Ferdy traces the life of Fr Ferdinand Parer o.f.m. As a Franciscan friar, he was a champion of the poor, the depressed, the marginalised and the disabled. A saintly man, he has been described as a prophet of our times. Fr Ferdy Parer also had strong family ties and was close to his brother, Damien Parer, a wartime photographer.

In 1946, Fr Ferdy became a pioneer Franciscan Missionary inAitape, Papua New Guinea. While there, Bishop Doggett said of him, “He lived a contemplative style of life, like his brother, Damien. He had the spirituality of St Francis and was a resourceful missionary, living with the people.”

During the 1970’s, Fr Ferdy spent years on Palm Island helping the Aboriginal people and established Alcoholics Anonymous for them.

From 1980, onwards as chaplain to the St Vincent de Paul Hostel in Brisbane, Fr Ferdy had contact with people from many organizations: the Society of St Vincent de Paul, the Royal Blind Foundation, the Little Kings Movement, Alcoholics Anonymous, GROW, Holyoake, the Catholic Psychiatric Pastoral Care Group, and the Sporting Wheelies. He was a familiar and well-loved figure in Brisbane.

Published in 2003. with 256 illustrated pages and one map in soft cover. This book covers Franciscan History, mission life in Papua New Guinea and Palm Island , caring groups in Brisbane and Parer family history.

Purchase price $AUD25. Postage within Australia $AUD5.

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