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the Archbishop of Melbourne, Daniel Mannix
in 1926. This was the remote sea-side resort of
Sorrento, in the Archbishop’s view the poorest
parish in the diocese. The Oblates would serve
the few families in the southernMornington
Peninsula and also have this as their base from
which to preachmissions and retreats in the
eastern States.
The parishes of Fremantle and Beaconsfield
WA, a novitiate (Lovely Banks outside Geelong)
and the parish of Sorrento remained the
only Oblate missions until 1947. The move to
Sefton in that year began a period of vigorous
expansion for the Oblates in Australia. In the
next few decades three schools were opened, a
new seminary launched, several new parishes
committed to Oblate care and mission houses
opened in Camberwell (Vic), Lesmurdie (WA)
Eagle Junction (Queensland) and Penshurst/
Hurstville (NSW). Beyond that the Province
expanded to New Zealand and undertook a
mission in Indonesia. All this was made possible
by the numerous Oblate supporters (mostly
working thoughMAMI) and the recruitment
of a healthy number of local vocations and also
overseas Oblates (thenmostly from Ireland).
In these years of great expansions the Oblates
were led by Provincials Edward Ryan (1957-1963),
WilliamCagney (1963-1970) and John Hannah
(1970-1976). Each contributed his own vision and
personal gifts to the task.
In recent decades the Oblates, like other
parts of the Christian world, have faced new
challenges. While there is still generous support
from lay associates and friends, vocations are
more difficult to foster and overseas help less
numerous though in recent years the province
has been helped by the arrival of Oblates from
Italy, India, Pakistan, Poland and Sri Lanka.
Despite changing circumstances the Province
remained committed to missionary work
among the needy in Australia. The Province
has undertaken the mission to China, based
in Hong Kong. Here an international group of
Oblate missionaries are working and developing
apace. And the missionary thrust is still alive
in Australia! In the early 1980s an opening was
sought in the poorer regions of Sydney's western
suburbs but the then regional bishop, later
Bishop of Parramatta, Bede Heather, felt that
there were sufficient missionary groups working
in his region already. With the generosity
typical of him, he suggested there were some
regions more needy. After approaching the
Bishop of Wollongong, WilliamMurray, there
was, however, some scope for an opening in
the fast developing area of Campbelltown,
some 50 kms south west of Sydney. The
Oblate Congress of December 1981 placed this
fourth among its missionary preferences after
extension in Indonesia, identification with
the poor and formation of lay leaders. The
Bishop originally suggested the Ruse/Airds
section of the Campbelltown parish, a poor
housing commission area. However this did not
eventuate and the Bishop offered the Claymore-
Eagle Vale region instead and Frs John Coakley
and Anthony Maher took up duties there on
October 3rd 1982.
Once again John Coakley, a man with a great
heart, seemed to be in his element, visiting home
after home seeking out his new flock. A short
time afterwards he was appointed Provincial,
a task that seemed to be an onerous burden
for him. Although in apparently good health,
he died suddenly as a result of a heart attack,
shortly after completing his term of office. He
was a much loved pastor and colleague.
The Claymore-Eagle Vale region continued to be
served by the Oblates on a temporary basis and
as a part of the parish of Campbelltown. Mass
was said on Sundays in the Claymore hall and on
weekdays in the rented presbytery. This rapidly
developing area continued to grow. As usual,
much effort went into keeping pace with the
demands for Catholic Education. A new Church/
Hall was constructed to accommodate 350
people with a separate chapel seating 45. This
ministry has always had warm support in the
Province. The Congress of 1985 recommended by
53 votes to 10 that the Claymore-Eagle Vale area
be accepted as an Oblate parish. This indeed,
has since been put into effect and the parish
of Mary Immaculate, Eagle Vale, was formally
established on August 15th 1991. The present
beautiful church was built by the parish when
Fr. Vincent Ryan was pastor, and now Fathers
Slawek Plonka and Donal Madigan keep up the
Oblate care for the local people.
As we face the future and its many challenges,
Oblates and their friends and associates strive to
keep alive the enthusiasm and generosity of de
Mazenod.
Pray that it will be so!
Fr Austin Cooper OMI