Year 2007 In Review
Dom Flores, SVD

January:  Dorish Maru College began the year with some students, e.g. Hiagi and Gabriel, going fruit-picking as part of the summer program. There were lots of comings and goings (Overseas, Sydney, NZ and back.  (For details cf. Calendar 2007). 

February:  Viet Nguyen, then newly ordained, went to Sydney for good (5^th) and was eventually assigned to Mary Mother of the Church parish, Macquarie Fields, NSW.   Luis Vergara, the outgoing rector, goes to NZ.  A few days later (15^th) the incoming rector, Dom Flores, arrived at DMC to take over the house leadership.  Dom’s first official function was to receive the renewal of vows of Bosco Sang Bok (16^th).  Gerard M went to his first mission assignment to PNG (17^th). 

We held our first community meeting of the year (23^rd) and the start of the Postulancy program under Boni. B.  The YTU had its Orientation program (23^rd) and the 1^st semester lectures began (26^th).

March:  Tim N came to Melbourne to have the house at Bedford Street auctioned.  (3^rd). Henry A. and Boni B. accompanied Dom F, the new house leader, to pay a courtesy visit to the Vicar General, who among other things said that “Tim Norton sent a letter requesting Archbishop Denis for a multicultural parish.” (8^th). 

The community and friends celebrated with Br Darwin his Final Vows (17^th) at St. Paschal’s chapel.  Among those present were Darwin’s Mom and Benjie, his brother. 

The MCD conferred degrees on our students. 

April: Anton Nahak and Kasmir Nema, two new students from Indonesia arrived (2^nd) and Noboru went to Macquarie Fields for his OTP.  The community observed the traditional Seder meal ceremony on Holy Thursday (5^th). The combined Arnoldus family retreat was held at DMC with Michael Somers (from Steyl) as retreat director (8^th -14^th).  Joseph Tan went to his first mission assignment in the Philippines (28^th).

May:  Dom F. went to the Philippines to attend the Zonal Biblical Conference (19th -5^th June).  The YTU 2^nd semester enrolment began (28^th). 

June:   Henry A went to the USA for a formation workshop (2^nd).  Dom F returned from the Biblical Conference (5^th).  Joe Kearney, a Pallotine, come to board at DMC to attend the YTU lectures.  Michael Hardie left DMC for Vietnam (12^th).  We remembered Patricio Palma on his 1^st death anniversary (20^th).  Boni and Ioane went to Fiji for vocation campaign (28^th - 9^th July). 

July:   The much needed renovation of the DMC court yard began supervised by Colin W. (2^nd).  On the same day, John Prior arrived at DMC for his annual lectures at the YTU. 

Henry A. went to Tonga to visit some prospects to the SVD (10^th).   The YTU mid-year holiday ends (20^th) and 2^nd semester lectures begin (23^rd). 

August:  – Henry A visited Bali for the Zonal Conference on Formation (3^rd - 19^th August).  Kasmir N. and Anton N. renewed their vows (15^th).  Today in the presence of Tim N, the whole community gathered together to proclaim, affirm and own the DMC VISION-MISSION STATEMENT. The HOUSE MANUAL was also distributed to each member.  All these were formulated through weeks of hard work by the community (19^th).  Ennio M. went to Rome (21^st-8^th Oct.) for some speaking engagements. 

September:  The annual Mission Day was held with the Theme: Reconciliation in PNG with Zenon as speaker.  He substituted for Bp Doug Young, SVD, who couldn’t make it due to illness (1^st).  One of the highlights of the year was the SVDs taking over the Preston parish (ca. 8^th).  Then we celebrated together with the SSpS the SVD Foundation (8^th).  

The preparation for final vows began.  The candidates were:  Ioane, Hiagi, Gabriel and Linh (14^th). The YTU non-instruction period began and ended respectively (17^th & 28^th).  Then a cross cultural seminar was held on 26^th-28^th. 

October:   The YTU resumed lectures (1^st) and Open Day (14^th).  Br. George Kuzma arrived from PNG to undergo further training (full year) on orthopedic surgery (15^th). 

November:  The YTU exams began (5^th).  The community came together to celebrate the annual MELBOURNE CUP, since this is the day when all Australia stops!  We also stopped and had a good time  (6^th).  Fr. Benedict (Korean), an alumnus of DMC, arrived from Korea to visit us in Melbourne (22^nd-27^th).   

The postulancy program was formally closed (23^rd).  The postulants:  Seresio Were, Anthony Koli, Paulo Vatunito and Anthony Lobo Anthony.  They are candidates for novitiate if they pass the evaluation. 

December:  Dom F went to the Italian embassy to apply for Schengen Visa (for Europe) to attend the Third Age Program in Nemi, Rome (6^th).  We held our annual Christmas party with SVD friends and benefactors (9^th). Michael N, lecturer at the YTU, joined an educational pilgrimage to Jerusalem with some faculty members of the YTU (22^nd up to 16^th Jan 2008. 

Year 2008 In Review
Dom Flores, SVD 

January:   An Enculturation Program was organized for our students and the newly arrived missionaries:  Elmer Ibarra and Nicholas Aasine, at St. Leonard’s, Geelong.  Boni B. & Ennio M. organized the program (6^th -11^th).  Then we gave a farewell party for Br Darwin who was going to the Philippines to apply for his Visa to Argentina and actually left for good on the 12^th.

 February:  Joe Mangila, the architect, met with the Seniors for consultation re:  Renovation of the house, e.g. rector’s office, reception, offices, library, etc (2^nd).  Dom F departs for Rome to attend the Third Age Program via Singapore’s Airlines (12^th).  First semester lectures began at the YTU (25^th). 

 March:   The Postulancy program started officially today.  Then the Final Vows of Ioane R, Gabriel K, Hiagi M, and Linh N. followed (8^th).  Then the Diaconate ordination of the four Finalists (9^th) followed the day after.  A simple renewal of vows was done by Noboru. YTU lectures resume (31^st). 

 April:   The MCD conferred degrees on some of our students (3^rd).  Dom F returns from Nemi, Rome, on the 11^th.  The DMC community went JSC for some work at JSC gardens (19^th).  Henry A. went to Rome for formation workshop  (21^st). 

May:  Michael Madigan goes on home-leave (6^th) for 3 months in connection with the sudden death of his brother.   The SSpS invited the SVDs to celebrate the feast of Pentecost at East Kew (AM), then BBQ with the Sisters at Box Hill at dinnertime (11^th).  Ben Macajes visits DMC for a few days (13^th).  We gave Farewell to Elmer I (14^th).  John Prior arrives for his annual lecture at the YTU (15^th).  Ennio M celebrates on the 16^th his golden ordination anniversary at DMC, though the actual date is on the 18^th. Michael N and Dom F attended the CRV re: Human Trafficking (29^th).  DMC community was invited to attend the Mass celebrated by Arbp Dennis at Preston (31^st). 

June:  After his lectures for the year Jacob K left for India to work for his permanent return-visa to Australia (3^rd).  Frank Gerry celebrated his golden jubilee Mass in Brisbane, Qld. (8^th).  Deacon Linh goes to reside at Preston parish (8^th).  Ennio M left for his home-leave in Italy; while Paul Sunil visits DMC for a break (15^th).  He took the chance to give the orientation talk to the students re: WYD0Syd 08 (17^th).  All students went on retreat under the guidance of Bill and Thien (22^nd –27^th).   

July:  All students journeyed on pilgrimage by bus to WYD08-Syd (3^rd).  The whole of Melbourne made preparations for the WYD in Sydney (7^th-12^th).  The actual WORLD YOUTH DAYS took place (15^th-20^th).  General carpeting of the library, offices and some rooms c/o Colin Warry (28^th- 31^st) in coordination with Boni B and Siobhan, our librarian. 

August:  Today was the official opening of Janssen Spirituality Centre (3^rd 1-4pm).  Some 250 people attended the celebration at Boronia. A conversation with some invited confreres on Leadership was held with Tim and Pat Bergin (4^th).  Br Vincent makes his vows (15^th).  Mike Knight arrived to give DMC community the regular quarterly Recollection (16^th).  John P travelled to Balaton, Hungary for a mission conference (15^th-30^th). Bp Dom Carmon, SVD, visited DMC (18^th -22^nd).  Wim V substituted as chaplain for the Nazareth Sisters (CSN) at Ballarat (23^rd-31^st)

September:  Dom F was interviewed for Australian citizenship (2^nd).  DMC house: Dom, Henry, Michael N and Boni B held a meeting with Preston parish:  Bill, Thien and Linh.  The agenda was how we could work together in ministry (4^th).  The annual Mission Day was held under the leadership of Michaelq Nguyen.  The theme was: Vietnamese Martyrs (6^th).  Some Melbourne senior-confreres attended the Leadership Workshop at JSC Boronia organized by the province (10^th-12^th).   Dom F went to substitute as chaplain at the Nazareth House (CSN), Ballarat (13^th -21^st).  Boni went to make his retreat at the Heart of Life (Siloam -15^th-19^th).  DMC students started their singing ministry with the youth at Preston parish, Sunday 6pm  (28^th).  Dom F became an Australian citizen in a ceremony at Box Hill Civic Centre (30^th). 

October:  Tinu Senda came to visit us at DMC, his alma mater, before he began his further studies in English language at Macquarie University, Sydney (3rd-15^th).  Larry N gave a conference on Mission in Canberra (2^nd-5^th).  DMC community attended and sang at Franciscan Friar Matthew’s final vows (4^th).  The community recollection was given by  Jay Too and Brian Byrne on ECO-SPIRITUALITY (11^th).  George Kuzma returned to PNG after one year of further studies on orthopedic surgery (12^th)  The YTU held an Open Day at 2-5pm (12^th).  We farewelled the Discalced Carmelites, our neighbors for about 20 years; they move to Sydney (17^th).  We joined the SSpS commemorate Bl. Josefa’s beatification at Kew parish (19^th).  Michael N prepared the closing of the month of October by inviting the community to pray the Mission Rosary in the chapel (30^th). 

November:  The Seniors faithfully held their monthly gathering during the year.  This is the last for the year 2008 (5^th).  Michael Nguyen was awarded 100% attendance (2^nd). The Melbourne Cup came around once again.  Besides the usual betting, the community went crazy with their Aussie hats. The winner of the day went away with $45. (4^th). Then the Postulants went on their annual retreat directed by Marlene of the Heart of Life (9^th-14^th).  For a break Wim V, Frank G., Boni B, and Dom F. attended the Live Concert of Andre Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra at the Telstra Dome (13^th-14^th).  We took the official photograph of Dorish Maru Collge for 2008 for the year (14^th).  Then the Postulancy program directed by Boni B officially ended (20^th).  The YTU ended the academic year with the Eucharist & awarding of diplomas (21st).  Michael Nguyen went on home leave to the USA (23^rd-15^th Feb).  Boni B graduated at the Heart of Life, Siloam (24^th).  Bishop Colm O’Reilly, brother of our late confrere Brendan O’Reilly visited Melbourne community.  The Victoria communities held their local assembly at DMC;  it was presided over by Tim N assisted by Asaeli Raass (27^th-28^th).  After our assembly we celebrated the Centennial of the death of St. Arnold and St. Joseph Freinademetz.  This is in conjunction with Frank G’s and Ennio M’s golden jubilee celebration (29^th).