“Here is my childhood, here I was born and here I live my dreams.” Pablo Neruda
On 9th September 1927 I came into the world first born of Philomena nee Phelan and John Edward Brown and was baptised at Sacred Heart Church Carlton on 14th September 1927.
Soon after John and Philomena moved to 107 Carlisle Crescent Oakleigh and became members of Sacred Heart Parish where as active members they were known as Jack and Phil Brown with Jack’s van being utilised for all kinds of Parish activities.
When the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions came to Oakleigh in June 1934 I moved from St Anthony’s school to Sacred Heart bringing my five year old brother, John who started school. My First Communion was in November 1934 and by now my second brother Frank had arrived.
Primary School and the first three years of secondary school were spent there until under the shadow of war many people moved to the country. I was fortunate to move to Donald in 1942 where an interest in becoming a missionary sister developed. In 1943-1944 I held a position as Junior Clerk with a Firm of Chartered Accountants in Collins Street Melbourne.
In January of 1945 I travelled to Perth to enter the Novitiate of Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions being received as a Postulant on the 11th of February. An uneventful two years of Novitiate with Clothing Ceremony on 6th January 1946. My First Profession was celebrated in Highgate Chapel on 6th January 1948, under the direction of Sr M. Dominic Savio we, Sr Tarcisius and M. Mechtilde and myself were gradually initiated into the RNDM way of life. In 1947 following the prescribed Canonical Year I was introduced to the joy of classroom teaching under the mentorship of Sr Lucius – even sharing the same classroom with her. Sr Lucius was a delightful mentor and I could safely envisage a happy life as a classroom teacher.
My Life as a Classroom Teacher
During 1948 I was teaching at Sacred Heart Junior High School and completed the WA Junior Certificate. In 1949 I travelled with Sr Angela to take care of the Preps and Grade 1 at Learoyd street. Many remnants of the Montessori Method were still available so hands-on learning was a delight.
In September 1950 I was called to Oakleigh to replace Sr M. Eymard, who had suffered a serious health set-back, until the end of the year. Then I moved to East Kew to a large room full of exuberant Preps and Grade 1s. Three happy years at East Kew were bonus for family who were able to make regular visits including one to meet Mother General, who was making her first visit since before the War. The visit ended with a ‘day at home’. These very happy three years ended when I travelled to Perth in January 1954 for Final Profession.
During the next few years, I was engaged in Primary Schools in Katanning and Learoyd St, until 1959 when I replaced in Narrogin for a short time with Years 8,9 & 10. This began a long term teaching of these classes in Palmyra, Applecross and Katanning. Though the classes were small, it was a challenging programme teaching all subjects at three levels requiring the Year 10s to have extended hours and classes on Saturday. I also taught a Year 9 class In Fremantle and a Year 10 class of thirty girls in Highgate. In 1968 I taught in Sorrento replacing Lois who was studying in Germany taking Year 11 English and History.
New Horizons
A year at St. Joseph’s in 1965 with visiting lecturers from EAP!, the Vatican Council Years and attendance at post Vatican theological gatherings at the Redemptorist Monastery enkindled a new awareness of the place of religious life in society. A one-year course at Corpus Christi London in 1971-1972, which included the gift of three weeks (including Easter, in Jerusalem was one of the great experiences of my life!).
It was while I was a Corpus Christi that I was elected to the General Chapter to take place in Rome in 1971. So, with a Diploma in Religious Education, a head swimming with ideas and a heart ready to take on the world, I left London for Lyon at the end of 1972. Sr Marie Benedicte met me and took me to 14 Chemin de Montauban. During the next few days there I received a wonderful introduction to Lyon and the places of Euphrasie’s mission. From Lyon I travelled to Rome to be a member of the Commission led by Sr Roberta Morrisey.
In 1981 I followed the Spiritual Life Session in Rome. I travelled through Canada enroute and was happy to participate in a three week course with Roberta . The title from memory was the History of the Congregation. I was appreciative of time with our Canadian Sisters on the beautiful Prairies of Ontario.
Beyond the Classroom
In 1979 a dream of a lifetime came true with a three-year mission to Lalibu PNG, a special time of entry into the lives of people of another culture and engagement with Catechists who conducted Eucharistic services in widely scattered Villages, which I was able to also visit.
In 1982 I was missioned to Mt Eliza as Pastoral Associate. When Fr Hilton Deakin was missioned to Mt. Eliza he inherited an old farmhouse “The Ranch” and a sizeable block of land on which to build a new Church and School. The School was just completed when I arrived to be Pastoral Associate. The parents were young and enthusiastic- ready to work on levelling the grounds and planting shrubs. At the same time groups were being formed to explore changes in church teachings- personal development etc. Many friendships were formed and a wonderful community developed around the liturgy, fund-raising, re-vues, barbeques etc.. I became very much part of the community and loved to be involved in the R.C.I.A. as well as fun weekends etc. This nine years was indeed the highlight of my apostolic experiences and I thank God for it and the lasting friendships which continue until now.
Later while I was living in Surrey Hills, I accepted a part time position as Pastoral Associate in Sacred Heart Kew. My main role was as visitor and Eucharistic minister for parishioners in their homes and Aged Care facilities.
Calls to Volunteer
In 1990 I answered a request for a hospitality person in Rome. I enjoyed this. As well as being a hospitality person I was able to introduce many visitors to the treasures and history of Rome. Towards the end of my time there – Ashas Gomes and myself were treated to a holiday in Glascow. The Sisters had vacated their home for the holidays. So we were able to explore a little of Scotland and returned via a bus trip back to London which enabled a brief catch up with some of the Sisters from the British Isles Province.
After finishing as Pastoral associate in Kew I was introduced to the Programme V.I.S.E. Volunteers for Isolated Student Education. This took me to Dingo on the Capricorn Highway west of Rockhampton. I had a long-standing friendship with the Sisters of Mercy in Rockhampton so with their home as a base I was able to travel to Dingo where there were two children on distance education. After listening to the School of the Air each morning they moved to my caravan where we picked up on other aspects of study. From memory, I was there from six to nine months. As well I was treated to a long trip to Townsville and one to Longreach courtesy of the Sisters. So the love of the Outback continued to be nourished.
Since moving to Meadow Grove in 2002 I have enjoyed various part-time involvements including Vision Australia for a few years. This involved reading at first for a blind woman who was working at the Women’s Hospital and then at Box Hill shire for a staff-member. A.S.R. Centre is a place in West Melbourne where I was gratefully and happily engaged on a weekly basis for three years distributing food and life necessities to Asylum Seekers.
In 2010 I responded to an invitation to assist young Sisters in Kenya with English. I enjoyed living in a multicultural community and witnessing the dynamic involvement of the Sisters in various ministries.
Community Service
While being involved in external ministry I was also engaged in various leadership roles in Community. While at Fremantle I was responsible for Juvenists for three years. I enjoyed being with them, caring for their needs as some were a long way from home. Organising outings during the holidays was fun.
From 1972 I was Community Leader at Highgate. The challenge of being with a Community of about forty sisters aged twenties to nineties was a daunting one. Anne moved the Provincialate to Maylands and I did my best for the next two years.
In 1975 I was appointed as Community Leader in Sorrento. There were seventy two boarders at Sorrento and a Community of seven Sisters. Management of the Boarding Section, staff and supplies, as well as a limited amount of teaching in the school filled my days. At the same time, I was a member of the Provincial Council. One of the highlights of this time was a road trip across the Nullarbor.
In 1994 I moved to the new house in Surrey Hills which was to be a house of hospitality. It was a joy to welcome many of our Sisters from New Zealand who spent time away from Renewal Courses in Sydney etc. as well as Australians Sisters.
An ever enquiring mind
Since 2003 until now, I have appreciated weekends and retreats at the School of Ecology at Glenburn. This was sponsored by the Christian Brothers and regular attendance at Kildare for stimulating sessions on that has nourished my questioning spirit. I thank God for the love and support of my Sisters and friends over the last eighty years.
