A former soldier of an elite military unit from the Philippines, the collaborator of Archbishop Wojtyła in Krakow and a Belarusian theologian united by vocation and mission. Every day the nuns work alongside immigrants and in local communities and, thanks to their international experience, promote integration and a sense of belonging
Suor Amata J. Nowaszewska CSFN
The mission of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth is to bring spiritual support and help to families. Religious women draw strength from prayer and community. Their Australian province has just finished its annual meeting in Baulkham Hills (Sydney). “We work in different places, so we don’t always get to see each other. It is a time to catch up on what is left behind, to pray together and support each other”, underlines Sister Maureen, who came from the United States to carry out her ministry in Australia.
From the special military unit to the religious order
Sister Rita was a professional soldier in an elite Special Forces unit in the Philippines. She liked challenges and adventures. The choice to become a nun surprised everyone. “This is the most sensible decision of my life,” he explained to his family and has not changed his mind. She has lived in Australia for 20 years, where she has earned the title “doctor of souls”. Help families by carrying out pastoral ministry in hospitals. It also collaborates with the Association of the Holy Family, organizing training meetings. “The nuns in my community support me in various ways – he specifies -. One of the most important forms of support is their prayer. They cannot always help me, but whenever they can, we are together with the families”.
The nuns with a group of young people in Marayong
The Pope’s amazement and the service of compassion
Sister Joanna, who comes from Poland, has been working with the sick and elderly for over 30 years. Before moving to Australia, he collaborated with Archbishop Karol Wojtyla (later Pope John Paul II) in Krakow. Its job is to provide human and spiritual support to long-term patients and their families, often in the most difficult moments of life. Regarding her decision to go to Australia, Sister Joanna recounts a personal conversation with Pope John Paul II during an audience in Rome. He saw her in the crowd and stopped for a moment’s conversation. «Giovannina, why are you going there?», he asked surprised, but he gave his blessing and also sent his handwritten wishes, which Sister Joanna still keeps today as a precious memory. “We are not here to do big things – says Sister Joanna – but we are always open to people. They can call us at any time, day or night and, if necessary, we are there.” His work goes far beyond the Polish community, because it involves people of different backgrounds and faiths, according to the motto of the Holy Family Services: ” Hospitality, Love and Acceptance”.
Sister Agnieszka with a patient of the Holy Family Services
Respond to spiritual needs
For religious women, each individual is unique and their mission is to meet people where they are, spiritually and emotionally. Sister Paula, originally from Belarus, currently works in a Catholic school in Thornton, Newcastle and provides pastoral care to both students and staff. He wanted to go on a mission to Africa, but responded to a request from Australia and found his place here. “Australia is a mission country – he reflects -. The people here need God, they need Jesus, but a simple Jesus, not the one from theology manuals, but Jesus who sits with them and listens”. Sister Paula’s goal is to help children not only to know religion, but above all to love Jesus and the Church.
The strength of the community
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth has been present in Australia for over 70 years. He currently manages the Holy Family Services team in Marayong, which offers comprehensive care for the elderly in 146 places, a retirement village with 28 homes and an Early Education Center serving younger children. In addition to Marayong, the Sisters of Nazareth are also present in other places in New South Wales and Perth. The annual provincial meeting is extremely important for religious women. “The priority of this meeting is to be together and benefit from moments of sharing. It is an opportunity for prayer, formation and conversation on our mission and the issues of the province” specifies Sister Margaret Kozub, provincial superior, regarding the congress that has just concluded. The nuns are convinced that fraternity is fundamental to their mission on the Australian continent.
The Sisters of the Australian Province of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth
