Page 138 - moondani kyema
P. 138
ndani kyema, My Story - Ray Moore 138
and they always invited me to sit with them near the altar during mass, and then I
would give a talk about Lifeline from the big brass reading stand. It was probably the
first time that a Baptist minister had taken such a position at St. Pat’s. On Sunday I
would spend the day with the priests and perform the same undertaking at four more
masses. The priests asked me not to participate in the Eucharist, explaining that
they would happily allow me to do so, but there was a strong element of
conservatism, especially amongst the older parishioners which they needed to
consider. I must say that I found myself appreciating the important place that the
prayers and liturgy played in the long history of the Church.
Throughout the year I was also expected to speak at numerous service clubs and
women’s groups around Western Victoria. I enjoyed this and my talk was always
accepted with appreciation and often accompanied by a long question and answer
time.
After I left Lifeline, I set up my own counseling business which I called The Ballarat
Personal Counseling Service. I ran this for two years, but spent a lot of time waiting
for clients and was only able to keep my head above water because Lifeline asked
me to run some training courses in Warrnambool where they were hoping to open up
a branch office.
For another six or seven years I also worked for the mental health organization called
GROW. It was an interesting experience and one where I felt that I was never able to
stretch my talents or stray from the fairly rigid path that was laid out for us. It had a
similar role to Alcoholics Anonymous and was based on the same ten step program.
Then I came to Traralgon where there had been a counseling service set up by the
church a couple of years before, but, due to some problems with their inaugural
manager, it had been closed for a year. The office was situated on the Baptist
Church property and was only a stone’s throw from the shopping centre.
and they always invited me to sit with them near the altar during mass, and then I
would give a talk about Lifeline from the big brass reading stand. It was probably the
first time that a Baptist minister had taken such a position at St. Pat’s. On Sunday I
would spend the day with the priests and perform the same undertaking at four more
masses. The priests asked me not to participate in the Eucharist, explaining that
they would happily allow me to do so, but there was a strong element of
conservatism, especially amongst the older parishioners which they needed to
consider. I must say that I found myself appreciating the important place that the
prayers and liturgy played in the long history of the Church.
Throughout the year I was also expected to speak at numerous service clubs and
women’s groups around Western Victoria. I enjoyed this and my talk was always
accepted with appreciation and often accompanied by a long question and answer
time.
After I left Lifeline, I set up my own counseling business which I called The Ballarat
Personal Counseling Service. I ran this for two years, but spent a lot of time waiting
for clients and was only able to keep my head above water because Lifeline asked
me to run some training courses in Warrnambool where they were hoping to open up
a branch office.
For another six or seven years I also worked for the mental health organization called
GROW. It was an interesting experience and one where I felt that I was never able to
stretch my talents or stray from the fairly rigid path that was laid out for us. It had a
similar role to Alcoholics Anonymous and was based on the same ten step program.
Then I came to Traralgon where there had been a counseling service set up by the
church a couple of years before, but, due to some problems with their inaugural
manager, it had been closed for a year. The office was situated on the Baptist
Church property and was only a stone’s throw from the shopping centre.
