Striking gold after 50 years of service
A GOLDEN Jubilee has been reached for a Good Samaritan Sister who celebrates 50 years with the diocese on July 2.
Sister Judy Foster spent her many years working all over the country and even the world before coming to Townsville in 2008.
Sister Judy said she wouldn’t have known she was going to reach 50 years and she felt enriched and very lucky, as many highlights had come her way.
“Community life has always been a really important value to me in my life,” she said.
“I’ve been very lucky and travelled around various parts of Australia which has really been enriching.
Sister Judy spent 40 years around NSW and had a few years in Townsville in the 70s after her first experience with the region in 1973- 1977.
Sister Judy said the role had been varied in many ways.
“I’ve moved through being a schoolteacher to working with adult’s faith education,” she said.
“You meet a lot of different people and are in a lot of different environments.
Sister Judy said reaching the golden jubilee required a strong sense of God in your life as well as a healthy sense of humour.
“And a sense of being willing to go where I was asked,” she said.
“Coming to Townsville from Sydney and Melbourne, they were totally different climates.
“You need to have the ability to adapt to where you are, what you’ve been asked to do, and an open spirit.”
In preparation for the celebration, Sister Judy made up a photo story of her life and said it had been a lovely experience.
“It’s been interesting to reflect on and look back at family photos and then my journey as a sister and all the places it’s taken me,” she said.
The community will celebrate her special occasion on July 2, with a mass at Mundingburra followed by afternoon tea.
“I have family coming from Melbourne as well as other parts of Queensland so it will be really lovely to have such a gathering with other sisters and the wider community in Townsville,” she said.