GREY skies over Manly may have dampened the outlook but inside Nagle House, former care facility and current home for spirituality on Moreton Bay, local folk were gathered for regular Wednesday-morning prayer and morning tea.
Greeted with their sunny smiles and in true “Nano Nagle hospitality”, extra visitors brightened their faces and created even more of a “buzz” of excitement.
Such excitement emanated too from the recent announcement of their own “living saint” – Presentation Sister Teresa Geraghty – having received notification of an Order of Australia Medal in the recent Queen’s Birthday honours list for “service to aged welfare and charitable organisations”.
A resident of the facility for 30 years, Sr Teresa blushed a little as she cut a celebratory cake amid cheers, applause and laughter.
The Knights of the Southern Cross made the nomination, the humble recipient “first thinking not much of it”.
“I didn’t know anything about it until the letter about the nomination arrived,” Sr Teresa said.
“I thought, ‘Oh well, that’s the end of the story’.”
But win the accolade she did – for her exemplary charity over three decades – and overall leadership and good will locally, nationally and even abroad.
Admitting to being “astounded and embarrassed”, Sr Teresa said it was the people around her who were “most deserving” of the award.
“They are the inspiration,” she said of the group whose theme song is Westlife’s “You Raise Me Up”.
“You are singled out and yet you look around at all of these people and every day is a challenge to them.
“Yet they get and do so much good.”
Sr Teresa was referring to the smorgasbord of crafts the group has made and sold – allowing them to distribute more than $14,000 last year alone. The craft work included everything from inventive coat-hanger covers, potpourri bags, decorative photo frames to brightly-coloured shoe bags.
She also makes reference to their prayerful support of anyone in need.
“People ring the office during the week and ask for prayers,” Sr Teresa said.
“We place them on our prayer board and remember them.
“Often we don’t know them personally … we hear from them when they send a note of thanks or when their ‘little miracle’ has happened.”
This reminds Sr Teresa of a recent letter of thanks received for monies sent to Papua New Guinea, the mixed-gender group responding with delight to her reading it.
“We’ve sent money to India, Africa, New Guinea … ,” she shared over a cuppa just moments later.
“When the group come together they know they’re contributing and doing good.
“(And) by praying the Rosary and offering our special intentions for those in need we’re able to help together.”
Sr Teresa, who marks the jubilee of her profession next January, said when she came to Nagle House all those years ago she was struck by “just how depressed” its residents were.
“Watching the news, for pensioners, is very depressing,” she said.
“You turn it on and there’s been another catastrophe.
“I found there was a level of depression in them that asked what’s happening to this world they helped to create? … Its values are falling apart.
“I wanted to change their perspective … to me there was nothing worse than a nursing home with a lot of sitting around and people saying, ‘Where’s my meal?’ and ‘When’s my next shower?'”
During those decades Sr Teresa journeyed with residents and fellow sisters, many farewelled into God’s arms in her presence.
The sisters are remembered by a poster in the meeting space.
Current Nagle House Wednesday-morning group members saw the closure of the care facility last December “because it couldn’t keep up with accreditation standards” but were pleased when it was decided they could still use their prayer space.
There’s also a chapel in the facility which continues to house the Blessed Sacrament and it is there that retired Bishop Ray Benjamin celebrates Mass on Fridays.
The Wednesday crowd also come together at 5pm on Saturdays for Mass, many of them provided transport. Oblate Father Paul Seibert celebrates the Mass.
Sr Teresa said in such a setting the seniors “don’t have to worry if they forget the ‘Our Father’ or if they are going to get a comfortable seat”.
“Fr Paul gives relevant homilies that speak of making the most of every day,” Sr Teresa said.
“Without this Mass many of the group wouldn’t be able to go and would remain isolated.”
She encouraged other parishes “to keep its elderly together as a nucleus”.
“I think it’s important to keep a register of who is getting sicker, who needs care at home and look to support them in their choices for their funeral,” Sr Teresa said of her extended work at Nagle House.
“I found it to be a great relief to many (to confirm funeral arrangements) because to them it’s a big worry when they have children who aren’t practising the faith.”
Gatton-born Sr Teresa draws her inspiration for hospitality from the founder of the Presentation Sisters Nano Nagle.
“One of the core values of Nano Nagle was hospitality,” she said.
“They said she new every garret in the islands around (County) Cork (Ireland).
“I’ve always loved that idea of the ‘little people’ of the world.
“(And) yet it’s the little people of the world that make our world and are the ones so often overlooked and neglected.
“I think for me they have a special place in my heart.”
There’s no doubt Sr Teresa has more than a special place in the hearts, minds and lives of those in Manly – even though the thought of “possible sainthood” had her in raucous fits of laughter.
“Oh God help me,” she said, drawing breath.
“That’s so funny.”
Once the laughter subsided farewell hugs and kisses were ongoing with a simple, “See you Saturday.”
