St Stephen’s Catholic Church at Tea Gardens was filled with the joyful sounds of children’s voices when the Myall Coast Catholic Parish recently celebrated their Sunday Liturgy.

The whole Parish, which includes the churches at Karuah, Bulahdelah and Tea Gardens, gathered to say farewell and give thanks for the dedicated, loving service of the Parish Pastoral Coordinator, Sister Margaret Valentine, RSC.

Sister Margaret is leaving the Parish after 9 years.

The children from St Joseph’s School, Bulahdelah, enriched the Liturgy with song and dance. A song of blessing was sung just for Sister Margaret and had people wiping tears from their eyes.

The high esteem Sister Margaret is held in was evident by the attendance of members of other local Christian churches and the wider community.

The Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Charity, Sister Clare traveled from Sydney with Sister Deirdre and Sister Jean to share the occasion with the Parish.

During a plentiful luncheon, presentations were made to Sister Margaret.

The words of gratitude and affection spoken to Sister Margaret were echoed from the hearts of parishioners throughout the Parish.

Sister Margaret planted a shrub next to a plaque which specifies her years of devoted ministry to our communities.