THREE Western Australian born Sisters celebrated their Diamond Jubilee of Religious Profession on 8 May at Presentation Convent ‘Iona’ in Mosman Park.
They were Sr Peter Doyle from Bullaring/Yealering, daughter of Peter and Cora Doyle; Sr Patricia Downey from Mosman Park, daughter of Harold and Annie Downey of Mosman Park; and Sr Eileen Tinning from Perth, daughter of Elizabeth and James Tinning of Perth.
For 60 years they have carried the Presentation charism and tradition of service wherever it was needed from north to the south of this State and beyond. Some of these locations include ‘Iona’ Mosman Park, Mullewa, Goomalling, Wyalkatchem, Beverley, Port Hedland, Cottesloe, Brunswick Junction, Collie, Bruce Rock, Rivervale, Karratha, Lockridge and even Papua New Guinea.
Apart from standard teaching duties and administration, other assignments included multi-cultural endeavours, parish work, preparing children for the sacraments in State schools; motor mission, involving long distances in remote locations; and assisting the St Vincent de Paul society.
These are some aspects and variety of their mission over the years. Perhaps the most fulfilling time for Sr Eileen’s apostolic work was the 21 years in Lockridge, working with the underprivileged in the Lockridge ‘drop in centre,’ reaching out to the poor in the spirit of Presentation founder Nano Nagle.
The celebrant for the occasion, Fr Neville Faulkner, said regarding the three Jubilarians: “At an early stage of their journey, Jesus came to walk with them, and they have recognised Him ever since by the breaking of bread. Their hearts have burned within them with the excitement of spreading the Good News far and wide. They could have chosen another path and with their talents made a success of whatever was chosen, they were led in quite a specific direction. In the words of today’s psalm: Lord, You will show us the path of life.”