A time to rejoice and to give thanks!
Provincia Filippine - Australia - Saipan - Taiwan
Inserita il: 05/02/2018
2 commentario(i) ...
On Saturday, 27 January 2018, in the parish church of St Luke, Lalor, the Pastorelle Sisters in Australia had the joy of celebrating the 60th anniversary of Religious Profession of Sr Candida de Angelis, and the Golden Jubilee of Sr Doreen Bentley and Sr Rita Ruzzene. It was most appropriate that the Eucharistic celebration take place in this church because in this parish all three sisters have been engaged in pastoral work alongside the Scalabrinian Fathers since 1973.
The principal celebrant was Fr Luciano Toldo CS, parish priest and concelebrants were our friends, Fr Michael Goonan SSP, Fr Emilio Vaccaro CS, Fr Brendan Byrne SJ, Fr David Cartwright, and Fr Patrick Purcell.
A large crowd attended the Eucharistic celebration; relatives, friends, parishioners and religious sisters, including the Daughters of St Paul. They came from around Melbourne, country Victoria and interstate. A large number of our Pauline Cooperators made the trip from Adelaide. We felt truly honoured by the presence of each of these our friends who have journeyed with Sr Candida, Sr Doreen and Sr Rita over their long years as Pastorelle Sisters.
The opening hymn, “O Lord our God, How Great Thou Art” set the tone of praise and thanksgiving for the entire celebration.
Many of the people who could not be physically present, including many of our sisters from overseas, made themselves present through their greetings and promise of prayer. This was also a gift!
Br Paul Nangle CFC read the first reading while our longstanding friend and Pauline Cooperator, Val Malavisi, read the second reading. In years gone by, all three sisters have worked with Val leading the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program in St Luke’s parish. The music and singing was beautifully led by the family trio, Guy, Joan and John; also parishioners who have known the sisters for many years.
After Communion, Sr Candida, Sr Doreen and Sr Rita, expressed their gratitude for God’s fidelity in their lives, through a prayer of thanksgiving led by Fr Michael Goonan SSP superior of the Society of St Paul in Australia.
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, everyone gathered in the parish hall for a simple but delicious supper and cutting of the cake, which was much appreciated by everyone.
This day of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Religious Profession of Sr Candida, and the Golden Jubilee of Sr Doreen and Sr Rita, will remain a most memorable day in the history of the Pastorelle Sisters in Australia, and in the history of the Philippine-Australia-Saipan-Taiwan Province. Deo gratias!
Sr Mary La Bruna, sjbp
Leggi i commenti
Sr. Lily Ann delos Santos
13/02/2018 | 14:27
Our prayerful best wishes to you dear Sisters. You are indeed rare treasures of the heart of our Province. We bless the Lord for the gift of you! All the best!
Estelita(Australia)
05/02/2018 | 22:25
Thank you dear sisters for your witnessing of fidelity and service for such a number of pastoral ministry to God's people. Today you are telling us, it's more the Lord's fidelity so you can also persevere. What a lovely, happy celebration. Truly, VIVA TO YOU.
