach a huge double rainbow. I do believe that was my first clear sighting of a double rainbow, though I saw several at my previous home since then.
Being driven out of one's home and burned alive is a terrible, terrible thing.
It is even worse when the routine risks of nature, as fire most certainly is, is exacerbated by those with at least immaturity and at worse a murderous rage who set some of the fires to stoke more fear and destruction. I hope that all who are guilty are identified and prosecuted, and that all who suffer and mourn are comforted in the Lord.
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Monday, February 9, 2009
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Important quotes from the Pope
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world-youth-day/pope-warns-against-the-lure-of-false-idols/2008/07/17/1216163059279.html
He spoke of his daunting flight from Rome to Sydney and the view from the plane of "the sparkle of the Mediterranean, the grandeur of the North African desert, the lushness of Asia's forestation, the vastness of the Pacific … and the majestic splendour of Australia's natural beauty, which I have been able to enjoy these last couple of days".
The 81-year-old voiced strong regret that these resources were in danger and warned Earth's natural resources were being squandered to fuel "insatiable consumption".
And though the images of his arrival were being broadcast to an international audience of more than 1billion people, he had a warning for the internet and television generation. "In our personal lives and in our communities we can encounter a hostility, something dangerous, a poison which threatens to corrode what is good, reshape who we are, and distort the purpose for which we have been created.
"Examples abound, as you yourselves know. Among the more prevalent are alcohol and drug abuse, and the exaltation of violence and sexual degradation often presented through television and the internet as entertainment."
He told the young people not to be fooled by those "who see you as just another consumer in market of undifferentiated possibilities, where choice itself becomes the good, novelty usurps beauty and subjective experience displaces truth."
The Pope railed against domestic violence and abortion, asking, "How can it be that domestic violence torments so many mothers and children? How can it be that the most wondrous and sacred human space, the womb, has become a place of unutterable violence?
"Our world has grown weary of greed, exploitation and division, of the tedium of false idols and piecemeal responses and the pain of false promises."
He spoke of his daunting flight from Rome to Sydney and the view from the plane of "the sparkle of the Mediterranean, the grandeur of the North African desert, the lushness of Asia's forestation, the vastness of the Pacific … and the majestic splendour of Australia's natural beauty, which I have been able to enjoy these last couple of days".
The 81-year-old voiced strong regret that these resources were in danger and warned Earth's natural resources were being squandered to fuel "insatiable consumption".
And though the images of his arrival were being broadcast to an international audience of more than 1billion people, he had a warning for the internet and television generation. "In our personal lives and in our communities we can encounter a hostility, something dangerous, a poison which threatens to corrode what is good, reshape who we are, and distort the purpose for which we have been created.
"Examples abound, as you yourselves know. Among the more prevalent are alcohol and drug abuse, and the exaltation of violence and sexual degradation often presented through television and the internet as entertainment."
He told the young people not to be fooled by those "who see you as just another consumer in market of undifferentiated possibilities, where choice itself becomes the good, novelty usurps beauty and subjective experience displaces truth."
The Pope railed against domestic violence and abortion, asking, "How can it be that domestic violence torments so many mothers and children? How can it be that the most wondrous and sacred human space, the womb, has become a place of unutterable violence?
"Our world has grown weary of greed, exploitation and division, of the tedium of false idols and piecemeal responses and the pain of false promises."
The Pope radiates the love of Jesus Christ
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world-youth-day/pope-warns-against-the-lure-of-false-idols/2008/07/17/1216163059279.html?page=2
Alejandro de la Roca of Guatemala, representing Latin American pilgrims, said: "I spoke in Spanish. I said thank you for believing in the youth of Latin America because we love him very much and he has supported us. He said he knew where Guatemala was and blessed all our young people.
"You just feel the Holy Spirit is with him, that he is no ordinary person. When you touch him it's like your heart is burning."
As the vessel made its way up the harbour the Pope was joined by 16 pilgrims, who waved to the foreshore crowds.
The boat was shadowed by seven police vessels and at times up to eight helicopters. In its wake was a flotilla of at least a dozen boats of cheering pilgrims, festooned with banners and national flags. The crowds were at their thickest at Circular Quay and the Opera House, where people lined the Cahill Expressway and Overseas Passenger Terminal and balconies for a glimpse of the Pope's distant white figure. At Circular Quay ferries sounded their horns and the papal vessel responded. Water canon greeted the boat as it turned into Cockle Bay.
At the Hungry Mile, the Pope passed a guard of honour of Aboriginal elders, some of whom broke down in tears and openly wept. Chants went up from waiting pilgrims: "We love Papa and we are the people."
Alejandro de la Roca of Guatemala, representing Latin American pilgrims, said: "I spoke in Spanish. I said thank you for believing in the youth of Latin America because we love him very much and he has supported us. He said he knew where Guatemala was and blessed all our young people.
"You just feel the Holy Spirit is with him, that he is no ordinary person. When you touch him it's like your heart is burning."
As the vessel made its way up the harbour the Pope was joined by 16 pilgrims, who waved to the foreshore crowds.
The boat was shadowed by seven police vessels and at times up to eight helicopters. In its wake was a flotilla of at least a dozen boats of cheering pilgrims, festooned with banners and national flags. The crowds were at their thickest at Circular Quay and the Opera House, where people lined the Cahill Expressway and Overseas Passenger Terminal and balconies for a glimpse of the Pope's distant white figure. At Circular Quay ferries sounded their horns and the papal vessel responded. Water canon greeted the boat as it turned into Cockle Bay.
At the Hungry Mile, the Pope passed a guard of honour of Aboriginal elders, some of whom broke down in tears and openly wept. Chants went up from waiting pilgrims: "We love Papa and we are the people."
Monday, July 14, 2008
Aussie Muslims gracious hosts to Catholics
Reading something like this is definitely good for the spirit! What graciousness and honorable feelings of good will before our one God, who sees all.
http://news.smh.com.au/national/australian-muslims-offer-prayers-for-wyd-20080714-3f5v.html
http://news.smh.com.au/national/australian-muslims-offer-prayers-for-wyd-20080714-3f5v.html
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Aussie Catholic Bishop "dry" humor!
Reading this article, thankfully no lives lost in this storm that hit Australia. I love the Bishop's dry comment.
It's a billion-dollar disaster
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/its-a-billiondollar-disaster/2007/06/12/1181414305798.html
snip
THE worst was over and the huge job of cleaning up was under way in the Hunter Valley last night, as the economic cost of the deadly storms was projected to climb to $1 billion.
snip
Thousands of Hunter residents, from Singleton to Newcastle, were yesterday scraping mud and debris from their homes and businesses - a job that will continue for weeks.
snip
The Catholic Bishop of Maitland and Newcastle, Michael Malone, called on people to thank the Lord, but added: "We can stop praying for rain for a little while."
It's a billion-dollar disaster
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/its-a-billiondollar-disaster/2007/06/12/1181414305798.html
snip
THE worst was over and the huge job of cleaning up was under way in the Hunter Valley last night, as the economic cost of the deadly storms was projected to climb to $1 billion.
snip
Thousands of Hunter residents, from Singleton to Newcastle, were yesterday scraping mud and debris from their homes and businesses - a job that will continue for weeks.
snip
The Catholic Bishop of Maitland and Newcastle, Michael Malone, called on people to thank the Lord, but added: "We can stop praying for rain for a little while."
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