Sr Suzanne Fairbarin fmdm reports on the most recent meeting of the Sandhurst Association of Religious attended by eight Nuns from six different Orders and three Rogationist priests.
By Sr Suzanne Fairbairn FMDM
Members of the Sandhurst Association of Religious were delighted to gather on 5 October at the Monsignor Jeffrey Hall in Shepparton. Our gathering had been delayed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the untimely death of our dear Sr Rosemary Crow FCJ in June this year.
Eight Sisters who live in the Diocese of Sandhurst attended the gathering and, for the first time, we welcomed three priests from the Rogationist Community in Shepparton South: Fr Rene Ramirez RCJ (originally from the Philippines and Auxiliary Bishop-elect for Archdiocese of Melbourne), Fr Ruel Desamparo RCJ from Cebu, the Philippines, and Fr Damianus “Addin” Doe RCJ originally from Sumba, Indonesia.
Together we represented six Religious Orders serving in the Diocese of Sandhurst: (Sisters of Mercy, Brigidine Sisters, Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Faithful Companions of Jesus, the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood and Rogationists of the Sacred Heart of Jesus).
Our meeting commenced with an Acknowledgement of Country and prayer led by Sr Marianne Zeinstra rsj from Numurkah. After this, we shared updates about our ministries in the Diocese which, for such a small group, was truly inspiring.
After our meeting, we enjoyed fellowship over a shared lunch – including KFC!
Standing [L-R]:
Fr Rene Ramirez RCJ, Sr Bing Delos Santos FCJ Sr Lucille , Fr Addin Doe RCJ, Sr Eileen Reardon RSM, Sr Cecilia Merrigan csb, Fr Ruel Desamparo RCJ
Seated [L-R]:
Sr Liz FCJ, Sr Bernadine Kelly CSB , Marianne Zeinstra RSJ, Sr Suzanne Fairbairn FMDM, and Sr Pam Barlow RSM.
