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Timothy, Jeremy Santa and Dominic
What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the
past, courage for the present and hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that
every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to
peace --Agnes M Pharo
Whatever else be lost among the
years,let us keep Christmas still a shining thing: whatever doubts assail us, or what
fears, let us hold close one day, remembering its poignant meaning for the hearts of men.
Let us get back our childlike faith again. --Grace Noll Crowell
With all blessings and good
wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe 2004.
With love from, Joe, Frances,
Dominic, Timothy and Jeremy
First day at school
I got the call on the first day of school holidays in December 2020.
"We found you a school", the voice on the other end of the phone said.
"Strathfield South High School". Not exactly where I wanted to go but it
could be ok, after all, Strathfield is a very nice suburb. I called the principal to
get some information. "What can you tell me about the school?", I asked.
"Well, we've only had one murder.", she replied - and she was serious.
So I approached the first day with trepidation but still, with a smile. I
didn't look quite the same when I returned home that evening. I think that I was in
shock. I learned that in addition to teaching Design and Technology and Food
Technology, as I was trained, I would be teaching Persona Development, Health and Physical
Education, English, Computing Studies and Sport. All of this, combined with meeting the
students and finding out what teaching is REALLY about was quite overwelming for me.
It took a few weeks for me to find my feet and a few months to come to terms with
the realities of teaching. I am enjoying myself now and no longer worry about the
challenges that I face in my new career.
Pizza Hut/Computers
The local Pizza Hut where Dominic and Timothy worked was closing down.
They were both offered the opportunity to work at a nearby shop but Dominic decided
that he had worked enough. Timothy worked for another 3 or 4 months before he, too,
decided that the workload of studying and school activities were demanding much of his
time and that it would be best to discontinue working. After assessing their bank
accounts, Dominic and Timothy both decided to spend a bit of their hard earned cash and
buy themselves each a computer. They did very well with their shopping, getting a
system that suited their needs and having a bit of change left over. The computers
have been getting a real workout this year as the demands of year 10 found them studying
and completing assignments most evenings this year.
Graduation (with Honors)
In April I had my graduation from the University of Newcastle. I
was surprised to learn only minutes before I went up to receive my degrees that I would be
graduating with honors. We celebrated by having a few drinks with my classmates and
then a lovely dinner on the waterfront with the family. We stayed a couple of nights
on the central coast to make a bit of a holiday of the weekend as it was the beginning of
April school holidays. We went to the beach, did some shopping and some sight seeing
and generally relaxed for a couple of days.
America I
Tony, Mike, Nick, Mark, Joe
Lorraine, Joe, Brandy
In May, I felt that the time was right for me to visit my Dad in the
US. Based on reports I was getting from my family members it appeared that Dad's
health was waning. I wanted to visit him since it had been so long since I saw him
and, since he was in hospital for abou the third time this year I didn't want to wait.
It was a nice visit, in the spring, and the nostalgic scent of the lilacs greeted
me as I got out of the car that evening. I didn't do a lot of catching up with other
people on that visit but we had a lovely family get together on Memorial Day. I also
was asked to speak to the year 6 class at Rowe about what it was like to live in
Australia. The students were well behaved and attentive and seemed to enjoy learning
a little about the "land down under".
Awards and Accolades
Dominic Timothy and Jeremy on Speech Night
It was quite a year for accolades beginning with Joe's
"honors", Dominic won the half yearly prize in English, Timothy won the half
yearly prize in Science and Commerce and Jeremy won the half yearly prize in
Religion. Timothy also won the end of year prize in Science.
Work Experience
In June, Dominic did a week's work at Sothertons Accounting, where
Frances works. He enjoyed travelling to the city each day and working in the office
environment. He learned many skills in filing, correspondence and data entry and
enjoyed corporate lunches and the hustle and bustle of city life. Dominic got a
perfect report at the end and is considering accounting as a possible vocation.
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Timothy did his work experience at the CSIRO, the Commonwealth
Science Investigative Research Organisation, where he researched geosyncranous orbit paths
around the earth. He was told that his research would be published in the CSIRO's
science magazine, The Helix. Timothy also received a good report and is considering
a career in science.
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Frances on her Birthday
Frances attended two conferences this year, a management conference and a staff
conference. The management conference was at the Hunter Valley where she had the
opportunity to visit a winery in her spare time. The staff conference was held at
the Central Coast in a rural setting where activities such as bicycling, and bush
walking helped to break up the rigors of the meetings. In December Frances attended
the ballet at the Sydney Opera House to see The Three Musketeers. We celebrated an
early Christmas Lunch at the Drummoyne RSL Club with Frances' family since we will be away
at Christmas this year.
America II
I went to America a second time this year. Dad died on August 11th.
In Loving Memory
Joe Gurto Senior
April 16,1935 - August 11th 2003
I was fortunate to have visited Dad in May this year. It was a
different kind of visit than my usual vacation to the US because for the first time in
many years, I traveled without my family. I came to visit Dad because he had been
sick and I felt that the time was right for a visit. It was not yet summer vacation
so everyone went about their usual business leaving plenty of time for Dad and me to talk.
I told Dad one evening that as I reflected on my life I realize that I’ve never had a
boring day. There was always something to do or to look forward to. Dad agreed
that his life also was very full.
And it was. As my cousin Sharen stated yesterday, he had many roles:
· Husband
· Father
· Grandfather
· Great – Grandfather
· Brother
· Uncle
· Friend
Dad had a lot of long term friends. Throughout the years, I would meet people and
they would invariably say – I know your Dad – we worked together, or we hung out
together or we went to school together and always have some fond anecdote to share about
their friendship with Dad.
As an uncle to my nearly 50 cousins he was regarded with great esteem and respect.
Whenever out of town cousins visited Conneaut, they always made a point of stopping by to
see Uncle Joe.
Dad was the 11th of 12 children. He shared such a bond with his siblings that when
their parents died in 1972, he and his siblings decided to hold annual family reunions to
ensure that they would always have an opportunity and a set time to get together.
Dad, along with his brothers and sisters took this very seriously and Family Reunion Day
became an important holiday in the family. Even in Australia on the second Saturday
of July, my family recognizes Gurto Family Reunion Day with a special feast. This
year was the 32nd reunion.
Dad’s first and only Great-grandchild was born nearly 2 years ago which made Dad feel
very special.
To Dad’s 15 grandchildren he loomed larger-than-life. They showered him with
love and tenderness as they could recognize his frailty. After my sons visited with
their grandpa and grandma in 1999, my then 10-year-old son, Timothy expressed his
perception of his grandfather very eloquently in this poem.
GRANDFATHER
Through pain he lives,
This old man;
A victim of his decrepit body,
Cursed with lost abilities,
Slow moving expressions
And signs of age.
But age is wisdom:
Gained through living
On and on…
Sprouting happiness,
Teaching, yet learning.
Learning the pains of life,
From a half remembered youth.
Not knowing whether to express
Happiness or sadness
When he leaves.
But for myself, along with my brothers and sister, we remember Dad as being robust and
firm. We were each his favourite in a special way. He, like most parents, did
his best to ensure that each of us was treated equally and fairly. Dad tried to help
us each in the ways we most needed; whether it was physically, financially or emotionally.
But obviously, the most important person in Dad’s life was Mom – his partner and
companion for 50 years. Dad would always worry about how hard Mom worked and said
that she needed a good break.
To paraphrase a line from a movie – When we fall in love with someone it is very
special. But eventually that feeling goes away. When that feeling goes away
what you’re left with is love. It is love that gives you the patience and
understanding to weather the storms and cope with each other’s differences.
It is that love that keeps two people together for 50 years and it is that love that my
mom and dad shared.
Dad’s sense of humor, friendliness, generosity and love will always remain in our
memories. He is in a better place. It is us who must go on.
How can we go on, we ask. God will help us is the answer. But it’s times
like this we ask “Where is God?”
I’ll tell you where God is today. The bible says that God is love – and
that God dwells within us.
As we see so many of our friends and family gathered here to express their love and
support to us, we recognize that it is God within them that is helping us and we can see
what a truly wonderful Father we have.
God
Help Us, He Is Only 13
JEREMY'S YEAR IN REVIEW
What a year it has been! 2003, the end of the first stage of junior
secondary (Year 8) education and on to the second (Year 9). And while I write this, I
remember and smile at the positive memories of 2003 and shudder or cringe at the negative.
For me the year began just like any other with the start of school. I remember waiting in
anticipationto find out what classes I would be in.
I smiled as I saw I was in the top English class but gaped in horror at the fact that my
Design and Technology teacher was the one who shall remain nameless, the one who was
raised in Papua New Guinea, worked as a construction worker, a truckie, a policeman,
shaved his chin when he was six, never knew his son for nearly thirteen years, and an
Aussie who is against the U.S.A.'s use of electricity, thinks the "Jap's"
schools and culture need "a kick up the backside".
My dad also started his school this year. The school that has only had "one murder so
far". A disguised blessing was introduced as my dad worked at this school while we
kids had the pleasure of relaxing in the car as he drove us to school as our schools were
only 2 minutes away from each other.
Apart from that particular teacher, the rest of the year was fairly enjoyable, same kids,
some same teachers I had in year 7 and some easy work.
Debating of course is always fun. This year the team won the most rounds so far. 3 out of
6. Not enough to reach the finals but we all had fun.
It was around this time I first heard of Grandpa's illness. My dad thought it was best to
go see him to try and look after him.
This was in May and he was gone for about 2 weeks. His sons however had to go on the
dreaded, crowded and stinked (well, not really!) train.
Around when the U.S. summer holidays were in full bloom, I was called upon in English to
recite a poem. Our teacher gave us out random poems for us and I was given the Australian
war poem/song "I Was Only Nineteen,". Thank goodness I didn't need to sing it
but I passed with flying colours in the end. The picture shown above was "the
clipping from the paper".
Also around this time came the news when I was awoken from my sleep early that morning was
the unfortunate news that Grandpa had passed away. More news followed that my dad was to
attend the funeral and try to comfort the family.
Once more we took the train but now we knew it was for a good purpose.
Soon came December and came more enlightening news that my brother Timothy had won the
Science award for his year. He likes Science alot and I'm sure he'll tell you more (see
above).
Then came the 4th of December, Period 5, 1:30PM - 2:16PM, Eastern Standard Time.
The last Design and Technology lesson.
The last of "The Nameless One".
The last of his ramblings.
At 2:16PM the class was silent as "The Nameless One" said goodbye but inside,
everyone was cheering madly.
And now, on the 13th of December 2003, I eagerly await my next visit to the U.S. (since
1994 - 9 and a half years).
George Bush is a loser.
Thanksgiving was great.
I hope I'm in the top English class next year.
Grandpa, I'll miss you alot.
Until next year,
Jeremy
Late Breaking News
Jeremy got his braces off on December 15th.
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Football Fever/Rugby World Cup
The Gurto household got caught up in the Rugby League this year as we barracked for the
Penrith Panthers (Dominic and Frances), the South Sydney Rabbitohs (Timothy) and the
Newcastle Knights (Joe and Jeremy). We all went to watch the Penrith Panthers play
one Sunday afternoon in July and were treated to a wonderful game as the beat the
Canterbury Bulldogs. One day during the next week as we were driving home from
school/work I called a radio station competition and wone 4 tickets to the next week's
game at the Olympic Stadium between the Newcastle Knights and the Bulldogs. Finally
in September the teams were eliminated one by one until only two remained. The
Penrith Panthers and the Bulldogs. I was working at the Stadium that night and it
was pouring rain. Meanwhile, Dominic and Timothy were hosting a Grand Final party at
the house with several of their friends. Our team emerged victorious and we
celebrated throughout the evening.
The next month, October, Sydney played host to 21
countries competing in the Rugby World Cup. This competition lasted 6 weeks and
was in everyone's mind. I worked at several of the games including the
Opening Ceremony and opening game between Argentina and Australia where I was on
level one on the 50 metre line and for the Final between England and Australia where I was
on level 6 on the 50 metre line. England won the championship by one goal kicked in the
last 30 seconds of overtime.
Just a bit of trivia. The US is the Rugby
Olympic Gold Medal holder. In 1908 Australia won the Gold medal for Rugby. In
1920, the US won the Gold medal and they also won in 1924 which was the last year Rugby
was an Olympic event. One player in particular, Dan Carrol played on the Australian
side in 1908, on the US side in 1920 and coached the US side in 1924. Dan Carrol is
Frances' uncle.
Class Reunion
When I missed my 20 year class reunion in 1993, I sent a letter to the
organiser telling her that I would do what I could to make it to the 30th reunion.
This had been my intention until July of 2001 when i received a scholorship to
University. A condition of the scholorship was that I would be teaching. The
US summer is right in the middle of the Australian school year so at that time I had
almost resigned myself to missing another reunion. I was about due for a trip to the
US in 2003 so I thought that I might plan the trip during the July school holidays so that
I would be able to attend. When I received the invitation, the reunion was being
held in August so that ended that idea. We planned our trip to the US for December
2003 and I sent my regrets to Cheryl, the organiser of the reunion. When my father
became ill it looked like I would be making an unscheduled visit to the US and once again
I considered that it might be in August but circumstances moved the trip forward to May.
On the night of the reunion, my wife and I were in a pub and I mentioned that the
reunion would be going on so we drank a toast to the "Class of '73". I
mentioned that I must email a friend that evening to find out how it went. I was
surprised to learn that I had my dates wrong and the reunion would be the following week.
"Oh well", I thought, "That will give me the opportunity to toast
the class again the next week". The next night I got the news that my father
had passed away. It was only after all the arrangements had been made and I was
nearly on my way to America that I realised that I would be able to attend the reunion
after all.
It was a wonderful night that passed much too quickly. I realized that no one had
changed a bit (after looking over and under my glasses and adjusting my distance so that I
could read the name tags). It's funny how young our minds remain but our bodies keep
reminding us of the passage of time. Maybe I can continue catching up with a few
friends whil I visit in December.
Baby You Can Drive My Car
L EZI L
This
year, with the 16th anniversary of my (and Dominic’s) births, came the
ability for us to receive our learners’ permits for driving (on the left side of the
road). After what seemed like hundreds of
hours studying for the Drivers Knowledge Test, and just as much time decoding its complex
scoring system, we went to the RTA (Road and Transit Authority) to take the tests. I received full marks (as was to be expected) and
subsequently a license with a very flattering government photo, and Dominic, sadly, failed
his first attempt. After a brief mourning
session, and a quick driving lesson for Dominic (illegally) and I, we went home, the whole
time Dominic muttering about the “biased” man who tested him.
About a week
later, he returned to his nemesis, the RTA. About
an hour later he came back somewhat happier, with a license to drive (or, if
pedestrians are present, a more James bond-style license), or at least to be educated in
such a field.
As it turns out, thus far I am very comfortable
cruising along at 20 kmph (12.4 mph), but am hopeless at roundabouts.
Cathedral Opening
The Newly Dedicated St. Patrick's Cathedral in Parramatta
While I was in America in August, there was a drawing held at our
church. Three names were drawn for the honour of attending the Official opening and
Dedication Ceremony of the rebuilt St. Patrick's Cathedral in Parramatta. The old
cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1996 and for the past eight years, the diocese has been
raising funds to rebuild Sydney's second cathedral. It was a glorious day on
November 29th and I arrived early. The original cathedral was transformed to a
chapel for the Blessed Sacrament and, after entering the ornate back doors, one would see
the baptismal font and immersion pool at the opening to the chapel. The main
cathedral was an entirly new structure, very modern with a minimalist decor and bathed in
natural lighting. The 48 rows of pews, which hold about 800 people, face each other
and the granite altar is in the centre. An enormous crown of thorns sculpture is
suspended above the altar. At the far end is the cathedra, the Bishop's seat, which
is dwarfed by the stainless steel crucifix hanging on the wall behind the cathedra.
It was a full house at the opening with many politicians, cardinals, bishops, priests and
nuns as well as many other dignataries and invited guests. Our own local priest, Fr.
John Boyle, was administering to the cardinal. An angelic choir, accompanied by a
small orchestra consisting of trombones, trumpets, french horns, flutes and tympanny along
with the organ provided the soundtrack for the ceremony. It was an honour to observe the
rare ceremony of dedication of a cathedral. This was only the third time in
the 215 years of Sydney's history that this ceremony has been held.
After a quick tour of the rest of the cathedral at the end of the ceremony, there was a
light luncheon served to the 800 guests.
Year 10 Formal
Timothy, Ashlee and Dominic.
As Timothy and I were in year 10 this year we
undertook the School Certificate (a set of government set exams done by all year ten
students). We both achieved exceptional results with some marks in the 90s. Also because
we are in year 10, we finished school earlier than the rest of the school, on the 4th
of December, while the rest, including Jeremy finished about a week later. On the last day
we had a graduation mass, which made way to the Dinner-dance. This year was very eventful
and marked the end of our compulsory education, and I look forward to 8 weeks of holidays
School Certificate
Dominic, Joe, Frances, Timothy and Jeremy at Dominic's and Timothy's graduation from year
10.
The Lord Mayor's 2003 Christmas Party
Frances, Paul and Karen Garrard (Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of
Parramatta) and Joe
On the 12th of December Frances and I attended the Lord Mayor's Christmas Party at Rose
Hill Gardens. We were entertained by some comedic circus performers from Circus de
Solle. We had a lovely meal and plenty of dancing afterwards. Our host and
hostess were very gracious and organised a fantastic night. Frances was lucky
enough to win the door prize which was a hamper with two bottles of commemorative wine
from the HMAS Parramatta along with a limited edition commemorative medal, three books
about Parramatta and New South Wales and a lovely arrangement of Australian native
flowers.
America III
We're dreaming of a white Christmas. We'll
be in Ohio from December 21 - January 9th and in Florida from January 9th to January
23rd. Hope to see some of you then!!
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