BTW, I forgot to add, contact is not through the church or our charity, but direct through mobile phone. I believe Padre Pete is the overall person in charge but keeps totally at arms length from the whole thing, and is only there in case a problem arises that involves the church in some way.

Hi AC,

I'm sure that what you're saying is true. Family members
watching a loved one suffering would be horrenduous. However,
I think that today - there are people who can advise and
help depending on each case and the circumstances involved
and the choices and options available to people. There are
parameters in place to protect the vulnerable - which is a
good thing. This is a controversial issue - and the debates
I'm sure will continue for quite some time.

The main thing is that there are choices available.

Dear Paul,

Your people sound like good caring folk who provide help
to people who need it. For that we can all be grateful.

Hi Foxy,

They sure are, I once said when asked; "Why don't people come to Church?" My short answer was because they are "locked" 100% of the time, where as this church is "open" 100% of the time. Some didn't understand, they said no we have to lock up the church so the vandals don't get in. I said the vandals can't get into the church I'm talking about. They thought church was the physical building next door, I as an agnostic said it was more than that, first and foremost its the people and what they do that counts, some of our volenteers like me don't step foot into the church building on a Sunday morning, my wife does, that's her personal choice to do so. others choose to celebrate church through their community efforts. Which I believe one good deed is of more value than a million hallelujahs.

Dear Paul,

It all comes from the heart. I remember during the same-sex
marriage debate when some LGBTQI people had rented out
our club hall so that they could hand out leaflets to
members of the public. Well our parish priest went nuts.
He grabbed their leaflets and proceeded to throw them in
the bin when the manager of the club was called and tried to
explain to the priest that the LGBTQI people had paid for the
hall and were entitled to give out the leaflets.

The priest yelled a lot - but in the end was forced to leave.
I guess it takes all kind of people and their own interpretations
of their religions.

I forgot to add that this particular priests
Sunday Mass gets an attendance of about 20 people
(on a good day). He's not very popular in the
parish at all.

Hi Foxy,

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when I called into 'Xmas Tree' to see a young girl of about 16 on the front desk with one of the older ladies, doing a 2 hour shift. I loaned my sound system and home made Xmas music for the event, so I check its working okay. I'm particularly impressed by the 20 foot long display of Xmas items from around the world. One item from Lativa, a colourful sort of belt worn at Xmas, not to sure. Some interesting items from the far flung corners of the earth, and some decorations closer to home, made by Aboriginal people. The collection belongs mostly to one of the locals. I see the 'can tree' is growing well, and it doesn't need watering.

This Boney M Xmas song goes down well just one of many, I've got over 40 songs on a loop from the traditional to the wacky, reggae, its all there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teWmmI0ReBc