CELEBRATIONS: Fr Allen Crowe former Parish Priest at St Joseph's Grenfell has just reached a significant milestone - 25 years since ordination. But his was a late call, in fact he features in a book of that same name by Bishop Pat Power detailing the backgrounds of some of the priests who attended St Paul's in Kensington as a late vocation.
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It's been a long road... actually quite a few roads... that have led Fr Allen Crowe to where he is now, both geographically and philosophically. Following an early retirement forced by ill health, he has been living in Young the last five years and assisting with Masses.
"I retired quite early, but my health is stable at the moment and I do a lot of supply work within the Young Mission, which also takes in Grenfell and Boorowa." he said.
"I just think I've been very blessed, even with retirement through health issues, that I haven't felt I didn't belong to the presbyterate. I've retired but I'm still of use.".
Aside from his faith, photography has been one of the enduring constants in Fr Allen's life.
Growing up on a property at Murringo Flats, not far from Young and Boorowa, he worked for a surveyor for a few years, always hopeful of working in a photographic field. He went to Sydney with the intention of meeting someone who'd show him the ropes of how to become a photographer, but that didn't eventuate.
After a couple of years of retail work, he returned to Young primarily as a roustabout and other work he could pick up but had begun freelancing as a photographer at the same time. After a spot of travel overseas, he joined a photographic firm in Wagga for a year and a half and photographed weddings and other events on weekends.
Some more travel overseas, he returned to Young, where he found work with a company expanding its photographic business where he stayed for 14 or 15 years.
But after doing what he thought he wanted to do for so long, he figured out what he needed to do "I had begun to think more and more about my faith," he remembers.
"And it was becoming clearer and clearer. I felt I needed to look into the area of ministry. I wanted to do it but needed to discern if it was what I was meant to do. I was lucky enough to be accepted into St Paul's and I found my path."
Since his ordination, aged 45, he has served in parishes across the Archdiocese. Adelong and Batlow, Goulburn, St Christopher's Cathedral, Gundagai, Ardlethan, Barellan, Grenfell... and now Young. Through many twists and turns, his path led back to where he started.
"It's gone in a blink, too," Fr Allen said. "It's like I fell asleep for a few years and the time has passed.
On April 23, Fr Allen celebrated the 25th Anniversary of his Ordination with family, friends and parishioners with a lunch/afternoon tea in St Mary's Parish Centre, Young. Around 150 people called in throughout the day to congratulate Fr Allen on his special day. It felt good. It felt like home.
PROUD NAN: Joan Eppelstun was over the moon on Sunday when for the first time the family have managed to get all her ten great grandchildren together. Some of the great grandchildren live in Moree and Adelaide.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Alicia Walsh celebrated her 24th birthday on Tuesday evening at the Railway Hotel.
Helping her celebrate at the birthday dinner were her dad David Walsh and friends Rhys Reid, Amber Atkins, Nicole Reid, Holly Ryan, Adam Ryan, Tom Matthews, Grace Apps and Meagan Rassack. Fun and laughter were the order of the night.
STATE OF ORIGIN CATCH UP: Tracie and Glen Ivins and Ian and Jenny Armstrong travelled to Perth to attend the second State of Origin at Optus Stadium. They all agreed that the venue was fantastic, even though there was some rain, that did not dampen the outcome which was a decisive win by NSW over the Maroons.
Time was also spent checking out the sites of Perth as well as a cruise and bus tour of Fremantle and a day trip to Bunbury to paddle in the Indian Ocean.
Trace was able to catch up with former Grenfellian and classmate Jenny Unicomb (McInnes). Jenny took the group out for a night on the town and a memorable time was had by all. "Bring on game three and go the mighty Blues." They all said.
CWA INTERNATIONAL EVENING: An evening of fun, fellowship, food and culture will be held at the Grenfell Country Club on Tuesday evening July 23, where you will enjoy dishes specially prepared by Tania Mooney.
CWA Country of Study this year is New Guinea and Stuart McKellar, who has walked the Kokoda Trail will be the special guest will share his experiences.
This evening is open to the public and everyone is invited - men and women. For catering purposes, anyone wishing to attend must RSVP to President Laureen Harvey 63 433212 or Deidre Carroll 0403 480 729 ASAP.