I am an Australian woman adopted by Sicilian parents and birthed by a woman from Abruzzo. I coincidentally married an Australian man whose family came from a short distance from where my family of origin lived in Abruzzo. My life is a series of wonderful stories like that, these stories show many coincidental links towards identity and belonging between my chosen Sicilian family and that of my origin. Sometimes I am Sicilian and sometimes I am Abbruzzese and sometimes I am also Australian. Understanding my roots helps anchor me in my purpose. I work as a Formation and Mission Education leader at St Vincent’s Public Hospital Melbourne. In this role I provide experiences for the staff at St Vincent’s to deepen their awareness of their encounters with the essence of the Mission and Values. These Mission and Values are anchored in the big story of the sisters of Charity. I particularly enjoy using the arts (in all its forms) as well as history to engage staff with this process. My spiritual direction training percolates through all the work I do.
Favourite Scripture: Psalm 139: 13-14 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Favourite Book: No favourite at this time.
Favourite Movie: My Brilliant Friend.
Memorable Moment: When I was training as a spiritual director, a sister of charity offered me her prayer room to use with my pilgrims. When I entered the prayer room for the first time, I saw my late grandmothers arm chairs there. To my surprise I had donated these chairs to the sisters years ago and had forgotten about them. When I entered into the prayer room and sat on my grandmother’s chair, I felt like I had come home to rest in the arms of my late nonna. These chairs are now in my office at work. They anchor me.