Sisters – Liturgy on the Margins

The People Know That We Care

Sr Kerry Keenan RSJ is a country girl at heart, practical and ready to do whatever is asked of her. A dyed-in-the-wool Crows supporter in the AFL, she finds that footy is a great way to connect with people. And she has been asked to take on some very diaconal ministry in rural South Australia.Continue reading “The People Know That We Care“

School Ministry on the Margins

In the following blog piece, Sr Duyen Thi My Nguyen, RSM kindly offered to share her experience of liturgy on the margins in her own words. No one working in a wealthy Catholic school in an urban city of Australia could say that their ministry is on the margins. But I do! I am aContinue reading “School Ministry on the Margins”

The Harrow Parish – Of Church, Change and Wood-Chopping

In the Western farming belt of Victoria lie the towns of Harrow, Balmoral and Tarrayoukyan. Together, they made up the smallest parish in the Diocese of Ballarat. And it was the first parish in Victoria not to have a resident priest. In 1986, Bishop Mulkearns went to the leader of the Ballarat Sisters of Mercy,Continue reading “The Harrow Parish – Of Church, Change and Wood-Chopping”

Preaching to the Converted

I was 21 years old, a university student, and attending multiple different churches and spiritual groups at the time. Because of my work in the interfaith movement, I was invited to attend the World Conference of Religions for Peace in Kyoto, Japan. And when I returned – young, naïve and confident – I contacted severalContinue reading “Preaching to the Converted”

Journeys of Healing – Sr Mary Trainor RSM

When Sr Mary Trainor rsm discovered the work of this blogsite, she said that it “warmed the cockles of my heart!” She can certainly identify with ministry on the margins and was eager to share her experience alongside people with mental illness and intellectual disability. After many years of teaching music and pastoral care, MaryContinue reading “Journeys of Healing – Sr Mary Trainor RSM”

5 Years, 82 Baptisms

The man who sat in front of her was a large, energetic footy player. The woman next to him was small, gently bobbing an infant of 8 months. “Why do you want to have your child baptised?” Sr Marg asked. To her surprise and delight, the man answered slowly, “This baby is so beautiful, IContinue reading “5 Years, 82 Baptisms”

A refuge in grief – Sr Meredith Evans RSM

Several weeks ago, Sr Meredith Evans rsm got a phone call. It was the 19-year-old son of her friend, to tell her that ‘Frances’ * mother had died. Frances was distraught. Could Sister Meredith come to see her? The two women had met eight years ago, when Frances was freed from a detention centre andContinue reading “A refuge in grief – Sr Meredith Evans RSM”

Sr Gerri Boylan SGS – Striking Gold

The remote Western Australian gold-mining towns of Mount Magnet, Cue and Meekatharra are tiny, but very special. This is what the Good Samaritan Sister, Gerri Boylan, related to me, and I could hear the joy in her voice. Mount Magnet is 340km inland from Geraldton, the seat of the diocese, and 560km from Perth. MeekatharraContinue reading “Sr Gerri Boylan SGS – Striking Gold”

Liturgy on the Margins

Australian Diaconal Ministry, Present and Future Once upon an outback prison, there was a need. A yearning for spiritual support and motivation. And there were not enough ministers to provide it. But one day, the appeal from the bishop and priest chaplain received a response, and a volunteer started to visit one of the units.Continue reading “Liturgy on the Margins”

Sr Patty Fawkner SGS – An Agent of Reconciliation

Sr Patty is a real inspiration to me. Not only is she the Congregational Leader of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, but she speaks clearly as a voice of justice and spirituality. She has written some wonderful articles for the Good Oil, including her hopes for women in Church ministries. From the very start,Continue reading “Sr Patty Fawkner SGS – An Agent of Reconciliation”