Sydney
2 March 2003

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Food for lots of thought

Pope calls for peace fast on Ash Wednesday

Café bid to curb violence

Supper guests share their stories with archbishop

Sex-change marriage challenge

Archbishop's plea for asylum seekers

Changing the guard at Vinnies

Why East Timor refugees should be allowed to stay

Seminars on Theology of the Body

Project Compassion 2003 - Lenten campaign to break the 'chains of slavery'

Aid work in Kiribati wins Bill a 'thank you' from Govt

Christian ideals can 'guide us to share'

Australian Marist takes over as Cardinal Newman diaries editor

Editorial: Saint of the surgery?

Letters: Beat of a different drum?

Conversation: Fr John Flader, adult education director and Opus Dei priest - Teaching adults more about Catholic faith

A writer puts things in perspective

Right or wrong, it's a matter of ethics

Three in one: A parish with something for everyone

600 million children living in poverty

Bishops stage rally for Hunter jobs

Poet gives credit to Mary MacKillop

New home, chaplain and a youth ministry team

Mass, flags set celebrations in train

Poet gives credit to Mary MacKillop

By Damir Govorcin

Mary MacKillop has been an inspiration and "has played a big part in my life", says Melissa Quirk (pictured).

"I go to the chapel at North Sydney as often as I can, and I sit there and talk to Mary," she says.

"I know it sounds weird to a lot of people, but I believe that if it wasn't for her my book would not be successful."

The book is Shattered Dreams, an anthology of poems by Melissa that touch on subjects as varied as racism, friendship, relationships, success, fear, resentment and death.

The Man in the Yellow Coat touches her the most.

"This poem is a true story and it came during a bushfire season a few years ago," says Melissa.

"That man was on my mind all day," says Melissa."I wrote that poem at 2am the next morning."

Melissa's passion for poetry began when she was in Year 5 at Our Lady of the Rosary primary school at St Mary's.

She had a teacher named Joan O'Boyle who made poetry fun and interesting.

"That year Joan taught us I love a sunburnt country (Dorothea Mackellar's My Country) and she drummed it into our heads," Melissa recalls.

"Poetry started making sense and I began to enjoy reading it, so then I thought I could do it as well.

"If it wasn't for Joan O'Boyle I don't think my writing would be where it is today.

"Even when I left primary school (Melissa attended Emmaus Catholic College, Erskine Park, from Year 7 to 12), I visited Joan from time to time and she continually gave me encouragement and support. I had a few poems published in magazines and then

I began to write more and more."

Melissa Quirk, 20, who is now in the second year of her Bachelor of Education (Primary) course at the Australian Catholic University, Strathfield, says the reaction to the book from the public, as well as family and friends, has been positive.

"Poetry is something that not enough people in today's society appreciate," she says.

"It is a passion that has been within me since I was young.

"Everyday people have dreams and insights into what they want to dowith their lives. No matter how hard or out of reach it seems, it isn't. All you have to do is set your mind to achieving your dreams.

Melissa hopes to pursue a career as a primary school teacher.

"When I was younger I had a few dreams, and to be a primary school teacher was one," she said.

"I love children and feel that I have a talent to offer them which would be my teaching skills.

"I have many goals for the future and that's why I have to get cracking."

To purchase a copy of Shattered Dreams send a cheque/money order for $19.95 to Melissa Quirk, PO Box 253, St Mary's NSW 1790.

THE MAN IN THE YELLOW COAT

I saw a man at the
shopping mall
A sad and lonely soul
No smile upon your face
No hand for you to hold