... mud, sweat and gears? Crazy!

The
Catholic Weekly
Online

Sydney
22 February 2004

A melting pot of faith

Jobs plan may hurt disabled

Theology of Body

First PNG Michaelites

Census data

‘Quiet revolution in our school buildings’

‘Outstanding’ approach to teaching

Cardinal will launch Project Compassion

Pregnant pause: First all-night ‘wake up’ call of baby acrobatics

Human rights

Alternative to IVF

Young take steps on interfaith road

Questions to shape choice of next Pope

Editorial: Value for money

Letters: Confession

Conversation: Fr Con Keogh, honoured for helping people rehabilitate themselves - ‘Insane’ priest who draws others to God

Easter – a renewal of life

Pancakes for peace

Catholic schools build for the future

St Joseph’s – a happy partnership where ‘everyone is bubbling over’

‘Getting value for their money’

Shot fanned flames of fear

Knocked out by Marists

Obituary: Capuchin Fr Ted gave up farming and shearing for a ‘late’ vocation

Obituary: Fr Colin, Renaissance man

... mud, sweat and gears? Crazy!

Riverview’s ‘Big Bird’

... mud, sweat and gears? Crazy!

Above: Fr Ron Nissen trains for his next marathon ride to raise funds to help train young Marist seminarians in Africa, South America and elsewhere.

By Damir Govorcin

Some people think he’s crazy. Why, they ask, would a 64-year-old priest subject his body to the rigours of cycling around Australia?

The answer is simple, says Fr Ron Nissen.

It lets him satisfy two of his greatest passions – cycling and raising much-needed funds for his fellow Marist Brothers.

In the past four years, Fr Ron, who is the executive director for the Marist Mission Centre, Hunters Hill, has raised more than $210,000 by cycling thousands of kilometres around Australia.

The money has gone towards assisting in the training of young Marist seminarians in mission areas in Africa, the Philippines, the Pacific and South America.

In April, Fr Ron will embark on his fifth annual ride – fittingly titled, with a sense of history, Cycling for seminarians, mud, sweat and gears, 2004.

To get himself in peak condition for the trip through rural NSW, Queensland and Victoria, Fr Ron is doing three sessions a week, clocking up plenty of Ks.

“Some people have called me crazy,” he says.

“But, as the money aids in the formation and training of Marist seminarians, I feel it’s my duty to help support them.

“The seminarians can’t support themselves so the money goes towards keeping them educated, clothed and fed.

“I started cycling again about 10 years ago as a fitness thing, but over the past five years my fund-raising efforts have been well supported, which keeps me going.

“After I complete a ride I feel good physically, so as long as I can stay healthy I will continue to help raise money for our cause.”

Joining Fr Ron on this ride will be 18-year-old Cambodian Ban, who suffers from polio. Ban can’t use his legs so a hand-powered tricycle has been custom-built to enable him to take part.

“I met Ban about six years ago when the Marists set up a school for the disabled in Cambodia,” says Fr Ron.

“He is a fine young man and an inspiration – not only to me, but to a lot of people.

“Ban has had to overcome so much in his life, so I’m glad he will be accompanying me on the ride so that people can see that their money can help improve the lives of other disadvantaged people.”

You can send your donations to the Marist Mission Centre, Locked Bag 5002, Gladesville NSW 1675 or call 9816 3187.