STORY - "The Makers: Lord of the Rings "

A magic trick isn't normally part of proceedings at your everyday church service.

The bread and wine becomes the body and blood of Jesus Christ but that's transubstantiation – not magic.

But in November last year one school's Year 10 graduation liturgy cast a different spell on proceedings. St Mary's Gateshead had a magician in their ranks and they used him to his full potential.

Joel Howlett performed a magic trick using three rings while St Paul 's Letter to the Corinthians - “Love is patient and kind” - was proclaimed.

The world renowned 17-year-old magician's performance went off without a hitch and no one at Sacred Heart Cathedral flinched.

They were genuinely entranced.

But my first thought was that the actions contradicted the words, “…love is not envious or boastful…”

Isn't magic naturally a bit showy? Wouldn't people be envious of Joel's talent?

Even Joel was “surprised” to be performing at a liturgy.

But on closer reading it was evident that something special was happening. “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”

Joel was giving, not receiving.

He received the award for citizenship later that night, but when he was performing he was giving something back to his peers.

The Charlestown boy was sharing his gifts. Just as the reading said, he bore himself in front of people he has known his whole life (which Joel admitted was the toughest part of the gig: “I'd rather perform in front of 1001 I don't know than 10 I do”), he helped them believe in something (if only for a second) and gave them hope (love makes the impossible possible) as well as something to remember for the rest of their days.

Monsignor Hart referred to the “wonder and awe” of life as he asked all students to take that message with them. This was said with a wry smile as it's not the first time he's come into contact with magic. The last time Joel produced a certain item of clothing that supposedly belonged to Monsignor! Joel has also met Bishop Michael - and made his episcopal ring disappear.

Joel belongs to St Joseph 's parish at Charlestown but for how much longer is anyone's guess. Having performed since the age of 7, he has decided to leave school and pursue his dream of a life in magic, which could take him anywhere.

For the moment “ Australia 's Harry Potter”, as some have dubbed him, is happy to keep spreading the word at schools, libraries, shopping centres, hospitals and functions.

He has already travelled to Las Vegas, been the subject of a documentary and song and been awarded an Order of Australia Medal - where he was up to his normal tricks, slipping NSW Governor Marie Bashir a business card.

As his career develops, numerous awards, from Junior Close Up competitions to Red Faces on “Hey Hey It's Saturday”, a cheery personality and performance persona will stand him in good stead. Inspired by Tommy Cooper, Joel enjoys using comedy in his routine and the boy you meet on the street is transformed from a reserved individual to a confident and competent performer as soon as he takes the stage.

Joel has already travelled a long way for someone who doesn't even have a driver's licence.

This young man's real licence lies in his magic, the fuel that takes him wherever he wants to go. Like a Robert Frost character, young Joel has “miles to go before I sleep”. Down the track, when Joel looks back on his achievements, one is likely to remain unique.

Joel has performed a trick with a trinity of rings during a Catholic liturgy. This was no loud music-flashing-lights-round-of-applause-and-take-a-bow- performance. It was quiet, measured and reverent, but the message was still clear.

Now that's magic.

Please visit www.jd4magic.com


Josh Callinan

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