May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be Everywhere Loved!

‘This is my beloved in whom I am well pleased’.

These words from the Gospel of Matthew capture well the driving force behind our dear Sister Bernadetta’s life. She had an absolute trust and deep faith in God. On Thursday, 7th March she came face to face with her God whom she had so lovingly and faithfully served as a Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, for over six decades.

To Bernadetta’s brothers David and John, her nieces, and nephews and all of Bernadetta’s family and friends, who loved her so much and who are deeply saddened by her death, we offer our deep sympathy and love. You know well her deep love for you, her pride and joy in you, and her gratitude to you.

Bernadetta as we called her, was born Lorinda Winifred Robinson, in Jandowae, Queensland on the 16th June 1935 to Frank and Nancy Robinson, the third of four children. Being the only girl, she was special in the family. Her parents married during the Depression, and she grew up during the difficult war years and like many families in rural areas they faced various financial struggles. Bernadetta’s father was an Auctioneer and a Real Estate agent in the local town and her mother was a beautiful home maker. Bernadetta liked growing up in a country town, she loved animals, especially dogs and enjoyed playing sport against girls from neighbouring country towns. From an early age Bernadetta had a heart for those in need and was a member of the Junior Red Cross.

Bernadetta began her schooling at Jandowae State School and completed her studies with the Mercy Sisters at All Hallows School, Brisbane where she boarded for four years. It was here that her desire to give her life in service to God and God’s people grew. She wanted to be a missionary and it was during a three-day school retreat that she expressed this desire to a priest. The priest directed her to contact the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at Corinda where he had an aunt, Sister Mary Ines. Some years later she applied to Kensington to enter the Congregation and she received a reply from Mother Concepta who suggested she make arrangements to enter on November 21st, 1954 and this she did. She made her first profession in July 1956, and was given the name, Sister Bernadetta.

These years were tinged with difficulties because her father, who was not a Catholic, and had no knowledge of Religious Life, was initially opposed to her entering, and wanted her to wait until she was 21. Bernadetta, a decisive and quietly determined young women at 19, could wait no longer. Her father went along with her decision, although initially disappointed, in later years when he saw how happy she was, his attitude changed.

As a young Sister, it was evident that Bernadetta had exceptional leadership qualities. She was welcoming, kind, inclusive, decisive, a wise steward of the Province’s resources. And she had a deep faith in God and love for Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Over many years Bernadetta held a position of leadership as either Provincial Councillor, Provincial Bursar or Community Leader. In 1988, her dream to be a Missionary was realised and she was appointed as the third Regional Leader in the Philippines. She is remembered by our Filipina sisters as a gentle and compassionate leader, always ready to listen, and as one Sister commented: ‘That's why, some of us, young sisters at the time, understood more what true freedom was. We were able to approach her and talk to her about our dreams as well as concerns’. Her gentle, kindly and commonsense approach enriched the communities in which she lived, while her joyful, welcoming smile and unfailing graciousness made those communities places of warmth and hospitality. She was such a compassionate and gracious person, whoever came to her had her whole attention, she was constantly aware of those little things which could enrich the sisters' lives.’

Bernadetta was just a lovely, lovely person, a woman of integrity, who lived her entire religious life as a whole-hearted gift to God and God’s people, quietly and without fuss. Bernadetta drew her strength from her deep desire to love as God loves excluding no one.

Over several years Bernadetta was the community leader in our Aged Care Community, St Joseph’s, here at Kensington. The Sisters experienced a gentle, loving, and caring leader for whom nothing was a problem and who anticipated their needs and ensured they were fulfilled. She ensured that spiritual support, so necessary for this stage of their life journey, was always available to them.

Her contented, grateful, and gracious manner was never so evident as in more recent years when her own health and strength were failing, and she herself became a resident at St Joseph’s. Whenever you visited her she would greet you with the most beautiful smile, so indicative of her inner joy. We thank the sisters and staff of St. Joseph’s who lovingly cared for Bernadetta until her death.

We will be ever grateful to Frank, Nancy, and the Robinson family for the gift of Bernadetta to our Congregation!

Go in peace dear Bernadetta united with your beloved who loved you into life and says, ‘This is my beloved in whom I am well pleased’.

Thank you for your joyful, gentle presence, your kindness, and for your beautiful smile that lit up our hearts.

May your gracious soul rest in peace.

Philippa Murphy fdnsc
14th March 2024