From Nancy Webb in Toowoomba to Sr Rose Patrick O’Connor in New York

It’s a long way from Toowoomba to New York but it’s where Sr Rose Patrick O’Connor needs to be.

Sr Rose Patrick O’Connor professing first vows to Mother Agnes Mary at Sacred Heart Church in Suffern, New York.

Few people get to live out their dreams in life but former Toowoomba woman Nancy Webb is doing just that.

Since attending World Youth Day (WYD) in Sydney in 2008, the then 11-year-old had dreamt of a life of service as a Catholic nun and last month she professed her vows as Sister Rose Patrick O’Connor during a ceremony in New York.

It was meeting with the New York-based Sisters of Life order during WYD that put her on the path to becoming a nun.

After studying journalism at the University of Southern Queensland, interning at The Chronicle, Nancy Webb went onto to work for ABC Radio in Toowoomba where she also taught music before moving to the Sisters of Life convent in New York.

After some years of study and formation, Sr Rose, as she is now known, took her vows in New York and has started work with the St Andrew’s Center, a crisis pregnancy mission in New York, much to the delight of her proud parents Paul and Fiona Webb and her siblings in Toowoomba.

Newly professed Sisters of Life with Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Neb (from left) Sister Eden Marie, Sister Rose Patrick O'Connor, Sister Maria Annunciata, Sister Elena Marie and Sister Noelle Marie Bethlehem.

“This is really special to us,” Paul Webb said.

“Sr Rose is helping individuals to realise that they deserve to live the life God has blessed them with.

“Each person is ‘unique and unrepeatable’ is what we hear from Sr Rose regularly.”

Mr Webb said his daughter had always been a “joy and an inspiration”.

“She revels in opportunities and persists in trials to live and to share the joy of life,” he said.

“She has always found time for each of her siblings and friends, to let them know she is with them in trials and in tribulations.

“As a fellow performer in musicals, eisteddfods or charity concerts, Sr Rose has always helped others to shine and to share the joys of music and performance.”

Her ongoing commitment to serving others in church, nursing homes, in musical performances and elsewhere was recognised by Mayor Paul Antonio in 2013 when Sr Rose was awarded Toowoomba Young Person of the Year on Australia Day.

Next month Sr Rose will receive a three-year appointment to one of 14 missions the Sisters of Life run in the United States and Canada.

“These include several missions similar to the visitation house in New York plus hostels for women in crisis pregnancy, college and university student information and support,” Mr Webb said.