Sister Ellen’s visit to Australia

On Holy Thursday, 13 ^th April 2022, Sr Ellen Flynn, Provincial, arrived in Sydney from London, UK.    In March 2020 the Provinces of Australia and Great Britain integrated to form the Province of Rosalie Rendu.   Unfortunately, COVID-19 paid stop to virtually everything in the last couple of years!   Thus, it was only in April 2022 that Sr Ellen was able to visit us in Australia.  This was her first visit as our Provincial.  

Sr Ellen’s aim was to meet with every Sister individually, including our Sisters in Care, as well as give time to each local Community.   Hence, she visited Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, by the end of which Sr Ellen had a well-rounded picture of each of us and our local communities.   Her visits to these major Cities also included time with each of our four Incorporated Works which are operated on behalf of the Daughters but which are fully staffed and run by professional lay people.

Sr Ellen’s visit culminated with a three-day meeting of all our Sisters including those from Interstate in Sydney.    There was much joy in coming together for the first time in 2+ years since Integration.  The meeting was facilitated by Sister Ellen and Sr Karon Donellon, a Sister of Mercy who has journeyed with us as we worked towards Integration, and in the last two years by zoom gatherings.   Sr Ellen guided us through reflection on our lives as Daughters of Charity, our Mission and Ministries, and planning for the future.

Sr Ellen returned to Mill Hill, London, on 12 ^th May.   We were very sorry indeed to farewell her but we eagerly await her next visit to Australia, hopefully before the end of 2022.