Letters

Unseen kindness

Anne Lastman

Contents - Aug 2011 - Buy a copy now Homily: Benedict XVI: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Pope Benedict XVI The Carbon (dioxide) Tax: a religious perspective - Peter Finlayson News: The Church Around the World Britain's anti-Christian brave new world - AD2000 REPORT Events: In defence of the authentic meaning of marriage - Canberra, 16 August 2011 - Babette Francis Bishop Conley on the new Missal translation: 'The very words of God' - Bishop James Conley Defending the Catholic Church against ill-informed attacks - Fr John Flynn LC Obituary: John Wright (1923-2011): pillar of the Catholic faith - Michael Gilchrist Exegesis: Genesis account of creation and fall: what does the Church teach? - John Young Young adult Catholic ministry: further progress - Br Barry Coldrey Letters: Archbishop Hickey - Frank Bellet Letters: Unseen kindness - Anne Lastman Letters: , - Arnold Jago Letters: Catholic schools - Fr Brendan Dillon PP Letters: No oxygen - Fr M. Durham Letters: Rose-coloured glasses - Cathy Cleary Letters: Christian heritage - Fr Bernard McGrath Letters: Anglican ordinariate - Michael Apthorp Books: PRODIGAL DAUGHTERS: Catholic women come home to the Church, ed. Donna Steichen - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: STANDARD-BEARERS OF THE FAITH: Lives of the Saints for Young and Old - Terri Kelleher (reviewer) Poetry: Consequences - Bruce Dawe Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: The new evangelisation: 'missionary spirit' needed - Fr Dennis W. Byrnes

Belatedly I got to read the June issue of AD2000 and the article by Brian Peachey "Archbishop Hickey: tribute to an outstanding Church Leader." What a marvellous and beautiful Shepherd and what a legacy he leaves the to Church. What an inspiration. And what Brian Peachey has enumerated are only the public efforts and not the quiet ones where his shepherding has been unseen.

I would add to his many acts of kindness a genuine love and respect because of his loyalty to the people he has known for a lifetime, including my family. He has never forgotten us and even in the past year officiated at my Mum's funeral.

He has been an unseen (at times seen) guest at our family dinners, weddings, and times of consolation, following his return from Rome from the late 1950s to the early 1960s, and throughout his life in the Church in Perth. My Mum always said, "Fr Hickey: very good priest." He always remained "Fr Hickey" to her and to us, and she always spoke with reverence to him and about him. And so he has been with all our family for the last 50 years: just "Fr Hickey" and much loved.

Thank you "Fr Hickey" from Mum and Dad (RIP) and all our big family, we have appreciated your love and care. May your retirement bring you a time of happy peace. God Bless.

ANNE LASTMAN
Vermont South, Vic

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 24 No 7 (August 2011), p. 15