Australia

Aloha from Australia. Arrived here in Sydney on Sunday January 7th after traveling from Davao City, Manila, and Hong Kong. What a blessing to be here in Australia after my sabbatical experiences in Italy and visiting our Marianist brothers in the Philippines. Australia reminds me of Hawaii with its beautiful beaches, bays, mountains, and hills. Here in Newcastle which is situated about two hours drive from the city of Sydney reminds me both of Hawaii and California; the beaches and bays of Hawaii along with the rolling hills and the mountains and vineyards of California. Sr. Monica, a sister of Mercy, whom I met at St. Louis University at the Institute of Religious Formation in 1978, is showing me around Australia. We will also have a mini-reunion with Srs. Eleanor and Kathleen from Perth in Sydney. It will be great to reminisce about our time in St. Louis. Yesterday we visited Shoal Bay and vicinity and even climbed up Mount Tomaree.