Sister Carolina Maria Correla, a missionary from a small town in Timor-Leste, recently visited Mater and is taking home some important learnings around teamwork.

Thanks to the generous spirit of Catholic Mission, Sr Carolina travelled to Australia in October to spread awareness of the conditions she deals with daily as one of the only health professionals in Venilale, East Timor.

Touring Mater Mothers Hospital and Catherine’s House in South Brisbane as part of her trip, Sr Carolina was in awe of how Mater People are keeping the spirit of Sisters of Mercy alive.

“I can see at Mater everyone is working together to continue the work God asked of us. In Timor-Leste, this is very different, we only rely on the work of those who are religious–sisters and priests,” Sr Carolina said.

“What I’ve seen here at Mater is that it’s not only the work of the religious, but of everybody together helping meet the needs of others. I will share this with my people.”

Sr Carolina has dedicated her life to helping others, becoming a nurse and now running a clinic providing medical treatment and health education.

The only nurse in the Maria Auxiliadora Clinic, Sr Carolina works alongside Doctor Sister Alma Castagna and three others – a family planner, an administrative support worker, and a midwife assistant.

“Our clinic is very small. I prepare and do everything from paying staff to medication management. What I hope to have for the clinic is only a dream, but what I can do is my best to help others,” Sr Carolina said.

As a Salesian sister, Sr Carolina follows a mission statement that closely aligns with Mater, focusing on bringing God’s mercy to our communities through compassionate, transforming, healing ministries.

“We all help patients in our community out of love, compassion and care. We all cure the people who need us out of integrity,” Sr Carolina said.

For more information about Catholic Mission’s Journey with Sr Carolina, click here.

Pictured: Sr Carolina with Director of Pastoral Services Paul Blom (back left) and Catholic Mission Diocesan Director Martin Lewis (back right).