The annual leadership conference of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth has been held in Australia for the first time.
The congregation’s Holy Spirit Province, based in Marayong, hosted the General Conference at the Mary MacKillop Spiritual Centre in Baulkham Hills from 1 to 15 May.
This international conference is an assembly of the general administration – the Superior General and her five counsellors – and the leaders of our eight provinces and one region. All together, there were about 20 participants from countries including Poland, USA, Philippines, Belarus and Ukraine.
It is a time of reflection, discernment and dialogue about the ongoing mission and challenges of our congregation. For many of our leaders, it was their first time setting foot on Australian soil, and the experience left a lasting impression.
Sisters visiting the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel, North Sydney. Image: CSFN
“Australia impressed me with the beauty of its extraordinary landscapes, open hearts, and human kindness,” one said.
Another sister said: “I saw the beautiful sacrificial work of the sisters, their perseverance, their hearts beating with compassion for those who most need the closeness of another person.”
This sentiment was echoed by many, who were deeply moved by the dedication and love with which the sisters in Australia serve.
“For the sisters, boundaries exist only in space, but never in love,” another said. “Their service is proof that goodness does not ask about place or distance. It is there where someone opens their heart and gives to others.”
Many of the sisters were captivated by Australian animals. Image: CSFN
“I like the sisters’ engagement and the way they conduct their apostolate. I am enchanted by the openness and hospitality of the sisters and the people I met.”
Another added: “Smiles, caring attention, and open hearts created a unique, friendly atmosphere that I will remember for a long time.”
The natural beauty of Australia also left a profound impact. “I am always amazed at how beautifully the beauty in nature is preserved and the uniqueness of God’s creation in it,” one sister noted.
Others were captivated by the vibrant wildlife: “White cockatoos and brightly colourful parrots fly everywhere. The nature is also amazing, unforgettable,” another said.
Attendees at the conference came from the congregation’s eight provinces and one region. Image CSFN
Even the air in Australia was something to marvel at. “When we got off the plane in Sydney, I immediately felt that the air had its specific, very pleasant smell. Apparently, it’s the aroma of eucalyptus… something unique and unforgettable.”
Despite the challenges of secularisation, many were encouraged by what they witnessed. “I saw that the Church in Australia is alive and evangelical,” one sister observed. “I am grateful to God that I could experience the context in which our sisters serve in Australia and how much their presence means in this place on Earth.”
The vastness of the land, the multicultural environment, and the slower pace of life compared to Europe were also noted. “I did not experience the rush and hustle that we increasingly experience on the streets of Europe,” one sister remarked.
As the Holy Spirit Province in Australia continues to grow in mission and spirit, some sisters from around the world might consider whether they are being called to serve in this unique and vibrant part of the congregation.
The sisters from overseas saw how the “Church in Australia is alive and evangelical”. Image: CSFN
We asked some of the sisters who recently visited or served in Australia what they would say to anyone considering this journey. Their responses were filled with encouragement, warmth, and deep spiritual insight.
“Uniquely beautiful and inspiring” is how one sister described her experience, particularly highlighting the aged care mission at Holy Family Services, in Marayong. This ministry, deeply rooted in compassion and presence, is one of the many ways the sisters in Australia live out the charism of Nazareth.
Another sister offered a simple but powerful invitation: “Go, you will be welcomed and the opportunity to spread the Gospel is there.”
This sense of welcome was echoed by many, who spoke of the openness and kindness of the Australian people. “Australia is a country of extraordinary openness and kindness – people who welcome with love, who share their home and daily life, who need the presence of those who come to serve.”
As the General Conference concluded, and the leaders returned to their places of ministry, what remained was a deep sense of gratitude – for the beauty of creation, the warmth of community, and the tireless love of the sisters who serve families in Australia.
Sr Grace Roclawska is a member of the Holy Spirit Province of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. This is an edited version of an article that first appeared on their website.
The sisters’ devotion to compassion and presence is an example of priorities in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan of ‘Community’ and ‘Listening, Dialogue and Discernment’ that we are called to practise in our own lives.
