Br Nicholas Harsas fsp received an OAM for services to education and the Church. PHOTO: The Catholic Weekly.
Religious have once again featured on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in recognition of their long-term service to education and the community.
The Catholic Weekly reports that Principal of Holy Spirit Primary School in Carnes Hill Patrician Brother Nicholas Harsas received an OAM for service to education and the Church. Br Nicholas said he was proud to receive the honour on behalf of all the religious brothers and sisters, including Patrician Brothers, who have ministered in Catholic education over the years.
“This year we are celebrating 200 years of Catholic education in Australia and so this award also serves as thanksgiving to God for Catholic education in our country and all those who have been instrumental in its success – students, staff both lay and religious, clergy and parents,” he told The Catholic Weekly.
“Any success I have had in Catholic education is directly related to the cooperation I have received from the students, staff, priests and parents of the communities where I have served and ministered.
“I could not have achieved or been as satisfied in my ministry without the support of the school communities where I have been privileged to serve.”
Sr Margaret Cleary RSJ was honoured with an OAM for service to the Church. PHOTO: Sisters of St Joseph.
A Sister of Mercy and a Josephite Sister were each awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division (OAM).
Sr Margaret Cleary RSJ was recognised for her service to the Church, while Sr Kate Conley RSM received an OAM for her service to the Church and to women.
“I am honoured and humbled to receive the Order of Australia Medal,” said Sr Margaret.
She said St Mary MacKillop had been a “wonderful inspiration of living life to the full” and fostering regard for every person regardless of creed, culture or background.
“I acknowledge and am inspired by the many women, including our Founders, St Mary MacKillop, with Fr Julian Tenison Woods, our Josephite Sisters, those of all Religious Congregations and our indigenous sisters and brothers who have and are walking with and serving the people of the Church and broader community through education and pastoral care,” she said.
“I have always wanted to be of service to the wider community and enjoy being able to contribute to the many ministries that the Sisters of Saint Joseph are involved in.”
Sr Kate Conley RSM received an OAM for service to the Church and to women. PHOTO: Catholic Weekly.
Sr Kate Conley RSM is a former teacher and primary school principal at South Australian Catholic primary schools, was a women’s prison chaplain for 15 years and is a former Chair of Catherine House in Adelaide, an emergency support and accommodation centre for women experiencing homelessness, among other ministries.
“I receive this award on behalf of my family, my Mercy community and the many people who have been on the journey with me such as the women in prison and many others,” said Sr Kate who said she was “very honoured”.
“You can achieve so much more as part of a community and for me I would not have been able to do the work that I have without the strong support of others.”
Meanwhile, Josephite Sister Rita Malavisi has been awarded as Volunteer of the Year by the Fundraising Institute of Australia for her work to support refugees and asylum seekers.
The FIA Awards for Excellence in Fundraising recognise and showcase outstanding initiative, innovation, effort and success in fundraising.
Sr Rita Malavisi RSJ was named Volunteer of the Year by the Fundraising Institute of Australia for her work with asylum seekers. PHOTO: Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Facebook.
"The award gives meaning to the countless many, who fear persecution and flee their homelands to seek asylum in this country,” Sr Rita said.
“I chose to volunteer with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre more than 17 years ago because as a daughter of immigrants from the middle east, Australia opened its doors to my family.
“I see the unjust treatment of those seeking asylum, and I continue to harness my energy into advocating for justice and raising awareness of their plight.
“I have spoken to thousands of students, hundreds of staff at schools, and numerous Catholic parish groups, as well a band of audacious nuns to raise funds for the ASRC. The effort is not mine alone."
This article draws from an article by Marilyn Rodrigues published in The Catholic Weekly and an article published on the Facebook page of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.