Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese REPORT
3 Feb 2012
Newly-ordained Father John Macdonald had barely settled into his new position as Moree's assistant parish priest before he found himself in the midst of one of the town's worst floods in more than 35 years.
"It's like being in the centre of a vast inland sea," he told Catholic Communications this morning after more than 1600 residents of the town had been evacuated ahead of the expected flood peak at around 11.30 am today.
"St Francis Xavier's Church is not in any danger but the brand-new just-completed hall at St Philomena's Catholic School which was built as part of the Government's BER scheme is only inches away from inundation," he says as flood waters swept through the town.
Fr John described the mood of those remaining in Moree, which has been virtually cut in half by the flooded River Mehi, as buoyant. "But it is after the flood when the waters finally recede and we see the devastation left behind that I think the real impact will be felt. That's when I think many people will feel overwhelmed and experience depression," he says.
The Mehi River has reached levels not seen since 1976 with a further 11,000 people isolated by the floods across Wee Waa and the Richmond River region.
The nearby Gwydir River has also flooded and last night the Federal Government announced disaster funding for Moree, Greater Taree, Tenterfield, Narrabri and Gwydir.
During such times, as we saw in the wake of the Queensland floods last year, communities band together to help one another with the Church becoming a focal point giving many the hope they need and reassurance for the future.
But in Moree with half the town evacuated and the rest coping with the swollen river and widespread floods, there will be no services at St Francis Xavier's this Sunday.
Earlier today an RAAF Hercules aircraft dropped supplies including bedding to the town which is now completely cut off by road.
For Fr John and Moree's longtime parish priest, Fr Paul McCabe their first concern is for residents of the town and helping them cope with this latest natural disaster. But Fr John admits there is also concern the vast inland sea now surrounding the town, may make it impossible for the two priests to drive to Armidale next week to attend the installation of the new Bishop of Armidale at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Joseph on Thursday 9 February.
Bishop-elect, Wagga Wagga priest, Fr Michael Kennedy will become the new Bishop of Armidale, replacing Bishop Luc Matthys who at 75, has reached retirement age.
"Whether we are able to attend depends very much on how quickly the waters recede and on how much damage has been done to roads as a result of the floods," he says.
Four months ago, on 22 September 2011, Fr John was ordained a priest by Bishop Matthys in Armidale's famous Cathedral.
Dubbed "Mr Athletics" by students and staff at St Ignatius College, Riverview where he taught mathematics and religious studies. He was in charge of the school's Track and Field Athletics from 1993 until 2006. His coaching helped the school win six senior GPS Premierships and 11 Junior Premierships. It was during his time at Riverview, that Fr John discerned his true vocation and decided to answer God's call.
Studying for the priesthood at Rome's Pontifical College Beda (the English College), he was ordained to the Deaconate on his return to Australia in early in 2011 and ordained to the priesthood six months later.
Now assistant parish priest in Moree he is offering his support and pastoral care to those affected by the flood as the mud, slush and debris sweep through the town, inundating houses, cutting off power as well as shutting down shops, supermarkets and normal suppliers.
"This is the third flood Fr Paul McCabe has experienced in Moree and he says that at least this time everyone has had advance warning and time to prepare, stock up on food and water and sandbag their homes," he says.
Children in north western NSW follow the same school year as those in Queensland and the new term does not start until next Monday, 6 February. But Fr John says with the flooding in Moree it is unlikely schools will reopen for several weeks.
"Many are expected to be damaged by the floods and all will need clean ups first," he predicts.
http://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2012/201223_616.shtml
3 Feb 2012
More than 1600 evacuated from Moree
as the Mehi River rises
as the Mehi River rises
"It's like being in the centre of a vast inland sea," he told Catholic Communications this morning after more than 1600 residents of the town had been evacuated ahead of the expected flood peak at around 11.30 am today.
"St Francis Xavier's Church is not in any danger but the brand-new just-completed hall at St Philomena's Catholic School which was built as part of the Government's BER scheme is only inches away from inundation," he says as flood waters swept through the town.
Fr John described the mood of those remaining in Moree, which has been virtually cut in half by the flooded River Mehi, as buoyant. "But it is after the flood when the waters finally recede and we see the devastation left behind that I think the real impact will be felt. That's when I think many people will feel overwhelmed and experience depression," he says.
Fr John Macdonald
The nearby Gwydir River has also flooded and last night the Federal Government announced disaster funding for Moree, Greater Taree, Tenterfield, Narrabri and Gwydir.
During such times, as we saw in the wake of the Queensland floods last year, communities band together to help one another with the Church becoming a focal point giving many the hope they need and reassurance for the future.
But in Moree with half the town evacuated and the rest coping with the swollen river and widespread floods, there will be no services at St Francis Xavier's this Sunday.
Earlier today an RAAF Hercules aircraft dropped supplies including bedding to the town which is now completely cut off by road.
Moree transformed into an inland sea
Bishop-elect, Wagga Wagga priest, Fr Michael Kennedy will become the new Bishop of Armidale, replacing Bishop Luc Matthys who at 75, has reached retirement age.
"Whether we are able to attend depends very much on how quickly the waters recede and on how much damage has been done to roads as a result of the floods," he says.
Town of Moree cut in half by floodwaters
Dubbed "Mr Athletics" by students and staff at St Ignatius College, Riverview where he taught mathematics and religious studies. He was in charge of the school's Track and Field Athletics from 1993 until 2006. His coaching helped the school win six senior GPS Premierships and 11 Junior Premierships. It was during his time at Riverview, that Fr John discerned his true vocation and decided to answer God's call.
Studying for the priesthood at Rome's Pontifical College Beda (the English College), he was ordained to the Deaconate on his return to Australia in early in 2011 and ordained to the priesthood six months later.
Now assistant parish priest in Moree he is offering his support and pastoral care to those affected by the flood as the mud, slush and debris sweep through the town, inundating houses, cutting off power as well as shutting down shops, supermarkets and normal suppliers.
Road access cut off by floods
Children in north western NSW follow the same school year as those in Queensland and the new term does not start until next Monday, 6 February. But Fr John says with the flooding in Moree it is unlikely schools will reopen for several weeks.
"Many are expected to be damaged by the floods and all will need clean ups first," he predicts.
http://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2012/201223_616.shtml
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