The next day, after an affirming phone conversation with Mark Levitt and an extended visit from Sean Martin, Eddie’s immediate medical future was planned. During the next two weeks it began to take shape as planned. His doctor in Bourke would be guided by Hugo Cavill, to whom he would give a weekly report on Eddie’s medical condition.
As Eddie prepared to leave on his journey back to Bourke, he was reminded of the morning, now almost twenty years ago, when he had set out – as he was doing now – from the home of his childhood to the home of his ministry. He was then a young priest with great hopes for the Church he had chosen to serve. Some hopes had been fulfilled. Many had been dashed and many of his dreams for the Church of the future had died. And yet, he still hoped and dreamed and the Aboriginal part of his spirituality spurred him on.
The journey was long and tiring, although he stayed overnight on the way at the bishop’s house. On the way the next morning his energy returned.
His plan to enter unobtrusively was squashed as he drove through the presbytery gates. The front yard was crowded. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal faces smiled at him. The crowd’s excitement and joy to see his return was obvious in the shouting and cheering, which continued long after he left his car. Rather taken aback, Eddie looked around and whispered, “Thank you. I am very glad to be back with you.” Immediately silence fell. Sensing this welcoming crowd wanted more, Eddie hesitated. Then, in a restrained voice endeavouring to hold back any emotion tinkering on the surface, he continued, “My sickness may not be cured, but I am back with you as long as I can.”
Suddenly a bell rang. All remained silent as Angel ordered, “Thanks for Father’s welcome. He must be tired. He’ll see you soon. But he needs a rest now. So, let’s give him that.”
Not all agreed, but quietly, with a ‘great to see you back’, ‘welcome home’ or a friendly wave, the crowd dispersed.
Angel helped him collect his luggage and steered him into the kitchen as she commented, “You need a rest, Father, but lunch first!” It was as though the last few weeks were only a dream. He was back – perhaps on borrowed time – but he was back.
He soon fell into his old pattern… but not quite. Now, instead of a full day, beginning with his morning Mass, followed by school, hospital, home visits, sick calls, and other calls on his time, he had to take a longer lunch break for a much needed rest. Some days he found following his schedule humanly impossible, but most days he was able to keep to the programme he had set himself.
In the short time, home visiting had changed dramatically. Now, not only was he welcomed, but he was requested to call. When the town had been under the stormy cloud of fear and distrust, all positions of authority had been questioned. Now, with the perpetrators jailed in the city and Eddie’s help in bringing safety to the residents documented, he was accepted as a genuine friend and leader.
Eddie was now accepted in full as friend and minister. With this acceptance came extended calls for his ministry. With acceptance growing rapidly, so did attendance at Sunday liturgies, calls for advice, calls for counselling.
By the end of the first month he knew his energy level had dropped. He had kept appointments with the local doctor, who, in turn, had made weekly contact with Dr. Hugo Cavill. His coughing, although no worse than before, was now producing blood and the level of his constant pain had slightly increased. But his ministry was producing peace and joy – not only for his parishioners, but also for himself.
It was only at the end of the second month that he had to admit to himself that time was running out. His bishop had agreed to his staying another month provided he felt able to cope.