Presentation Sisterhood

[Rebecca Gabl]

Dear all,

I was on this board a few years ago under a different user name, but I was for some reason unable to transfer to the new forum. I was wondering if anyone has visited Matushka Anna's community (ROCOR) in Australia, and what it was like.

[Katherine]

Rebecca,

As soon as I saw your post ... my heart lept with joy!!! ... Yes, I have visited Mother Anna's convent - five times already this year, and will be spending a month down there over the Christmas period.

I LOVE it there. It's my time for refreshing, and renewal ... and for drawing closer to Christ. There are now 6 nuns:

Mother Anna - Abbess
Mother Olympiada - in her 50's
Mother Christina - in her 30's
Mother Agapia - in her 30's (from the USA of Greek origin, I think)
Sister Natasha - in her 30's (from the Ukraine, I think)
And Sister Maria - in her 70's, who is a recent convert, and a nun of only two years! She's just another Mary of Egypt - and even looks like her.

They have now built a lovely little chapel, as well as a guesthouse there - converting the old barn - that can accomodate up to about 20 people. Unfortunately, as more nuns come, their house seems to be getting smaller and smaller. Sister Maria has to live in the guesthouse, as there's no room for her in the nuns house. Therefore, Mother Anna has plans of building a new convent soon. They just need funds, and God's help! So please pray.

Katherine

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b118/sparrowshell/Convent1.jpg
A picture of the chapel

[Rebecca Gabl]

Thank you so much, Katherine!

I sort of know Mother Agapia. We had a bit of an e-mail correspondence going on a few years back. And she comes and visits my parish every so often because she went to the university in my hometown. We discussed the monastery a bit last August, and I liked what I heard. It seems that everyone I've talked to about Matushka Anna has had very positive things to say about her.

[Irene]

I know a man (Constantine) and his family (his mother is a nun at Kentlyn) who was one of the builders for the Monastery, he has been strongly recommending to me that I go there with my children, circumstances don't allow that at the moment but still I long to go.

I didn't realise that more nuns were joining the monastery and I didn't even realise that one of them was a recent convert, how wonderful.

Katherine, do you live close to the monastery or do you have to travel a long way? I live in the Southern Highlands of NSW, about 2 hours north of Canberra. Is the monastery another couple of hours from Canberra? I have tried to look up the whereabouts of the monastery on the internet (using the Rocor address and whereisit.com.au) but if it is as hidden as Father Alex's monastery I don't know that I'd ever find it without help.


In Christ
Irene

ps I just realised Rebecca that you are in the US, it makes my excuse of distance being a problem a little pathetic.

[Katherine]

Hello friends,

Rebecca, I didn't realise you lived in the USA! (I lived in the USA for two years.) How exciting you know Mother Agapia. I actually don't know her that well, and only met her for the first time the last time I was at the convent visiting. But I'm sure there will be more opportunities to get to know her better as well as the other nuns.

Irene, I know Con & Anna too - they were at the convent last time I was there ... lovely Christian people! Yep, Con built my favourite little chapel :-)

I live in Parramatta, so usually the drive to the convent takes me at least 5 1/2 - 6 hours. From Canberra, I think to Cooma, it may be about 2 hours (I'm going from memory - I don't have my instructions to get there with me at the moment). And then from Cooma it's another hour's drive. It's actually not too hard from Cooma, but can be a little offputting the first time driving on unknown roads and all ... but seriously, take it slow getting there - and you'll be fine.

Do visit if you get the chance - it will be a great blessing to you and your family! Let me know if I can be of any help to you!

[Irene]

Irene, I know Con & Anna too - they were at the convent last time I was there ... lovely Christian people! Yep, Con built my favourite little chapel :-)

I live in Parramatta, so usually the drive to the convent takes me at least 5 1/2 - 6 hours. From Canberra, I think to Cooma, it may be about 2 hours (I'm going from memory - I don't have my instructions to get there with me at the moment). And then from Cooma it's another hour's drive. It's actually not too hard from Cooma, but can be a little offputting the first time driving on unknown roads and all ... but seriously, take it slow getting there - and you'll be fine.

Do visit if you get the chance - it will be a great blessing to you and your family! Let me know if I can be of any help to you!

Dear Katherine/Michelle, Yes I think, Con and Anna live the best Christian life, they are good examples for me and my children. Poor Anna is quite frail though so I am not sure if she can make it down to the monastery very often.

Thanks very much for your offer of help, I might ask you for your advice on directions etc when it becomes possible for me to go. I have just been blessed enough to get work again after a period of lean times so I'll see how that goes for now.

In Christ,
Irene