It was in 2001 that the aerial ministry to the most western parts of the Diocese became the Western Pastoral Ministry. For five years, Sr. Mary Kiely drove around the territory formerly covered by Sr. Anne Maree Jensen, “the Flying Nun”. Anne Maree herself was the successor of several of the Diocesan pilot priests, including Fr. Terry Loth. As the present Western Pastoral Minister I am part of the team for the Central Western Region (priests, Fr. Raj and Fr. Shaiju, Lay Pastoral Co-ordinator, Loretta McKeering and the Regional Pastoral Council). A special focus of this ministry – following on from the aerial ministry, is the support and pastoral care for people living in remote areas of the Diocese.

Our bishops, our pastoral leaders for many decades have recognised the special needs of those who live remotely in isolated areas. These people only occasionally or rarely if ever have access to the live celebration of the Eucharist (one good thing Covid 19 has done is to heighten our awareness of the possibilities offered by the internet) nor do they have access to the support that a parish community can offer. Their children learn by distance education, unable to attend a local school whether Catholic or State. For the most part preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation is via the telephone although in some cases it is possible to arrange face-to-face meetings or visits to the properties.

So how is Covid 19 with the consequent restrictions we are experiencing affecting the people embraced by the Western Pastoral Ministry? For those who are living in or relatively close to a rural town in the central west (there are 14 towns between Emerald and the border with the Northern Territory) it is similar while not identical to the challenges which those of you who live nearer to the coast have: social distancing, changed work situations, limited availability of food and other provisions, closure of hotels and some businesses, access to services etc. Flights have been reduced from 7 to 3 per week into Longreach and those into Barcaldine and Blackall have been cancelled. While inconvenient the wisdom of these conditions is generally recognised.

By comparison, for those who live remotely, Covid 19 has not greatly impinged on their lives. I have been assured of this in many recent conversations.  Isolation is a part of life. Buying in bulk is normal. Work on the property and learning in the schoolroom continue as normal. While some secondary students usually away in boarding schools are now at home, having grown up with distance education they quickly adapt/revert to such a way of studying. Just as those living in the east of the Diocese have shown concern for people here enduring drought, now the country people are thinking with concern of you at this time.

In the first few weeks of the year before travel restrictions and social distancing, I had travelled some 4,000 km, more than usual, to towns and properties. As chance would have it (maybe it was God!) I had made an early start to Confirmation preparation (a mix of phone and face-to-face lessons) and so with the support of their parents, four country boys are now ready for this Sacrament.

Although I am not able to travel for the present, the communication component of the ministry has increased. Thank goodness for the phone! Phone, email and texting allow me to be in contact with many, more than at normal times when I would be sitting alone in the driver’s seat of the Prado for hours between conversations. Although Australia Post (with all due respect) seems to be slow, I am still able to contact the people not on email through a regular newsletter.

Conditions are not ideal. There are times when we need to be physically present to each other especially in times of grief. Perhaps because of the isolation involved in living remotely, people travel long distances and come in great numbers to funerals. This has not been possible. Because of living remotely and from my experience more often than not being subject to drought and all the hardship this involves, community events such as the annual country shows, gymkhanas, craft workshops etc. are so important for social wellbeing and mental health, bringing people together for a while to forget the challenges back on the property. Unfortunately, these events have had to be cancelled. As indeed have Anzac Day remembrance services. Not only in remote rural areas but especially in our country towns which so depend on the tourist dollar to survive lean months, the need to close down tourist attractions and to ask tourists to stay away, is having serious economic consequences.

In his letter of March 20^th, Bishop Michael encouraged us to pray for each other, to “look out for each other”, to connect with others. May our loving God bless us all, enable us to be patient and to discover the potential gift of these unfamiliar times.

Sr. Mary Farrelly (Western Pastoral Ministry)