Family, friends and Sisters of Mercy gathered on Saturday 25 May 2019 to honour the Jubilees of two Sisters, namely the Platinum Jubilee (70 years) of Sister Anne-Marie Kinnane and the Diamond Jubilee (60 years) of Sister Amabile Speranza. Bishop Michael McCarthy, together with Frs Frank Gilbert, Terry Loth, Marcel Kujur, Sijo George and Shaiju Lookose concelebrated the Eucharist in Our Lady of Good Counsel Chapel, The Range. Later the Sisters and invited guests enjoyed a light luncheon in the adjoining function room ‘Stoneleigh’ where further tributes honoured Sisters Anne-Marie and Amabile.

Bishop Michael with Sr Amabile and Sr Anne-Marie

Both Sisters entered the former Rockhampton Congregation with Sister Anne-Marie professed on 23 January 1949 and Sister Amabile professed on 31 May 1959. Anne-Marie and Amabile have ministered extensively in the Rockhampton Diocese and beyond, living out the call to follow Christ as vowed women religious in the example of our founder, Catherine McAuley.

Fr Frank Gilbert with Sr Anne-Marie

We offer a sincere and heartfelt ‘Congratulations’ to each of these Sisters whose gifts have enriched the lives of many people in our Diocese and beyond, in the places where they have witnessed to Gospel values and a Mercy way of life.

Joanne Molloy RSM