Students of Warlawurru Catholic
School, Red Hill, (L) Domino Bidwee
and Alec Bidwee, at the time of the
Matso's Classic Car Run. Photo: CAS.

How good, how
delightful it is
for all to live
together like
brothers
Psalm 133:1

Issue 5, July/August 2007

Highlights:

Editorial

Viewpoint

Priestly Profile

100 Years of John of God Service

Kimberley Kitchen

Book Review - Once was Broome

Desert Angels

KCP Magazine

100 Years of St. John of God Service

The roll call of St John of God Sisters in the Kimberley is outstanding:
– The faithful and holy Mother Antonio O’Brien, who led the first group to the Kimberley in 1907;
- Sr Ignatius Murnane, who had never heard of the Sisters or the Mission, but joined them and lived and taught among the people for 60 years;
- The five Greene sisters and Sr Alphonsus who, with others, devoted decades of expert care to patients at the Leprosarium –

Tthese pioneers have been followed by equally dedicated Sisters across the years.
Now is the time for the Church and people to remember and celebrate with them in Broome and around the Kimberley.

A large congregation was present at the Old St Mary’s School Grounds in Broome, as visiting priests from Ireland and other parts of Australia concelebrated Mass with Bishop Saunders on the evening of Saturday 16 June. In beautiful liturgical dance St Mary’s College students told the story of the Sisters’ arrival, and water from all the places they have served was ceremonially blended and blessed. The Bishop recalled stories of the early days and spoke of the loving service of the Sisters.

The celebrations at Beagle Bay, the site of the Sisters’ first Mission, were particularly appropriate as they took place on Friday 15 June, the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Many people who had been cared for by the Sisters at Beagle Bay travelled from all over the Kimberley to join in remembering and catching up with the Sisters, their friends. It was also the First Communion Day for fifteen children, pointing us to the future of the Church in the Kimberley as well as recalling the devotion and sacrifice of the Sisters of the past.

Photos:
Top: Sr Musarrat Sandar, SSJG Regional Leader visiting from Pakistan along with Sr Mary Rowsome, SSJG Congregational Leader. from Ireland and Sr Isobel Moran, SSJG Australian Provincial Leader inspect the commemorative plaque at the site of the original St John of God Convent in Barker St, Broome. Photo: L Davie.

Centre: The Blessing Song is prayed over the many Sisters of St John of God attending the Centenary Mass held in Broome on 16 June. Photo: B Kane

Left: Bishop Christopher Saunders blesses the water at the Centenary Mass celebrated in Broome on 16 June 2007. The water, from each of the communities served by the Sisters of St John of God, was brought to the font by a member of that particular community. Photo: B Kane.

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