Sister Mary Maloney (known as Sr Mary Edward) 1915 ~ 2012
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orn at Porters Retreat in the Oberon Parish in 1915 and professed at Perthville in 1932, Sister. Mary Maloney was a great lady who made a wonderful contribution to the story of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Catholic Church in the Bathurst Diocese. Her lifelong love and commitment to God over 82 years of living in the Congregation can only be admired, valued and copied with heartfelt gratitude to God for all that it was. Mary was the youngest in a family of 10, with six brothers and three sisters, all of whom predeceased her. Her mother died when she was five years old, her father when she was 12. He had stated in his will that Mary was to stay at school until she was 15. By that time, she had decided that she “just wanted to be a nun”. Some of her family raised objections, but she took no notice of them and entered the Novitiate in May 1930. The events of Mary’s life parallel in many ways the changes and events in the growth of the Congregation and changes in society. Mary lived in the new Novitiate building and was in the first group to study under Dr Thompson’s system of teacher training, the Perthville Training School having been registered in 1932. She began her teaching in 1933 in Cumnock and taught in many parish schools
throughout the Diocese. From 1953 onwards she was often Superior of the convent too. In Mary’s records, there is a one line entry which covers 15 years of her ministry to the Congregation. It reads simply: Perthville administration! The achievements of this era are landmarks in the history of the Perthville Josephites. Elected Bursar General of the Congregation in 1960, she held this important position during an intense phase of building and consolidation with extensions to the kitchen and College, erection of the Chapel, building and foundation of St. Anne’s aged-care facility and the setting up of the Convent at Crows Nest to provide accommodation for Sisters studying. As first Superior of St. Anne’s, Mary established a beautiful spirit among the Sisters there and she
considered its establishment her life’s main work. She loved looking after the older Sisters, taking them places in the car and making St. Anne’s a home. The spirit of homeliness and community she fostered endures today. In 1965, Mary was elected First Assistant to the Congregational Leader, a position she held for the next 10 years, a time of great change in Religious Life following the Vatican Council. Along with Sister. June Cleary, she worked with leaders from other diocesan Josephites in taking the first formal steps towards Federation and was involved in establishing our mission foundation in Papua New Guinea. The twinkle in Mary‘s blue eyes bespoke her keen sense of humour and resourcefulness was always her great attribute. She was determined not to let any obstacle get in the way of what needed to be done. When recalling her many gifts, one remembers her quiet unassuming nature, compassion and loyalty. She was a steadfast friend, a confidante, a risk taker with a sense of adventure. She had deep trust in the providence of her God. May Sister Mary Maloney rest in the Lord from her many labours and may her good deeds go with her. May her gentle soul rest in peace. (Contributed by Sister Mary Schiemer rsj)
Sister Catherine Ryan rsj 1922 ~ 2011
C
atherine was born in Bathurst on 7th March 1922 and was the 10th child in a family of 13. Her parents were Catherine and William Ryan of O’Connell who were pupils at the O’Connell Convent School, between 1880-90. Catherine spent some time at the same school and at a State School at Bloom Hill. At the age of 14 her father died and Catherine did domestic work for neighbours as well as working with her family on their family farm. Still feeling the need for further education she was tutored by Sister Antonio at O’Connell for the Nurses Entrance which she passed. There was also an awakening of a call to Religious life. However, because of her brother Matt’s illness and her mother’s need for her at home, Catherine delayed any plans until a Mission in O’Connell when she spoke to Father Rohan about her future. She kept in contact with this priest who encouraged her to join ‘the locals’. In March 1943, her brother Arthur, home on leave from the Middle East, took Catherine to Perthville in their horse and sulky and she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph. She was received on 24th Sept 1943, professed on 3rd Oct 1945 and made life Vows on 3rd Oct. 1951. In her earlier years she was known as “Sister Aloysius”. Over many years Catherine taught infants
to primary classes in Manildra, Gilgandra, Gulgong, Coolah, Baradine, Portland, Canowindra, Oberon, Assumption and from 1974-79 she was appointed to the Motor Mission and worked in the State Schools of Dunedoo, Coolah, Mendooran and Gulgong. She was particularly happy in this ministry. In 1981 she moved to St. Joseph’s, Blayney as Religious Education Co-Ordinator where she made a significant contribution especially in the Secondary department. She was a gentle person to live with but there was an absolute strength of mind. Catherine could talk her way through situations and she usually came out in charge. From 1985-86 Catherine was secretary at St. Joseph’s College, Perthville, followed by a time in Molong, before she moved
back to Perthville to provide pastoral care for the Rockley/Burraga area. She had a great rapport with parishioners, and those in the local community wherever she lived. She was interested in people’s lives, their plans, their sorrows and joys and had time for everyone. A very special part of Catherine’s life was her immediate and extended family. There was much happiness but also sadness as she faced illness, sorrow and death of family members. Regular family contact through letters, phone calls and visits were important to Catherine, as was regular communication with her many friends. Catherine’s relationship with God was very deep and personal. Two special times for her were a year of Renewal at the National Pastoral Institute in Melbourne in 1980 and in 1985 she was accepted to do the Carmelite School of Prayer at Minto and after that she made several directed retreats. Catherine had a love of Scripture, Prayer of the Church and the writings of the mystics. Her life was grounded in Eucharist and she lived out her baptismal commitment and Josephite calling with trust, simplicity, humility, compassion, hospitality and joy in her everyday life while coping with physical weakness. May she rest in peace. (Contributed by Sr Therese Patterson rsj)
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