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EX-STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONST CLARE’S COLLEGE WAVERLEYwww.stclares.nsw.edu.aualumni@stclares.catholic.edu.au

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M e m o r i e s f r o m t h e v a u l t

As I begin to pen some tales of our life at our Monastery at North Richmond with you, our beloved formerstudents of St Clare’s College, I am very conscious of the Covid 19 cloud hanging heavily on everyonearound the world as we wonder what else may be done to stem its ever growing grasp internationally.Again, we turn with confidence, trusting that the same voice that stilled the rage on the Sea of Galilee canstill the storms in our worldwide Covid 19 Pandemic along with all the negativity which impacts upon yourlives. We have been quite concerned not only for ourselves but for each of you and your families. Asmentioned previously during the bush fire period, we continue to begin each day in the Chapel with theprayer known as the “Stella Coeli”. Hence, a little more of its background and the reason for ourconfidence and commitment to it in prayer. The origins of this prayer were reported in a chronicle written in the 16th century by Fr FrancescoGonzaga, Minister General of the Franciscan Friars Minor. He wrote: In 1317 Portugal was ravaged by theplague. The Poor Clares of Coimbra were very distressed by the advances of the disease, which wasalready widespread around their convent. Their anxiety and fear got to such extremes that the MotherAbbess had decided to break the cloister and allow the nuns to go elsewhere, to escape the plague. Atthat moment, the doorbell rang. A beggar was at the door, but his countenance was very much like that ofan image of St. Bartholomew in the convent. The beggar gave to the nuns a paper with a prayer, tellingthem that if they prayed it daily, they would be protected from the disease. The text was the Stella CoeliExtirpavit. The nuns did pray it, and the plague passed them by and soon disappeared from theneighborhood. The prayer rapidly spread throughout Europe, and was included in many prayer books, andas an appendix in the Franciscan Breviary.

Seven centuries later Poor Clares around the world continue to pray the Stella Coeli not only for their ownprotection but also for the many people whose lives they have touched. You may like to pray with themany Poor Clares for your own protection and that of your loved ones.

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Poor Clare Monastery Musings

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O Star of heaven. Mother of Jesus our Saviour, we humbly ask you to protect us from all danger. O most pious Star of the Seayour Son honours you be denying you nothing,intercede for us so that we may always enjoyhealth of mind and body.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:God of mercy, God of love,you who look with compassion upon your people,grant us your loving protectionespecially in time of danger,And as the end of life draws near,may we go forth to meet you with peace and joy. Amen.

Whilst the ‘lock down’ and confinement imposed on society has affected so many lives, SisterPauline along with so many nursing home residents has found it rather challenging. Our Lady ofConsolation Aged Care Facility is to be admired for their efforts in keeping us informed of thelatest Government regulations. Thankfully, having met Government visiting regulations, we hadtheir sanction to visit for just an hour each day. Sadly though, now that positive results havebeen returned for people living in the Parramatta and Mt Druitt areas both of which are nearby toOLOC, once more visiting has been restricted. Unfortunately, until Covid 19 is under greatercontrol, visiting Sister Pauline is limited to the Sisters visiting. A short note or a card addressedto Sister Pauline Babicci OSC St Francis Room 13, 32 Evans Rd, Rooty Hill 2766, would indeedlife her spirits. Needless to say, she continues to be very interested in your lives and is alwayskeen to receive the Newsletter.

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Early in April Sister Anne had the misfortune offalling in her bedroom breaking her wrist andcollecting a bruised face. The little hospital atWindsor, so unlike our Eastern Suburbs hospitalscontends with a different kind of peak hour traffic:that of ducks guiding their young family back tothe safety of a nearby creek.

In recent weeks, guests to our Monastery havetaken advantage of some time-out from homeemployment for prayer and quiet in our visitors’hermitages.

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Hello Everyone, I hope this newsletter finds you well.Since we last met at the Annual Ex-Students Reunionno one would have imagined a pandemic was coming.COVID-19!!!!!It has been a trying time for all. My children like all kidswere attending class via Zoom, sports were cancelled, Iwas working from home and this month due to COVID Iwas made redundant. This was a huge shock, but Iknow I am not the only one dealing with this change andI have the support of family and friends.Hopefully we will be able to proceed with next year's2021 Reunion, and good news the school will allow usto continue to use the school hall and chapel for ourannual reunions which are held on the first Sunday ofMarch.We hope you enjoy the newsletter and now that I have abit more time on my hands I will be more active onFacebook.

Adrienne Prazauskas (nee Kadwell) Class of 1991

Much to the delight of Sister Pia, we have not onlywelcomed their owners but have also two LagottoRomagnolo dogs. Landscaping the grounds particularly the front areanear the Chapel and the living area is progressingbeautifully as Sister Pia’s Family use their skills andstrength to help us. When Government Healthrestrictions are less severe, we hope to have aworking bee to beautify the gardens and restore lifeback into the roses and shrubs.

Know that we keep you all in our prayer, God knowsyour needs and so we hand over each of you toChrist who walked amongst the people, listening totheir cries and then healing happened.

Go gently!

Sister Louise OSC and Sisters.

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P r e s i d e n t ' s m e s s a g e

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CLASS OF 2000 - 20 YEAR REUNIONWhen it is safe to do so, the class of 2000 are planning a20 year reunion. Heidi Carle nee Schobel reports she has

already contacted half of her class with enthusiasticresponses. If it can’t be held later this year, a suggestionto attend our annual reunion with all different ages andclasses, could be a possibility on March 7 at the College.

Heidi’s mobile no is 0410 536 857

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R e u n i o n

Facebook GroupJoin our Ex - Student's

Facebook page to keep intouch with fellow alumni,

hear about thingshappening at the college

and for details of class andschool reunions. Shareyour life and business

updates so we cancelebrate together and

support each other! If youhave any updates you’d like

to put into the newsletter,we'd love to hear from you!Search: St Clare’s College

Waverley Ex- StudentsAssociation. We currently

have 880 members and aregrowing by the day!

Save the Date - 2021Reunion

WHEN: Sunday 7th March 2021

Please advise where you would like to

attend Mass: The College chapel orMary Immaculate

Let us know on our FB page or phoneJulia on 0430 822 556

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Annual School Reunion – Sunday7th March 2021A zoom meeting was held with the CollegePrincipal Mrs McGahn and our committeemembers to ascertain if the College could hostthe reunion in 2021 as it required a member ofthe executive to open the school for us. The nunswere always there to open the gates, but nowhave moved to Nth Richmond. Mrs McGahn saidshe regards our association as an integral part ofthe college and she is willing to give up herSunday to welcome us inside. We thank her mostsincerely for this generous offer. When our secretary Julia, contacted Fr Berni PPof Waverley parish to say mass for our reunion ashe has done before at 11:30 in the chapel, hesuggested we join the parishioners at MaryImmaculate for the 10:00 parish mass then walkto the college. It would mean we begin ourreunion an hour earlier and the older ladieswalking more but we could gaze upon our manyalumni chosen as models for angels in the mainpainting above the altar.What do you think? Please let us know via our Facebook page or phone/mail Julia Lynch 0430 822 556Julia.lynch@travelcounsellors.com.au

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE !Appropriate to my age, I only just remembered that it has been 60 years since I graduated fromthe College. WOW. I have written a two page document on the activities over that time framebut nil interest for the just left alumni. Can I ask all the students around 1960, the commercialand domestic students two years earlier, and the Leaving class of 1961 to also send us theirmemories of the College in that time. Miss McDonald, Mr Kresner, Sr Delores, DesmondO'Brian, and Mrs Carew choreographing the many musicals as well as teaching the dancingwith the Waverley boys, “The Labomba, the Gypsy Tap and The Lambeth Walk”. I’m hoping thenext alumni reunion on 7 March at the College will be a huge one with ex-students from yearsbefore and after 1960, will come together to reunite before we all fall off the perch. I’m hopeful, Joan Short nee McGrath xx

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Constitution Three classmates from 1984, Megan Saville, JackiShort and Kim Morris nee Harper volunteered withJulia Lynch to update our constitution as it wasoriginally created to support the Nuns, convent andCollege and this is no longer relevant as we are aCEO school. The sub-committee’s report, together with theproposed constitution is attached at the bottom of thenewsletter for your information. Please phone Juliawith your comments on 0430 822 556 or email her atulia.lynch@travelcounsellors.com.auWe need your comments as soon as possible as wewill need to forward any further changes to themembers so we have the new constitution finalisedand distributed 30 days prior to the 7th March 2021.

The Care FactorThis is a reproduction of an articlein the sports section of the SundayHerald 28 June:

Want to know why the Roostersare held in such high regard?When James Tedesco [NRLRoosters], was ironed out in anNRL game there were someobvious concerns for Tedescofrom fans. Imagine how his familyfelt, especially as they could notbe at the ground. Well withinminutes of him leaving the field,Cathy King, the welfare co-ordinator, had called Tedesco’smum Rosemary, to let her knowthat James was not badly hurt andwas doing ok. It’s little things likethat which makes the Roosters theclub they are today.

Well done Cathy King nee Kerr, weare proud you showed suchempathy, a true ex-student withleadership qualities as she was asCollege Captain in 1981.

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N e w s

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Holiday RomancesThe Stewart and the Quigley families have beenholidaying in Mollymook for many years. Di Stewartwas on the English staff for many years at theCollege and would have taught Ashlea and JadeQuigley. Jade is now married to Di’s son Luke. Bothfamilies have dined at and loved the vegetarianfocus at Pilgrims, a 40 year old icon restaurant atMilton. The families have now come together againto jointly own the restaurant, with the south coastowner to bring the brand to Bronte in McPherson St.Ashlea is married to owner Nick Bardetta.

CONTACT US!Our newsletters are only as good as ourcontributors! We want to celebrate your

successes, share your heartache and supportyour businesses! Get in touch via the Facebook

page or email Julia to share your news andupdates. We can't wait to hear from you!

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