"If I cannot listen to the subtle manifestation of rich reality in my environment, I will necessarily try to impose my wilful codes on others. If I am not open to reality and do not obey the voice of reality, a terrible distortion takes place. Sooner or later I will turn the whole relationship around: Instead of listening to reality in people and events, I become convinced that reality in people and events should listen to me."

[Adrian van Kaam, The Art of Existential Counseling, Dimension Books, 1966, 80.]

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Fr John Thornhill SM RIP

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Fr John Thornhill SM died on Sunday evening 28 July. John was professed as a Marist in 1949 and ordained a priest in 1955. He made an outstanding contribution as a theologian both in Australia – where he was involved for many years with the Marist Seminary at Toongabbie, the Catholic Theological Union at Hunter’s Hill and the Aquinas Academy

here in the Parish – and internationally, serving for a number of years on the International Theological Commission in Rome and the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission. May he rest in peace.
Fr Thornhill’s funeral will be at Holy Name of Mary Church, Villa Maria, Mary St Hunters Hill, 9:00am Friday 2 August.
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