Priest's trip down under provides chance to learn

For one Albany diocesan priest, however, "the land down under" isn't a TV image; it's a daily reality. On sabbatical from his duties as pastor of Our Lady of Grace parish in Ballston Lake, Rev. Anthony Diacetis is experiencing an "endless summer" this year.

Leaving Albany on Jan. 30 in the midst of an ice storm, he is spending Australia's summer at the Education Centre for Christian Spirituality in Randwick, a suburb of Sydney. Via e-mail, Father Diacetis shared these thoughts about his first break from priestly duties in 31 years.

Rosary time

Because Sydney is so many hours ahead of Albany, 9 a.m. in Sydney is the evening of the day before in Albany.

"While crossing the international dateline," he said, "I somehow lost February 2. Poof, gone! I never experienced that day this year. How does that happen? When I return, I will arrive in Albany before I left Sydney the same day!"

Time aside

"I published in our parish bulletin the Webster Dictionary definition of 'sabbatical,' which is a 'time away, usually for study, research, writing and rest.' My sabbatical is all of that," he explained. "Here, I am doing readings in two subjects: spiritual leadership and sacred Scripture.

"At the same time, I am reading such books as 'The Changing Face of the Priesthood'; the National Conference of Bishops' publication, 'The Priesthood in the New Millennium'; and Rev. John Meir's two-volume scriptural exegesis of the New Testament called, 'The Marginal Jew.'"

Touring

"On sunny days, we're at one of the over 30 beaches that surround Sydney," he admitted. "On rainy days, we can be found in museums or the aquarium. St. Mary's Cathedral is a huge, beautiful English Gothic church, and right behind it is the Barracks Museum, where one of the first prisoners' barracks was built. Back then, the Church was preaching the Good News about how Jesus came to 'set the captives free.'

"Those of us on sabbatical spent some time at Alice Springs in the middle of the Red Centre, an area in the middle of the country called the 'outback.' From Alice Springs, we traveled five hours by coach to a place called Ayers Rock. It is all bush country and desert. To the Aboriginal people, Ayers Rock is 'ulrur,' one of the most sacred of grounds. Their young people are initiated there. While the site was awesome, all I can really remember is the heat. Red hot, hot, hot -- over 100 degrees and the flies were merciless. My experience in the 'outback' is one I will not soon forget."

Similarities

"Bishop David Walker, the founder and director of the Education Centre mentioned that activities in the Church are 'about five years behind the Church in America,'" Father Diacetis noted. "The Church in Australia is just now having to deal with the shortage of priests and vocations that we began to experience several years ago.

"I recently had 'tea' (dinner) with Rev. Lex Johnson, pastor of two large suburban parishes, and we talked about the type of pastoral planning that the Albany Diocese implemented about five years ago. The Archdiocese of Sydney is currently waiting for a new archbishop. As a result, activities are in a state of limbo."

Hospitality

"Through the Education Centre and local parish here, I have met some wonderfully hospitable people," he said. "The words 'warm' and 'inviting' can describe all of the Aussies, including local parishioners and cloistered nuns at a monastery I visited in the rain forest.

"I see God in all of them and in the beauty that surrounds Australia, whether it be the raging surf, the soft mist in the Blue Mountains -- or the majesty of Ayers Rock."

(04-05-01) [[In-content Ad]]