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On
Saturday, 29 October 2005, the Pastorelle Sisters in Australia
gathered together in the parish Church of Bundoora, Melbourne, where
the Sisters have their principal house, to remember their
Fifty years in this Continent.
Only a small group of Pastorelle, ten in all, distributed in three
communities, two in Victoria, Melbourne, and one in South Australia,
Adelaide, surrounded by many Pauline brothers and sisters, a Church
full of friends and cooperators, parishioners, and many priests,
celebrated joyfully the love, fidelity and tenderness of Jesus Good
Shepherd in these first fifty years of life in Aussie land.
A thanksgiving celebrated in faith. The Eucharist was the highlight
of the day. The archbishop of Melbourne, Mons.
Denis Hart, was the main celebrant and Mons. Joe O’Connell,
auxiliary bishop of Melbourne concelebrated with many other parish
priests and religious.
Two Sisters arrived from Italy for the occasion: sr Tarcisia
Magarotto who was one of the first three founding sisters in
1955, and sr Luigia Cuffolo who arrived in 1965. Sr
Tarcisia was the first superior of the community and worked
intensely for the first ten years to pave the way for our pastoral
ministry and foster vocations. Sr Luigia gave continuity to the work
begun and was responsible for the formation of the young women who
entered in those years, the opening of new communities and promoting
pastoral collaboration in various parishes, especially helping with
catechetics and liturgy, as well as family visitation.
The archbishop spoke briefly expressing heartfelt appreciation and
gratitude for the presence and collaboration of the Pastorelle in
the archdiocese. Appreciation that is shared by parish priests for
the support and assistance they have received especially in their
commitment to migrants..
The official homily was given by Mons. Joe O’Connell who has known
the Sisters for many years, first as Vicar for Religious and then as
a brother and a good He recalled the difficult years of migration,
the efforts the first Sisters made to adapt themselves, their warmth
and spontaneity in approaching people, in visiting families, and
even in getting behind a wheel to cover long distances. All this, in
a time when the Church was still very closed and when it was
inconceivable for Religious Sisters to operate anywhere other than
within institutions such as schools, orphanages and hospitals, The
Sisters presented a new, fresh and joyful image of being Religious.
After the II Vatican Council, Mons. O’Connell pointed out, the
Pastorelle were the first to help with the liturgical renewal,
forming Italian choirs in various parishes, and educating the people
of God to active and lively participation in the Sunday celebrations
and feast days.
After the Eucharistic celebration, everyone was invited to stay back
for light refreshments and fellowship. In the evening, the members
of the Pauline Family joined the Sisters in their convent for a
simple fraternal meal.
Photos
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