OUR SISTERS : QUEENSLAND

Sr Doreen Jones : Caloundra

Doreen Jones has been involved in pastoral ministry in the Parish of Caloundra, Queensland for 10 years. She has worked with people of the small communities of Kawana, Maleny, Golden Beach and Little Mountain. Faith Education and spirituality have been part of her service there. She is part of a team which is trying to establish small communities, provide training for leaders and ongoing support as these small communities grow in their responsibilities and development of leaders. Doreen is also engaged in voluntary work such as sewing for "Friends of the Pacific", an organisation supporting poor, homeless and orphaned children. She is associated with "Buddies" which works for refugees and asylum seekers.

Sr Delphine O'Shea : Gold Coast

Delphine O'Shea ministers on the Gold Coast in Queensland as a spiritual director and conducts Every-Day Life retreats (3-6 weeks) in the parishes in the Deanery. She also companions people who undertake to make the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius in Daily Life (35 weeks), and Delphine is also one of the facilitators of the Arrupe Program, where people are trained to give the Spiritual Exercises to other people – a 3 year program. She is a member of the Queensland Faber Team of Ignatian Spirituality and a Guide of the Gold Coast Christian Life Community (CLC). Delphine acts as a spiritual director for priests, religious and lay people. These retreats/spiritual direction are offered to Catholics and people of other Christian traditions.

Sr Mary Cleary : Jandowae

Mary Cleary is currently living in the township of Jandowae, population of about 900, situated 50km north of Dalby on the Darling Downs in Queensland. The town is surrounded by grain, cotton and cattle farms. Mary was appointed Pastoral Leader and is responsible for pastoral care of the people in the parish as well as administration in conjunction with the parish pastoral council. She conducts baptisms and funerals and is training members of the parish in these areas of liturgical leadership. She is part of the local community, belonging to the Progress and Heritage Association and a representative on the management board of HACC. She meets regularly with representatives of various churches which enjoy a great cooperative spirit and is involved in ecumenical gatherings. She is a member of the local golf club.

Sr Nancy Doyle : Landsborough

Nancy joined the Missionary Sisters of Service in 1962 after growing up in the rural area of New South Wales and becoming attracted to the mission work of the Congregation. After training she spent about twenty years working in the parishes of Tasmania. In 1984 she became coordinator of the Oatlands parish in central Tasmania. Later she moved to the Townsville Diocese in Queensland and became Pastoral Leader of the Giru and Clare parishes. After six years she moved to the Archdiocese of Brisbane and worked as pastoral Leader of three Mass communities. In recent years Nancy changed from a leadership role to one of pastoral care and liturgical ministry, work which continues to be a great privilege for her.

Sr Marie Murphy : Mackay

Marie lives in Mackay and works part-time as a Pastoral Carer at the Mater Hospital. Marie is enjoying her contact with her family and with people in the Sugar Industry, as well as tapping into other groups of people in the district. With her experience in Pastoral Care, Marie endeavours to be there with and for people where they are, in a supportive and listening role and to encourage them to celebrate the sacred in their lives.

Sr Marie Carroll : Nanango

Marie Carroll lives in the Nanango Parish in Queensland as a religious presence. In her years as a Missionary Sister of Service, she has worked in a variety of outlying areas of Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. Now semi-retired, she visits people who are housebound, offering friendship and keeping them in touch with parish life. For the past 18 years Marie has edited the 'Overlander', an in-house newsletter which is sent to Sisters each month. She is involved in liturgy preparation in the parish and liturgical ministry.

Sr Imelda McMahon : Toowoomba

Imelda McMahon now lives as a resident at Lourdes Retirement Home in Toowoomba. Imelda has spent 57 years in various ministries throughout Tasmania, and rural New South Wales. She established and for 18 years, managed the Catholic Bookshop in Toowoomba, working with volunteers, incorporating outreach to other States and countries in the Pacific. Imelda is a member of the Pastoral Care Team at Lourdes Retirement Home and enjoys sharing with fellow-residents various aspects of their life as they continue their journey.

Sr Pat Quinn : Toowoomba

Pat Quinn lives in Toowoomba, Queensland. After many years working in isolated rural areas, Pat established the Portiuncula Centre for Personal, Spiritual and Professional Development in 1988. She is director of the Centre where people of all backgrounds come, each supported on their own spiritual path. At the Centre Pat is joined by a competent and dedicated staff team. They offer individual counselling as well as regular group workshops for personal, spiritual and professional development. A special feature of the program is the diploma courses for those wanting professional training as counsellors. A range of methods for inner exploration and healing are offered. They include dreamwork, sandplay, breathwork, journal writing, emotional release processes, body work, art, meditation and voice dialogue. Pat can be contacted at 07 4633 1383 or via email. The Portiuncula Centre: www.portiunculacentre.com

Sr Pat Kelly : Townsville

For some years Pat has been carer for members of her family, a role she has found to be a great privilege. Previously she undertook parish work which involved travelling from one town to another. As well as caring for her family she has formed a group for carers in her local community. She is on the committee of the Townsville Regional Tenants Action Group to liaise between tenants and government departments. She also relieves the co-ordinator at the Senior Citizens Club and enjoys table tennis, folk dancing and walking along Townsville's beautiful Strand.

Sr Cecilia Bailey : Warwick

Cecilia Bailey continues her ministry within the Parish of St Marys in Warwick, Queensland and the wider community. She is involved in various parish groups, including Social Justice Group and the training of lay leaders of Liturgy of the word and Communion Services, visiting the house-bound and other people, as well as community groups such as St Vincent De Paul, Ecumenical groups, the Dementia Outreach Group, and Writing Group for the freedom of Political Prisoners. Cecilia celebrated her Golden Jubilee of Profession in August, 2008 with much joy and happiness.