Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 553

not far from any of us, since it is in him that we live and move and have our

being".11

And ever since, men and women have set out to tell the same story,

witnessing to Christ's truth and love, and contributing to the Church's mis-

sion. Today, we think of those pioneering Priests, Sisters and Brothers who

came to these shores, and to other parts of the Pacific, from Ireland, France,

Britain and elsewhere in Europe. The great majority were young - some still

in their late teens - and when they bade farewell to their parents, brothers

and sisters, and friends, they knew they were unlikely ever to return home.

Their whole lives were a selfless Christian witness. They became the humble

but tenacious builders of so much of the social and spiritual heritage which

still today brings goodness, compassion and purpose to these nations. And

they went on to inspire another generation. We think immediately of the

faith which sustained Blessed Mary MacKillop in her sheer determination to

educate especially the poor, and Blessed Peter To Rot in his steadfast resolu-

tion that community leadership must always include the Gospel. Think also

of your own grandparents and parents, your first teachers in faith. They too

have made countless sacrifices of time and energy, out of love for you. Sup-

ported by your parish priests and teachers, they have the task, not always

easy but greatly satisfying, of guiding you towards all that is good and true,

through their own witness - their teaching and living of our Christian faith.

Today, it is my turn. For some of us, it might seem like we have come to

the end of the world! For people of your age, however, any flight is an

exciting prospect. But for me, this one was somewhat daunting! Yet the

views afforded of our planet from the air were truly wondrous. The sparkle

of the Mediterranean, the grandeur of the North African desert, the lushness

of Asia's forestation, the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, the horizon upon

which the sun rose and set, and the majestic splendour of Australia's natural

beauty which I have been able to enjoy these last couple of days; these all

evoke a profound sense of awe. It is as though one catches glimpses of the

Genesis creation story - light and darkness, the sun and the moon, the

waters, the earth, and living creatures; all of which are "good" in God's

11 Acts 17:25-28.