Overseas readers, we've got a Prime Minister called John Howard, at least for the next 72 hours (as we go to press) and he's warning us to re-elect him and his party because, if we don't, we may 'change the country'! What a terrible thing that would be, John's inferring. Maybe it would be terrible. I suspect not, but then, I've got a vested interest in change because I'm a creationist i.e., someone who believes/trusts in the ongoing unfolding, probably infinite, of the cosmic plan, the relational matrix.
That's 'bobbiwaffle' to some, but to me the truth upon which rests my case for social activism and a civil path to peace.
An election happened Wednesday, 21 November, when 800 people attended a Multicultural Educational Services conference in Melbourne. These people elected to work together for the benefit of the Australian Commonwealth, made up, of course, predominately of migrants (I use the word 'predominant' from respect to our aboriginal people whom we have dominated since 1777.) I was blessed to form a panel with Thuk, a Sudanese, and Malika, an Eritrean woman. Well-known Vietnamese/Australian Ahn Do was the facilitator. The stories were stunning, including Thanh's. My job was a mere regurgitation of how we in South Melbourne came to be mixed up with migrants. More than that, how I personally became, vocationally, a fellow traveller with hundreds of migrants. It took that conference to remind me of the size of that crowd.
Even with no wife, partner or children to remind me (there, I'm 'out', I'm a celibate!) I told the crowd I spoke in memory of my friend, Ahmed Nasir Sheik Abdi, Somalia, who was shot dead on the last of several rescue missions. Many South parishioners will remember Ahmed with great affection. The Sudanese man frightened some of the audience with his obvious strong commitment to the gospel of Jesus of Nazareth and his honest, if non-pc, appraisal of the Sudanese predicament!
Malika's story ended in Warrnambool where she lived and worked as a marine biologist. She told of the gradual warming between her and her neighbours. Malika wears a veil, just like our women religious did. Warrnambool got used to it, as Aussies do get used to the 'strange' if left alone.
I sprouted a few bits of pious bobbiwaffle which readers and parishioners have heard before, probably 'ad nauseam', about how we're all in this together, forming the colourful crew of spaceship earth. And the other bit about religion sometimes needing the restraining hand of secular society to deter religion from doing harm to public civility. I really believe that.
Ahn Do is an excellent example, as is his Young Australian of the Year brother Khoa, of migrant 'missionaries'. They've become embedded in our Commonwealth and show us how to be serious in a funny way. (Infotainment is a risky gene, not to everyone's liking.) I'm feeling a bit better this week about spriuking social activism as opposed to (or balancing) devotional quietism.
A boost came from Dr. Rob Grogan, a southerner, who's working on a history of south Melbourne Catholicism (my mob). That history proclaims South Melbourne's commitment to help the poor, deserving and undeserving, over 150 years. I guess that's the reason I feel better today about the authenticity of my own feeble crusade for the undeserving poor through the agency registered officially as 'Father Bob Maguire Foundation'.
Safran and I will wait till Sunday to the 3JJJ show, 9 - 11 pm, so we can be smart with hindsight about the election results. We'll interview, also John Bryson ('Evil Angels') about jury room culture. Also, Carol Cams, NGV, Curator of Asian Art, talks about 'Krishna, Love and Devotion'. Finally, Melbourne singers of gospel to either celebrate or lament the election results.

Wednesday 12 December, 7.30 pm. Many of you will recall the lovely Lenten reflection Maria Forde shared with us last Ash Wednesday. Maria will be returning to share with us 'Our Advent Story', an Advent reflection aimed at giving each of us a background to Advent and possible ways to live the Advent experience. The evening will commence with a prayer and ritual lighting of candles. Music will be shared throughout the reflection with the use of visuals, conversation and prayer. The reflection will last for approx one and a half hours. If you would like to know more of about Maria and her work, please check our her website at www.mariaforde.com

Saturday 1 December beginning at 9.30 am. Willing hands wanted to help clean the Church for Christmas. BYO brooms, mops, buckets, cleaning rags. If you are unable to attend on this date, there are other jobs that could be done during the week. Please give Geraldine a call on 9699 6050 if you can be there on December 1 or if you would be able to help out with a job during the week.

Retired/55+ parishioners and friends are invited to attend on Tuesday 4 December. Mass at 12 noon with the anointing with oils will be followed by a delicious home-cooked Christmas dinner (roast turkey, veggies, plum pudding and custard) served in the Parish hall, across the schoolyard from the church. If you would like to attend or know of someone who would like to attend please give Geraldine Crawford a call on 9699 6050. RSVP as soon as possible. Transport can be arranged.
Willing hands are needed on 3 December to help set up the hall for the Christmas Party. Chairs, plates, cutlery etc have to be taken from the church to the hall, and then the tables need to be set and decorated. If you are able to lend a hand, please be at the church at 8.30 pm. (We're unable to access the hall till 9 pm due to TaeKwondo classes). If any one is available on the 4th at approx 2 pm to help clean up after the party, your help would be greatly appreciated. Further details Geraldine Crawford 9699 6050.

9 December from 7 to 8.30 pm. Would you like to join a choir this Christmas? Come along to two rehearsals and be part of a choir for the local Community Carols at Albert Park Primary School. No auditions. No age limit. No prior experience required if you like singing, they'd love you to join them! Rehearsals: Sunday, 2 Dec (2 - 5 pm), Sunday 9th Dec (1-3 pm) will be held at Albert Park Baptist Church, cnr Kerferd Rd & Richardson St., Albert Park. Enquiries: Alison Carr 9534 8393 (No need to register. No fees. Just come along to the first rehearsal!)

The book launch is on Sunday, 2 December at I.30 pm at the Parish Hall at St. Columba's, Elwood. Coffee and cake are provided, but anything you would like to bring will add to the festivities. Suzette Herft will sing and we will all celebrate the Spirit of hope and expectation that Advent brings. Copies of the book will be available for purchase ($12.50 cash only) on the day. RSVP to Elaine Barker (9531 6120) or ebarker@netspace.net.au.

Christmas Eve: Carols at 7.30 pm, Mass at 8
Christmas Day: Mass at 10.00 am

Jay, the Green candidate for Werribee in the coming national election (that's for overseas readers!) was in today to check out what Jesus has to say (not me - Jesus - silly!) about a few moral issues weighing heavily on the hearts of Christian fundamentalists.
There's a big community of those volatile voters where Jay's standing. I did my best to reassure him that Jesus had nothing much to say about abortion and same gender relationships. The Churches have quite a lot to say but not Jesus.
Jay may well be up against the Churches but not Jesus. Rather, he'll be opposed by some members of Churches, and supported by others. That's the way in a democracy which may well not be the ideal way of living together but it's the best we in the secular west have designed so far.
Jay's a student who takes his democratic responsibilities as a privilege. He seems to be one of those unknown citizens who belong to the global movement with no name, millions of ordinary people dirtying their hands to build a better world.
As Jay left, William came in. He's also a student who's organizing a march for multiculturalism this Saturday at 2 pm (more details further down this blog - separate post).
He reckons on about 5,000 marchers but won't be surprised if 10,000 turn up. He probably won't be fussed if he and I turn up. That's the point. You'll never know if you never have a go! So here's another young member of that global movement with no name.
It's these people who give us all HOPE. Each of us needs to join that movement in our own time and place and in accordance with our own abilities and in answer to our own need to belong.
Elsewhere on this blog, especially in the podcasts there's an invitation by three other associates, Cameron, Michaela and Chris, to join the movement with no name but many 'tags' - ninjas, open family foundation, drug arm, etc.
The 'tag' is for communication purposes. That's the latest social development, our latest and best hope for a better world that we are a 'wired' global community. As I said last blog, I'm embedded in a local church, part of a regional church, part again, of a global church.
By communication, only recently online, this local church has managed to fight above its weight. Together we do good things for people not of this church's membership, the 'others' whom the founders of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddism, Hinduism, Confucianism and the Greek philosophies ALL emphasise must be respected and served FIRST by religious 'insiders'.
These movements WITH names need, for the sake of a better world and in obedience to their founders, to join with our latest blessing, the global movement with no name but many 'tags'.
United, not uniform we will solve global problems. Practise by tackling a local problem/possibility first?
There's a Triple J listener serving in Iraq. He/she wants to interact with fellow listeners. Maybe he/she can do some field reporting via our blog, although Iraq seems to have fallen off the radar.
In stark contrast with geopolitics is our first interview, the Sunday, Triple J 9-11 pm - Alice Williams, author of 'Would it kill you to say please: A guide to modern manners.' She is a local writer with a bee in her bonnet. She's set to become the manners guru of the new millennium.
Then, Danny katz, author of 'A Little Election'. Newspaper columnist for The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and WestAustralian. Irene Scott, erstwhile ABC Victoria Drive Producer who is in India and was at the World Scrabble Championships in Mumbai, November this year.
Finally, 58 kilos of Pure Entertainment: On Election Eve Sammy J, Comedian 24th
November 7 pm Spiegeltent.

A DVD of 'The Abbey' as shown on ABC TV is now available by direct order from the Jamberoo Abbey. If you missed the three episodes you missed a gem, or if you saw it, maybe you would like to keep for repeat viewing. It makes a great Christmas present. There is also a CD of the sacred music soundtrack from the program. The Benedictine nuns were not paid for participating in the series so here is a way of them financially benefiting. They are currently facing an expensive roof restoration and in dire need of funds.
The DVD and CD cost $34.95 each (includes postage) and can be ordered by email to candIeorders@bigpond.com Fax: 02 4236 0041 or post Abbey Candles, 695 Jamberoo Mountain Rd., Jamberoo NSW 2533. They will accept credit cards, cheques or money orders. More info 02 4236 0011 or visit their web site: www.jamberooabbey.org.au

Sip at the Nott - Spirituality in the Pub
Bill Armstrong AO - Intervention in the NT-have we got it right?
Bill was appointed CEO of Australian Volunteers International in 1982, a position he held until retirement in 2002. He managed the growth of the movement from a staff of 12 to 130 nationally. By 2001, AVI managed a thousand volunteers in placements in 45 countries.
Tuesday 20 November, 8 pm -9.30 pm Bistro Room, The Notting Hill Hotel, 260-262 Ferntree Gully Rd, Clayton (Melways 70 E8) Or join us for dinner at 6.30 pm in the Uni Bar.

How do these principles apply here in 5outh Melbourne, if at all?
'Under the influence' Leo Donnelly, The Far East, May 2007
Do many of us ever ask ourselves why Christ went to the bottom of the pile? Why, within the Roman Empire, he went to its troublesome fringes within Palestine. He went to the rural people and fishermen who were even out on the edges of that culture. Why? We know this was a deliberate though no excluding choice on the part of 'Abba,' His father. This gesture carried a strong message, confirmed in a final, beginning step at Pentecost:-
'Surely these people who are speaking are all Galileans! How is it that each of us can hear them in his own native language? . .' They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, 'What can this mean?' (Acts 2:7-8,12).
Missionaries, who attempt to cross the boundaries of language and culture throughout the world, announce this same Pentecost Gospel in tongues. Few speak the language well, and even when they do, it's always with an easily recognizable accent. Many of us are poor linguists. Yet somehow or other we manage to communicate with the people with whom we are working and who share the same commitment to the Gospel.
I'd have to say that my best and most satisfying memory over all the years is one small incident from Huasahuasi. My Spanish is poor and I have no Quechua (the language spoken by many who live in the outlying smaller villages of the parish), yet I once got this accolade of which I am inordinately proud, 'Leo treats us as persons.' It would be hard to better that. Since then I once read that less than 50% of human communication is vocal, which I also find encouraging.
The other memory that comes to mind is that of a young couple in Our Lady of Sorrows parish. Anna Maria was the young mother of three little ones. I met her when her husband turned up in the parish office asking for our support to convince his wife to caste back onto the street a very ill young single mother. Pablo, rightly didn't want this diseased person in their yard where his infants were safely playing off the street. It was all this couple had, one room and a waIled-in yard. Anna Maria stuck to her guns and had the young woman lying on rags in a chicken coop. Fair play to Pablo, he let her have her way until 12 days later the abandoned mother died. A childless couple nearby, friends of Pablo and Anna Maria 'adopted' the infant.
Many of the Pentecost tourists were interested, while many brushed aside the apostles as 'under the influence' 'Others said contemptuously, 'They have been drinking' (Acts 2:13).
They were right to do so, but wrong also, because mission is under the influence of the Holy Spirit. It's the Holy Spirit at work. We, spiritual and financial supporters, missionaries, both clerical and lay, as well as people like Anna Maria and her husband are together under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Together we make a difference, even as the Apostles did. And the difference we make? The Pentecost we achieve? '....anything you did for one of my brothers here however insignificant, you do for me' (Matt 25:40)
Pentecost is only for those 'under the influence' (Acts 2:13).

How do you feel? I don't just feel confused. I think I am confused. Plus, I think it's my own fault. I talk too much.
I read once a description of a bloke. A critic of his, friendly critic (the best kind of critic) said of that other bloke 'He hasn't got one unpublished thought!'
Since about '02 I've copped a lot of flak, mainly from 'friendlies'. I'd come to the conclusion over many years that the best way to get through life was to be Catholic ie. open to all.
Let everyone know what you're on about. Don't have angles, don't have spin, just 'what you see is what you get'.
If they see what you're on about, some will offer to help. So I've ended up with no unpublished thought. Maybe I'm not good at explaining what I'm on about.
I talk in my own parish church. I'm supposed to do that. It's my duty. Every day there's a dozen people mostly the same ones. That's every day for 34 years!
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays there's at least 100 at every wedding. We have about 60 weddings a year. I talk there, too.
On Sundays, we have a couple of baptisms/christenings. There's a bunch of people ~ each event, sometimes 100. I talk there too.
Then there's the 200 at weekend Masses. They're the catholic critical mass, the general membership. The ones who give character and colour to South Melbourne Catholicism, God bless them. More talk from me, this time, unashamedly, about the glory of God and the salvation of souls, the 'in house' core business. Jesus of Nazareth gets a big run 'in house', as you would expect, if not accept.
Then there's the not infrequent funeral during the week. Another 100 people, mostly not churchgoers, but spiritually on standby, and some, not so much talk from me.
I may well, dear readers, have talked myself to a standstill.
But, then I saddle up weekly to appear with John Safran, Jewish, intellectual, satirist, humorist, on Triple J radio. More talk, this time to persons unknown except the 20 somethings who write to the station's guestbook from all over the world.
I've also got a blog page, fatherbob.com.au, where these ramblings end up (as well as in the parish newsletter). The blog links to a podcast, courtesy of podcast network wunderkind Cameron Reilly and indefatigable tekkie, Michaela Walsh, whose father, Michael, died this week after a long illness. Sorry for your loss Michaela.
6000 people listen to the podcast. My critics, 'friendlies', say I'm showing off, a narcissist. I think I'm just 'putting in'. I'm confused, you see. Maybe I should stop talking to people and talk to God! That's where I'm confused. I thought that by talking to people I'm talking to God who loves, even likes, us. I believe there's no longer us, them God -just WE.
So, while I'm working it all out, more or less, I'll turn up at Triple J and this weekends 2 weddings, 3 baptisms, I internment of ashes, 3 weekend Masses and talk some more.
Shaun Micallef, host of SBS 'Newstopia' is our first guest on Triple J. Then, Mary Zournai, writer, philosopher and our intrepid film reviewer talks us through 'A Mighty Heart', a detailed account of the 2002 search for kidnapped Wall St Journal reporter, Daniel Pearl.
Next is Christian Kerr, author of 'The Crikey Guide to the 2007 Federal Election'.
Finally, Gary Lucas, internationally acclaimed New York guitarist and Grammy nominated songwriter. He'll talk about 'The Golem': at the festival of Jewish Cinema, 7-25 November, ACMI Cinemas, Melbourne.

Meet on Sunday 18 November at 1 pm outside the State Library of Victoria. At 2 pm the group will walk to Federation Square, where there will be a massive cultural celebration.
Both events will help show support and solidarity for all African communities within Australia, while also celebrating the amazing mix of multiculturalism that Australians see in everyday life.

There will be a meeting at Camberwell Civic Centre at 8 pm on Tuesday 22 November to encourage Australian Catholic Bishops to broaden the possibility for ministry in order to address the current crisis and to support our overburdened parish priests.

If you can't get to the meeting, you may wish to view and/or sign the petition at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/PF2544/petition.html

By the way, William Moore’s March for Multiculturalism has been postponed from 4 November to 17 November. He couldn’t get the police he needed because they’re gearing up for Cup Day.
Anyway, if it comes off, it’ll be a good show of support for a good Aussie value - a fair go for all, especially for outsiders.
Cup Day is the annual feast of the outsider who rarely shows up but is feared by favorites and waited for by all punters. The one horse who wins the Cup after trailing for the whole race and then bursts from the back of the pack to hunt the champions down and pip the lot at the post.
If I was a fundamentalist preacher, I’d give you a few well chosen human comparisons. I’m not, so I won’t.
Just check life’s odds for and against yourself up to date and, if you’re even a ‘rank’ outsider, come from the back of the pack and surprise everyone, even your connections ie, family and friends.
See, fools like me see spirituality everywhere. If it’s not everywhere, it’s nowhere. It’s in the least likely places, like Flemington on Cup Day.
First of November, All Saints Day, says the same. Forget the gazetted Saints, you Christians, on the 1st. Remember the whole assembly, the mob of unheralded heroes in our own network of family, friends and even your favorite celebrities (those essential, fascinating stars of screen, stage and stadium whom we love to hate!).
November 2nd, All Souls Day, brings us back to earth, into the earth and under the earth, by reminding us spiritual beings having our human experience, long or short, no matter, really that we are eternally linked with innumerable other spiritual beings who have completed their human experience, long or short, no matter, really.
You younger readers experience this 'kind' of connectedness via the internet. It’s the latest example of how easy and how hard, all at once, it is to know that we’re all in this together, have been since 12 billion years BCE (more or less) and forever will be.
My generation (Year of 1934) had to make do (or were blessed with) a religious expression of this togetherness, otherwise known at the communion of saints and sinners, or a new fangled secular expression via fascism or communism.
All this within 300 years at the end of which we may well be participants in yet another 'great transformation'. The internet 'virtually' connects us all, for better or worse.
Each of us is the agent of change in a 'trickle up' dynamic. We consense no need for the hierarchies or priesthoods.
We can’t even rely 'religiously' on the rationalism of the past 300 years. We’ve been shot in the head too often. Now they’ll have to shoot us in the heart to stop us. Yes, Chris, there is a relational matrix and it’s US, past, present and future people.
We hung up some street reports over the last few days, on my blog and copied it for self-indulgence. These occasional reports from our street reporter are meant to be stuck on the fridge, become part of the family daily memory, remind us that it’s no longer them and us, just WE.
We’ve been bound together and thrown apart from millennia by what we believe.
Now’s the time to reassemble because of what we do, separate in fact, but united in heart.
When you read one of our street reports let it trigger a chain of events for you – sharpen the eyesight of your heart, assess the social impact of what you see, do something about it.
The DO bit needs guidance. Just maybe half a dozen of my workers can be available to advise by email or text what options you have, health and safety issues considered.
I’ll consult them, post the numbers and we’ll see if my Foundation can be more than a talkfest.
Triple J this Sunday night - a satirical (what else is there available to us/sardonic even 'Insider’s Guide to Power in Australia' – Hoysted and Fidler.
Joe Bageant, author of 'Deer Hunting with Jesus - dispatches from American’s Class War'. Jana Wendt, author of 'A matter of Principle.' Andy Seymour with 'Elvis has not left the Building.

This is our chance to peacefully heal the relationship with the African community while also celebrating the differences that make Australia such a culturally rich and unique nation.
When: Sunday 17 November, (change of date From 4 Nov) starts 1 pm outside the State Library of Victoria. At 2 pm we will walk to Federation Square, where there will be a massive cultural celebration.
Both events will help show support and solidarity for all African communities within Australia, while also celebrating the amazing mix of multiculturalism that Australians see in everyday life.
We need volunteers – if you are interested in becoming involved please contact William Moore on 0434 890 845 or wpmoo1@student.monash.edu.

Our visitors had another wonderful year of nourishing and tasty soups at the Friday lunches in the presbytery yard. Many thanks to the creative and indefatigable Bernard and Angela.

Our visitors had another wonderful year of nourishing and tasty soups at the Friday lunches in the presbytery yard. Many thanks to the creative and indefatigable Bernard and Angela.