(Adds Pictures) Report on the canonical-visit of the Minister Provincial and the Vicar Provincial to the Friars of our Province in Australia, 9th – 25th January 2011

The Minister Provincial, Fr. Sandro Overend OFM and the Vicar Provincial Fr. Richard S. Grech have been visiting the Maltese communities with their respective Franciscan Pastors, in George Town (Tasmania) and Adelaide in Australia. Fr. Richard has also visited his mother and his family in Sydney.

Fr. Sandro on arriving in Australia went directly to meet Fr. Edward Zammit OFM who is the Parish-Priest of Our Lady, Star of the Sea Parish in George Town, Tasmania. He also met Fr. Alan of the Holy Spirit Franciscan (OFM) Province.

During his stay in Tasmania he also had a meeting with the Vicar General of the Diocese, the M. R. Fr. Mark Freeman. Fr. Sandro discovered that Fr. Mark and he were students at the Patristicum Augustinianum in Rome during the mid-90’s. They met after almost fifteen years. It was a very cordial meeting and the Vicar General expressed his gratitude, in the name of the Bishop, to the OFM Province of Malta for the presence of Fr. Edward in Tasmania. On the Vicar General’s request of the possibility to send more friars in Tasmania, Fr. Sandro said that it was a the wish of the Province to send friars where there is need of religious, but at the moment the number of friars in the province is decreasing, even if on the other hand there is a lively group in Formation. The Provincial also met the Parish community, the Parish council and the various Parish groups who were all eager to continue working with Fr. Edward.

In Hobart, Tasmania, the Provincial also met the members of the Society of Christian Doctrine (M.U.S.E.M.) that was founded by the Maltese Saint George Preca.

Leaving Hobart, Fr. Sandro went directly to Adelaide where Fr. Gabriel Micallef OFM of the Maltese Franciscan Province is Chaplain to the Maltese Community. He met the Parish Community of different language groups at Christ the King Parish in Lockleys, Adelaide. The Provincial had a very fraternal and cordial meeting with the Archbishop of Adelaide, Mgr. Philip Wilson. He presented the Bishop a solid silver commemorative medal of Pope Benedict’s XVI visit to Malta. Once again the Bishop showed his appreciation and was grateful to the Maltese Franciscan Province for being present among the Maltese community, through Fr. Gabriel. The Bishop praised Fr. Gabriel for his work and for his continuous presence in the Parish.

Fr. Richard joined Fr. Sandro in Adelaide on Sunday 23rd January and visited the Maltese Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus who are running a nursing home beside the Parish. Fr. Sandro and Fr. Richard also had a meeting with the Maltese Community in a con-celebrated mass followed by a social Gathering. Many who had known Fr. Richard years back when he was in Australia were eager to meet him again. The Queen of Victories Band also participated in the social gathering held at the Parish hall. During the social gathering donations were given for the Maltese OFM formation candidates that are studying abroad.

During their stay, Fr. Sandro and Fr. Richard visited the wonders of South Australia, the wild life Zoo, the long coast of South Australia and the famous harbours. The Provincial encouraged both Fr. Edward and Fr. Gabriel to continue their presence on the steps of St. Francis, as they did for many years. ” We are a united family and distance is no obstacle to feel thus “, was a comment made by the Provincial.

Fr. Richard and Fr. Sandro returned to Malta on the 26th January