Continued from last week
When I speak of Fr. Les Ring, he is a contrast to Gordon in many ways. I never knew of Les prior to my seminary days. I lived in Melbourne so it was presumed that I would be a student for Melbourne. I wanted to go to the country and it was the Sandhurst Diocese that I applied for. Mum came from Rushworth so that was another one of my reasons for settling on Sandhurst and also we knew two priests who were family friends.
Les was the Vocation Director for the diocese so it was only a matter of time until I met him. He would visit the Sandhurst students at Werribee on a regular basis. He was the ideal person as a vocation director, very approachable, happy character and obviously enjoyed his priesthood. We all enjoyed his company and friendships soon developed. Over the next seven years, the stronger bonds were evident not only with me but with the other students. When students left the seminary he would tell it as it was, it is not easy and some are not suited for what the priesthood was asking – the ‘Call’ was not there.
Mum and I visited Les at some stage in my seven years when he was in Rushworth. He took us around to many families and Mum loved the reunions. It was evident though, that these families loved Les and he loved sharing their family life.
This was good for me to witness because this side of the priest was important for me. It was one of my reasons for looking forward to priestly ministry.
If there was a fear I had, it was my decision to come to the country. Sometimes when I visited or drove through the small parishes I thought ‘would I have enough to do’?
Les was a very energetic and lively person and he always looked busy and thrived on the interaction and involvement with people. I was starting to realize that you could be as busy as you wanted to be even in a small parish. If necessary involvement in other things as in community activities. Les loved his extra role in the army at Bonegilla at Wodonga. It was returning from some event in Melbourne for the army that became his last and fatal drive home.
He was a great support to me through my seminary days and more so as time drew nearer to my Ordination. I was the only student for Ordination in our diocese so he was able to give me much time and support. Many wondered why I had the privilege of being ordained at St Monica’s in Moonee Ponds, outside the diocese and not ordained in the Cathedral at Bendigo. Most did not realise that Bishop Stewart was from Melbourne originally and the reason he supported the Essendon Football Club was that he was a native of Moonee Ponds and St Monica’s was his home parish! He was more than happy to come home for such an occasion as the officiating Bishop.
During the Christmas period when I was ordained deacon, I was sent to Les at Wodonga. This was a great introduction to experience parish life and to learn and witness how Les operated and how to run a large parish. He taught me a lot about maintaining and being obliging and cooperative with other priests. Also showing compassion and understanding to an old priest who lived in the presbytery with us.
My first year after Ordination was in St Kilian’s in Bendigo where most priests started their apprenticeship. My second apprenticeship in my lifetime! This one only lasted twelve months. I am not sure to this day whether it was because I passed with flying colours and could be released out into the world, or whether they had enough of me and banished me far away from Bendigo, to spend three years in Wodonga again under the leadership of Les.
I could not have been happier, after being there for eight weeks the previous Christmas. I learnt so much during that time as the two parishes, the schools were experiencing some exciting times with many changes, which would change the parish and prepare them for the future.
Les and I were in the same priests support group. This group met every six weeks or so to share our parishes and our priesthood. So, no matter where each of us went around the diocese we still had this time together with four or five other priests.
I had been ordained twelve years and parish priest of Bright and Mt Beauty when the sad news came that Les had tragically died in a car accident.
Once again, I was on holidays with Fr John Leahy as I was when Gordon died. The funeral reflected the affection and love that people had for him as people came from everywhere. The Army also gave him full military honours.
While I reflect on these two men and where I was when they died, I also remember that John Leahy and I were on holidays and out walking one morning when he stumbled and died at my side.
Another of my closest friends.
Fr Michael Morley
16th November 2018
