Founders' Day

- by Lesley Quinlivan

On Saturday 29 October, women from across the Diocese were privileged to attend a gathering with representative Sisters of the Congregations of religious women who serve in this diocese.

Bishop Hanna led us in prayer and welcomed us to the gathering for sharing the stories of the founders of these Orders of Religious women facilitated by Sr. Margaret Knagge.

Sr Carmel Wallace PBVM gave a most informative summary of the history of Religious Life in the Church over the centuries and its relationship with history and the mission of the Church. Sister also spoke of the inspiration of Nano Nagle and her struggle to establish a teaching Order to meet the needs of the desperate poor in Ireland. Nano died without seeing the fullness of her inspiration realized.

Sister Valda from the Carmelite monastery spoke of the spirituality of Carmel and its connection with the prophet, Elijah. Sister recalled the spiritual journey of St Teresa of Avila and her reform of Carmel. The spirit of Carmel lives on in Wagga, apart but at the heart of the prayer of the Diocese.

Sr Helen from Sydney shared with us something of the life and spirit of Mary Potter and her care of the sick. Again we were reminded how the poor and neglected have always been the inspiration for Religious women who found Christ in the poor

Sr Corina Morton brought to life the work of Catherine McAuley as she traced the early trials and stresses that she encountered in bringing mercy to the most neglected both in education and in hospital care.

The huge obstacles that faced all of these women developed in them a courage and trust that enabled their companions and successors to impact greatly on the fledgling colony of Australia.

Sr Ann Steenbergen’s address enabled us to revisit the story of our own Blessed Mary McKillop who brought an education firstly to the children of the outback of South Australia and rapidly across a country where the Church had little finance for the huge tasks at hand. These young colonial women suffered much with their foundress as she sought to respond to God’s call on her life.

Sr Margaret Anne from New Zealand gave us amazing snapshots from the life of Suzanne Aubert who courageously left her homeland to work with the Maori people in New Zealand. Her spirit lives on among the Sisters at the Home of Compassion in Wagga Wagga.

In our latter years the Missionaries of Charity have come to this diocese. Sr Ephrem was able to give us a first-hand account of her experience of joining an Order where Mother Teresa, the foundress was still among them. The poorest of the poor call on the energies of Mother Teresa’s Sisters.

We enjoyed a shared lunch and interaction valuing the time to reflect on how God raises up people to meet the needs of the times. Teachers present were able to understand a little better the spirit of those who started and conducted so many schools and charitable works that have built up the Church in this diocese.

We need to know the stories of today’s heroes and heroines of a Gospel faith as we seek inspiration for our own lives.

From left to right: Sr Ephraim, Sr Carmel, Sr Helen, Sr Ann, Sr Margaret Anne, and Sr Valda