The years passed quickly. The four friends kept in constant contact. They met at least once a year – always a day of friendship and joy, sometimes questions, often jokes, always a prayer. Their solid friendship never waned. Together they celebrated their fifth anniversary, noting the slowness of change, dashed hopes, happy surprises and questions for the future. They all acknowledged how their prior dreams for the future of the Church had changed, how the world around them was spinning, how they were adapting to culture changes, how, in spite of questions – and sometimes fears – they were determined to ‘hang in’. For special family occasions – weddings, Baptisms, special birthdays – they all endeavoured to attend, mostly successfully.
Parish life for Joe was always changing but stable. It took many months after Chelsea’s tragic death for the city to come back to life. Many of the pupils and some of the teachers benefited from counselling over many weeks. Other teachers, including the Principal and Naomi, worked through their thoughts and feelings without counselling and gave support to the needy pupils.
Members of the CYMS and NCGM clubs were touched indirectly – and in a few instances directly – by the tragedy. As weeks turned to months and months to a new year, the pain and sadness eased and, for the majority, the previous life although different, resumed and grew.
Looking back after a couple of years, Joe had to admit that the Club had been successful.
Not only were the league teams forging ahead, often in the final four, many times outright winners, soccer and basketball teams were formed. Dances organized with the NCGM now very successful monthly events. Socially and sportswise, the Club had made a very successful beginning. As chaplain and friend to all members, Joe was particularly pleased with the spirit of comradeship of the Club. He was also pleased that, although numbers had dropped very slightly, members worshipped together each month behind their banner.
Time for me to hand over to one of the younger ‘boys’, was the thought constantly coming to mind as the Club celebrated its fifth birthday. Although he was approaching thirty, Joe knew he was still in the ‘younger’ set. But he was uneasy. Perhaps I need a change, he thought. Yet he knew he was kidding himself. He loved being chaplain and friend to the members of this club. When the thought of what was really disturbing him surfaced, he immediately dismissed it as nonsense. Eventually, thoughts and feelings became so strong he had to admit to himself – he had fallen in love with Naomi. Through the past couple of years they had worked together on youth activities, they had shared problems, they had supported each other. Don’t be so stupid, he told himself – you’re a celibate priest. Reason soon suggested – tell that to your feelings.
They were both now part of a committee working towards taking a group of young people to the up-coming Youth Festival in Sydney. Both had consented to not only supervising a group, but also giving a talk. Preparation over the next few weeks were constant and time consuming but, ultimately, very rewarding.