When
I first went to Redfern in the early eighties I felt
as if I was hearing the gospel for the first time. It
was as if I was seeing with new eyes. I felt very challenged
by it. Ted's homilies made me look at the words of Scripture
from another place altogether. Redfern was connected
with the Forbes St Community where I lived with the
Blessed Sacrament Sisters. A place where people were
welcomed especially Aboriginal people and where Street
Retreats were run.
Redfern
takes in a wide circle of people from Wilcannia, Dubbo,
Wagga, Toowoomba, Mittagong etc, etc. People who live
away from Redfern but are still a part of it.
I
think of the time of the launch of Ted's book and the
people who were there and there would have been lots
who weren't. That says a lot about Ted Kennedy I think.
Most of all Redfern is the faces of people, Aboriginal
people who were so welcoming and ready to share.
Redfern
is memories of Mum Shirl and the children.
I
feel when you are away Redfern is like a well where
you return to drink in the spirit of the place to be
nourished and resourced.
It
has changed and yet in another way it is the same; you
still find the same spirit there - a spirit of welcome,
challenge, trust, ordinary life, commitment to justice
for all people especially Aboriginal people, a home
where people feel they belong, are part of Something.
This I believe is Ted's legacy.
by Sheila Quonoey
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