It has been nearly two years since Brisbane-based Sr Mel Dwyer was elected to the General Chapter of the Canossian Daughters of Charity in Rome, a role that has taken her from grassroots ministry in Australia to the global stage, reports The Catholic Leader.
She helps to oversee more than 2100 of her sisters in 32 countries across the world.
“It’s been a wonderful opportunity,” Sr Mel said during a recent return trip to Australia for her delegation’s 75th anniversary.
“I feel very blessed and continue to feel blessed to serve at an international level.
“I am continuously inspired by the wonderful ministries and commitments of our sisters across the world.”
Sr Melissa Dwyer FDCC with Pope Francis at the Vatican. PHOTO: Supplied/Catholic Leader.
The role sees Sr Mel flying from country to country, encountering firsthand the variety and depth of ministry of the Canossian sisters.
“I’ve spent nearly two months in India, been to Timor, Malaysia, Singapore, and Portugal for World Youth Day, and spent a lot of time in Italy,” she said.
Her role as part of the General Chapter includes overseeing ministries in many countries like Australia, north Africa, Timor, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Myanmar, and Malaysia.
“It’s really been a blessing to journey with these amazing women and be inspired by their faith and their commitment to our congregation,” she said.
There had been many challenges to face in the role, especially with wars breaking out across the world.
She said they had communities in Ukraine and Sudan affected by the fighting.
The sisters in those communities had been evacuated.
“We still have houses and we hope that one day we’ll be able to go back,” she said.
Another challenge for the order had been the changing demographics.
Sr Mel said there were aging populations in some provinces while in others, they were seeing a lift in vocations.
Each province brought its own set of opportunities and challenges that had to be managed.
Sr Mel said the role in Rome was a big change for her.
“That’s been one of the challenges, stepping away from grassroots ministry to serve at a global level,” she said.
“You miss that direct contact with people in need, in parishes or schools.
“I still miss teaching very much.”
The role had also been an important reminder of the central place of prayer in her life and “never to compromise” on it.
“If prayer is not my number one priority, then what am I giving to others in whatever role I’m in? As a General Council, we need to set the tone for the Institute,” she said.
“We try to live as a community—we pray together, eat together, and share life together.
“If we continue to do that, it will have a ripple effect on the whole Institute.
“Authenticity has always been a value for me.
“If I want to encourage our sisters to have a life of prayer, I need to live that value as well.
“It’s not enough to just talk about it; I need to live it.”
Sr Mel has another four years in her six-year term with the General Chapter, but would be regularly returning to Australia as she continues her role as the delegation leader here.
This article By Joe Higgins was published in The Catholic Leader.