The Australian Ursuline sisters recently hosted a Conference for the sisters from the Provinces in the Asia-Pacific region. The delegates came from the nearby countries of Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan and India. In addition, there were two sisters from the General Council in Rome. It was held over two weeks with the first week offering an immersion experience in either Alice Springs or areas of Brisbane, which included a visit to Stradbroke Island.
The second week took place with the total group at Mary Mackillop Place, North Sydney. It began with a day of stimulating input from the Australian scripture scholar, Mary Coloe PBVM. Mary presented the interface of the creation accounts between the Old and New Testaments. Her central focus was the tree of life, showing its centrality in the book of Genesis and its fulfillment in the Crucifixion scene as told in St John’s Gospel.
There was a morning when the participants had an opportunity to observe first-hand the works of Education and Health. Xavier College at Llandilo hosted 19 of the sisters. The visit was led by the senior First Nations students. Along with Michael Pate (Principal) and Blake Toomey (First Nations teacher), they shared about their educational experiences at Xavier and the range of opportunities they received to learn about their First Nation’s heritage.
Ursuline Sisters from five provinces in the Asia-Pacific region, together for a conference at Mary Mackillop Place, North Sydney. Image: supplied.
The students recounted the stories contained in the range of artworks which are featured in various parts of the College.
They led the visitors to the Yarning Circle in the grounds of the College and described the smoking ceremonies which take place when all gather in this circle.
The visit culminated in a beautifully prepared morning tea served by the students in the school’s Montmartre Café. For those who participated it was an experience of Jubilee marked by hope. All agreed that the young students are being well prepared to participate positively in the future life of our country, described by our pioneer Australian Ursuline sisters on entering Sydney Harbour in 1882, as “this land of promise.”
Sr Patty Andrew OSU is the Vicar for Consecrated Life in the Diocese of Parramatta. A member of the Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union, she brings decades of experience in education, formation, and pastoral care, supporting religious women and men across the Diocese with wisdom, compassion, and a deep commitment to consecrated life. In 2020, she received a Pontifical Honour for her service to Catholic Education. She is Ex-Officio/Chair of the Diocese’s Council for Consecrated Life. Her online course, Synodal Spirituality is available on the Diocese of Parramatta website.
