Sr Josephine Zarb fscj, RIP
Sr Josephine Zarb of the Francisan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus entered eternal life on the 4th October, 2020. She had served across the Diocese of Rockhampton in various ways but especially in nursing, pastoral care and offering Religious Education in State Schools. The Mass of Thanksgiving for her life was held at St Francis Xavier Church, West Mackay on the 9th October. We offer our condolences to her family, her religious community and her many friends who celebrate and grieve her passing.
Homily
Since becoming your Bishop in 2014, I have been reading and listening to the rich history of the Diocese. The Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus came to this city on Pentecost Sunday 6th June 1954, 66 years ago. It was at the invitation of Bishop Tynan to Archbishop Michael Gonzi, Archbishop of Malta. Under the leadership of Mother Amelia, the elderly and sick residents of this city were entrusted to her and the Sisters’ care.
On their arrival from the airport, a 100-car cavalcade and 1000 people lining Holland Street, welcomed the sisters into their new home, St Francis Xavier Church.
66 years later, the sisters have expanded their apostolate to Dupuy Street and offer the elderly Catholic residents of this city a place of respite and loving care, now under the leadership of Sister Pauline who has built on the foundations laid by Mother Amelia.
This year, the Sisters celebrated 140 years since the foundation of their congregation, and we celebrate with them and thank God for their religious apostolate.
The Sisters expanded their apostolate to Rockhampton and supported my predecessors at Bishop’s House until a few years back.
Today, we honour all the Sisters as they say farewell to Sr Josephine.
Josephine was born in Malta nearly 85 years ago, at the biblical and geographical site of St Paul’s Bay, and arrived in Australia at the age of 14 years with her family. After school, her love of people through the healing ministry of nursing began her long association with the Sisters of Mercy after joining them at age 23 years. Graduating as a Registered Nurse at 40 years of age, her skills led her into the technical side of medicine through pathological analysis. Her devotion to aging parents offered the opportunity to reconnect with Mackay and to continue her love for caring for the aged and sick here at Francis of Assisi Home where she has ministered until her retirement and her passing.
Sister Josephine will always be known for her warm and loving smile, even during these twilight years. We say farewell to her today and entrust her into the arms of her loving God.
In the scriptures today, St Paul reflects – I have run the race and the full distance, and I have kept the faith and there is a prize waiting for me…Christ Jesus waiting. This is the faith that we look on today and marvel, as this religious, this faithful and loving servant of God has now finished the race. The simplicity of this reading…waiting on the Lord.
We honour Sr Josephine’s 62 years of committed religious life, the precious life lived in faithfulness, her whole - devoted to God and to God’s people in love as a Religious Sister, of being mercy stepped in the love pulsating from the heart of Jesus. Now, within the heart of Jesus and mercy forever, caught up in the resurrected Jesus as Jesus points the way by assuring the timid disciple; “I am the way, the truth and the life.”
Most Rev Michael McCarthy, Bishop of Rockhampton
Eulogy
Josephine Mary Zarb was born on the 23rd of December, 1935 at Limbordine, St Paul’s Bay, Malta. Josephine was 14 years of age when she arrived in Australia from Malta with her family, Vince and Angela and her seven siblings. Two other siblings were born in Australia.
Josephine was the eldest of ten children. She made her First Communion and Confirmation at St Paul’s Bay Church. She attended school at St Paul’s Bay prior to migrating to this beautiful country, Australia. Josephine was totally devoted to her family and being the eldest of a large family was a of constant assistance to Mum and Dad. She learnt the skills of sewing, making all our school uniforms and all the other necessary sewing for the family. I must admit that the school uniforms were of a generous size, however, we were assured that we would grow into them.
Josephine worked at the Mater Hospital, Mackay until she joined the Sisters of Mercy in Rockhampton in 1958. She commenced her Nursing Training at the Mater Hospital, Bundaberg and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1975. During this time in Bundaberg, she worked in the Pathology Department for many years.
Josephine received permission to leave the Mercy Convent to devote her time to Mum and Dad once again. During this time, she worked at Sarina Clinic as a Registered Nurse and she also taught Religious Education at the State Schools.
Her desire was always to join the Franciscan Sisters however, they did not have a novitiate in Australia so eventually she received permission to go to Malta to join the Franciscan Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 1986 to 1989, Josephine worked with the sisters in Adelaide. Her Perpetual Profession with the Franciscan Sisters was eventually held in St Michael’s Church, Sarina, in 1995.
Josephine nursed at St Francis of Assisi Home throughout the nursing complex. She also worked as a Pastoral Carer and continued to conduct Religion Classes in State Schools in Mackay. Josephine was also asked to help with the dying. Staff and relatives commented that her presence was a gift and comfort to those on their last journey of life.
Carmel Watson, sister of Josephine.
Beginning of the Letter from the Superior General of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
Most Reverend Bishop Michael, Priests, Sisters, family members, relatives and friends of Sr Josephine.
On October 4, 2020, around the world, Franciscan Friars, Sisters, Seculars and people who love St. Francis of Assisi gathered to celebrate the life of our Father St. Francis. Today, we are gathered here to celebrate the life of our dear Sister Josephine Zarb, a Franciscan Sister of the Heart of Jesus, who left this world on October 4, the feast day of our Patron Saint. St. Francis saw Sister Death as a natural part of life through which we continue our life with God and we too are sure that Sr. Josephine is continuing her life with God whom she loved and served while here on earth. Jesus, her Spouse, whom she loved and served in the sick and elderly must have said to her, “Come my spouse, my beloved and receive the crown prepared for you since eternity”.
For the full letter, please click the link.
