September 14

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

Comments

[LanternLight]

Enjoyed the podcast, but what's with the secret squirrel stuff re. having to ask for the Wiki link?

[JMT]

Hi Father Bob

But what is calibre ? The ability to kill for country is arguably an indice of callousness, not character.

What is your opinion on the criminalization of addiction? Who does this help ?

John

Longtime lurker/JJJ listener. Glad to have found your own site recently.

[bob maguire]

lanternlight, I agree with you.BobMaguire. John, arguably, you're right about combat. Back then, we were still working within the framework of "a just war".We're at it again as we speak.Read "Black Mass" by John Gray.Respect.BobMaguire.

[gavin knight]

poignant post Bob

which causes me yet again to pause and wonder if I'm doing enough for the vulnerable as an expression of my christianity (albeit protestant!) and my humanity

as always, your postings and podcast are challenging and inspirational

[Michaela]

Lanternlight and Bob,
Michael Leone who usually puts these things up on the website is away at the moment. For more info on the wiki check out Bob's Open Family Forum at http://forum.thepodcastnetwork.com/viewforum.php?f=4
where you can email me for full access.
Cheers,
Michaela

[Anne Digges]

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

Bob you can't save everyone and even if you have saved one your life is worthwhile (see poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss

Also remember that no good deed goes unpunished. (in this life at least)

[Anne Digges]

And much respect to the dudes in the cave in Taree under the doona with the clock radio.

[Cyrano]

Bob, thank you for keeping it grounded in history and reality. Real names, real people with real struggles. I believe we expect nothing less from you.

[rebecca]

hey fr bob,
your work on triple j does not go unnoticed. i have been listening since you and john began and two weeks ago i visited melbourne for the first time. i brought my mum and some friends to your church on a sunday morning, and i really took a lot out of your service, (about the poor dining with the rich, who is the real guest of honour?)
please know, that your fantastic work for the youth is appreciated, even if i sit in adelaide watching.
peace be with you

[Kate]

I started listening to the JJJ podcast of you and John this year. I start my days cycling to work in Alice Springs, listening to you guys while looking out at our beautiful desert ranges,and Carlisle St seems a long way away. I love your compassionate social justice perspective. It is great to hear in these times of the federal 'intervention' in the NT that could otherwise make one very cynical. I hope that the dedication went well today - what a beautiful idea.

[Leah]

Bob, your birthday may not be the celebration that they are to so many of us, but it is on that day that you entered the world - the world you make such a difference in - and I am sure there are many who are grateful to you and your mere existence, so best wishes from me, and thank you for being one with the ability to care in such a practical manner. On a personal note, I love that you entertain me, confuse the tripe out of me, and inspire me at the same time! Your dedicated atheist, L x