By Glynnis Grainger
Irene Villa is a bed and breakfast to rest and renew – with a difference.
Run especially for Western Australians living in regional and rural areas and for carers who feel the need for some respite, it is also a ministry of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart in South Perth.
The Villa is situated at 13 Alexandra Street, South Perth, in the leafy grounds of St Joseph’s Convent – just one block away from the beautiful Swan River and the shops of Angelo and Mends Streets.
The mission of Irene Villa is to “relieve suffering and bring hope” by providing low-cost accommodation. Apart from providing temporary accomodation for carers and others needing short respite and those from rural areas who need to visit family members in city hospitals, it is also available to those from the country who need to stay somewhere while they have medical tests or outpatient treatment in a city hospital.
Irene Villa meets several needs. It is available as a place of quiet for private or small group retreats and also operates as a city base for missionary priests who live in remote country parishes.
The accommodation includes eight single rooms and two double rooms with single bunk on top, each with an air-conditioner; three shared bathrooms; a large kitchen/dining room; two lounge/TV rooms; a laundry, and four private outdoor sitting areas.
A Continental breakfast is available in the kitchen each morning and guests are welcome to prepare other meals in the kitchen.
Shops such as supermarkets are just a short walk away in Angelo Street, or a little further in Mends Street.
The property is smoke-free, a communal phone is available with an honour jar, parking is available opposite, a bus and ferry to the city operate nearby and Mass is celebrated in the Convent chapel next door or at St Columba’s Church across the road. The cost is $35 per person, $50 per couple per night for bed and breakfast.
Irene Villa was named after Sister Irene McCormack, a Sister of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who was murdered by rebels in Peru in May 1991.
Irene was originally from the farming community of Trayning, WA and was one of seven children. On completing her secondary education, she entered the Sisters of St Joseph in 1956. In 1987, Irene answered the call to minister to the Peruvian people of Huasahuasi.
She has been nominated for sainthood by the Catholic Church of Australia.
Josephite Provincial Leader Sr Pauline Morgan rsj gave The Record these examples of some people who have stayed at Irene Villa:
Pat came to Irene Villa for an appointment with her MS specialist and planned to return home the next day.
However, her condition worsened and she was told to stay in Perth for further appointments. Without any fuss, Pat was able to stay at Irene Villa for the extra nights. While she waited for her extra appointments, Pat was able to pray in the Convent chapel, enjoy a quiet walk along the river and experience the unspoken support and companionship of others who were staying at Irene Villa.
June was overwhelmed by the bad news she got at the hospital. She contemplated ending her life. On entering Irene Villa and meeting Sr Chris, June felt a deep peace come over her. As June told her story over a coffee, Sr Chris quietly listened and later gently suggested a counsellor and gave June a phone number. The counsellor was able to connect June to the resources that were available to her and help her take one step at a time.
Betty from a country parish discovered that Teresa was not keeping her specialist appointments as she felt she couldn’t manage travel to Perth. Betty booked Teresa and herself into Irene Villa, took her to the appointments and generally looked after her while she was in Perth.
Ted and Mary live about 400km from Perth. Mary was seriously ill in a Perth hospital.
Their adult daughter lives interstate and her baby was very sick at the time. Ted was very distraught and couldn’t seem to make any decisions or manage the simplest things in his life.
Their daughter rang their parish priest who contacted Irene Villa – that was all that was needed. After a few days at Irene Villa, Ted regained his confidence and was able to visit his wife every day in hospital. Ted and Mary now both stay at Irene Villa for a week every six months while Mary has follow-up care. Every six months, a group of grandmothers who are the primary carers for their grandchildren, have a respite weekend. They are now good friends, have exchanged phone numbers and are on call to support each other in emergencies.
They look forward to their weekends at Irene Villa where they find friendship, support, peace and understanding.
People can share in this work that would be so dear to St Mary MacKillop, who said: “Never see a need without trying to do something about it.”
Volunteers can be on a roster to welcome guests and perhaps have a “cuppa” with them; assist with keeping Irene Villa an attractive, clean and restful place for the guests; from time-to-time bring around a pot of soup for guests who do not feel up to cooking for themselves; help maintain the garden and the general outside environs; make a donation towards running costs and general maintenance.
For more information about Irene Villa, call (08) 9334 0940 or email irenevillawa@gmail.com or the visit the website, www.sosj.org.au