cappie Posted October 19, 2013 Posted October 19, 2013 More homes threatened as hopes for rain recede. I'm sure people who suffer from the wild fires in the US will understand the gravity of the situation. The reports have confirmed that the mountains to the west of Sydney Australia are facing the gravest danger ever in modern Australian history Firefighters go into action near St Columba's School in Winmalee, the Blue Mountains Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/more-homes-threatened-as-hopes-for-rain-recede-20131019-2vtls.html#ixzz2iCtsN2Hl
cappie Posted October 19, 2013 Author Posted October 19, 2013 MESSAGE FROM THE HOLY FATHER ON THE AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRES His Holiness Pope Francis has asked me to express his concern for the people of New South Wales and all who are affected the devastation wrought by the extensive fires in the region. He prays especially for those who have died and for those who have lost their homes and workplaces, as well as for the numerous personnel working to combat the fires and provide comfort and care for those who are suffering. Invoking the spiritual gifts of solidarity and perseverance upon the communities touched by these trying events, the Holy Father sends his blessing. +Archbishop Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State From the Vatican, 19 October, 2013 From last Thursday looking from the city:
Spem in alium Posted October 19, 2013 Posted October 19, 2013 Firefighters go into action near St Columba's School in Winmalee, the Blue Mountains My cousins' school. The kids spent about six hours in lockdown and the school is closed until Wednesday at least. Temperatures are expected to rise over the next few days. Lord have mercy.
Nunsense Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray:
BarbTherese Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 Prayer for all suffering in any way , including our fire brigade men and women, as these dreadful bushfires take their toll in many ways - and donating to bushfire relief (St Vinnies wouldn't accept my Debit Card and so donating via phone line. Think probably St Vinnies only set up for credit cards) Red Cross donation phone line: 1800 811 700.
Tab'le De'Bah-Rye Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 (edited) St Christopher pray for us. Glory be to the father and to the son and to the holy spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world with out end amen. Anyone really wan't to help and has the time please do a novena to st christopher, google 'novena to st christopher' and find one that suits you. Or at least the first day but as many days as you can. St Christopher is the saint of natural disasters. And pray for rain, rain helps too. Unsure i realized the gravity of these fires after what you have said fr cappie, i was like here we go another summer, like whatever fires are natural property will be lost but hopefully everyone's smart enough to leave the fire fighting to the experts. Onward christian souls. Jesus iz LORD. St Christopher pray for us. Edited October 20, 2013 by Tab'le Du'Bah-Rye
cappie Posted October 20, 2013 Author Posted October 20, 2013 A State of Emergency has been declared in NSW - this will last for 30 days. It gives emergency services additional powers if they're needed. State of Declaration powers enable emergency services to turn off gas & power supplies, to demolish buildings or enter buildings. The potential is for the entire Blue Mountains & Hawkesbury, including places like Kurrajong, to be at risk over coming days. This is not a happy sunset.
AnneLine Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 Father Cappie, Praying intently for all of you. We have had fires in my home state of California in the USA... and one that was just a few miles from my home a few weeks ago. It was terrifying smelling it and knowing it was so close... my heart goes out to all of you, and to all those we don't know who are in the path of the flames. Out here the foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Blessed Mother Marie-Rose Durocher, is invoked for prayers for safety against fires... and there have been many instances of her intercession stopping raging fires. Praying that she might intercede for all of you. http://www.wjpbr.com/blmmrose.html
Spem in alium Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 Adding another update here - there are fears that the three major fires burning in and around the Blue Mountains could connect and form a massive blaze in the coming days.
cappie Posted October 20, 2013 Author Posted October 20, 2013 Father Cappie, Praying intently for all of you. We have had fires in my home state of California in the USA... and one that was just a few miles from my home a few weeks ago. It was terrifying smelling it and knowing it was so close... my heart goes out to all of you, and to all those we don't know who are in the path of the flames. Out here the foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Blessed Mother Marie-Rose Durocher, is invoked for prayers for safety against fires... and there have been many instances of her intercession stopping raging fires. Praying that she might intercede for all of you. http://www.wjpbr.com/blmmrose.html Wildfires are common in Australia's summer months, which run from December-February. But an unusually dry and warm winter and record spring temperatures has seen the 2013/14 fire season start early. Sydney's suburban outskirts are just across the Nepean River from the foot of the mountains. Embers jumped its banks on Thursday, starting a fire at Castlereagh near Penrith. Some 76,000 people live in the Blue Mountains while the population of Sydney is 4.4 million. NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said there would be several extremely difficult days ahead for fire crews, with temperatures set to soar and a return to dangerously high winds. "We've got what would be unparalleled (conditions) in terms of risk and exposure for the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury communities throughout this week," Fitzsimmons told reporters. "If you are to draw a parallel, and it's always dangerous to draw a parallel, at best you'd be going back to time periods in the late 60s." "The reality is, however, these conditions that we're looking at are a whole new ball-game and in a league of their own."
Catherine Therese Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 (edited) My home is in the path of the biggest of the three major fires burning in this area at the moment. We're on evacuation alert, but currently safe. Given that we only moved in two weeks ago, I'm thinking we coulda maybe timed it a little better ;) Anyway, as one caught in the middle of all of this, I'm grateful for your prayers - and joining you in prayer, for a great many people have lost everything but their lives and the clothes on their back. It is tragic but one man further up the coast lost his life defending his property a couple of days ago. Mercifully there haven't been any others, and I have to admit that knowing how bulldozer-minded my little brother (aged 25) can be, I worry that he'll stay and try and fight the fire rather than evacuate when we should. So please pray that people make prudent decisions and heed the warnings of authorities! (We especially need this brother of mine to survive - he plans to enter the seminary next year!) I wrote a little blog post about it and included some photographs of scenes visible from my home. If you click on the link in the blog post it also takes you to the most up-to-date information published by the NSW Rural Fire Service on the state of the major fires in the Blue Mountains at this time. My sunburnt country: bushfires near Bilpin, NSW ( http://lifeafterepiphany.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/my-sunburnt-country-bushfires-near-bilpin-nsw/ ) Edited October 20, 2013 by Catherine Therese
cappie Posted October 20, 2013 Author Posted October 20, 2013 The Catholic Diocese of Parramatta has launched an emergency appeal to assist people who have been impacted by the New South Wales bushfires. More than 200 homes have been lost or damaged and one person has died. Pope Francis has expressed his concern to the people of NSW and sent them his blessing. The NSW Government has declared a state of emergency. Parishes in the Blue Mountains Deanery in the Diocese of Parramatta are under threat from a fire that forced the evacuation of students at St Thomas Aquinas Primary and St Columba’s High School in Springwood parish last week. Elmhurst, the original homestead at the old St Columba’s Seminary, has been destroyed and some Church workers and parishioners have lost their homes. Bishop of Parramatta, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, praised the courageous efforts of the Rural Fire Service, NSW Police and volunteers for their work in protecting human life and property. “I also want to recognise and thank Mr Sergio Rosato, Principal of St Thomas Aquinas Primary, and Mr Phil Stewart, Acting Principal of St Columba’s High School, and all the staff for helping to ensure the safety of the school children,†Bishop Anthony said. “Thank you for supervising them well into the night. The Diocese will be doing everything that it can to assist the wider community in relief efforts.†Principal Sergio Rosato gave no indication his own home was one of those lost. He accompanied his staff and students to the shopping centre at Winmalee, where shopkeepers provided drinks and snacks, and then on to the Springwood Sports Club. School principal Sergio Rosato who lost his home in the fires "entertains" the children during the evactuation
brandelynmarie Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 A hedge of angels around our pham down under. Many prayers! Blessed Mother Marie-Rose & St. Christopher, pray for them
Spem in alium Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 More updates: There are now three emergency warnings for fires burning in NSW. Two young boys (11 and 15) have been charged with lighting some of the fires. Very shocking.
Catherine Therese Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 Also, there is the possibility being investigated that one of the fires, the one that is currently threatening my home (we're all still safe at present) was started accidentally by the army:( http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/investigations-continue-amid-fears-defence-started-worst-of-nsw-bushfires-in-training-exercise/story-fni0cx12-1226743149284 )I really feel for whomever it was that made the decision to go ahead with that training exercise, if it turns out that their actions were found to be the cause - they must be absolutely tearing themselves up inside over what has resulted.
bmb144 Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 I lived on the Blue Mountains for 14 years before moving interstate, in part to get away from the fire threat. I have friends in its path too. :pray:
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