|
In
1956, two sisters waved goodbye to their community and homeland and left from
Naples on a ship bound for Sydney, Australia. They were to be the first
missionaries to this continent, placing all their trust in the Lord in faith
following the desire of the Founder to extend our mission to “promising
Oceania”.
One of those first sisters, Sr. M. Annunziata, is still with us
living now in our community of Camberwell, Victoria, still active and full of
zeal as she continues to witness with enthusiasm the spirit she received from
the Founder.
|

Sr. M Annunziata Stanizzi
(in the middle) with sisters and friends
PDDM Community, Sydney
|
The two sisters settled in Strathfield NSW and eventually had their own little
convent. Within ten years, the community comprised five sisters, 1 italian, 1
maltese, 2 japanese and 1 spanish. The first liturgical centre was opened in
Sydney and the first Australian lady joined them.
In 1972 at the request of the Archbishop of Melbourne, the sisters extended
their roots from NSW to Victoria and commenced the first house dedicated to the
sick and elderly priests of the Archdiocese.
In 1974, the Bishop of Auckland invited the sisters to go to New Zealand,
specifically for our mission of Eucharistic Adoration in the Cathedral. Four sisters set off to begin a little community there and the Lord has continued to
bless this endeavour with the growing apostolate.
|

PDDM Sisters in Auckland
posing with Bishop |
|