Sr. Angela Marie
From May 7 to 21, M. Jana Zawieja, Sr. Halina Dołęga and Sr. Angela Marie Mazzeo traveled to and spent time with the Sisters in Holy Spirit Province in Australia. The long journey was rewarded with a very warm welcome from the Sisters. Our coming to the province coincided with the annual Province Assembly which this year included conferences by Fr. Anthony Gittins, CSSp., a renowned lecturer who spoke on the topic of interculturality, a topic which is very relevant in the diverse Australian reality as well as the communal reality of those Sisters serving in this country coming from Polish, American, Australian, Philippino and Belarussian backgrounds. Mother Jana also gave a formative presentation to the Sisters during the weekend. Additionally the assembly included ministry presentations given by some Sisters and other reports. Time was also set aside for the business of the Provincial Chapter, which was required for the election of the province’s General Chapter delegate.
In addition to the input and small group discussions taking place, there was also time to have some fun and celebrate together. An engaging recreation was planned for one of the evenings, and the 25th and 60th Jubilee celebrations of Sr. Bogumiła Malikowska and Sr. Lois Ann Richardi, respectively, took place on Sunday, giving us the opportunity to thank God for the gift of their vocations.
The rest of our days in Australia were equally full. We had the opportunity to visit the homes in Marayong, Plumpton and Quakers Hill, all of which are in the Sydney Area, and to spend time with the Sisters there. One day was dedicated to Holy Family Services, the province’s main sponsored institution which consists of a Long Day Care Center, an Aged-Care facility, a Retirement Village and an RTO (Registered Teaching Organization). It was a pleasant and informative day spent with the HFS’s executives, staff and Board. Though, the “cutest” part of the day involved spending time with the children in the Daycare.
One day we spent meeting with the Provincial Administration: Sr. Lucyna Frączek, Provincial Superior, Sr. Alicja Drabik, Provincial Assistant, Sr. Grażyna Roclawska, Provincial Treasurer and Councilor, and Sr. Rita Apura, Provincial Secretary and Councilor.
In addition to our official meetings, the Sisters made sure that we experience the natural beauty of Australia, specifically the Blue Mountains and the ocean which are in rather close proximity. And of course, we could not pass up the chance to see some koalas and kangaroos!
The final day of our stay was Pentecost, which is the patronal feast of the Province. This was a wonderful opportunity to see and pray together with most of the Sisters once again before saying goodbye and returning to Rome.
We thank all the Sisters for opening their hearts and homes and welcoming us to Holy Spirit Province in the land beneath the Southern Cross.
