Sister snapshots

Here our sisters share some of their personal thoughts, joys and experiences.  Get to know some of our sisters: read about what moves and inspires them, why they do what they do, and what they like doing in their spare time. Keep an eye out for more profiles every few months.

Anne Kelly ibvm, New York

Three words that decribe me are... imaginative, impatient and courageous.

My current role involves... an enormous amount of reading, listening and writing about global issues; learning how to walk in snow; negotiating the subway.

I am inspired by... Martin Luther King, Mahatma Ghandi and Ludwig Van Beethoven.

The riskiest thing I have done is... Crossing the Nile River regularly for two years in a small and very fragile canoe, fearful of encounters with crocodiles, hippos and the bilhazia snail.

I would give this advice to women considering entering.... Listen to your heart, your centre, talk to someone about your deepest desries, then take a small step in whatever direction you feel you are being nudged.

Religious life... Is one of many ways of being your best self.

What makes me happy... Seeing people, young people especially, develop their gifts and potential; hiking in the bush, woods or forest; cooking for family and friends.

On the weekend.... I explore another section of New York!

The biggest challenge in my life has been... My present job as Loreto's representative at the United Nations.

Books I've read recently are... The Help, Kathryn Stockett; Cutting for Stone, Abraham Verghese; !Yo!, Julia Alvarez.

Films I've enjoyed recently are... The Artist; Midnight in Paris; Aida - filmed at the Festival of St Margarethen, Switzerland.

My secret indulgence is... dark chocolate.

Libby Rogerson ibvm, Sydney

The three words that best describe me are...humourous, organised, articulate.

My current role involves... encouraging people to be involved in MWIA – learning about projects and supporting them.

I am inspired by…… people who work to change structures of injustice.

I do what I do because... I am a Christian and Jesus’ example of service is what I attempt to follow.

The riskiest thing I have ever done is... hitchhike round the Middle East without my parents knowing 

I would give this advice to a young woman considering entering…..love life, be prepared to share it with others, develop the life of the spirit.

Being with family and friends...makes me happy.

On the weekend I love to….garden, read, listen to music.

The biggest challenge in my life has been… living the Religious Life.

Religious life is... an endeavor to know God better and an opportunity for a particular way of serving others.

The latest book I read is …On Canaan’s side by Sebastian Barry.

I just saw…the Artist...at the movies /or on dvd.

My secret indulgence is ...Listening to opera played loudly.

Anne McPhee ibvm, Melbourne

Three words that describe me are... pondering, changing (hopefully for the better), and persevering/stubborn.

My current role involves... a lot of bits and pieces (which is fine - I’m not looking for more!).

I am inspired by... the spirituality and practice of active non violence.

I do what I do because... I hope it is a tiny contribution to good in our world.

The riskiest thing I have done is... going for a camel ride in Broome not too long after the “tree” episode. I did not expect much sympathy if I fell off and broke something else!

I would give this advice to a young woman considering entering... pray, get information, listen to your heart, discern with someone who is seeking only the deeper good.

Talking one to one about something mutually significant ... makes me happy.

On the weekend I love to walk, read, visit family/friends and finish leftovers (food or work).

The biggest challenge in my life has been... myself!

Religious life is... wonderful for those it suits.

A book I recently read is... The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin.

I saw... The King’s Speech at the movies (I thought G. Rush was brilliant).

My secret indulgence... is having a siesta any afternoon it is possible.

Denise Desmarchelier ibvm, Portland

The three words that best describe me are... better asked of others. There is a saying that the mirror lies.

My current role involves... school governance as Chair of the Board of Bayview Christian Community College in Portland and as member of the Loreto College Council, Ballarat.

I am inspired by... Mary Ward and Gonzaga Barry.

I do what I do because... education is ‘in my bones’. I do it here because Loreto has been involved in education in Portland since 1885.

The riskiest thing I... recall is my first solo ride on a two-wheel bike age 5 or 6. Once the first risk proves not so risky after all, ‘risk’ reduces in scale and perspective.

I would give this advice to a young woman considering entering... Foster cheerfulness, hope and a thank-you relationship with God. To me they are at the heart of our charism.

Beauty in people’s expressions, actions and attitudes, beauty in the natural world ... make me happy.

On the weekend I love to... attend to domestic chores, clear my desk and my week of clutter, write to friends, relax with the newspaper and a book.

The biggest challenge in my life? My mother instilled in me from my earliest memory that the only failure is not to try.

Religious life is... incredibly fulfilling.

The latest book I am reading... in print is an historical novel about the War of the Roses. My current audio book in the car between Portland and Ballarat is the story of Burke and Wills.

I saw... ‘The King’s Speech’ when it came to Portland in early March as a fundraiser to provide tertiary study bursaries to local young women who face the additional costs of living away from home.

My secret indulgence is... reading, and has been since I first learned to read – not so secret to those who know me.

Hilary Blackie ibvm, Ballarat

Three words that best describe me are ... happy, creative, involved.

My current role involves... taking the older sisters for a drive on Sundays.

I am inspired by ... ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

I do what I do because... I love doing it.

The riskiest thing I have ever done is... going on a flying fox at the request of the children I had on camp.

I would give this advice to a young woman considering entering... give it a go.

On weekends I love to ... go bushwalking.

The biggest challenge in my life has been... doing a cookery course at East Sydney Tech. My best effort was with cream horns. I used the same ingredients, utensils, recipe and stove as everyone else but mine resulted in little puddles of grease on the tray. The instructor said he had never seen anything like it in a lifetime of teaching cooking!

Religious life is... a life of love in the service of God and his Church.

A recent book I have read is... Golden Heritage - a History of College and Clarendon 1864-2004.

My secret indulgence is... sitting in the bush on a sunny day writing poetry.

Natalie Houlihan ibvm, Timor Leste.

The three words that best describe me are… good-willed, easy going, loving.

My current role involves…living and working in Timor Leste, pastoral care of students at the Baucau Teachers Training College, Temporary Professed Sister.

I am inspired by… my family, the generosity and simplicity of others and by people who do amazing things in life.

I do what I do because… I enjoy it, it gives me life and it is just part of who I am.

The riskiest thing I have ever done is… to have gone swimming in the ocean at night (perhaps this was more crazy than anything else!).

I would give this advice to a young woman considering entering… it is a good life if you don't weaken. Enjoy the life journey ahead of you...people are so willing to offer their support.

Being in wide, open and beautiful spaces makes me happy.

On the weekend I love to… relax with good friends, visit family when possible, go for a ride/drive into the countryside.

The biggest challenge in my life has been… getting to this point in time...living and working in another cultural context.

Religious life is … a way of life that enables me to be part of the lives of so many different people.

The latest book I read or am reading is … The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality of Real Life by Fr James Martin S.J.

I just saw…The Social Network on DVD. No such thing as 'the movies' here in Timor Leste! 

My secret indulgence is … taking time over a coffee at Studley Park, chocolate and ice-cream.
 
Read about Natalie's work

Tess Elliott ibvm, WA.

The three words that best describe me are… enthusiastic, persistent, helpful.

My current role involves… keeping up with the younger staff at school, on walks, in the pool and in the staff room.

I am inspired by… those who are courageous and faithful in the face of great odds.

I do what I do because… it gives me energy and joy. When things seem tough I try to look at the bigger picture.

The riskiest thing I have ever done is… the 1.5km Swan River Swim. I was scared of the jellyfish and the bacteria!

I would give this advice to a young woman considering entering: keep your sense of humour and your love of life and enjoy the differences in people.

Having a coffee with friends …makes me happy.
 
On the weekend I love to …chill out, read, walk and swim.

The biggest challenge in my life has been… to take part in the open water swims around Perth.

Religious life is a… gift and not for the faint hearted!

The book I am reading is… Born in Fire by Nora Roberts, it’s light and relaxing.

I just saw… The King’s Speech at the movies.
 
My secret indulgence is… a hot chocolate.

Cynthia Wright ibvm, Vic.

The three words that best describe me are... happy, a listener, enthusiastic.

My current role involves... stamp collection for our mission in Timor Leste, supporting the Loreto Past Pupils Ballarat and the Loreto College Development Committee, though I cannot always attend meetings. Also, being patient while recovering from a Nemaline Myopathy, which has depleted my muscle power.

I am inspired by... the life of Jesus and Mary Ward.

I do what I do because... I feel motivated to assist the [IBVM] Institute in any way possible and with the help of the internet I write to politicians and sign petitions e.g. save the whales and so on. I believe that communication is very important.

The riskiest thing I have done is... causing distress to my family by entering religious life.

I would give this advice to a young woman considering entering: be involved in the St Ignatius discernment process, make sure you are entering for all the right reasons and keep your sense of humour.

Meeting up with relations and friends from the past and the present... makes me happy.

On the weekend I love to... relax and read the paper.

The biggest challenge in my life has been... coming to terms with being unable to drive and continue with life as I once knew it. My pace was always fast and now it is slow. I’ve found it has some surprising rewards. I now appreciate all the things I took for granted in the past.

Religious life is... my whole life and has given me so much. I couldn’t imagine anywhere else I would rather be….it has given me so many opportunities and time to direct my enthusiasm to education, vocations etc and a greater time to deepen my relationship with God through prayer, meditation and music.

The latest book I have read is... ‘Letter in a Bottle’ by Karen Liebreich.

I just saw... ‘The King’s Speech’ at the movies….brilliant.

My secret indulgence is... port and chocolate.

Next month get to know...

• more snapshots coming soon!

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