Prayer of hope to support namesake

By Sarah Thompson
FROM one Beaconsfield to another, a prayer of hope was sent.
That prayer was from Paul Desmond, principal of St Francis Xavier College in Beaconsfield, Victoria, on behalf of the school’s staff and students.
They prayed for trapped Tasmanian miners Brant Webb and Todd Russell and their families in the days following the Anzac Day mine collapse in Beaconsfield, Tasmania.
Mr Desmond first made contact with Frances McShane, the pastoral associate from Beaconsfield Tasmania’s Catholic Church on 1 May, and let her know the town was in the school community’s thoughts and prayers on a daily basis.
Ms McShane told Mr Desmond she was overwhelmed by calls she was receiving from all over Australia with that same message.
The morning the miners were freed – 9 May – Mr Desmond again called Ms McShane to congratulate the town on the success of the operation.
“The last time I spoke to her she was on the way to the funeral of Larry Knight,” Mr Desmond said.
He said although the town was happy with the release of the miners, the residents were sad to pay their last respects to the fallen miner.
Ms McShane told Mr Desmond the town had been on an emotional roller coaster, but remained positive.
“She said they stayed unified and were a very supportive community,” Mr Desmond said.
In support of their Tasmania counterpart, Mr Desmond led a prayer assembly for the miners before their release, and said students and staff were elated that the men were now free.
“It was a wonderful cause for celebration,” he said.