Sisters Vero and Siti's Visit to Sydney

Reflection from Helen Farrell

Sisters Vero and Siti has a short, three week stay in Sydney. During their stay they experienced a range of cultural, social and religious activities. The purpose of these activities was to provide many opportunities for them to practise their English. Discussion and reflection on some spiritually challenging writings of Albert Nolan and Marcus Borg was integrated with visits to social justice endeavours linked to particular writings.

Visits were organised to Matthew Talbot (the Ozanam Learning Centre); OZ Harvest supermarket at Kensington; and Thread Together. Thread Together is an organisation which collects brand new clothing from well- known suppliers and then distributes the clothing to social outreach agencies.

One of Vero and Siti’s last activities in Sydney was a guided tour around The Rocks area to experience Aboriginal Sydney, the culture and lifestyle of indigenous people both past and present.

Helen Farrell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Reflection from Carmele Nicolosi

On our initial outing I asked Vero and Siti what they had learnt about Australia in their English course at Griffith University. Without hesitation they told me we have Christmas in July. They also learnt the expression 'no worries' which all pre-tertians seem to have noted from their Brisbane sisters!

The stories of the arrival of the first Ursulines in Armidale was told to them when they visited Sr. Pat at the Villa. Building on this visit we went to the Welcome Wall reading each of the names of the early mothers and an excerpt from Sr Mary Kneipp’s book “Here at the End of the World” Resources - Further Reading (book list)

Although the sister’s stay in Sydney was short we were able to visit Mary MacKillop Place on the 8th September for the special monthly mass. We also visited the museum which gave Vero and Siti an opportunity to learn about Australia’s first saint.

Visiting the Exodus foundation at Ashfield we observed Orange Sky laundry operating. Orange Sky was established by two young men from Brisbane and their service works in conjunction with the service providers for the needy. Orange Sky provides a mobile laundry for the homeless. It also offers a shower facility equipped with soaps and fresh towels.
Outside the laundry van orange chairs are set up allowing an opportunity for genuine and positive conversation. Vero and Siti had a chance to become engaged in conversations with the homeless as they waited for their laundry to be processed.

We then walked the Labyrinth, had a late lunch at sub-way, and returned home to my place for a 'cuppa'. When I asked Vero and Siti where they would like to go for our last outing they chose St Mary's Cathedral where they were able to have some quiet time and enjoy various facets of the Cathedral.

Vero and Siti were great fun to be with and always ready for whatever was planned. They enjoyed each outing as I did and it was wonderful seeing Sydney through their eyes.
I am grateful to Sr Ruth and the Ashbury Ursulines for including me in Vero and Siti’s visit in spite of the fact their visit was so short.

Carmele Nicolosi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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