At a certain
point you say
to the woods, to the sea,
to the mountains,
the world,
Now I am ready.
Now I will stop and be wholly attentive.
You empty yourself and wait,
listening...
Annie Dillard
Eulogy: Sr
Philomene Tiernan, RSCJ
June Kirk-Smith reflects on
Oretta's life
Sacred Heart Church, Kensington
June 14th, 2007
Oretta Venturi Ginori
3.11.21 - 05.06.07
It is our privilege today to share a little with you all, about a great Religious of the Sacred Heart, Oretta Venturi Ginori.
The Oretta we grew to love deeply came to this part of the world in 1987, when she had already spent 43 years in the Society. We discovered gradually that after her Noviceship and Juniorate in Florence, she completed her tertiary degrees at the Universities of Florence and Milan, majoring in the Classics and Classical Humanities for her Masters.
The students in our Schools in Florence and Turin benefited from her teaching before and after her final Profession in Rome in 1949.
In 1962, she was appointed Directress of our International Juniorate in Frascati, and served in that position for 7 years. Oretta’s gifts of mind and heart, as well as her intellectual superiority and comprehensive ability to speak 4 languages made her ideal for this significant position. As I was to discover for myself, she formed life-long friendships with many of those rscj. I always recognized her ‘Juniors’ by the tone of voice used when they enquired after her. There was love, trust and gratitude woven into the memory, as well as a reciprocal life-long interest in her journey.
In 1969, a new chapter opened for Oretta, when she began her work with the Movement for a Better World after meeting and working with Fr Lombardi SJ, the inspired Founder. The 10 years that followed in Italy, many parts of Europe and in several African countries were years which demanded much of her physically, but which nourished her ardent, apostolic spirit. The Society reclaimed her full time attention in 1979, to
direct on-going formation in Renewal Programmes, both within the Society in several Provinces and in a number of Dioceses. It was from that vital work, that the Province of ANZ was able to stir and capture her generous heart.
I well remember our early impressions of Oretta as she joined her first Community in Australia, Braybrook, in Melbourne, in 1987. Oretta had listened with an attentive and generous heart to Sr Audrey O’Sullivan’s 1982 Chapter plea, for Sisters to work with the many new migrants coming to Australia at that time. Sr Alette Latorre from Columbia, had already joined the Braybrook Community, and was rapidly involved in splendid ministry with the Latin American people. Oretta had known the Scalabrinian Priests in Italy, and the Father General introduced her to his priests in Melbourne. For 6 years, she worked with extraordinary fidelity from St Bridget’s in Brunswick, being involved in many areas of ministry: retreats, adult education classes, pastoral care, hospital chaplaincy, translation, and preparing the Sunday Homily for the Italian Chaplains of Melbourne, as well as some other Dioceses. This was not an easy time, as so much of her work was taken for granted or not acknowledged. But with strong faith, and an indomitable spirit, nothing could stop her. As happened everywhere she went, Oretta made wonderful friends during these years, some of whom have travelled from Melbourne to mourn with us, and to rejoice with her today.
Within the Community, Oretta was a loving, dedicated friend to us all. She learnt the Public System of Melbourne with meticulous care, and could advise us all within weeks of her arrival. The practical matters of life were more challenging for her, but we had a party evening the first time she produced a meal for the group of 10! Oretta assisted with the courses and reflections which were part of Noviceship life, taking particular and challenging interest in their Scripture and Theology studies, and being the first reader of their essays. What marvellous discussions we enjoyed too about the direction of Religious Life, and the Church today. She was a special gift too, when the whole Community met for formative discussion on the new Constitutions. Oretta had been a chapter delegate at the 1982 Chapter, where she was a member of the ‘End and Mission” Commission. Sr Mary Brennan, who was also a member of this Commission, remembers Oretta’s insightful contribution, and her persistence in making sure that the ‘right’ word was used to express what was being said. During the 1990’s, Oretta served our Province as a Provincial Councillor for 3 years, and as Superior of Kerever Park Hostel, then at Baradene in Auckland, New Zealand. After returning from New Zealand, Oretta was asked to join our Community in Carina Heights, Brisbane, where Sr Nickie Flipo in that Community remembered her as: “a great lady, an intelligent and gifted one and a deeply spiritual rscj, who, like many of the great, was not always easy to live with for common mortals!” Oretta’s health began to fail at about this time, but she did have a trip to visit her beloved family and her Province of Italy in 2000. After her return, she was very ill for about 4 months and battled serious depression in her weakness.
However, with the help of good medical care, nursing and a lot of loving, prayerful support from rscj, family and friends, she gradually became stronger and moved into what was to be her last Community, Karlaminda. She marked her ministry during these years as “ Prayer “and “Translations.” What a world lay behind those two words. Possibly, this became the most peaceful time in Oretta’s long life. Her much loved nephew, Clemente, who has come from Belguim, with his son for her funeral, had given her a computer, and with much anguish, which was always in the background, she learned to use it. This became a fertile source of vitality and life for her beautiful mind. Her dear friend, Penny Sturruck, who visited her weekly, told us of her joy in being able to zoom in on her childhood garden, through the internet, and Sr Maria Josepha would share her joy as they looked at family photos together. Those who shared discussions and prayer with Oretta appreciated her insightful and universal approach. Her love for God was deep and passionate, and led her around the world several times, in desire to spread that love. For those of us who knew and loved her, we treasure the memory of a rare diamond which sparkled with compassion, was ever generous in love and continually searched for God in our world today.
Oretta came to us as a precious diamond. There were many facets to her vibrant personality.