AUSTRALIA

Population:          Approx. 20,000,000

Many people live in the Capital Cities, especially in Sydney and Melbourne. 
We have people from more countries than any other country in the world.

The Sister's of Our Lady of the Missions have 23 communities and 56 Sisters with four working overseas in other missions.   The location of our communities are:

• 3 communities in the Kimberley Region:   Broome, Gibb River and Lombadina.
• 10 communities in the Perth Region:   Glendalough, Karrinyup, Maylands, Palmyra(2),      Perth(2), Rockingham, Golden Bay and Busselton - SW.
• 10 communities in Melbourne, Victoria.

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The Sisters of Our Lady of the Misions first arrived in Australia in 1887.  Our centenary in 1997 was a memorable occasion for all our Sisters, families, past students and friends.

APOSTOLATES(WORKS)
INVOLVED IN:

Conducting a House of Prayer       Conducting Retreats           Spiritual Direction
Counselling                                      Pastoral Assistants            Teaching
Secretarial Work                             Hostel work                         Caring for aged
Massage & Reflexology                 Tutoring                               Instructing Converts
Teaching Music                               Catechetics in Government Schools
Hospital Chaplaincy                         Working with the Aboriginal and Vietnamese
Facilitating Chapters and gatherings for other Congregations and in Parishes

Broome students

BUSSELTON/DUNSBOROUGH

Busselton/Dunsborough the fastest growing place in Australia, situated in the South West of Western Australia, throws up many challenges to those involved in any kind of faith formation or pastoral ministry.   Two programmes ran consecutively throughout the past year: :The Catholic Story" and the "RCIA" Journey in Faith. 

Programmes like these have a "snowballing" effect, consequently 12 more people have just begun the next RCIA journey, committing themselves to weekly sharing and discussions on the Gospel for the next 6-7 months.

With new young families coming into these areas, faith can very much be a second or third priority with business and entrepeneurial initiatives taking first precedence.  However, with the efforts of those on our Parish Team working with families and supporting our two primary and one secondary Catholic schools we are seeing a real yearning to be "involed" to "belong" to our Catholic Faith Communty.  This step so often starts when young families ask for Baptism.  This is one of the most rewarding times when we visit, sit with, encourage and support our young parents as to what Baptism means for their child and to help them understand their responsibility as parents.  From 140 children in our primary school ten years ago we now have 1500 children in our three Catholic schools.  Just think of the pastoral needs of such a mushrooming country parish?  "The harvest is great - the labourers are few."

            
               Parish Council Meeting                                            Play Group

ASSOCIATES & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We have about 200 Associates.  During the past year we have been encouraging new members.  We have a core group and have at least two gatheringseach year.  A few of our Associates are in Papua New Guinea.   We have one special yearly publication and some lesser ones.  In the past volunteers have been with our Sisters in Ethiopia, Senegal and Papua New Guinea.   Some help with various projects as they arise.

For more info on being an Associate or Volunteer:  In West Australia:
  Sr. Maureen Belleville or Sr. Margaret Mary Crock
                   79A   Seventh Avenue
                    Maylands, W.A. 6051

In Victoria Contact:        Sr. L. Brown                                  Sr. C. Brabender
                                        37 Albany Cres.                   or       PO Box 4037
                                        Surrey Hills,  Vic 3127                  Balwyn East, Vic 3129

VOCATIONS

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT: Sr. Anne Noonan
                                                                                    44 Wincanton Road
                                                                                    Karrinyup, WA 6018

  Anne Noonan - <wsprings@ozemail.com.au>

ARCHIVES

Sr. Patricia Hogan
                Unit 14/A  Prindivil Village
                2 Alfonso Street
                North Perth 6006

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