HomeNewsGiving some time, gaining a treasure
News

Giving some time, gaining a treasure

October 18, 2010

Tags: Youth, Solidarity, Australia
St. Josemaría told us that Opus Dei began among the poor and the sick, among generous souls in hospital wards whose condition brought them close to the heart of God.

The girls at Eremeran Hills Club in Sydney want to go back to these roots making visits to people in need. Most visits involve going to local nursing homes and spending time with the elderly. While Australia’s living standards are quite high, there are many elderly people who are not able to go out very much and can sometimes be lonely.

At first, spending time talking with someone they’d just met was not an easy task for young teenagers, but in their efforts to cheer people up they were willing to perform in little concerts and returned regularly for visits. They began to grow very fond of their adoptive grandparents, and it was natural that they sent Christmas cards and small presents at the end of the year.

This year, the 80th anniversary of the day St Josemaría learned there would also be women in Opus Dei, the celebration is again focused on spending time with those in need.


Earlier in the year twelve high school students travelled on a service project to Australia’s island state of Tasmania. They visited several nursing homes where residents were delighted with the new attention. The students sang for them, joined in their usual recreational activities, talked for hours and went for short walks around the area with them.

The girls were moved as they heard the personal stories of the residents and looked forward to coming back each day. One couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, and the girls were delighted to throw a party. The couple was touched by the effort the girls put into the celebration, but it was the girls themselves who learnt most. Someone asked the couple the secret of their success in marriage, and they replied that it was their willingness to sacrifice for one another and the effort to put the other person first. This reply, so unlike other advice they often hear, impressed the girls deeply and gave rise to discussions about what love really is.

Older generations have so much to pass on to the young, the girls are looking forward to all they’ll gain by spending more time with them this year.