Last Sunday the Dominican Sisters of Malta celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the blessing and official opening of the Rosary Home Aged Care Facility in Keilor Downs, a western suburb of Melbourne. A Eucharistic Celebration led by Auxiliary Bishop of the Western Region of Melbourne, His Grace Vincent Long, OFM Conv., was held in the chapel of the Home which was packed.
The concelebrants at the Mass, who included several Maltese priests, were: Fr Charles Portelli, Parish Priest at St Mary of the Assumption in Keilor Downs; Fr Joseph Amal, Assistant Parish Priest; Fr Karm Borg; Dominican Fathers from Camberwell: Fr Dominic Murphy OP and Fr Anthony Walsh OP; members of Missionary Society of St Paul: Fr Denis Carabott MSSP, Fr Emanuel Adami MSSP, Fr Paul Kierce MSSP, and Fr Noel Bianco MSSP (who was also present 25 years ago at the opening of the Home).
Rosary Home Administrator, Sr Doris Falzon, welcomed the guests to the special celebration. Among the distinguished guests present were: the Hon. Natalie Hutchins MLA, State Member for Keilor; the Superior General of the Dominican Sisters of Malta, Sr Carmelita Borg OP and Sr Dorothy Mizzi OP, Vicar General, both of whom travelled from Malta for the occasion; Sr Georgina Sultana OP and Sr Pauline Balbi OP from the Dominican community in NSW; the Consul General of Malta, Mr Charles Mifsud; the Honorary Consul of Malta, Dr Edwin Borg-Manché and Mrs Borg-Manché; members of the Rosary Home Board of Management: Chairman, Mr Victor Borg; Dr Marie Pirotta, Prof. Maurice Cauchi, and Financial Controller, Mr Paul Borg; and Chairman of the Board at St Dominic’s Hostel in NSW, Prof. Stephen Gatt and Mrs Gatt.
The vulnerable represent the crucified Christ among us
In his sermon His Grace Bishop Vincent Long said that he was honoured to be part of the celebrations at the Rosary Home. “I believe it one of the places where the best of Christianity is on display, where the best of the Catholic traditions is kept alive,” said the Bishop.
Bishop Long recalled how, as a friend of St Francis, St Dominic, after relinquishing the leadership of his order, wanted to go back to where he felt he belonged, to the leprosarium. It was not simply to be among the least in society but he genuinely felt the presence and the love of God and of the suffering Christ in the most vulnerable.
“At the Rosary Home the aged and the infirm are the presence and the love of the suffering Christ in our midst. And you sisters by your care and by your companionship with them, you make the Gospel come very much alive in a tangible and edifying way,” said Bishop Long. “Here we can see what radical discipleship means and what serving leadership is all about. Here all the trappings of honour, status and distinction have no place. Here the vulnerable are loved and cared for simply because they bear the image and likeness of the living God and they represent the crucified Christ among us.”
“We want to thank the residents for being who you are, for bearing the wounds of Christ on your bodies and your spirits, for suffering in silence and patience. We want to thank the staff for embodying the spirit of Christian service, for collaborating with the sisters in creating a sense of community here. And finally we want to thank you, sisters, for being the ambassadors of Christ in this place and in the words of St Paul, quite fitting for you today, that ‘you are heeding not just the Gospel message for the people who have been entrusted to you but their own lives as well for the benefits of the infirm and the aged’,” said Bishop Long.
“In the last analysis, true renewal can only come about when we, the followers of Christ, take this message to heart and live it to the full. What Jesus teaches us today is poignant insofar as the human need for power is overwhelming. It is virtually behind every human struggle. Jesus challenges us to a new way of living, of relating, thus of fraternity and service, however, against control … of love and forgiveness over competition. As a community of disciples we learn to be truly humble servants of one another. We’re the examples of Christ who came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom of others, inspiring each and every one of us to the spirit of service. For those who are exalted shall be humbled and those who are humbled shall be exalted,” said Bishop Long.
The History of Rosary Home
In a speech for the occasion, Sr Doris Falzon thanked Bishop Long and the concelebrating priests for celebrating mass for this special occasion. “We celebrate our humble beginnings and the many significant people that became part of the fabric woven during this quarter of a century,” she said.
“It all started in 1982, when Sr Virginia Ellul OP the newly elected Superior General, assigned Sr Theresita Bianco OP to Melbourne, to see what were the possibilities of our apostolate in this state to be altered from teaching to aged care. Providence had it that in a short time the land that we stand on to-day, was purchased, plans were drawn up and in 10 months’ time, a 36-bed hostel was built. Mr Douglas Cooms Engineer and project Manager was engaged to ensure that the building was as per plans drawn by Mr Ivan Anderson architect,” said Sr Falzon.
“Things moved very quickly under the leadership of Sr Theresita and on Sunday, 28th September 1986, Bishop Joseph O’Connell blessed the hostel, while Mr Victor Borg, the Chairman of the Board of Management, officially declared Rosary Home open for the first 36 residents,” recalled Sr Falzon.
“Rosary Home became a home away from home for residents from various cultural background, language and creed. Sisters and lay staff worked together to meet the spiritual, cultural, clinical, psychological and physical needs of our seniors. Gradually our Dominican charisma was being absorbed by our lay staff who attended to the care needs of our residents with great love and compassion,” she said.
Paying a special tribute to the critical role of her predecessor, Sr Theresita Bianco who OP was assigned to Rome in 1990, Sr Falzon said that it was a great privilege for her and the community to work closely with Sr Theresita, “a born leader, skilful administrator and the driving force behind the project of Rosary Home.”
Expansion of Rosary Home
Sr Falzon said that “very soon the need was felt for a Chapel, physio-therapy room, hairdressing saloon, residents’ kitchenettes and a couple of offices. The Federal Department of Human Services issued a grant to Rosary Home for 14 bedrooms with adjoining ensuites, bringing the number of residents to 50. John Herniman and Doug Cooms had the task to prepare the building and engineering plans. The extension proved to be ideal and the courtyards a bonus. The building was compact and functional, simple and peaceful, the chapel a dignified place of worship.”
Sr Falzon said that “on the 29th August 2000 Rosary Home went through the first Accreditation process. Next year 2012 will see Rosary Home undergoing its 5th Accreditation. We are delighted with the positive feedback received from the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency. It is a credit to our dedicated Staff
and visiting professionals who work so well together.”
Spirit of Christian Love
In her address, the Superior General of the Dominican Sisters, Sr Carmelita Borg, OP, said that there are scores of homes for senior citizens and the distinctive mark of Rosary Home “lies in the mission statement which can trace its origin to the teaching of Jesus, the Christ: Love one another as I have loved you. It is this spirit of Christian love that serves as the backbone of this home.”
Sr Borg said that “Rosary Home is not just another philanthropic institution. Philanthropy in itself is praiseworthy as it fosters respect, goodwill and solidarity among people. It is an indication that the individual is breaking through the protective and egoistic shell of self-preservation to build the universal community of humanity, without any distinction of colour, race or creed. But this urge is only the first step in the realization of Christ’s words ‘that all may be one’.”
“One who through self-sacrifice, carries on with one’s service to others in spite of all disappointments, hardships, delusions and misunderstandings, is not motivated simply by philanthropy but by something much higher than that, something divine: God’s love for humanity. That is where the philanthropist is transformed into an apostle of Christ by the Holy Spirit. It is precisely this that the Maltese Dominican Sisters are trying to accomplish here at Rosary Home: to make the presence of Jesus real and concrete through the care and dedication, through the unconditional love they give to people in their care.” said the Superior General.
Great service to the community
In his address, the Chairman of the Board of Management, Mr Victor Borg, said that it is hard to believe that 25 years have passed since the opening of the Rosary Home building, and while he and some members of the Board may have grown older in that time, the building has maintained its vitality, beauty and serenity.
Mr Borg recalled an incident that happened on the nuns’ first visit to the site on which the Rosary Home is built. He remembered meeting on site with government officials from the Urban Land Authority to see if the nuns could purchase some land in this location. There were no roads and no houses but simple a huge block of land which would make an ideal spot for the Home. “We kept talking about prices and we kept reminding them that this was a religious non-profit organisation and they should be good to us,” he said.
Mr Borg said that when the representatives left in their black car, all of a sudden he had in my vision two nuns, kneeling on the ground digging. He said to himself, how good they must be checking the fertility of the soil. When it was all over he said to them that he did not think they did not do too badly and they agreed. One of them then turned to him and said: “This land is ours.” He replied that it was good that they were feeling so confident but, as they had not yet even finalised the price, he asked her why she was so confident. She replied that it was because they had just buried a statuette of St Joseph and devoted they continue to be.
Mr Borg said that the Dominican Sisters have rendered great service to our community. It was not an easy road and involved a lot of planning and hard work but, inspired and assisted by God, they managed to achieve what they had in mind.
Mr Borg recalled how the Dominican Sisters started in Australia as a teaching order. In fact, they were brought out specifically from Malta to teach at the new parish of Hadfield because no other nuns were available. It did not take them long to take on a role in which they had specialised in Malta with their homes of the aged and a private hospital and homes in Rome and the UK.
Mr Borg said that it is difficult to imagine that four nuns could manage working closely as a congregation such a project. The service of the nuns to the community over the past 25 years has been one of commitment and dedication. “We often marvel at how things seem to come right on time. You only have to move into this aged care facility to be caught up in the atmosphere of the place, the serenity about it, the love that’s going around and a sense of peace. The chapel is the core piece of this whole project where elderly residents often go to be quietly in prayer and for religious services, ” he said.
Mr Borg said that religion is an integral part of Maltese culture, which dates back years and there is not one incident in the history of Malta that has come about without the intercession of Our Lady and the Lord. Those who are familiar with Maltese history appreciate fully the suffering in those war years and yet we managed to conquer not because we were strong but because we were a people of faith. This culture continues with our community here. “We have a great community and the nuns have been exemplary in spreading the message of God and the love that we should all have amongst us,” he said.
“It’s been a great joy for me and the members of the Board to provide our services to the sisters. What people often do not realise is that the joy of giving gives you so much personal satisfaction and peace within yourself that it is an honour to be given the opportunity to serve, said Mr Borg.
Mr Borg congratulated the sisters on their efforts and what they have done among our elderly citizens. He said that there are currently some 15 nationalities represented among residents in Rosary Home and since its opening, some 350 residents have been through this Home. “People who are lucky to get into Rosary Home get a new lease of life. We only recently lost a resident who was 102 years of age and people tend to live longer. What a blessing it is to know that your mother, father, relative can spend their last years in comfort, security and such a lovely atmosphere,” he said.
Mr Borg thanked the members of the Board of Management who have been of great assistance to the sisters for the last 25 years to provide an aged care facility considered to be the best facility, if not in Australia, at least in the State of Victoria. “The Board and the sisters will not compromise standards, we aim for the best and, I believe, we deliver the best,” he said.
“Nuns are not people like us who work hard five days a week. Nuns are people who are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Occasionally they have a holiday overseas to meet up with Mother General and their sisters. But, sisters, I don’t know where you get your strength from, but I might suggest that the Lord has a lot to say for that. Everyone here wishes you all good health and that you continue your mission,” said Mr Borg.
Mr Borg paid a special tribute to one member of the Board, Mr Paul Borg, who is the Honorary Financial Controller, not just for Rosary Home in Keilor Downs, Victoria but also for St Dominic’s Hostel run by the sisters in Blacktown, NSW. “Paul gives us confidence with his competence, his exactness and the various reports that he regularly provides,” he said.
Mr Borg thanked all staff who have made this possible and devoted their life to help the residents. “It is tremendous to walk around and see how they relate to the residents. It has been a great godsend for them to live their Christian life here and to be able to give the residents so much to enable them to live a full life,” he said.
Identifying with Bishop Long
In a reference to Bishop Long’s comment in his sermon about how God works in mysterious ways, calling him to the priesthood and his elevation to Bishop from very humble beginnings, having arrived in Australia as a boy on a refu
gee boat from Vietnam, Mr Borg said that the Maltese find it easy to identify with the Bishop.
“Many Maltese arrived in Australia in the fifties in a boat but, unlike yours, our boats were big liners built specifically to bring us here safely. Despite your problems, God gave you the strength to arrive here. What a fine example you are. Your success and progress in the hands of the Lord is something to be admired. We join with you in condemning a large section of the Australian press and, I take it further, a number of politicians, who proceed to turn refugees into political footballs. We hope that one day these critics will be enlightened with what compassion, justice and Christianity are all about,” said Mr Borg.
At the end of the speeches, a representative of the residents presented a memento of the occasion to Bishop Long. Maltese Community Council of Victoria President, Professor Maurice Cauchi presented a gift to Sr Doris Falzon from the MCCV.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, Bishop Vincent Long blessed the relief of Our Lady Queen of the Holy Rosary, a gift for the occasion from the Rosary Home residents, placed opposite the entrance to the chapel.
The Board of Management and the Dominican Sisters of St Dominic’s Hostel in NSW donated motorised exercise equipment for use by Rosary Home residents.
An apostolic blessing certificate granted and signed by Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of Rosary Home was arranged by Sr Theresita Bianco.
Refreshments were served after the church service and a special cake to mark the occasion was cut by the Superior General, Sr Carmelita Borg, and the Rosary Home Administrator, Sr Doris Falzon.
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{vsig_c}0|30-10-11rosary-home-sisters.jpg|The Dominican Sisters of Malta in Australia before the cutting of the cake.|{/vsig_c}
{vsig_c}0|30-10-11rosary-home-present.jpg|Sr Doris Falzon (centre) opens one of the presents with Sr Carmelita Borg.|{/vsig_c}
{vsig_c}0|30-10-11rosary-home-cutting-cake.jpg|Superior General, Sr Carmelita Borg, and the Rosary Home Administrator, Sr Doris Falzon cutting the cake.|{/vsig_c}
{vsig_c}0|30-10-11rosary-home-cake.jpg|The cake to mark the special occasion.|{/vsig_c}