Who are all these monks in Burma? Where do they come from? Will Buddhism save Burma?
I'm old enough to remember Buddhist monks in Vietnam in the 1960s turning the tide of the battle between US and Communism, which turned out to be a civil war between north and south.
The monks didn't take sides then, as they don't now, but acted as the moral conscience of all the people.
Maybe young men are put into monasteries as an alternative to 'meaningless' street life. It may well be the refuge for those families who don't want their young men to join the Burmese armed forces who spend most of their time suppressing local opposition to the totalitarian military regime.
I haven't got time to waste on 'how did this happen?' I have got time to mention Hung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese woman elected by the Burmese people to lead them but disallowed by a military junta from so doing.
The street demonstrations just might work this time. It almost worked just a few years ago.
The X factor is the internet. It played a part in rallying Burmese resistance last time. This time it may well determine the result of the struggle.
Keep your eyes on the Burmese monks.
By the way, you can be a 'monk' too. I could turn my Foundation into a 'virtual' monastery. You could join and become a badge-carrying monk.
You already spend time in cyberspace so why not be gainfully employed there?
The Buddhist monks have their rituals to back up their social activism. So could we apocalyptic activists. Our rituals would be minimalist. Like saying 'Thank You' when putting both feet onto the floor after rolling out of bed.
Or practicing random acts of kindness each and every day. If that's too drastic, use Friday only.
Catholics used to not eat meat on Fridays (we didn't have to eat fish by the way!)
My monks, ninjas, social reporters/activists, foundationeers, unconventstitutionalists could become famous netwide by swearing off, not meat, but PEOPLE.
Friday would be marked by a global abstention from 'eating people', making a meal of someone's feelings, opinions, reputation.
Richard Eckersley researches progress and wellbeing. He is a founding director of Australia 21, a non-profit public-interest research company. I like him. He wrote in the Melbourne Age, 23 September 2007, an article subtitled, 'Feats of an Apocalypse are drawing us towards fundamentalism, nihilism and activism. Only the latter offers humankind any hope.'
So, back to my monks. For a couple of years I've been jawing about social activism. Early days in that propaganda campaign I was joined by a bunch of younger zealots, God bless them. We hoisted blogs, podcasts, websites. We joined Myspace, YouTube, SecondLife.
I teamed up with John Safran for SBS and Triple J.
Andrew Denton interviewed me for 'Enough Rope' to be screened in October (if ever).
I've had a DVD made (free of charge by Visual Entertainment) called 'Father Bob's funny way of being serious'.
You could have one of those with me putting my case for apocalyptic activism, social capital investment or just doing the right thing. It lasts for nine minutes.
However, you just may know a group of 'virgin' social capital investors who would fundraise $7.5K as an annual stake in the FBMF.
I know it's all a bit sloppy. My colleagues criticize me for casting too wide a net and being weak on detail.
Those Burmese monks inspired me to have another go. Email me, sppchurch@hotmail.org.au for a copy of the DVD and badge depicting a 'net' (maybe internet?) to catch the fallen and a slingshot to protect the fallen from further punishment.

3JJJ - (107.5fm) Sunday, 9 - 11 pm
11 pm. Senator Alan Eggleston, West Australian Liberal Senator who happens to be shorter than 'normal'. Safran says dwarf. I was brought up not to.
Ian Bryce, NSW campaign manager of 'The Secular Party' (www.secular.org.au) a new political party, based on moderating the influence of religion, and is planning to contest the coming federal election.
Anna Joy, comedian, the Pilgrims Progress is on in Melbourne. Mature audience recommended.

Can't tell, can you?
They sit next to you to you in Church. Well, maybe not next to you (that's a bit chummy for us!) but within sight or sound. They're just like you. They ARE you. Paul Wappett is YOU. Helen Evert is YOU. Dob yourself or someone else in for 10 minutes of glory during Sunday l0 am Mass.

The Open House team needs volunteers, especially to give out food parcels. If you are interested in volunteering some time to this project - on a weekly, fortnightly or even occasional basis, please give Paul Robinson a call on 0408 992 595 or Paul@linktours.com.au. Paul and Mario Perrone are the coordinators of the Open House team. Some basic training would be given.

The Faithful Companions of Jesus sisters, will celebrate 125 years of ministry and service in Australia on Sunday 14 October with a Mass at 2.30 pm in St Ignatius' Church, Richmond. Past Students and Friends are welcome. Please reply by 1 October (9429 5726).

Wednesday, 10 October at 6 pm at the Village Roadshow Theatrette, State Library of Victoria Melbourne (Entry 3, Latrobe Street). The inaugural lecture by Professor Klaus Neumann will be chaired by Peter Mares and introduced by Emeritus Professor Hank Nelson. This is a free event. Please RSVP by 4 October to 9214 8825 or email icolosimo@swin.edu.au.

Friday, 19 October, 7pm-11 pm, Burke Hall, Xavier College, Studley Park Rd., Kew It's our 30th Birthday! Make it a party and bring a table of 10! Optional 70s dress up. Tickets $40 each. All proceeds to the Brosnan Centre, supporting young people in the justice system. Supper provided by chef Loretta Sartori of Gateway kitchen. Drinks at the bar. Fantastic raffle, winning table prizes, silent auction and spot prizes. Can't make it to the event but would like a chance to win one of these fantastic raffle prizes? (1st: $20,000 + Holiday for 10 people in Tropical North Queensland, 2nd: 1970s Retro Style Raleigh chopper Bike 3rd: 30 gig iPod) Buy raffle tickets - $10 each or books of 5 available.
Contact Brosnan Centre to place your phone booking and/or order raffle tickets at 10 Dawson Street, Brunswick 3056, Ph 9387 1233, Fax: 9387
Booking form also available in the Jesuit Social Services website www.iss.org.au

Come and meet and hear Fr Michael de Stoop speak on 'The Gift of Confession' on 5 October at 7 pm. Entry is free, but please let us know if you are coming (email -Anthony@connorcourt.com.au or phone 5368 2570. It will be at St Brigid's Dance Room Hall, 378 Nicholson St., North Fitzroy. Fr Michael De Stoop is a priest of the Archdiocese of Sydney and the author of his new book: 'The gift of confession'. He was ordained in 2001 and is currently an Assistant to the Dean of St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. He is also the Cardinal's Deputy Master of Ceremonies, the Archdiocesan Director of Vocations, the Catholic Youth Services Chaplain, and the State chaplain for the knights of the Southern Cross.

On the Sunday closest to the Feast of St. Francis, lover of all creation, join other pet lovers for an informal blessing from a Franciscan Friar and a Buddhist Nun.
Sunday 7 October 3 pm - Port Melbourne, Life Saving Club, 32 Beaconsfield Pde, Port Melbourne. Bring your pet (or a photo) along! After the Blessing, join us (with your pet) at the Kilbride Centre (52 Beaconsfield Pde) for refreshments,

Sunday 14 October at St. Patrick's Cathedral, East Melbourne. Rosary, procession at 2.30 pm: Mass at 3pm. Main celebrant: Archbishop Denis Hart, DD. All are most welcome to this multicultural celebration of the Church in Melbourne.

In my town, Melbourne, it’s football finals fever season. There’ll be 100,000 people at the world famous MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) or the 'G' as it’s known around here.
By the time you read this, Collingwood will have beaten Geelong (or vice versa, but I hope not!) One of them will go into the Grand Final next weekend.
In the adjacent State capital, Adelaide, North Melbourne will play Port Adelaide, the winner will head for the Grand final.
On Sunday, my team, Melbourne Storm, will play Parramatta Eels for the privilege of starting in the National Rugby League grand final next weekend in Sydney.
Is all this sport a blessing or not? Well, I suppose it beats tribal warfare, which occupies so many young men and women in far too many places, around our world.
By the time I’m at the 'G' on Friday night, I’ll have flown to Canberra and back after a half-hour talk session at the National Gallery (check my blog, fathebob.com.au for details). It’s to mark International Peace Day. The talking point is a beautiful Indian ivory sculpture of Christ crucified, recently acquired by the Gallery, combining European and Indian influences and reflecting the impact of Christianity in India.
By the time the umpire bounces the ball at the 'G', I’ll have succeeded (or failed) to make the point that world peace depends on peace among world religious not through tolerance but through RESPECT.
Which leads me to Len Thompson, a Collingwood 'great' who died suddenly this week from a heart attack. He was sixty years old.
The overwhelming attitude around town to Len is REPECT, not just as a footballer, but also as a decent human being. As we say, in Australia, he was a GOOD BLOKE. Trite, perhaps. True, absolutely based on the evidence of the most important people in Len’s life – his three women partners and his many adult children! Each of them not only respected him but one another. No one should write Len’s epitaph without the word RESPECT.
Which leads me to one of the people John Safran (and in a lesser role, I) will interview this Sunday, 3JJJ, 9-11pm – the Reverend Fred Nile. He and his Christian Democratic Party want Australia and its allies to wage a successful 'war' against Islamism. According to Fred and the CDP, Australia and its allies have access to 'weaponry', which cannot be countered by Islamists, nor by any other organization hostile to human progress (some of my acquaintances would include 'Christendom' and 'Zionism' among such). These 'weapons' include: the advertising industry, the cinema and the television industry.
Establish a decentralized institution for the study of Arabic, Farsi, Bahasa, Urdu, Turkish and other languages associated with Islam, plus study of the religion and culture of Islam.
Isolate every website which promotes Islamist doctrines such as hatred of Jews and Christians or brutality towards women.
Provide free wireless internet connections to the peoples of all Muslim nations, with suitable filtering of all Islamist content.
Fred’s plan is creative and innovative. Is it the way to world peace, to global RESPECT? I think it’s OK. I feel it’s not Ok. What do you think/feel?

Please note that the St. Vincent de Paul Clothes bin that was situated at the side of the Parish House is now located in the Church laneway off of Dorcas Street.

In our archives we have lost a copy of the Southerly Buster for the 1st week of August Volume 22, number 36. If any parishioner has a copy, will they please lend it to either Carol or Kevin so they can copy it?

A parishioner of 30 years, Helen Evert, Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne University, will talk after 10am Mass on 23 or 30 September. Who will be next?

Fr Gerard Dowling will speak on this on Wednesday, 3 October at 7.30 pm at Centacare, Cnr Victoria Pde and Hoddle St., East Melbourne (next to St. John’s Church. Please phone 9379 7613 if you would like to attend this talk.

Dear Bob,
Sandra and I congratulate you on your birthday on Friday (14 September) – we hope you have a thoroughly enjoyable day. We are about two and a half weeks away from a return to Melbourne and I must admit are feeling rather homesick.
We spent July in Europe, in England and France, seeing friends and relatives, and attending a conference. At the moment we are in South Africa - Rhodes University in Grahamstown and are here for two months in all. It is an attractive place, and by the standards of South Africa, quiet.
Sandra is doing regular voluntary work at the clinic run by the Assumption nuns in the black townships, so has a much better insight into the lives of the majority of the population than I have. South Africa is challenging, but we like both the place (which in, many ways, is like Australia) and the people.
All the very best to you and to all our fellow parishioners, Sandra and Colin (White)

All current and former staff are welcome to help Sacred Heart Mission celebrate its 25th Anniversary in 2007. It is marking the occasion with a special Mass to be celebrated by Fr. Ernie Smith, Fr. Terry Kean and Fr. John Petrulis.
The celebrations are being held on Sunday, 30 September, 2007 at the Sacred Heart Church, Grey St., St. Kilda, beginning at 11am – light refreshments will be provided following the Mass. Further details can be obtained from the Sacred Heart Mission 9537 1166.

Let us remind you that Sue Kidd will be holding classes on Wednesdays 10, 17, Oct and 7 Nov, also on Tuesday 23 Oct. If you have a child ready for confirmation please give Sue a call on 9646 2686.
Bishop Peter Elliott will be the Celebrant on Sunday 18 November at 10 am Mass

You are warmly invited to join with Mayor Jane Bolitho, Father Bob Maguire, and Carol Henderson for the Launch of Kombiz Youth Network (formerly SPAUMAY) as we celebrate our new name, new location and coming of age – we’re 18 this year!
Tuesday 16 October, 4 – 5.30 pm at the Sol Green Recreation Centre, Cnr Nelson Rd & Coventry St., South Melbourne.
What’s happened to SPAUMAY? Well it’s official! The SPAUMAY name has been laid to rest and we are now “Kombiz Youth Network”. The new name reflects a new era in our development, but provides continuity with our history, as “Kombiz” was the name of the first and longest running youth program in the history of SPAUMAY.
To make our services more available to young people our office has relocated to Sol Greene Recreation Centre in South Melbourne. The challenges of the next period are big, but we are encouraged by the community support for young people, particularly those from Albert Park College.
While our name, email and office have changed, our ethos continues unchanged and our commitment to authentic community based, holistic and ecumenical ministry among young people remains stronger than ever.
Carol Henderson

For over a decade, Theresa Burke has been helping thousands of women and men find healing from the emotional pain and suffering following abortion. Theresa is the founder of Rachel’s Vineyard, an international ministry offering post-abortion healing retreats to those affected by abortion. She will present a free public lecture discussing the trauma of abortion and how to care for those whose lives have been affected by it. Hear Theresa speak and learn how you too can help women and men find healing after abortion on Wednesday 26 September at 7.30 pm at the Cardinal Knox Centre, 383 Albert Street, East Melbourne. (enter via Lansdowne St car park).
For further details please call Marcia, Respect Life Office, 9412 3373 or Anne Neville, Open Doors, 9870 7044.

Sunday 28 October at 7 pm, Cardinal Knox Centre, 383 Albert Street, East Melbourne (enter from Lansdowne Street car park).
As part of our continuing commitment to interfaith dialogue, friendship and co-operation, Catholics of the Archdiocese of Melbourne’s and members of the Melbourne Jewish Communities are invited to attend this kosher dinner.
Further details can be obtained from the Stella Maris Parish, Beaumaris (Call 9589 2271).

That 'Chaser' thing disturbs my age group, the, old guys, they're dills, troublemakers deserving punishment, jail if possible, lucky to avoid being shot by a security sniper.
The younger generation reckons the Chaser team was just doing their job of confronting authority.
Christians were born out of confrontation. We were the Roman Empire's nemesis. The good Senate and people of the Roman Republic outlawed our ancestors as atheists or terrorists.
Christians were countercultural. Not that we were looking for trouble. It just had the knack of finding us. We were the unlucky grist for the political will. We were rounded up regularly as the 'usual 'suspects'.
But, the Roman politicians fell in love with us, because we could read and write and administer (WE learned all that in the ghetto) and invited us to run the Roman public service, to be the clerks/clerics, the public service.
Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. We fell for that trick. Now we needed reminding of who we were meant to be, the servants of all, not what we had become, the servant of the Roman government.
We were in bad need of a revival of a Jewish phenomenon known as prophecy. The Jews had government since David, 1OOOBCE. As the governance deteriorated in quality, a special office of correction emerged.
In Bible vocabulary, 'God raised up' the prophets who were expected to keep the government honest. The prophets did their job of 'seeing through people and events' - nothing to do with foretelling the future as if by magic.
In fact, if we had the wits we could all foretell the future, by paying closer attention to the present!
Enter 'The Chaser'. That's what I believe the boys do. It's a public service. We need someone to do this unpopular (at least among bureaucrats) job.
All institutions need the Chaser treatment. A 'Current Affair' goes after individuals. Be that as it may. The Chaser goes after institutions.
In a perfect world there'd be no Chaser team. In that same perfect world there'd be no institutions. In the less than perfect REAL world there'll forever be institutions in need of prophetic input. I'll give you another example by reprinting Julian Burnside's piece from the 'Big Issue' about the barring of the Eureka flag from building sites.
Eureka was in 1854. Catholicism in South Melbourne became, in 1854, visible in canvas, right where we stand today.
Liberal democracy allegedly the highest form of human social evolution, needs prophetic impact as much as any preceding form of institution.
Some of us, surely, are 'called' to see through current affairs and propose a corrective course.
Is Safran and me on Sunday, Triple J, 9 - 11 pm, another example of prophecy or is it just infotainment?
This Sunday we interview Raj Patel, author of 'Stuffed and Starved, Markets, Power and the hidden battle for the World Food System'. Then, Phillip Adams about his book 'Adams vs God - The Rematch'. Next, Anny Broinowski, Director of 'Forbidden Lies', a docofilm about Normak Khouri and her controversial book 'Forbidden Love'. Is Norma a fraud, cheat and liar about 'honour' killings of women in Jordan?
See insert for more on Julian Burnside or stop right here if you've had enough.

All current and former staff are welcome to help Sacred Heart Mission celebrate its 25 Anniversary in 2007. It is marking the occasion with a special Mass to be celebrated by Fr. Ernie Smith, Fr. Terry Kean and Fr. John Petrulis. The celebrations are being held on Sunday 30 September 2007 at the Sacred Heart Church, Grey St., St. Kilda, beginning at 11am. Light refreshments will be provided following the Mass. Further details can be obtained from the Sacred Heart Mission 9537 1166.

Sunday 28 October 2007, 7 pm, Cardinal Knox Centre, 383 Albert Street, East Melbourne (enter from Lansdowne Street car park). As part of our continuing commitment to interfaith dialogue, friendship and co-operation, Catholics of the Archdiocese of Melbourne's Jewish Communities are invited to attend this kosher dinner.
Further details can be obtained from the Stella Maris Parish, Beaumaris on 9589 2271.

For over a decade, Theresa Burke has been helping thousands of women and men find healing from the emotional pain and suffering following abortion. Theresa is the founder of Rachel's vineyard, an international ministry offering post-abortion healing retreats to those affected by abortion. She will present a free public lecture discussing the trauma of abortion and how to care for those whose lives have been affected by it. Come and hear Theresa speak and learn how you too can help women and men find healing after abortion.
Wednesday 26 September, 7.30 pm, Cardinal Knox Centre, 383 Albert Street, East Melbourne. (Enter via Lansdowne St car park). For further details please call Marcia, Respect Life Office, 9412 3373 or Anne Neville, Open Doors, 9870 7044.

A DVD conversation between novelist Margaret Atwood and Bill Moyers will be used as a stimulus for a conversation led by Sr. Maryanne Confoy rsc on 'Can spirituality survive in the face of religious fundamentalism?
Monday 17 September, between 7.30 and 8.45 pm at the Kilbride Centre, 52 Beaconsfield Pde, Albert Park, Donation welcome. Further details: 9690 1076

Join with others to pray and renew your commitment to work for peace on Friday, 21 September at 5.30 pm to 8 pm at St Peter's Eastern Hill, 15 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne. The evening will begin with a prayer service followed by a light meal and reflections on areas for possible peace making. Supported by Victorian Council of Churches, Pax Christi and Partners for peace. RSVP Glenys on 9650 4511 or gfawcett@vcc.org.au by Wednesday 19 September. $10 (Students $5)

Father Gerard Dowling will be the speaker on, 3 October at 7.30 pm at Centacare, Cnr Victoria Pde and Hoddle St., East Melbourne (next to St. John's Church). Please phone 9379 7613 t register your attendance at this talk.

Please note that the St. Vincent de Paul Clothes bin that was at the side of the Parish House is now in the Church laneway off Dorcas Street.

The Melbourne launch of the Australian Catholic Bishops Social Justice Sunday statement will take place on Thursday 20 September at 7.30 pm. Bishop Hilton Deakin will give the Rerum Novarum address based on the Bishops Statement: 'Who is my neighbour? - Australia's role as a global citizen'. It will be at the Cardinal Knox Centre lecture theatre, 383 Albert Street, East Melbourne. All welcome. Tea/Coffee available from 7 pm. Supper following lecture. Further details 9926 5710 or iustice@melbourne.catholic.org.au

St Andrew's Parish, Werribee is this month celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first Mass to be held at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Little River. The main event is the St Michael's Little River Feast Day Sunday 23 September, 10.30 Solemn Mass, 12 pm light refreshments at community hall, Cnr Edgars Road, and You Yangs Road, Little River, Entertainment by Rabusin School of Irish Dancing. Details from 9741 4144.

Confirmation classes will be held on Wednesdays, 10 and 17 October and Tuesday, 7 November between 5 and 6 pm. Sue Kidd will run the classes and asks that any parents wishing their children to receive this Sacrament contact her on 9646 2686. Please leave a message and Sue will get back to you. Confirmation will be held on Sunday, 18 November at l0 am Mass. The Celebrant will Bishop Peter Elliott.

Dear Fr Bob
Re: your query to us on Sunday re Benazir Bhutto: see the short but I think spot-on comment in today's Age by William Dalrymple, Scottish author of many insightful books on the sub-continent. Benazir is attractive to the West because of her gender, non-Islamic attributes, English-speaking background, etc but during her term of office she did absolutely nothing. Some of the nuns in Lahore like her a lot because she was educated like most of the elite over there in a Catholic school, and was always appreciative of the nuns.
Nawaz Sharif, her main rival was also widely held to be corrupt but then every politician, military or lay, over there has probably been suspect in that area.
Dalrymple's contrast with India is apposite. His approving comments on Musharraf's initial years echo what Armando had said in the past. Over the years visiting Pakistan on and off, I feel the country has gone backwards -women less and less visible, the rich (including rich Christians) hiding in their opulent houses, cars with dark glass, clubs, etc, while the poor slug it out over fields, tiny squares of land, the Muslims being prey to rabble¬rousing fundamentalist and the Christian villagers defenceless and scared. Some think the partition of India brought about more problems than it solved.

A new course from the School of Prayer is designed for patients, carers or anyone seeking to understand meditation as a therapy. Fortnightly from Tuesday 18 September to 27 November 2007 at the Thomas Carr Centre, 278 Victoria Pde, East Melbourne 2.30-4.30 pm. Cost: $80.00. Further enquiries: Annemarie 9412 3325

During Integrated Studies we have been looking at different environments, reduce, reuse, recycle, plants, water use and conservation.
We are going to an excursion at C.E.R.E.S. environmental park to learn more about the environment.
In Maths we are looking at 3D shapes and addition.
During Religion classes we are looking at a unit called Protected by God where we are examining the story of 'Moses'. We also planned the 'Mary Mackillop' for Term Mass. This was a great celebration and Father David came along.
In dance classes we are learning short repetitive moves and performing a dance to a given song.
In literacy we are writing recounts lists and Fathers Day messages. We are continuing to lean 'Magic 100 Words' and reading different types of books.

In 1965, while assistant priest at St Michael's Ashburton, I was asked to join the Reserve Army as a part-time chaplain. That meant attending your unit's weekly assembly (parade) at a suburban drill hall and accompanying your unit, in my case an artillery group called 10 Medium Regiment, on its annual bivouac.

So began my happy association with the Defence Force, for about 25 years.
In 1969, I was asked to leave my parish, Seymour, for full time duties with the Character Training Team.

The Vietnam conflict was in full swing. Conscription was on. Twenty-year-old Aussie men were chosen by ballot to train with the Recruit Training Battalion, in my case Puckapunyal in Victoria and Kapooka in NSW. The job took me also to officer training facilities in Canberra and Portsea. I never went overseas. Lots of the recruits I met, however, did. I learned in four years of full time duty, to admire the calibre, the character, of Aussie twenty-year-old men.

Vatican 2 theology, churchology and spirituality were an easy fit with the unique character and calibre. Twenty-year-old Catholic men took to it like ducks to water.
At the end of Australia's involvement in Vietnam, 1972/73, the Character Training teams were reduced from 2 to I. Gerry Cudmore, the doyen of Catholic Chaplains, now deceased, got the last remaining job in Sydney. Melbourne's Archbishop, Cardinal Knox, asked me to take on South Melbourne Parish. 'See if you can get it to be a vibrant, outward-looking inner-city Parish.' Other Priests were trying that approach in Collingwood, Fitzroy, East and North Melbourne.

I took up residence at 375 (now 377) Dorcas St on September 14th 1973. I was born that day in 1934. Now it's that same day in 2007! Birthdays don't unfortunately feel that special to me, mine, I mean. Probably because of a lack of family experience as a child and with years of as a young adult in the seminary. I prefer to remember September 14th as the day I was blessed to become embedded at Sts Peter and Paul.

A very big part of that experience has been my involvement for better or worse with neighbourhood young people conscripted into the struggle to survive inner-city social poverty and its toxic effects.

I've installed a plaque in the Parish garden, back to back with the poignant memorial to infants who died before or not long after birth. I leave it to you to read the words on my plaque. For readers who can't do that physically I've posted it here (click on the image for a larger view).

There are names of almost forty locals who died just before or just after their 20th birthday. They died, victims of the drug wars of the 1980's, on my watch. This 14th September is more important to me as the Father Bob Maguire Foundation Memorial Day. After the noon Mass, I'll use water and smoke to bless the plaque and dedicate my Foundation to rescue young people whoever, wherever, whenever in danger of falling by the wayside like those whose names are engraved, with respect, on our garden memorial.

No one but I will be at all impressed with the FBM Foundation memorial day thing but I've got to do it, nevertheless. I'm 73 and haven't a moment to lose. I'd hoped the Triple J exposure would keep awareness and fund raising in support of the core business of the FBMF in helping the hopeless.

No evidence of either is to hand. I guess I could send a FBM Foundation badge, like a 'worry bead' to fondle, to any Triple J (107.5 FM) listener who admits to having their awareness raised by my scarce comments during the show. Safran labels my comments as 'boring' so I must rely on 'passive' absorption of a social capitalist pheromone emitted from Triple J (107.5 FM) this Sunday, 9-11 pm.

Briefly, we interview Dr Rachael Kohn, broadcaster, author and speaker on religion and spirituality. Next is Claire Atkins, Youth Festival Manager for World Youth Day (15-20 July 2008) - Safran's idea, not mine! There's a couple of other interviews about a TV station - behind the scenes, and the making of a documentary on Tibet.

There, I've exposed myself, even more than usual. It's done me only damage in the past.

Here's to the future!
Respect
Bob Maguire

Being present in the NOW
Recognizing God in the NOW moments
Date: Tuesday 18 September
Time: 10.00 am -3.00 pm
Cost: $20 (concession available) RSVP: 9690 1203 or spirituality@kiIbridecentre.com.au
At Kilbride Centre, 52 Beaconsfield Pde Albert Park

I've pinched this from Chee Chee Leung, science reporter for Melbourne's 'The Age' newspaper.
'As a skyshow, it kept Australian Stargazers waiting for seven years.
A spectacular total lunar eclipse was visible across the country last night at full moon, when the sun, earth and moon were in perfect alignment.
The earth cast a shadow across the moon and blocked out the sunlight, causing the moon to become dark, almost disappearing.
Although it was a total eclipse, the moon didn't completely black out. Some sunlight reached it, bent by Earth's atmosphere.
The atmosphere was dusty so the moon appeared blood red as the dust particles filtered out some of the green, blue and violet rays in sunlight.
The partial phase of the eclipse began just before 7 pm. During this time, the earth's shadow was curved, one of our ancestors' first clues the planet was spherical. The total lunar eclipse was from 7.52 pm to 9.22 pm.
After this, the moon slowly emerged from earth's shadow.
It was a great chance for earthlings to see the workings of the solar system for themselves.
The eclipse could be seen with the naked eye, but binoculars or telescope were better.
The last total lunar eclipse was in July 2000. The next one visible in Victoria will be in 2011.'
Just before the lunar eclipse, I was called to the morgue, an old fashioned name for the Coroner's Court facility where dead bodies are kept waiting for a coronial enquiry into the cause of death.
The body was that of a 46-year-old man. He had suffered from MS for years and died of a chest infection that afternoon.
Was that the total eclipse of that man or had he just faded from the sight of his family and friends?
Just after my visit to the morgue, I was locking the parish church. I pocketed about $9 from the poor box.
There was a man in church quietly sitting and contemplating, as he often does.
Let's use another old-fashioned word to describe this man -'swaggie'. He's a man of the road, a non-conformist. He's a street poet and philosopher, a graduate of the university of hard knocks.
He's a man of few words, talks only when he has to. I offered him the $9. He took $8. 'I only need $8', he said. 'You can eat for a whole day with $8.' He left the church building but I think the church left with him rather than stayed with me.
The lunar eclipse followed.
Which of the three events was the most spectacular?
Each in its own way, I'd say.
So, what's on the menu this Sunday, 9 - 11 pm Triple J. 'Sunday Night Safran'?
First up is David Salter, author of 'The Media We Deserve.' He's one of Australia's most respected independent journalists and television producers. He was executive producer of ABC TV's 'Media Watch' programme, and writes regularly on media affairs.
Next is Anthony Lowenstein, Sydney-based journalist and author. He's a board member of Macquarie University's Centre for Middle East and North African Studies.
Safran will question Lowenstein about his most recent book 'My Israel Question' which asks how much Zionism - the ideology of Jewish nationalism - is to blame for the intractable, undeclared war in the Middle East.
The exchanges between Safran and Lowenstein (they're friends!) are always enthralling. Don't expect me to be more than a spectator.
Next up is Peter Beinart about his book 'The Good Fight', a passionate reminder to the conservatives who have ruled from Washington since 9/11.
Finally, Anita Ray Badami, author of 'Can You Hear The Nightbird Call?' It's about a young Sikh, Jasbeer, radicalized by sectarian violence against Sikhs. How do religious moderates become militant?
That's enough for one week. I'm 73. I've been in South Melbourne Parish since 1973 and am grateful for every minute of that odyssey.

The Melbourne launch of the 2007 Australian Catholic Bishops Social Justice Sunday statement will take place on Thursday, 20 September at 7.30 pm.
Bishop Hilton Deakin will give the Rerum Novarum address based on the Bishops Statement, 'Who is my neighbour? Australia's role as a global citizen.' at the lecture Theatre at 383 Albert St, East Melbourne. All welcome. Tea and coffee will be available from 7 pm. Supper will follow the lecture.
RSVP by 14 September to 9926 5710 or justice@melbourne.catholic.org.au