Trinh’s journey from refugee to religious

Sydney
28 April 2002

Archbishop Pell and the Philosopher’s Stone

All he needs is a home and a family with love

Caritas pledges aid to Holy Land

Tribute to dad wins award for Rita

Bondi schoolchildren go to Galilee

New shrine was born in stormy seas

One in four chance of World Youth Day gig

Fun-filled radio CD guide for young drivers

‘Living truth’ will wipe out barriers

Chastity leads to true freedom, seminar told

Church unity is Christ’s will: Cardinal Cassidy

Sri Lankan fare at Amnesty night

Editorial: Mission of love, charity

Letters: Reform of the Mass, or not?

‘My life, my love’ - a vocation story

Reflections: A lone voice for our ‘enemy aliens’

Trinh’s journey from refugee to religious

Earthquake, malaria, but what a faith experience!

Obituary: Fr Lex was a friend indeed to those in need

Obituary: Lawyer, nun, college principal

Inspirations: Honour for Viet cardinal’s mother

Trinh’s journey from refugee to religious

Trinh Duong, second from left, is pictured with the new novices, from left: Natalie Houlihan, Lisa Tse and Janet Palafox

It’s been a long time since Trinh Thi Duong and her sister came to Australian from Vietnam as refugees. They grappled with acquiring a new language and customs.

Trinh studied and helped her family to settle in Melbourne, too.

And, after 12 years, Trinh finally pursued her sense of a religious calling.

Seventy members of Trinh’s family gathered at St Joseph’s Church, Port Melbourne, to witness her make her first vows as a Sister of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters).

“When I look back on my journey, I see how God has always been with me and has brought me to this day of great joy,” says Sr Trinh.

“I know God will always lead me with love.

“With all my heart, I want to follow his way and serve his people, bringing them his compassion and encouragement and joy.”

Three newcomers have now taken up residence in the novitiate - Lisa Tse, of Middle Park, Melbourne, Natalie Houlihan, of Warrnambool, in western Victoria, and Janet Palafox, of Manly Vale, Sydney.

In North Sydney, the Loreto Sisters have just finished hosting the annual meeting of the Irish branch’s provincial leaders. Provincial leaders from around the world attended.

Sr Mary Wright, the Australian-born general superior of the Irish branch, led the meeting at MacKillop Place and welcomed Sr Trinh and the novices to the order.

“It is a particular joy to welcome new members to Mary Ward’s order,” she said.

“We are delighted that we are continuing to grow around the world.”

Sr Trinh worked in palliative care, with the homeless, with women in crisis and in parish-based pastoral ministry as a novice. Now she works in the Melbourne suburban parish of Noble Park.

She says the most important part of her two-year novitiate was a 30-day retreat, a “time of deep learning”.

The Loreto Sisters work in education, pastoral work in parishes, social welfare, spiritual direction and other areas.