MORE than 1000 people packed St Stephen’s Cathedral in Brisbane on February 4 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Australia’s first “home grown” religious order.
The Good Samaritans of the Order of St Benedict, or “Good Sams” as they are affectionately known, were the first Catholic religious congregation to be founded in Australia.
Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane led the Mass, which was followed by refreshments in the Francis Rush Centre.
About 40 of the 46 Good Samaritan Sisters living and ministering in south-east Queensland attended the Mass along with invited guests including Queensland Governor Quentin Bryce.
Province leader, Good Samaritan Sister Carmel Pattinson, said the anniversary Mass was a “magnificent occasion” and the sisters felt supported by the people of Brisbane.
In his homily, Archbishop Bathersby said the sisters’ work had assisted the mission of the Church, the promotion of God’s reign in the world and the common good of Australia for more than 150 years.
The theme for the celebrations, “Who is my neighbour?”, was taken directly from the Gospel parable of the Good Samaritan, and Good Samaritan congregational leader Sr Clare Condon said it invited people to the radical love of “the stranger”.
