Trinhy's
Confirmation
at St. Augustine's
Anglican Church
in Renmark,
South Australia
on the 27th of June, 2004.
Trinhy's |
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Trinhy chose to wear her Vietnamese traditional dress, the áo dai (pronounced "ow-y-eye" [South], or "ow-z-eye" [North]), because this occasion meant so much to her. She had been looking forward almost breathlessly to this day. She and her friends had been meeting weekly for confirmation classes, which they enjoyed very much, with Father Greg Simons, our parish priest. Father Greg has breathed life back into what was a moribund parish, and we thank God for sending him to us. He's a fun guy, too :) The kids loved meeting with him. He involved them in every stage of the confirmation process, and they really felt it belonged to them, and was not an external, official or grown-up-boring thing. Father Greg is the bloke on the left, with the green scarf: green meaning Rebirth. |
| In the centre is our Bishop: the Rt. Rev'd R. O. Davies, of the Diocese of the Murray. He gets to wear the shiny clothes, but he does the heavy jobs: in this case, connecting a thirteen-yr-old with God (no software required). God will hardly be surprised: he's met them before; watched us all grow up (if we ever grow up) and probably torn his hair like any other parent over our know-it-all, who-cares attitude. Here is a magic moment, better than any Harry Potter movie: this child wants to know God, and despite all He has suffered through our immaturity, each human being is agonizingly special to Him. He knows her, loves her and will always be there for her. |
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Walking tall, and feeling very special, Trinhy looks around her church. This is her family, now, too, and she will always be welcome here. She and her friends have prepared together and individually for this wonderful occasion. Note the decorations: Trinhy loves art and expresses her feelings in her creations. When she decorates the church, she shows her love for God and for His creations. Each child chose a hymn for this service. Trinhy chose: |
| Ignoring its male-centredness (still a problem in our diocese, but as I said, everybody grows up eventually :) ), this has a glorious message, and shows Trinhy's view of this occasion. Here she stands, after a good deal of practice in her uncomfortable Vietnamese gold high heels. For this occasion, she is also wearing the earrings her father made for her, her one-month necklace (given to her by her aunt Thu, and always worn) and the clothing etc. I gave her. She is very happy to have with her on this day: her step-father Pete, her brother Capel, her grandma Viv and her friends. She wished very much that her godmother Isabel (working overseas) could have been there, and she wrote to her about her confirmation. Her elder sister Sian is interstate, as are other relatives, including her aunt Luong, whom she would also very much have liked to be there. |
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I was too ill to be there, which goes to show that even mind over matter has its limits, but I have been involved in this with her all along, and am making this page. Trinhy would want to thank Father Greg and Mrs. Ruth Daws, in particular, for all their support and for helping her get places and be part of this. As she partakes in the Eucharist fully, for the first time, I know that God feels the same joy and pride that I do, in this very special lady who has already suffered so much, and is still struggling with disabling illness. There is no pain, no suffering in Heaven. May we live in His light forever. |
| Trinhy would like to thank Ruth Tucker and the Rodgers family for their beautiful confirmation cards, and Father John and his wife for dropping her back home. She is home now, and bubbling over with joy. Although she is very tired now, and relieved to be getting back into "comfy pyjamas" (which is normal at home in Vietnamese families, whether one is ill or not), and out of those high heels, she has had a wonderful experience and is very grateful for it. She shows me a beautiful bookmark from Ruth Daws which says, in her writing, "Trinh, May God bless you as you continue your journey. Love from Ruth." and on the other side says, Wisdom Understanding Right Judgement Courage Knowledge Reverence Wonder and Awe in God's Presence. "There was a huge cake!" Trinhy says. She shows me a beautiful pewter-like cross on a chain: "Can I wear it all the time?" she asks. Trinh has decorated a large church candle beautifully, featuring the words Peace, Holy and Rejoice. She has a lovely pin with a dove and rainbow. We have even been lucky enough to have some of that yummy cake and some left-over food dropped around here! Our cup (and possibly our tiny fridge) runneth over! Thankyou to those extra-special people who put so much thought into this wonderful day, for Trinhy and for her friends. Truly, God's love is shown in our lives. |
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God is with me now, |
