Melbourne (Australia). From 9 to 17 May 2018, the Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians is in Scoresby, Australia, in Mary Help of Christians Province of the Pacific Region (SPR) to visit the Salesian School in Sunbury on the outskirts of the city of Melbourne, to celebrate the feast of St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello.
From 11 to 15 May 2018, she will be at the Triennial Verifica Assembly together with Sr. Lucy Rose Ozhukayil, Visiting Councilor who concludes her Canonical Visit to the SPR Province. On May 16, 2018, Mother will receive the Perpetual Vows of Sister Bernadette Wauki during the Eucharist presided over by Msgr. Mark Edwards, Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne.
On May 8th, Mother arrived at the airport and was received by the Provincial and some sisters of the Province. Once in the Provincial House, she greeted the FMA community and some representatives of the Educating Community.
On May 10th, 2018 Mother Yvonne visited the Salesian High School in Sunbury, at the periphery of the city of Melbourne. It is a Salesian Co-ed High School, known as Campus Mazzarello, and has about 1,300 students between 13 and 18 years of age, with about 120 full time personnel and about 60 part time assistants.
Upon their arrival, Mother Yvonne, Sister Lucy, and all the Sisters were welcomed by the Rector, Fr. Joe Dinh SDB; vice-president, Angela Romano; and representatives of the High School.
Mother Yvonne then met several members of the school staff, Stephen Connelly, coordinator of religious education, and Sister Rochelle Lamb, FMA, coordinator of liturgical music in the school. Mother Yvonne shared that “their mission as educators among young people was of great importance because they help young people to be citizens full of faith and active for today and for tomorrow”.
The students have as their patron Saint Mary Mazzarello and their building, composed of eight classrooms, takes its name from Saint Mary Mazzarello. Mother Yvonne and the Sisters joined the students, who were happy to share and show their work in a cordial, friendly, and formative atmosphere.
The Eucharist was significant, celebrated in honor of Saint Mary D. Mazzarello. At the beginning of the Celebration, a student shared the meaning of the well of Mornese and the window of the Valponasca to deepen their faith (symbol of the well) and give themselves to others by bringing them to Jesus (the window of Valponasca). The Eucharist was presided by the Rector, Fr. Joe Dinh SDB. Sister Rochelle Lamb FMA animated the liturgical singing.
In the homily, Fr. Joe noted the ordinariness of the life of Mary Domenica, and also shared with the students Mary’s strong relationship with Jesus who helped her to reach all those in need. They, as students in a Salesian Catholic school, are called to do the same.
After Mass Mother Yvonne, Sr. Lucy, and all the FMA took a picture near the well of Mornese. The Salesian School also houses the SDB-FMA cemetery. After lunch, Mother Yvonne and all the Sisters went to pay homage to the Sisters who died in the SPR Province.
Mother Yvonne, Sr. Lucy, and all the sisters took part in an assembly of the students of the final year who study the Italian language. They welcomed Mother Yvonne with words and songs in Italian. Mother Yvonne then spoke, emphasizing the need to form lasting and genuine relationships with God and others as did Don Bosco and Mary Mazzarello. She also noted the need to have a passion for life.
Stephen Connelly presented a new flag that Mother Yvonne inaugurated. Mother was then offered a lamp as gratitude for her presence and visit. The day ended with the singing of the sisters for the students.
Mother Yvonne, Sr. Lucy, and all the sisters were grateful for this special day in honor of Saint Mary Mazzarello among the young people of the Salesian High School, Sunbury.
