Well, yesterday, Friday 4th, I finished up at Nungalinya. Last night the Theology Staff had dinner together. Today we have a special occasion for our Sisters here in Darwin with the 150th Anniversary of the Title "Our Lady of the Sacred Heart" being celebrated with the blessing of the new stained glass window behind the statue in the Cathedral and lunch on the lawn (under a tent, I hope - it's hot today).
I didn't do much work on Friday at Nungalinya - wrote little cards to put in everyone's pigeonhole, cleaned up my computer, attended Chapel and Morning Tea, and generally filled in most of the day until 3.30 pm. Morning Tea on Fridays is the time for marking Birthdays, Visitors and Farewells, so Rob, the Theology Coordinator made a nice (and rather fullsome) speech about me and then Tony Lee gave me a little carved bird. He said to me on Tuesday, "I have been carving up a bird for you on Friday" and I looked at him a bit bewildered, thinking that carving up a cooked chook, and then leaving it till Friday would be a bit strange. But no! He had carved a traditional little Jabiru with symbols all over it to remind me of the people I have touched up here. You will see that I am holding it in the photo with my Numbulwar ladies. I was very glad to see that it was very small and made of very light wood. I like it and it is already packed in a box of things.
I ried to get a better photo of the 'carved bird' (a Jabiru) and enlarged just myself in one of the photos. I can see the bird better in that and I hope you can. All of the Aboriginal ladies from Numbulwar are related, they tell me. 'In the other photo, I am thanking Rob for his kind words about me while Lorraine looks on.
I have also posted a small copy of just me with the carved bird so you might get a better look.
I wish I had pulled the camera out at lunch time when I saw what I thought was an injured rainbow lorikeet near the gate. "No", said the handyman nearby, "It's just drunk - been eating too many ripe figs." It kept toppling forward onto its nose as it tried to flee me along the ground, climbing up a branch to escape! But it fell off it about one metre up, then resumed its staggering run toward a low-set palm under which to shelter. By the time I returned from lunch, it had disappeared. Must have sobered up.
Chapel (8.30 am) was held under the mango tree to start the day and the Theology Teacher who led it had done an action song with all the students during the classes and they did this during the Chapel time. You can see them all raising their arms in a 'superman' gesture! The whole song was about Jesus and the Resurrection in very 'superman' imagery!
A group of the ladies (from Nugkurr, Warrawi and Numbulwar) also presented a Prayer Dance during our final Morning Tea as they were returning to their community on Saturday after two weeks living in to study. They did it all most reverently.
I have shown only part of the group.
The Mass at the Cathedral was a very nice event this morning. I helped Mary with the singing and took photos. The Blessing of the window was at the end of Mass. I took a few photos and will put in a couple here:
You can see in the photo below, the 11 Sisters presently in the Territory (although you can only glimpse Sr Liz behind Sr Mary - the Chinese one beside me.) Behind us you have the artist who did the window Jon Firth, and Bishope Eugene Hurley. I was looking at the person who had my camera and everyone else was looking at another camera and that is why I am looking in a different direction!. And below is a fairly good picture of the window itself.
After the Mass we had light refreshments on the lawn under a plastic awning - a big tent. Boy, was it hot under that! Much better under a tree. Anyway, it was a very pleasant event and not lots and lots of work.
I decided to take a picture of the Aboriginal Madonna on the opposite wall too. The skin has a wonderful 'velvety' quality to it with the actual picture. They apparently carry children like that often.
On Saturday evening, the 11 of us went out to dinner at the Jetty Restautant, which is on the nearest end of Stokes Wharf but much more upmarket. We had a booked table inside with an excellent view. It was a smorgasbord and you would have been hard put to eat all that was offered. We started with prawns (large) and oysters. There were 'scrap' bowls and finger washing bowls with water and lemon juice on the tables. After that, we ordered a bottle of wine and other drinks and queued up to select the main meal. There were soft skinned crabs and oysters, chicken, lamb etc etc. and steak, but I chose the steak, which was cooking on the grill before our eyes. The lady beside me said their steak was excellent and I agree with her, having had some. There were vegetables and salads and a Chinese section, with stacks of chefs and plenty of enthusiastic customers. I took a few photos which I will put in small and show you more:
1) Was the view from our window inside - gives you an idea of the setting.
2) The moon was glorious over the distant coastal lights - you can see a little cloud starting to move over it.
3) This photo should have been first - we are arriving at the place. That's where I took the photo below of the 'Croc'.
Finally - a couple of 'nice' photos. The first is of a little 3-year old joining in the actions after Children's Liturgy at the St Martin de Porres Church Mass this morning. She is a most delightful and spontaneous little girl and a joy to see.
The second photo is of the amphibious Tour Bus - the Croc - which you can take around Darwin and see the sights from land and sea. It was going past the Jetty as we walked towards the Restaurant. You can see the front wheel. The writing says "Ride the Croc" and gives a phone number. It is certainly colourful and had quite a few occupants.
This will be my final blog entry from Darwin and I can't see myself doing one next week, although I might surprise you. There is much to do when I get to Brisbane - catch up on some shut-eye! Ring up some people. Arrange to go over to Rochedale and down to Runaway Bay on business to fix up accommodation. I think my 'retrieved' car will be waiting for me when I get to Corinda. Hope it's been treated kindly during its soujourn south.
I get on to packing up now and might even get a little time to do some of the essay which is due next Friday and for which I have sought a 1-week extension. I have started the packing and have until Wednesday 1 pm to have all the boxes and cases which are going across on a transport stacked up at the front door. I will live out of the suitcase I take on the plane just like I would if I was on holidays! (Let's pretend). I start work on 21st - the Aboriginal people up here were inviting me to come along to the ATSIC Conference which apparently starts in Brisbane on 21st also. Not much hope, was my answer. But you never know.
I will see some of you quite soon. That will be excellent. Meanwhile it is head down, tail up on the packing.
