FIFTY years ago The Beatles performed at the world’s first stadium concert, NASA launched its first two-person crew into space, and seven Hong Kong-born women became religious sisters.
Sr Charles Kwok, Sr Mary Peter Gomez, Sr Teresa Lau, Sr Damian Lai, Sr Angelina Fong, Sr Mary Joseph Sze and Sr Moira Cheung joined the Sisters of St Paul de Chartres together in Hong Kong.
In 1965, they made their final promises to be sisters for life.
Six of the missionary sisters who, like St Paul, go “wherever they are needed” were sent to work in Australia.
Sr Mary Peter Gomez, who remained in Hong Kong, reunited with her fellow sisters on October 3 to celebrate the golden jubilee of their religious profession.
Friends and family over-filled the sisters’ chapel at their aged-care facility in Boronia Heights for the jubilee Mass, concelebrated by Wollongong Bishop Peter Ingham and nine clergy including Archbishop emeritus John Bathersby and Bishop John Gerry.
Sr Teresa Lau said religious life was filled with “obscure paths … trials, difficulties, discouragement and sacrifices” but also “joy, successes, opportunity for growth, personally and communally”.
“It is a journey of dedication and sharing of love,” she said at the golden jubilee celebration.
“It is a journey of grace, taken without regret and no return.
“For this past 50 years, I am sure and I’m convinced for the past 50 years we then got all his calming blessing and graces, especially for the grace of perseverance.”
Sr Teresa said 50 years with the Sisters of St Paul de Chartres was a sign of God’s grace to the sisters, who “serve without counting the cost … and be people of joy to all people”.
“May we never forget, or stop thanking God for his countless love, for God is a generous giver,” she said.
In his homily, Bishop Ingham said the Sisters of St Paul de Chartres were a major contribution of consecrated life in the Church in Australia.
He said he was “delighted” to be in Brisbane to affirm the seven sisters for their dedication to religious life.
– Emilie Ng
