On Wednesday 31st May 2023, the parishes of St. Mary of the Rosary, Berkeley, St. Francis of Assisi, Warrawong and parishioners from other parishes joined with the Sisters of the Visitation to celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and opening the Holy Year for 100th year of their order, as well as their 10th year here in Australia.
Sr. Anna invited me to talk about how I felt about this wonderful occasion, but in order to convey how I feel, I must first describe the events that led to their presence here in Australia.
Ten years ago, St. Mary’s at Berkeley, with the agreement of Bishop Peter Ingham and the Mother-General in Vietnam, invited the Sisters to set up a convent in our parish. For seven years they lived at the Berkeley Convent, learning English, learning how to drive, but most importantly providing pastoral care in our parish and nursing homes.
The Sisters changed our parish through their pastoral mission. Everyone is important to them. They demonstrate a quiet kindness, interest and compassion that has more firmly united our parish.
As is the way with those who put their faith in the Lord, the Holy Spirit cannot be contained and the Sister’s pastoral work flourished and came to include the Warrawong Parish, the multi-cultural centre at Fairy Meadow, teaching catechism in schools, pastoral and nursing care in nursing homes, teaching language and dance in the Vietnamese community and participation in choirs. The Vietnamese communities in the Wollongong area have always generously supported the Sisters.
How do I feel?- extremely blessed that the Sisters continue their work in our parishes and communities, immensely grateful they made the decision to come to Australia and very proud that from small beginnings, they are now integral to so many communities.
At the celebration Mass last Wednesday 31st May 2023, Bishop Brian Mascord thanked the Sisters for their work and their quiet, spirit-led example and echoed the feelings of everyone present, when he said ‘we all love you’.
Thank you to Mother-Generals past and present for showing us, through your Sisters, the charisms of your order.
Sharon Boy
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Dear Sisters Of Our Lady Of The Visitation,
At Mass on Wednesday 31st May 2-23 we celebrated your Congregation’s Feast Day and opening the Holy Year for 100th year of service to Christ’s mission in the world.
In the true spirit of Our Lady of the Visitation you travelled a great distance from your home to be the spirit of Christ’s mother among us.
We the people of Berkeley, Warrawong, Unanderra and beyond are, like Saint
Elizabeth, glad that you have come.
In the short time you have been with us you have cared for the sick, visited the grieving, taught our children and prayed with and for us all.
We are blessed by your mission here.
Thank you.
Ann Chatham
