The
Catholic Weekly
Online
Sydney
2 November 2003
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Christ’s message holds key, says Cardinal Pell
New cardinal-electors
Cardinal is ‘honoured and delighted’
New managing editor for Catholic Weekly
Wiggles help Vinnies
Change to super laws rejected
Service commemorates Night of broken glass
Don’t leave HSC study to the last minute
Poverty forum call
Italians come clean over holy water
‘Don’t change Medicare’
Hope on Smokey Mountain
New dean of education
‘Give generously’ appeal call
Passion added to atmosphere for players
Mother Teresa
Editorial: Be not afraid
Letters: Biblical errors?
Conversation: Donna Mulhearn, human shield and crusader for kids - Back to Iraq
with ‘lots of love, hugs and care’
The freedom of God
Jesus ‘Lord and healer’
Oath of Fidelity
Sandhills and history
The Italian connection
New deal for deaf high school students
New college Campus
US post
115 years in the sun
Rose Bay victory
Life of the ageing priest
Companions on a Redemptorist’s journey to his final vows
‘Richest year of my life’
‘Richest year of my life’
Tim Gray and Joao, a villager, and some of the many babies in Railaco Craic, East Timor
By Damir Govorcin
Medical student Tim Gray learned to laugh at himself during a year as an Edmund Rice Volunteer in East Timor.
Tim was learning the local language, Tetum, and says his constant “goof-ups” meant the local children had a field day at his expense.
“The children were teaching me the language, and I was completely making a fool of myself,” he said.
“It’s a difficult language to learn and I was messing the words up.
“But after about six months, I could hold a conversation with the locals which allowed for better communication and helped build relationships.”
Tim’s visit to East Timor in 2001 was a voyage of self-discovery. He deferred his medical studies for a year for a “cross-cultural experience and to continue his journey in finding God”.
Tim, 27, was a community development worker in three poor villages outside Dili, helping build houses, teaching English to adults and providing support for people on a daily basis.
“It was the richest year of my life,” he says, adding that “in terms of my faith” he felt closeness to people at the margins of society.
“I learnt more about myself and experienced a new culture.
“The East Timorese are people of great resilience and faith.
“At times I experienced loneliness and sickness, but it was part of my growth.”
Tim, who was educated at St Pius X, Chatswood, was inspired by the work of Bl Edmund Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers, and spent a few years as a co-ordinator of the Edmund Rice Camps in western Sydney for marginalised kids.
“Bl Edmund Rice was a person who was in touch with the experiences around him,” he says.
“He helped people at the margins of society, and as time went on his life had a big impact on me.”
Tim, who will become a doctor next month, feels his journey to East Timor reignited his desire to enter the medical profession.
Br Michael Dyer, the Edmund Rice volunteer co-ordinator, says Tim grew as a person during his time in East Timor.
“I have seen him mature wonderfully from this experience,” he said.
“Tim is deeply committed to his faith and was able to pick up some useful life skills in East Timor.”
The Christian Brothers established the Australia and New Zealand Edmund Rice Volunteer Scheme in 2001. So far it has had more than a dozen volunteers in the field, serving communities in Africa, East Timor and indigenous Australia.
Br Michael says it is the volunteer who gets blessed.
“The feedback has been positive from the volunteers, who have found the experience enriching,” he said.
“The relationship between the volunteer and the people is a two-way street … both parties benefit from the experience.
“It’s about building relationships, being flexible and helping skill the local people.”
The preparation of an Edmund Rice volunteer is extensive. In some cases it can span 18 months; for Tim it was six months.
The Christian Brothers are committed to the personal, professional and spiritual development and formation of the volunteer – before, during and after their placement.
Volunteers are equipped to live in cross-cultural and communal settings and trained to respond to a range of issues.
They are encouraged to develop a spirituality which will sustain them in their life and work.
Sometimes volunteers are required to learn a new language.
They also deepen their appreciation of the principle that relationships with people are all-important.
They must learn to use their skills in a way that fosters community development, not one that creates dependency.
If you would like to know more about the scheme and/ or become an Edmund Rice volunteer, call Br Michael Dyer on 9331 5811, email dyerlog@tpg.com.au or visit the scheme’s website: www.edmundrice.org/erv