About Us
Ministry
Angela Pilgrim Icon, Anna Rosa Poro osu
Act, bestir yourselves, have faith, make efforts, have hope, cry aloud to God with all your heart; then, without any doubt, you will see marvels.
Parish Ministry
Helen Dyson
As a Pastoral Associate in the Maroochydore parish some of the most energizing and life giving experiences I have are: leading gatherings in which we explore different aspects of Christian Spirituality, involvement in liturgy planning and the co-ordination of music across the four communities which make up the parish, and working with parents and children in the sacramental programs.
In each of these areas I enjoy the interaction with different groups of people in the parish and the level of sharing and trust that builds over a period of time.
Liturgy and music are a passion of mine, therefore working with musicians to help enhance the prayer of the assembly gives me great joy.
Gay Williams
My ministry is two pronged!
I am Sacramental Co-coordinator at St Stephen’s Cathedral Brisbane, and a grief counsellor for a small funeral company at Burpengary, Queensland.
Education is central to my ministry. Working with adults and children in the area of faith development is challenging and enriching. This ministry brings me in contact with children, adults and people of various ethnic origins. Working with grief stricken families is difficult at times, but it is amazing to see that the journey of pain, loss and deep sadness can be transformed into acceptance, understanding and peace. The courage of the bereaved is immeasurable and the human spirit is resilient.
I enjoy and am energized by my ministries.
Joanna Healy
As a Pastoral Associate in a rural area, ministry is about "being there" in a setting which embraces the land, the environment, the church and the wider community of the small country town where I live. I spend many hours in the car travelling round the Wellington/Dubbo districts as visitation often plays a very big part in how I spend my day.
I really enjoy the freedom and the element of surprise in each journey that I make and the challenge of responding to the unknown and unexpected. My life is enriched by the beauty of the changing seasons, the people I meet and the deep faith and commitment of my friends on the parish team with whom I share ministry.
Education
Janice Howard
At present my ministry is largely directed to giving tuition in reading to people who have come to Australia as refugees (one from Afghanistan and one from Sudan). I also tutor one half day a week at the Murri (Aboriginal) School, Acacia Ridge, and at Seton College.
The other main area of activity is visiting the elderly in Hostels/Nursing Homes, both our own sisters at Duhig Court and Canossa and also one of our past students who lives in a Hostel close by my unit. While I write of these as my “ministry” – I often feel that I am receiving rather than giving as the relationships involved are very important to me.
Carmel Fittler
I am the Religious Education Coordinator at Holy Family Primary School at East Granville. We are part of the Parramatta Diocese.
This ministry involves working within the primary school, as part of the School Leadership team, planning the implementation of “Sharing Our Story”, our Religious Education Curriculum, and being attentive to the religious dimension of all school activities. I provide resources for teachers and work with them to plan their classroom programs. I plan for and assist teachers with school Masses, and other liturgical celebrations and prayer.
I enjoy being part of the school community working with students, teachers and parents to bring the Good News of God’s love to all around us.
Leadership
Anne Cougle
My ministry is that of Province Leader.
This ministry is full of challenges and no two days are the same. It is a very privileged role in which I am able to journey in companionship with my sisters and share the joys, hopes and struggles that are encountered on the way.
I enjoy working with the Leadership Team – Lee, Helen, Ruth and Sue – as we share our giftedness, vision, energy and joy in our task of leadership for the province. I am particularly inspired and energized by the message of the General Chapter and look forward to discerning together how, as a province, we will be transformed by the Word of God, go beyond our borders and be signs of reconciliation and of hope.
Ruth Durick
At present I work in the Office for the Participation of Women at the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. My main role is as coordinator of the Young Catholic Women’s Interfaith fellowship.
This is a national program of academic coursework through Australian Catholic University, leadership development, interfaith engagement and personal formation for young Catholic women. This is a privileged position as I accompany these young women in developing their leadership potential especially in the area of interfaith relations.
In addition to this, I have a role on the board of governance of St. Ursula’s College Toowoomba, a school which is steeped in the Ursuline tradition and which tries to bring the best of that tradition to the education of young women in the 21st century.
I also work on the Province Leadership team and as the province treasurer. All of these roles enable me to focus in quite specific and diverse ways my Ursuline commitment to living the gospel of Jesus.
Health
Mary Wicks
I work in the area of Professional Health Care as a Doctor. Currently my role is in Public Hospitals in Brisbane.
I have a special concern for our Indigenous peoples and Rural populations.
Sue Cochrane
I work as a physiotherapist for Education Queensland – a health worker, employed to enhance educational outcomes for students with a disability in the state school system.
This involves liaising with students, teachers, parents and other support staff to determine the students’ needs and to provide ideas, programs and hands on involvement for the student.
I travel between various schools in our district – from Early Childhood Development Units, which provide services for students with a disability from birth up to school age, to high school.
I enjoy seeing the students learn new skills and to become more confident in their abilities as well as being a part of a team wanting to offer students the best opportunities for each of them, according to their abilities. One of the joys of this ministry is receiving a smile from the children who have severe disabilities and connecting with them in their lives. It is a privilege to be able to work with these children.
Pastoral Care
Kathleen Nolan
My main ministry at this time is as a Pastoral Care Team member within Catholic Care of the Aged in Port Macquarie, NSW. This ministry is one of presence, of listening, of caring for the spiritual and emotional needs of the residents within our facilities.
I am also involved in conducting Ecumenical Liturgies four times a year and weekly Communion services in our facilities. It is a privilege to share time with so many of our aging residents, to share their stories and to be there for them.
Each year I also lead a Catholics Returning Home program for St Agnes Parish here in Port Macquarie.
Formation
Veronica Littleton
I have spent the last 20 years as part of the ecological movement in Australia, with an emphasis on the connection between ecology, spirituality and renewed Christianity.
I have loved the involvement with the land, its droughts and flooding rains, which this Education Centre offers, as well as the challenge to ecological and social justice which the big picture of the earth household offers to all of us. Over the years my life has been enriched by the people with whom I work and by the many participants in our courses from both home and abroad.
Tabgha Centre is situated at Cabarlah. We offer one week courses, discussion evenings, meditation groups and opportunities for retreats in a beautiful self contained unit called the Stables.
Pat Kennedy
My work is with adults endeavoring to help them discover a compassionate God whose justice is in favour of the poor and oppressed. This year I am offering a series of four Lenten Lectures "In Search of Paul" based on the theme used by J. Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed of "How Jesus' Apostle opposed Rome's Empire with God's Kingdom".
I give the lectures twice each week and am expecting about 80 adults to attend. Last year I offered a series of lectures on Eucharist and Resurrection.
Social Justice
Ministry of the Aged
Our older sisters respond faithfully and generously to Angela's invitation to "Keep the flame of love burning ...". While many are no longer actively engaged in formal ministry, they have a ministry of Companionship, Connection, Concern and Prayer. These sisters offer companionship to those with whom they share their daily lives, whether this be in their homes, or in aged care hostels or nursing homes. They continue to keep strongly connected with other sisters in the Province, supporting them through their interest, conversations and prayer. These sisters remain vitally interested in the wider community and world affairs, and the concerns that are raised in these contexts are the focus of their faithful prayer and reflection.
Marie Hussey
