Sr Anne Mayberry’s Remote and Rural ministry comes to the city

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It’s before 8 am on a crisp Sydney morning, and Sister Anne Mayberry (right)  is unloading her four-wheel drive at the front entrance of St Vincent’s Public Hospital in Darlinghurst.

She is pulling out bags, boxes, and crates full of the goods she will soon – with her team of helpers including her twin sister Elizabeth and her cousin, Sr Margaret Valentine rsc – be selling in the foyer of the hospital. It’s another stall day at the hospital to support Sisters of Charity Community Care Limited’s Remote and Rural ministry.

It’s controlled pandemonium inside during the bump in at first, a situation not helped when the cash float upends itself on the carpet behind the impromptu counters.

“Theses stalls have been happening for 10 years now,”said Sr Anne.

“They were started by Srs St Jude and Maree. Four of the original helpers are still on board and work tirelessly to help out.  Most popular items on stall are those that are hand made, as many people today do not get involved in craft activities.”

Sr Anne’s helpers have not yet finished setting up – the hand-made items such as the dolls and the teddy bears, the soaps, the blankets, and the scarves, along with a seemingly unending collection of donated books and DVDs are being put in place with practised skill – when the first customer appears and snaps up 15 DVDs. He pays, and disappears into the crowd which is starting to gather around.

The focus of their initial attention – the home-made lemon curd, biscuits, pickles, rocky road, and marmalade. The marmalade! Thick cut, and made for the stall by Sr Maria Wheeler. People came and loaded up with the delicacies (only $4 a pop).

The man with the DVDs came back and bought 10 more. “Nothing on tele these days,” he says, as he leaves for a second time.

A woman who has been successfully treated for breast cancer at St Vincent’s gathered up curd, marmalade, biscuits, and moved down the counters to spend more to support Sr Anne’s Remote and Rural mission. “I know how to give back. It’s so important to give back,” she said, delighted to be both giving back and with her purchases.

“Our customers are most generous often not wanting change or just give a donation,”said Sr Anne.

Sr Anne’s stalls this year – one at St Joseph’s Auburn in July, and this one at St Vincent’s –  raised $1,475 and $1,625 nett respectively. Quite a neat little pair of outings. The money raised goes to assist families in remote and rural communities doing it tough.

In late August, Sr Anne was off on a road trip to Melbourne, swinging through Young, Cootamundra, and Holbrook. Along the way, she called in at St Mary’s in Young where she dropped off some supplies, and was greeted by the Principal and the Deputy principal. Both of them were dressed as Shaun the Sheep (pictured below).

  Among the causes supported by Remote and Rural are:

assisting families with specialist fees, and providing for families struggling to meet gap expenses for medical services; A garden comp in Wilcannia to involve people working together in community; assisting students to atttend a representative sports carnival and participate in school excursions; helping an elderly man get his ute fixed; money to help with a confirmation celebration; registration fees for the Australian Catholic Youth Festival; assistance with fuels to attend funerals on country, family visits, and catering for relatives coming to funerals.

“People who receive financial or material assistance are touched to realise that somebody cares,”she said. “They are often moved to tears when in receipt of something so small yet much appreciated.”

 

 

THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
When we have so much to praise the Lord for, we must not complain.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
True affection is to rejoice in the happiness of our dear ones. Never allow a sentiment of resentment to enter into our hearts.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
Pray, reflect and consult – and may the divine spirit direct all to God’s greater glory.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
May our dear Lord Jesus fill your hearts with His own love. Amen!
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
We must have patience with others as He has patience with us.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
Under every difficulty try to pray fervently.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
We have much to thank Him for, even for those little drawbacks on our comforts and conveniences.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
Do pray that justice may be accomplished in peace and that truth may prevail.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
Go on now as steadily as you can, relying on the Divine assistance and fear not.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
What we do ought to be done well.

The Sisters of Charity acknowledge the First Peoples and traditional custodians of this land where we live. We respect, value and honour their history, culture and spirituality. We are committed to standing in solidarity and to actively working for justice, peace and harmony in this land.

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