Articles by: Debra Vermeer
A thirst for life and for justice

A thirst for life and for justice

Good Samaritan Oblate Pauline Roach is a woman with a thirst for life and for justice, and she says it all started with the photo of an African girl on...

Posted on: February 17, 2015

An abiding commitment to disability care

An abiding commitment to disability care

Good Samaritan Sister Jeanie Heininger is enormously thankful that God called her to dedicate her life to people with disability and their families, and gave her the grace to step...

Posted on: September 16, 2014

Supporting isolated communities in WA’s wheatbelt

Supporting isolated communities in WA's wheatbelt

Debra Vermeer recently caught up with the Good Sam Rural Outreach Team, a “faith-filled” and “committed” band of women who are supporting small, isolated communities in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt Region.

Posted on: August 19, 2014

Doing what she loves and helping others

Doing what she loves and helping others

Former Lourdes Hill College student Janella Purcell feels like “the luckiest girl in the world” that her life as a naturopath, healer, author and media personality allows her not only...

Posted on: July 15, 2014

A ‘Martha’ ministry

A 'Martha' ministry

Good Samaritan Sister, Elizabeth Delaney, sees her ministry as being a ‘Martha’ ministry, one of service, and one that has the potential to see justice served and broken lives restored.

Posted on: June 17, 2014

Walking the talk: empowering indigenous students

Walking the talk: empowering indigenous students

In this SPECIAL FEATURE, which includes a photo gallery, Debra Vermeer explores how Good Samaritan Colleges in Australia are providing educational environments that nurture indigenous students and empower them to...

Posted on: May 20, 2014

How a kindergarten teacher inspired a student

How a kindergarten teacher inspired a student

Helen Chiha has never forgotten her kindergarten teacher, Good Samaritan Sister Colleen Leonard. Not only that, she says Colleen inspired her to become an early primary school teacher herself and...

Posted on: April 15, 2014

Living life to the full

Living life to the full

Former Santa Maria College student Joan Corfee finds herself standing at the interface of Church and world – looking in at the Church through the eyes of the marginalised and...

Posted on: March 18, 2014

What’s spiritual direction all about?

What’s spiritual direction all about?

What is spiritual direction and how does it help people? Debra Vermeer explores what it means with a few people who’ve experienced it first-hand.

Posted on: February 18, 2014

Seeing the need and not passing by

Seeing the need and not passing by

At 94 and 86 years old respectively, Good Samaritan Sisters, Mary Constable and Marie McMahon say they begin each day not knowing who will arrive at their front door or...

Posted on: February 18, 2014

Politics a way of giving action to faith

Politics a way of giving action to faith

Newly elected Senator for NSW, Deborah O’Neill, says politics is a way of giving action to her faith, and of making a difference to her local community and to the...

Posted on: December 11, 2013

How a chance meeting opened up a new ministry

How a chance meeting opened up a new ministry

While the Good Samaritan Sisters in Pakenham, Victoria say they’re helping their African friends with many aspects of life in Australia, they’re also learning a great deal from them.

Posted on: November 19, 2013