The meeting had been not only well organized but also well advertised. Tim was elected president and committee positions filled by other helpers. A good omen for a smooth start, thought Joe. It was clear from the number of young men attending and their obvious enthusiasm that the Bathurst branch of CYMS was off to a fine start.
“We’re not letting any grass grow under our feet,” Tim related to Joe the next week.
“Just want to run this by you first – was going to advertise formation of sports teams. I thought we’d start with league with winter coming up. And cricket later in the year. Perhaps other sports later. And now with the girls getting together with the new NCGM starting here, we could organize dances together.”
“Your thinking cap has worked overtime,” Joe laughed. “Great ideas. And with the enthusiasm of the committee, I’d reckon we could have at least a couple of teams in the local league comp. this year. Now – my request – one Sunday a month a special Mass to bring Club members together.”
“Sure, Joe.”
Strong enthusiasm and innate skills found in members brought their hopes and plans into reality. The new Club was ready to field a team in three grades of the city’s League competition, with no dearth of trainers, managers or helpers for any of the teams. Joe’s expertise as a footballer was noticed as he helped with the early training. Submitting to pressure from players and trainers, he agreed to play in the initial A Grade team – only until they became established he insisted. (Little was he or anyone else to know at that time, they forged so well as a team that he was pressured to remain right to the end of the season when they were hosted as Premier runners-up.)
Joe was apprehensive on the eve of the first of the monthly liturgies for the Club. It was obvious the social side of the Club was well on the growth path. But his call was as a spiritual leader, not a sports leader. Some of the mothers had decided that a banner was needed and, after a few sewing days, had produced one similar to those of like clubs. There it stood, indicating the section for members to congregate. What if no one or only one or two come, Joe thought.
Prior to the opening prayers of the Mass, he happily admitted to himself that he had worried for nothing. Thank You, was the prayer from his heart. The section cordoned off for the group was hopelessly inadequate as more and more green-blazered young men filed into the church. Joe knew from that moment his ministry as a chaplain had begun.
How full his days became as more and more the ministry of parish curate and club chaplain overlapped. At first life seemed to be a bowl of cherries – all sweet and tasty. As the weeks slipped by he became more immersed in the lives of those to whom he was to minister. Yet, more and more, he knew he was part of their world, not apart from it. He was more than the Club’s chaplain; he was friend and sharer of their joys and problems.
The first dance organized by the committees of both CYMS and the girls’ group NCGM was viewed in advance with apprehension by both clubs. Joe felt obliged to attend, but was not looking forward to it. He had loved dancing prior to seminary days. And he had to admit he would still enjoy it. He did not know his Bishop’s thinking, so decided he had better steer clear of the dancing floor!
The night had been well planned and was very well attended. Joe wandered around the hall, caught up in conversation as he moved. A great success, he thought. We’ll have more of these! I’ll have to find out the bishop’s views on priest’s dancing, he smiled to himself.
“So you’re above talking to old country friends, are you!”
He turned quickly to be greeted by a pair of laughing purple eyes. She was beautiful. His memory stirred at the sight of those eyes and her deep auburn hair.
“Don’t look so worried, Joe,” she laughed. “I don’t expect any of my old friends to recognize me.”
“Naomi!” he exclaimed. “It is Naomi.”
“Good on you Joe. You’ve recognized me faster than most. Since last we met I’ve had plastic surgery to remove that terrible scar. So it’s changed me a bit. But, underneath it’s still me!”
“How good to see you again. You look great. And you sound like the old Naomi!”
They both laughed. “I am still the same old Naomi!”
Naomi explained briefly that she was now the REC at one of the primary schools, adding, “I don’t want to hold you up here. We’ll have to catch up later.”
Joe continued his slow circling of the dance hall, continuously stopping or being pulled up to chat. But his surprise encounter remained foremost in his thoughts. How good to catch up with Naomi again. How pleased he had been to see her. What a beauty she was now.
“We’ll have to have more of these,” Tim commented as he and the committee locked up at the end of the night.
“You’ve done a fine job Tim,” Joe answered. “The Club is off to a great start!”