Presentation Sisters

The Caring Role, Understanding Myself in the Caring Role

This was the topic of the morning workshop, led by Lynne Crilley pbvm, as part of a day seminar recently put on by NSW CLRI Aged Care Task Force in Sydney for all religious, their colleagues and those caring for aged religious.

Lynne Crilley (Wagga Congregation) is an experienced pastoral worker, supervisor and educator. She has worked in hospitals, and in residential and community aged care in these capacities. Lynne is also a member of the NSW CLRI Aged Care Task Force.

The care of older religious is usually a shared responsibility. Many different people may have unique but complementary roles to play in providing holistic care for an older religious – members of the community, friends and family, the congregation leadership and leadership team, staff at the aged care facility, pastoral workers, diversional therapists, chaplains, just to name a few!

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This year the Presentation Conference for Year 10 students will be held from Wednesday 20 June to Saturday 23 June and hosted by Domremy College, Five Dock in Sydney. The 2012 Conference will focus on the theme of One Step Beyond as a way to explore the charism of the Presentation Order and its distinctive contribution to the lives of individuals throughout Australia and the world. The Conference will involve the contribution of Presentation Sisters, as well as other individuals who have established connections to and through the Order.

The program will include keynote speakers, creative and performing arts exhibitions, forums and group projects. Participants will be invited to explore the gifts and values they have and how they will be able to use these beyond the classroom to help to continue the work of the Presentation Sisters in the future. We will celebrate the conclusion of the Conference with Mass and a celebratory dinner at Club Five Dock.

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Lucy van Kessel pbvm, with a team of three co-presenters and a local enthusiastic teacher, worked with Year 11 students at Mater Dei College in Perth on human trafficking issues. Lucy is a member of ACRATH, who provide lesson plans to assist teachers/presenters for use in schools or community gatherings.

The students became aware that trafficking is not just happening in other overseas countries but also here in Australia. They were encouraged to think about how they might unintentionally contribute to child labour, for example, by buying cheap goods from countries where trafficked child labour is used to produce such goods. They related this specifically to Easter eggs and were challenged to visit local supermarkets and ask if Fair Trade Easter eggs were available!

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The Sisters Place in Freemantle provides a safe haven and overnight accommodation for homeless women in the area.

Students from Iona Presentation College learnt of the involvement of the Presentation Sisters in this ministry from Srs Marion Beard and Maura O’Connell. These two Sisters were guest speakers at the College and spoke to nearly 200 Year 10 students about vocation, choice and ministry.

The Sisters Place is a joint initiative of five religious Congregations in WA, and Maura, who worked for many years with Aboriginal children in the Kimberley Region, is now involved in this ministry with Marion. The students were interested to hear about the ministry and how the Sisters Place impacts on the lives of the women (mostly Aboriginal) who seek shelter there.

Maura shared her personal story and the choice she made to leave Ireland and become a Presentation Sister in Australia. The implications of giving up the possibility of having a husband and children were not lost on the students!

The lives of the Sisters and their involvement in various ministries, e.g. education, ministry to prisoners, administration and pastoral care of the elderly, are nourished and sustained by their commitment to share their lives in community, in prayer and ministry. The importance of prayer was emphasised and when invited to spend ten minutes in a guided meditation all students willingly participated. The Year 10 students were most appreciative of the sisters for their visit.

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I went to Ballygriffin on 2 April. I had an awesome and beautiful experience. The heritage of Nano Nagle is celebrated at the Centre by friends of Nano from home and abroad. Locals and visitors alike share in seminars, retreats and celebrations in her honour.

Marilyn took me to some significant places which are part of the Presentation Story. We went to Annakissa Church where Nano’s Grandparents lived and worshipped. We also went to Monanimy Castle where Nano’s uncle and family lived. We went to the Mass Rock. In the penal days, Mass was offered there. We went to Killavullen Church to see the font where Nano was baptised. She was not baptised in Killavullen Church, but, maybe in another Church.

The Nano Nagle Centre overlooks the beautiful Blackwater River. I did the Farm and Garden Walk with Marilyn. The walk around their organic farm and gardens are to see the Nature’s beauty, friendly hens, ducks, donkeys and cattle and a stroll through the gardens are guaranteed to open hearts and minds. The Cosmic Walk is a 2km walk through fields, woodlands and by the river bank, telling the story of the evolution of the universe from its flaring forth 13.7 billion years ago to the present day.

The Heritage Room tells the story of the life and times of Nano Nagle. I was glad that I met Srs Anna (Zimbabwe), Silvia, Shobha and Marie Anne (India ). They are starting a new Mission in Palestine. We had a great time together. Please keep them in your prayers.

In Cork, I had a Spirit-filled time with Nano. Some significant places I visited were: Nano’s grave, Nano Nagle Bridge, Cross Street, the place where Nano collapsed, Brown’s Hill, the place where Nano begged, and the Cottage on Cove Lane: Home of Nano Nagle, Mary Fouhy, Elizabeth Burke and Angela Collins. It was a historical place. I spent most of my time at Nano’s grave praying for you all.

I am carrying with me special memories of the foundation of our Congregation especially the sense of Nano Nagle during my time in Cork and Ballygriffin. I am very privileged. Thank you very much indeed for the opportunity granted to me.

Regina Gevia pbvm

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