Thursday 3 July 2008

By Fr John Fowles ccs 

The Fly Away to Heaven project has achieved the goal of circumnavigating Australia on the wing of a prayer.  What we were really doing was flying into the wind as we challenged this great country of ours to assist the poor as a way of preparing for World Youth Day.  It was a huge undertaking by a small community of dedicated parishioners of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Thurgoona NSW.  It was equally as bold as the Highway to Heaven projects from which the Fly Away to Heaven was given its name. 

The Fly Away to Heaven Project started from scratch with the building of the aircraft aptly named “Angel Wings.”  Getting this plane into the air also required aviation certification and much flying preparation for such an ambitious undertaking. The underlying motive of the “Fly-Away-to-Heaven” project was to raise awareness of the needs of the people of one of Australia’s poorest neighbours, the East Timorese. Jesus teaches, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. In the process, of ‘gift giving’ we really help ourselves too. It is when our faith is challenged and the virtue of charity is tested that we grow and mature in the Christian life.  It was notable how a spiritual change took place in the lives of people when faith is expressed in action. 

What started out as a Monday hobby of building a plane in the garage turned out to be a National Fly-a-thon incorporating fourteen aircraft and twenty eight willing pilots and supporters.  It was in the spirit of charity that the parish has expressed the ‘gift of giving’ and in this spirit the ‘Fly-away-to-Heaven’ was undertaken.

The Earth Angels Care CD which is the theme song of the Project touched the hearts of many people.  With inspired words like, “Let’s fly out on the wing of a prayer”, and “Let your light shine on the dark and despair” …quickly made its mark.  This CD prepared the way for our good will flight in the minds of those who were to join us in supporting the poor.  The call to become an ‘Earth Angel’ was really the challenge.

With a grand farewell at the Albury Airport Terminal family and friends waved as the Fly-Away-to-Heaven Team taxied down the tarmac for take off.  On the wing of a prayer little Angel Wings soared into the sky, she was on a mission, for what had seemed so impossible for so long, now had became a reality.

There were many signs of providence that confirmed our faith in the goodness of our undertaking.  We only needed to look at the rough weather behind us and the way the clouds parted before us. 

People opened their hearts to our message.  We spoke of Lazarus and the Rich Man comparing Australia’s standard of living with that of the people of East Timor.  It was a challenging message and a few walked away, but those who did listen welcomed us into their communities with hospitality and enthusiasm. 

Many schools were visited and were entertained as team members struck up a tune singing “Earth Angels Care”.  On many occasions the news of WYD was conveyed through the joy of music to young people which united them in spirit with those who would be attending this event in Sydney.

Since leaving Albury, the Team finally put the rain behind them arriving in sunny South Australia.  At the Aldinga Airport, south of Adelaide, the Team was met with a bus that transported them to the Dernacourt Parish north of Adelaide.  Julie Trinidad of the WYD Office organized with David Cunningham the Parish Co-Ordinator a function at the Parish Centre.  Sunday evening Mass was concelebrated with the Parish Priest, Fr. Leo Mifsud who introduced the Fly Away to Heaven Team to the people.  We were warmly welcomed and the Knights of the Southern Cross prepared a BBQ tea and breakfast the following morning.  The ‘gift of giving’ message which Fr John spoke of, challenged all to become “Earth Angels”, and the message was confirmed by Korey Livy who presented our theme song “Earth Angel’s Care”.  It was encouraging to have received a letter of welcome from the Archdiocese of Adelaide.  To the Support Group who made our stay in Adelaide a joyful one, we are most grateful.  Together, we have achieved for WYD and the needs of the poor, a greater awareness of the need to be challenged in charity.

During the actual circumnavigation of Australia, heaven’s angels were busy. While tracking for the Nullabor, Angel Wings was forced to make an unscheduled stop at Penong Station.  Much to our surprise ‘she’ threw out her leg and skidded ungracefully to a halt.  At first glance the damaged seemed beyond repair.  Yet help appeared from nowhere and before long our ‘little Angel’ was sitting in the Penong Station workshop.  Providence prevailed and within 36 hours we were racing to catch up with the Fly-a-thon.

On arrival at the Jandakot Airport Perth WA, the Team was transported by bus to the Schoenstatt Shrine in Mt. Richon.  Whipping in and out of the traffic, Sister M. Lisette Dreis treated the pilots to a ‘low flying’ display of first class driving.  The Team gave Sister Lisette a nickname, “Sister Leadfoot”.  Sister Lisette, with her vitality and zeal, welcomed the Team to the Shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt.

This Chapel is a meeting place for Marian devotions.  Under the spiritual direction of the Schoenstatt community, many young students have been inspired to seal a covenant of love with Our Blessed Mother.  It was an honour to have been invited to offer Mass at the Shrine having the ‘Fly Away to Heaven’ Team present.
Sister Lisette took great interest in ‘Angel Wings’.  No sooner had I opened the passenger door, than Sister climbed aboard.  I was so relieved that Sister climbed into the passenger side and not the pilot’s seat.
There were many places we visited and people showed the Australian Spirit by their generous hospitality.  At Broome WA, we were greeted at the Airport by a cheerie little Papuan Priest, Fr. Daniel.  From there we were transported to the venue for the evening presentation.  There was great joy as the pilots mingled with the local parishioners sharing stories of their travels an enjoying a taste of the lay back way of life.  At the Catholic University of Broome, we all relaxed in the beautiful surrounds and rejoiced with a sense of gratitude for the welcome we had received.

The following morning we were met with a great surprise; it was none other then the ‘Flying Bishop’ ready to lead us out of Broome on our next stage which took us to Kalumburu Aboriginal Mission Station.  In one of the most remote dioceses in the world where his flock is spread out over thousands of square miles of impassable rugged terrain, Bishop Christopher Saunders delighted us all, as he started up his plane and led the Fly Away Team to the runway.  What an experience it was flying over country rarely seen up close by the human eye, but here we were taking in this spectacular mountainous terrain with rivers and great gorges that had been gouged out over thousands of years.

We touched down safely under the blinding glare of red earth and the setting sun.  This is the Australian outback at its best.  We were greeted by a straggle of aboriginal people who had come out to see what the commotion was all about.  After all, the sight of eight aircraft landing one after another was a rare event in such a place.

After celebrating Mass with Bishop Saunders as a part of the centenary celebrations for the Mission, Korey Livy and Laurie Armstrong struck up a tune on their guitars drawing out the children from all around to join in the festive spirit of this occasion. With the sound of cameras clicking and guitars strumming, the Aboriginal children of Kalumbaru danced with joy.  The missionaries caring for the children knew exactly what our message was about.  Friendships were made very quickly as the ‘gift of giving’ was something we shared together. 

It was here at Kalumbaru, that the spirit of the Fly Away to Heaven Project was best expressed.  When the local community responded with what was happening, the joy of giving came alive.  In 25 years of involvement at Kalumbaru, the old Benedictine priest confided to me, that he had never seen the children have such joy and excitement.  It was apparent to us that the essential part of our undertaking to bring WYD to the outback was being experienced here.

What started out as being a journey around Australia for pilots and friends ended with friendships being made that have been bonded with God’s blessing.  It would be easy to put names to these pilots and supporters; Peter, James, John,… they all became the ‘Fishers of Men’ and across Australia they cast their nets in a way that the Apostles would have been proud.  Words could not express my gratitude to each one of them. For all who undertook the Fly Away to Heaven Project, from the Office, to the Pilots and Support Teams around Australia, they are the Earth Angels who really care.   With over 50 stops on our flight, it is impossible here to include an account of each place, but they are all part of this mission of the ‘gift of giving’ which has achieved a response in monetary terms alone of more than $220,000-00.

Together we have ‘Flown into the Wind’ with this whole Project.  It is always a challenge to fly into the wind but to fly into the wind of unbelief is the greatest challenge of all.  The Fly Away to Heaven project inspired many and has been instrumental in leading many closer to heaven.

Fr John Fowles ccs

Details: www.flyawaytoheaven.org.au.