Loreto Sisters Celebrate Jubilees

Marking Milestones in Religious Life

Each year the Loreto Sisters in Melbourne gather during Mary Ward Week (23-30 January). These dates mark the anniversaries, both of the birth of our foundress, Mary Ward, in 1585 and her death in 1645. During the Mass the Sisters solemnly, and with one voice, recommit to their vows and also name those who celebrate Jubilees in the current year.

For the past few years I have had the privilege of being present to witness these celebrations as a musician for Mass. The Sisters Profession of Vows is a very moving expression of lifetimes of faith and trust in God. In 2020, the following Loreto sisters celebrate milestones in their religious life:

Sr Kathleen Brennan ibvm (Mother Benedicta) – 75 Years

Born in Western Australia, Sr Kathleen completed her schooling at Loreto Convent Claremont and entered Loreto on 11 February 1945. She lived and worked at Loreto Toorak in the following years - 1947-1954, 1977, 1980-1985, but also was part of communities in Western Australia, Ballarat, Albert Park and South Australia. Sr Kathleen is currently living in Western Australia.

Sr Roberta Hakendorf ibvm (Mother Roberta) – 70 Years

Sr Roberta was born in Melbourne but attended school at Loreto Marryatville. She entered Loreto on the 11 February 1950. Sr Roberta has worked and lived in Portland, Albert Park, Normanhurst, St Mary’s Hall, Marryatville, Coorparoo and Kirribilli. She currently resides in Melbourne. Sr Roberta has been a proponent of reform in the Church, as well an activist in justice issues. She was part of the Pine Gap protest in 1983.

Sr Christopher Neil ibvm (Florence Neil) – 70 Years

Sr Christopher was born in Sydney and also entered religious life on 11 February 1950. She lived and worked at Ballarat, Nedlands, Portland, Toorak (1976-1980) and Kirribilli. Sr Patricia now lives in Sydney and ministered as a cook and teacher’s aid in Junior schools.

Sr Patricia Ziebarth ibvm (Mother Mark) – 70 Years

Born in Albury NSW, Sr Patricia grew up on a property in Howlong NSW. She attended Loreto Toorak from 1942-1945 and was a Prefect. Sr Patricia entered Loreto on 26 April 1950 and was known as Sr Mark. As an art teacher she taught at Ballarat, Toorak (1958-1968, 1975), Coorparoo, Marryatville, and Portland. She now lives in Melbourne.

Sr Margaret Burchell ibvm – 60 Years

Sr Margaret was born in Donald, Victoria and entered Loreto on 28 February 1960. She was educated at Mary’s Mount Ballarat and was known as Sr Peter Claver. Sr Marg has lived and worked at Albert Park, Ballarat, Toorak (1969- 1979), Coorparoo, Claremont, St Mary’s College, Marryatville, Nedlands and Normanhurst. She now lives in Melbourne. Sr Margaret has worked in Refugee Camps on the Thai Burma border and is a past Executive Officer of Mary Ward International Australia, as well as being a State Coordinator of Fair Wear Campaign and human rights activist.

Sr Therese Lechte ibvm – 60 Years

Therese Lechte and Margaret Burchell with communion veils.

Born in Melbourne, Sr Therese was educated at Mary’s Mount, Ballarat. She also entered Loreto on 28 February 1960. Sr Therese’s ministry as a religious sister has taken her to Ballarat, Coorparoo, Toorak (1971-1974), Normanhurst, Blackburn, Albert Park and St Mary’s College. Sr Therese now lives in Melbourne. A musician, Sr Therese played both violin and cello.

Sr Margaret Callaghan ibvm – 50 years

Sr Margaret was born in Sydney and attended Loreto Kirribilli. She entered Loreto on 3 February 1970. She has lived and worked at Normanhurst, Marryatville, Ballarat, Toorak (1988- 1992 – where she was Religious Education Coordinator and a part of the Bicentenary Tour to Central Australia), Blackburn, Albert Park, Kirribilli and Vietnam. Sr Margaret currently lives in Vietnam. Previously has been Province Bursar and Secretary to the Loreto Sisters Province.

Sr Patricia (Trish) Franklin ibvm AO – 50 years

Born in Ballarat, Sr Trish entered Loreto on 15 February 1970. She has worked and lived in Blackburn, Marryatville, Nedlands, Normanhurst, Thailand, in the Kimberley and Vietnam. Sr Trish currently lives in Melbourne. She is well known and loved by many recent alumnae, as well as staff, who have been on the Vietnam Pilgrimage. Sr Trish worked in refugee camps in Thailand and Cambodia – Minors’ Refugee Centre. She founded Loreto Australia Vietnam Program (LVAP), now called Loreto Vietnam. She has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from RMIT University, Vietnam; an Order of Australia AO; an Honorary Medal of Ho Chi Minh City; Ministry of Education Medal, Vietnam; Friendship Medal and the Vietnam Medal. Congratulations to these wonderful Mary Ward women who have dedicated their lives to God and the service of others. We celebrate their gift to the Church both here in Australia and around the world.

In preparing this article, I am indebted to the Loreto Province Archivist, Robin Scott for her assistance in providing both biographical information and photographs. Above (L-R): Margaret Burchell, Therese Lechte, Margaret Callaghan, Trish Franklin. Below: Patricia Ziebarth, 1961.

Patricia Ziebarth, 1961.

DAMIAN WHELAN, P-12 LITURGIST