Where To From Here?

by Ursula Paul

  True to Dave’s word, Jim was given time out and gladly assisted Eddie for the first week, during which time they almost completed the heavy cleaning and moving tasks. School resumed the next week. Eddie knew he needed to give due time to the vocation he had accepted. The resumption of school signalled the resumption of Scripture classes, sacramental preparation and many other pastoral care calls, along with the ongoing hospital and sick calls to be met.

  Chapter Seven

  Six weeks on and the hall was ready. Eddie decided to start with indoor ball games for the 12-14 year old boys, Friday evenings 5-8pm. Jim offered his assistance, with a few parents who were interested in how the project would take off. Principals of all local schools consented to notices going home through their schools.

  The set opening evening arrived without fanfare and doors opened at 5 pm. Eddie, Jim and a couple of fathers watched a handful of young boys aimlessly throwing a couple of balls around. Eddie was beginning to think his idea had turned into a massive flop, when more and more began straggling in, some shyly, some boisterously. By closing time Eddie began to believe that out of chaos comes order. The adults were exhausted, but the young boys had enjoyed the experience.

  “Tomorrow again, please Father,” was a statement rather than a question as they left the hall.

  “Next Friday,” smiled Eddie.

  “Aw gee, Father.”

  By the next Friday evening Eddie and his helpers had discussed problematic areas and changes that needed to be made. The same young boys as on the previous Friday appeared at the door – on time this evening – and many had brought along class-mates.

  This time Eddie and his team were organized and the planned programme followed easily. On one end of the hall teams were organized for basketball, while the other end was used for other activities.

  Just before closing time, to Eddie’s surprise and delight, Monsignor Shamus appeared at the door.

  “Just passing! Thought I’d look in.” Eddie knew he had a supporter.

  Chapter Eight

  The Friday night activities continued to be extremely popular and continued to operate without any trauma until a particular Friday evening about six months later. All activities were coming to an end when a young white male, accompanied by two Aboriginal youths of the same age, appeared and began pushing past the parent at the door. Surprised and worried, he called out to Eddie.

  “Hi!” greeted Eddie with a smile, thinking quickly of ways to deal with what could eventuate.

  “Hi yourself, nigger!”

  Taken aback, Eddie took a deep breath. “Sorry, but you and your mates will have to take your drinks outside. You can watch the kids game of basketball if you like. But no alcohol is allowed inside the hall.”

  “Who says!” the boy said as he took a swig.

  “Rules mate!” Eddie was holding tightly to his temper.

  “Don’t mate me, darkie!” With that the boy dropped his drink to the floor and threw an unsuccessful punch at Eddie.

  “That’s enough!” Eddie ordered.

  “Haven’t started,” smirked the intruder. “I’ll show you, won’t I guys?” But his companions had fled. Jim had also slipped out – to phone the police.

  “So take this,” as another punch missed the mark.

  “Time for you to go.” Eddie spoke softly as he took the intruder’s arm to guide him out of the hall. Shaking off Eddie’s arm, he began punching wildly. Eddie realized the time had come to end this charade. In seconds, with Eddie’s karate expertise, the boy was on the ground, held in a tight grip.

  Minutes later the police arrived and soon had the hand-cuffed young man in their van.

  “A bright young lad, this one,” the sergeant began. “Sorry, Father, you had this disturbance. This young man is from Dubbo, son of a fairly well known and respected businessman. The family have tried to get him back on track but it’s a losing battle – twice he’s gone into a programme but, each time, breaks out and booze and drugs win again. You’ll be pressing charges, no doubt?”

  “No!” Eddie spoke quietly, but with determination. “No”, Eddie repeated. “I will not be pressing charges. But… How can I help him?”

  “Right now, Father, I’d say he hates your guts. He often finds he can throw his weight around successfully. You’ve reversed that tonight. We’ll take him back to Dubbo lock-up.”

  “Will you keep me informed?”

  “Sure, Father, but don’t expect miracles.”

  Eddie occasionally looked back in memory to that night. He did not realize at the time that he had been in mild shock. Jim had taken charge of finalizing the evening, waiting until all their young athletes had been taken home by parents and locking up.

  Monsignor Shamus insisted on Eddie returning home with him.

  Once home Shamus insisted, “Sit down Eddie,” as he thrust a glass of amber fluid into Eddie’s hands. “It’s only brandy. I’m no doctor. So you’ll have to make do with my medication. And, by the way, just in case you’re wondering, you did the right thing tonight.” For Monsignor Murphy, this was final acceptance.

  Eddie had faced the next Friday night with trepidation. But, with the support of Jim – and now Shamus – the night proceeded with no problems.

  As the weeks passed, what had seemed a major event, faded into an incident and finally was forgotten. But Eddie never forgot the intruder – and similar young people he met through the years – who were always remembered in thought and prayer.

  Eddie had endeavoured to follow the future of the young intruder. The police Sergeant – ‘off the record’ he advised – had kept Eddie informed of the progress of other cases against him. Eventually, he had escaped a jail sentence and had headed for Sydney, still disregarding any orders of taking part in a detox programme.

  The incident had made Eddie more aware of the problems of alcohol and drugs. Many times he became involved with families in programmes to help the young offenders. He shared the joys of successes, but also suffered the intense sadness and helplessness of the failures.

  As the months faded into years, Eddie’s dream of sport involvement for the young boys and girls of the district – in particular the Aboriginal youth – became more and more a reality. With persuasion, Jim took over the role of president of the newly founded sports club. “I was ordained for priestly ministry, not to run a sports club!” Eddie commented with a smile.

  The sports club grew from strength to strength as more of the fathers and mothers of the district saw the potential for the future health of their children and became involved. The hall became available for indoor sports for two, three and eventually four nights a week, while, at the same time, teams were formed and trained for outdoor sports of rugby, cricket, soccer and netball.

  When Eddie moved from Brewarrina as parish priest elsewhere ten years later, the sports club, of which he had dreamed, had become a happy and healthy reality.

  But, as Eddie had commented, he was not ordained to found a sports club. Guided by intuition, the main aim of founding the club was to help the people of his parish find their worth in the positive side of sport. Eddie would not accept the fact that his personality, his care for people, helped. Ultimately, congregation numbers trebled, numbers in sacramental programmes soared.

  Chapter Nine

  Through the years Eddie gave of himself fully to help his parish family. But he still belonged as much as ever to his own family – adopted, but very real. Margie and Tony phoned each weekend, and he knew he could call them at any time. He visited now and then and always spent some of his annual leave with them. There would always be a place for him in their home. Kate would also phone but at no set time. Her social life was often the main topic of conversation.

  And then came the call with her exciting news.

  “Hi Eddie. It’s me!” as she always began.

  “Hi me! What’s doin’,” as he always answered.

  “Eddie – I have the most exciting news. I’m engaged! Shane is the greatest. You�
��ll love him.”

  “Oh, Sis, how wonderful. Congratulations.”

  “I knew you’d be happy for me. We plan to marry in about twelve months, once we organize everything. And of course, you just have to be the minister and do the honours.”

  “Sounds okay to me. Actually it will be an honour. Tell me more about this wonderful Shane.”

  She laughed. “He is wonderful. You’ll see when you meet him. And he’s had it rough. He was married before and not long after his wife took off with someone. But he’s divorced. And we’ll have a great marriage.”

  She waited for Eddie to respond. Silence.

  “Eddie, are you still there?”

  “Yes Kate. I’m here… Kate, I can’t be your celebrant.”

  “What! Eddie, what do you mean?”

  “Kate, unless your Shane gets an annulment, you won’t be able to be married in the Catholic church. So I can’t be the celebrant.”

  “So, you’re telling me that because Shane’s divorced you can’t marry us! Shane didn’t do anything – he was the victim. Why should he be punished? And why should he have to get an annulment? He’s been through enough. The past is gone. We are not going to bring it back up! We’re looking to OUR future together! Well… you and your church can piss off!”

  She hung up.

  Eddie knew this was not the time to phone back. Kate’s anger, he knew, was like a thunderstorm – full on at the time but would wear itself out.

  He phoned Kate the next evening and found a very contrite sister.

  “Eddie, I’m so sorry!” Her voice shook.

  “I know and it’s okay. I’ve asked Shamus for a couple of days leave. I’m coming down to see what we can do.”

  “Oh Eddie, thank you. I love you. I’m so sorry.” She started to cry.

  “Don’t cry, Sis. It’s okay. We’ll work out something.”

  True to his word and with a couple of days’ leave granted, before the crack of dawn the next morning, Eddie was on the road for the long drive ahead. Giving himself a couple of breaks on the way, he arrived to the usual joyous welcome as the sun set behind him.

  As usual, on his trips back to the place he would always call home and to the people he would always call family, dinner consisted of his favourite dishes. Kate, after hugging him on his arrival and again whispering her apologies, added, “Shane’s coming over later to see you. But, as we needed time out first, he said he wouldn’t come until after dinner. And he’s dying to meet you after all I’ve told him.”

  It was a happy leisurely meal, all savouring the joy of sharing time together.

  Eventually the ever wise and caring Margie announced, “Tony and I will clean up. You two can relax and catch up in the lounge. Both Eddie and Kate knew they had been given the opportunity for the talk for which Eddie had come such a long way.

  “Well, my little sister, “ Eddie began with a smile as they settled in the lounge room. “Tell me about your special Shane.”

  “Eddie, he’s wonderful. You’re sure to like him.”

  “No doubt he’s wonderful. But he’d better be wonderful always to my little sister!”

  “He will – I’ve no doubt. We really do love each other, Eddie. We really do. I bet you’re smiling to yourself thinking ‘she’s blindly on love!’ And I am in love with him – deeply in love with him. We’ve talked a lot about the past too. He and his first wife married when they were both students at uni., mainly to save money. Don’t get me wrong – but not long after their marriage they both knew it had been a mistake. They had an amicable divorce and she married again shortly after – to someone she was dating while still married to Shane.”

  Eddie nodded. He tried to choose the right words. “I can understand. And, from what you’ve told me, I’m pretty sure you could have that marriage annulled”… “Sometime in the future,” he added when he saw a small storm brewing in his sister’s eyes.

  “No!” She was adamant. “We pray together. Sometimes we go to Church together. We’re at peace with God. There is no need to bring back the past – it’s over. We have the present and great hopes for the future!”

  “Quite a speech,” Eddie smiled. “I’ve reminded you of church law. I’ll say no more about that. But a prayerful conscience is the greatest law. It’s great that you and Shane can pray together. Never let that slip!” He paused. “Well, now to the rules and regulations – for me, that is.” He continued, “As I told you, you will not be free to be married in the Catholic church without an annulment. And, as a Catholic priest, I am not permitted to be the celebrant.”

  “I know,” Kate broke in. “But we want a Christian wedding. We have made enquiries. The father of one of Shane’s workmates is an Anglican minister. Shane is making enquiries and it looks as though this will work out. But Eddie,” she looked at him anxiously, “I really did want you as celebrant and I was really angry that you had to refuse. I sort of understand. I love you too much to try to make you do anything that, in conscience, you can’t do. But, please, you’ll come as my brother, won’t you?” She was pleading.

  “Yes, Kate, I’ll be there. And, as your brother I will ask God’s blessing on the love and commitment you and Shane share.”

  Immediately Kate jumped from her chair and hugged her brother. “Oh, Eddie, thank you, thank you.”

  Shane arrived shortly after. Eddie had previously convinced himself that he would approach this first meeting with his brother-in-law to be with an open mind. Later he had to admit to himself that he had been too withdrawn. Even so, first impression was acceptance of the man his sister had chosen as her life’s partner.

  The next day, the like of which he’d always bring back to mind on exceptionally problematic days, reminded him of the bond that had been forged between himself and his adoptive family. Tony had taken a flexi day so that he and Margie could spend this special time with their son. Kate joined them for lunch at a beach café. Shane was invited to dinner and, as Eddie watched his interaction with his sister, any questions of big problems in their future began to fade.

  Eddie arose long before daylight the next morning and was well on his way to Brewarrina when the sun rose.

  Chapter Ten

  Six months later Kate and Shane were married in a little chapel in the mountains, attended by close family and friends.

  At the end of the ceremony Eddie rose and prayed softly, “Thank you for this beautiful place You have created. Thank you for love and life. Thank you for the special love now shared by Kate and Shane. We ask that you will bless the commitment they both have made to each other today; that You will bless their lives together and help and guide them in the good times and the harder times of life. May the love they share today grow deeper each day.”

  Eddie looked to the group of family and friends. “Please extend you hand over this special couple and make your own prayer for them.”

  After a few minutes Eddie quietly concluded with, “Amen.”

  The reception to follow had been booked in a mountain chalet some miles away. There they were joined by many more extended family and friends. Eddie was thrilled to see there already Julian, Simon and Joe.

  “Can’t stay for long,” they all agreed. “But we wanted to be part of the celebration with you Eddie.”

  “And how’s life in the west?” Simon asked.

  “Same as in the east, south, north,” Eddie smiled. “I bet you’re all flat out. And a lot of it was never mentioned in the seminary!”

  “You’re right there!” agreed Julian.

  Light-hearted anecdotes and exchanges followed.

  Eventually, the three merged into the happy group of wedding guests while Eddie moved to his mother’s side.

  “Sorry Mum, I got caught up with the boys. What should I be doing?”

  Margie smiled at him. “Just go on and enjoy yourself. I bet you and your mates have a lot to catch up on. The caterers are looking after the food and drink. So… enjoy!”

  The celebration continued well into the n
ight. As they had announced earlier, his friends had to leave before the celebrations concluded. Eddie farewelled each of his friends with the customary hug and silent prayer.

  As he watched their car fade into the night many thoughts tumbled and sought clarification. Only seven years since ordination and we’ve all had to deal with human problems. Our seminary training never showed us how to deal with a human crisis. What did I feel tonight that has started this thinking… but… not the time to try to deal with the philosophy of life, Eddie eventually realized. Time to get back to his sister’s celebration.

  After prolonged farewells and good wishes, Kate and Shane were on their way to the beginning of their new life. Eddie looked over to Margie, tears welling and Tony holding her hand. What a wonderful couple he thought, as he had thought so many times before.

  Where would I have been without them! Not the time to go down that path, he reminded himself. Time to look ahead. He knew he had changed from the newly ordained priest seven years before – the Aboriginal with all the dreams for his race and the Christian with all the hopes and dreams for the world. No, I haven’t become cynical, he thought! But I have become wiser – perhaps! He smiled to himself as the first line of ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ crossed his mind.

  Yes, life will go on. Guide me Lord.

  Life for Eddie proceeded for the next year with few major problems and challenges.

  And then came the phone call.

  Part One

  Joe

  Chapter One

  “Car packed!” John announced. “But no hurry,” he added. “We’ve plenty of time.”

  “We know you Dad,” Joe laughed. “We’d better head off!”

  Immediately Joe was surrounded and systematically hugged by his three siblings, their wives and his growing number of nieces and nephews.