pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest to send workers into his harvest. (Mt 9:37-38; Lk 10:2)
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 Left to right: Sr Licia, Sr Floriana and Sr Tina. Members of the Richmond FDZ community standing near a statue of Saint Annibale Maria Di Francia. |
Moved by apostolic zeal, the Daughters of Divine Zeal, founded in Messina Italy, came to extend their apostolic mission in this far away continent - Australia.
Through the request of Fr Nicola Tomese, SJ, who was the chaplain of the Italian community at St Ignatius' Parish, the Sisters arrived in Richmond on 28 February 1959 to realise a new apostolic work with the Italian migrants. Part of the newly-arrived Sisters' mission was to impart human and Christian education especially to little ones, and recognise the need of parents and families for social services such as a child care centre, an orphanage, and Italian classes.
The Rosary House Child Care Centre was initiated on 02 March 1959. The Sisters started with seventy children from different cultural backgrounds. The orphanage was opened in June 1959 and was called the Antonian Children's Home. For twenty years, the service assisted children with different needs and family backgrounds. Some stayed short term while others needed to stay long term depending on their individual needs and family situation. The children were provided with material, spiritual and educational help. On 20 December 1979, the orphanage was closed due to a new government system. The child care centre closed in December 2003.
Having terminated the service, the orphanage was converted into a Hostel with the aim of accommodating young girls who came to Melbourne to continue their studies. It was officially opened on 18 June 1980. The Hostel, now Madre Nazarena Student's House, is open not only to girls coming from the country but also to those coming from interstate and overseas. They are girls who come from different cultural and family backgrounds. The Sisters are there as friends who welcome and accept them as they are, talk and listen to them, laugh and share with them, guide and teach them human and Christian values.
The mission of the Daughters of Divine Zeal did not stop in Melbourne. In 1969, a new seed of apostolate was planted and made fruitful in Shepparton in country Victoria. There, the Sisters continued to work with the Italian community assisting them spiritually. A kindergarten was opened in response to the need of parents for child care. The service lasted for twenty years and it was closed down in December 1989 due to the lack of personnel.
Following the examples and teachings of our Founder, Saint Annibale Maria Di Francia, who, in his life had been always ready to assist anyone in need, the Daughters of Divine Zeal strive to live this by being always ready to render service.
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