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PACE. _ Blandina (Mary) ASJM. after a long illness in her 65th
year of religious life. Esteemed and founding member of the Australian Community of the Augustinian Sisters, Servants of Jesus and Mary. (Herald Sun 17 October 2007 ) Sr.Blandina Pace passed away peacefully in Australia on the 16th October, 2007. Whilst all deaths are significant, Sr.Blandina’s death was particularly so because her passing marked the last living link with the first community that was established here, in Australia. As the Congregation marked 50 years of ministry in Australia, we also marked the importance of Sr.Blanida’s part in this ministry. She was amongst the first community to establish our apostolate amongst the Maltese in particular. Therefore, it is significant that Sr.Blandina’s ministry was remembered and honoured by the many priests and parishioners that attended her funeral.
Fr. Ivano Burdian (mssp), parish priest of Sunshine North and main celebrant, was one of nine priests who concelebrated the funeral mass. This liturgy was marked by the different phases of Sr.Blandina’s life over the 50 years. Representatives from the rosary group, nursing home, family members and community members all had a small but symbolic role in the liturgy. Her funeral mass will be remembered for the recognition of the hard work Sr.Blandina faced when she, along with the others of the first Australian community, accepted in migrating to Australia.
In particular, Sr.Blandina’s devotion to the rosary was marked by the placing of the Statue of Our Lady that she use to take to families weekly in front of the Lecturn. Her funeral mass was preceded with the congregation reciting the rosary in different languages: English, Maltese and Italian – all languages that Sr.Blandina would often led groups in reciting. Many of those present recognized this statue and spoke of the many times Sr.Blandina would sit with them and their families to recite the rosary.
Beyond this ministry, Fr.Ivano’s homily reminded all present of the dedication to the parish school Sr.Blandina had. Though she may not have been one of the teachers there, in the early years, it was her dedication to the school that saw her do much of the manual work there. Further, her care and concern for the children, teachers and priests that ministered in the school was something that she maintained even to her last months. Following Sr.Blandina’s burial, those present gathered in the Parish Hall to further pay there respect to us as a Congregation. Sr.Blandina’s love for our missionary apostolate continued to be marked in her passing as, instead of the usual floral tributes that people offer, a request was made that monies normally spent on these flowers would go to our mission. As a result, those present – and some not present, donated a good sum of money for our apostolate. Sr.Blandina will be sorely missed here amongst her community in Australia. May she rest in peace.
Eulogy presented by Sr.Lorraine Tesa (asjm)
O happy home! O land of safety!
May I dwell there in security!
From there I shall not seek to depart
For no safer place shall I find.
St.Augustine, Sermon 217, 2-3 |
1. PACE. _Herald Sun|18 October 2007 PACE. _
2. PACE. _ Blandina (Mary) ASJM.Herald Sun|17 October 2007 PACE. _ Blandina (Mary) ASJM.
3. PACE. _ Funeral Mass forHerald Sun|17 October 2007 PACE. _ Funeral Mass for
4. PACE. _ Sister Blandina.Herald Sun|19 October 2007 PACE. _ Sister Blandina.
R.I.P. Founding members of our Australian Ministry:
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