Around the Region - Tributes - Emmanuel Baldacchino
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2004 Annual General Meeting
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Emmanuel Vincent Baldacchino

Born
1 January 1935

Entered Eternal Life
16 October 2008

Incorporated as a Member
of the Society of Christian Doctrine
June 1953
"I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me , which the Lord the righteous judge , will give to me on that day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his appearing"
2 Tim 4:8

The 1950s mass migration from Malta to Australia affected everyone in one way or another, including SDC Members. When Emmanuel arrived in Sydney in the early 1950s, he missed his life in the SDC which at this stage had not been established in Australia. He met up with a few other Members in the same situation, making contact with the Legion of Mary to support his spiritual quest.

Following the establishment of the SDC in Sydney in 1956, he was one of the early Members in the Broadway centre, taking a leadership role later on. During his time with us, Emmanuel also attended at the Paddington and Leichhardt centres in Sydney and came to Brisbane in 1989 to serve at the Capalaba centre.

Emmanuel never let his illness affect his work and commitment to the SDC and it was only last year in 2007, that he attended the 100th Anniversary of the SDC in Malta where for him precise organisation was required to have his medication shipped and his needs attended to. For us Members, this strength of character was typical of Emmanuel - his resilience, motivation and inner strength always impressed us.

Each year over the new year period, the Members in Australia gather for our Annual General Meeting where we welcome in the new year with either Mass or a Holy Hour. Emmanuel was born on New Year’s Day and following the service each year, we always sang to him with gusto the birthday anthem. While Emmanuel was always embarrassed with this, it does show the admiration and respect that Members had for him. We never forgot to do it.

We will remember Emmanuel as a man of God, a man of prayer, committed to the ideal of St George Preca, our Founder. His radiating faith, hope and love was based on a deep relationship with Jesus both in his everyday presence and especially through the celebration of the Eucharist.

As a man of patience, understanding, compassion and respect, we bid him farewell as he returns home to the Father.
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