Loreto Sisters in Australia have not let the COVID-19 crisis slow down their prayer life, social justice outreach or care for those in need.
The Sisters have responded creatively to find new ways to pray and reflect together, drawing inspiration from the Liturgy of the Word.
“Justice responses have included letter-writing campaigns in support of refugees and migrant workers,” they say on their website.
Loreto Sisters Janet Palafox and Libby Rogerson delivering goods to the House of Welcome. PHOTO: Loreto Sisters website.
They also turned their focus to marking National Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June) and World Environment Day (June 5).
“Some Sisters have responded to an invitation from our Province Archivist to assist with the transcription of historical documents, many others have been pro-active in caring for the sick and elderly,” the website says.
“Two of our Sydney Sisters have been involved in the purchase and distribution of goods to recently arrived families through the House of Welcome and in Melbourne, we are providing food vouchers to an asylum seekers medical hub where one of our Sisters works.”
As with many Australians, the Province, Loreto Ministries and Mary Ward International Australia staff have been working remotely for months, utilising online networking platforms to connect and collaborate.
“Staff from these entities gather regularly for prayer, updates and discussion,” the Sisters say.
“ We have been moved by the continued and creative efforts of our schools to promote faith and mission during this pandemic with beautiful online Holy Week and East liturgies and moving ANZAC Day services.
“Our UN intern, Francesca, hosted an excellent webinar on gender equality recently and student leaders from a number of our schools participated in a TwitterChat exploring street harassment.
“Support of Mary Ward International Australia and Loreto Vietnam assumes an urgency across this time and we are so grateful to our schools and benefactors who continue to give generously in the midst of much hardship.
“A current province focus is to ‘create the oneness that moves us beyond boundaries’. It is heartening that across these days of chaos, deep communion can be experienced and community shaped anew.”
This article, was part of a larger article on the activities of Loreto SIsters in the region published on the Loreto Sisters of Australia and South East Asia.