Text of Letter from the Abbotsford Convent Archives and other selected documents regarding her life.
See Elizabeth Sullivan for her Family Tree record.

Good Shepherd
Australia New Zealand
53 Abbotsford Street
Abbotsford VIC 3067

13 April 2018
Gavin O’Sullivan
—– —– Street
Richmond VIC 3121

Dear Gavin,
Thank you for your enquiry concerning Sister St Peter Faber SULLIVAN. The following details have been taken from our Convent records:

Elizabeth Sullivan: born 29 November 1902, Narrandera, NSW. Parents John Sullivan and Johanna Fitzpatrick who were both born in Victoria.

Sister entered the Good Shepherd Congregation at Abbotsford in Melbourne on 15 August 1929 and at a Reception Ceremony held 10 April 1930 received the religious name of Sister Mary of Blessed Peter Faber. Sister was Professed at Abbotsford on 17 May 1932.

A brief biography (enclosed) notes that Sister underwent a serious operation early in her religious life. This took place at Coonara Hospital [was in St Kilda Rd] between 8 February 1934 and 4 March 1934.

Sister’s Final Profession took place at Abbotsford on 4 February 1936 and three days later she was placed in charge of the dining room at Abbotsford. Sister spent her religious life at Abbotsford and celebrated her Golden Jubilee there in 1982.

Sister passed away at Abbotsford on 30 April 1991 and was buried at Melbourne General Cemetery.

We have located various family history items and include copies with this letter for your interest. Unfortunately we have not been able to trace a photograph of Sister Peter Faber.

We hope this information assists you with your family research,

Sincerely,
Fraser Faithfull,
Archivist

(The Biographical notes provided)

Sister Peter Faber was born Elizabeth Sullivan, 29th November 1902 at Narrandera, N.S.W.; she belonged to a large family. Two of her sisters entered religion – [Mary] Sr. Raymond L.C.M., now deceased and Margaret, a Sacre Coeur nun living in Sydney.

Her father was brother to the late Dean Sullivan of Kyneton and Jeremiah Sullivan S.J., and her mother, Joanna Fitzpatrick, was related to Dean Fitzpatrick who was a priest in Melbourne from 1848 – 1890.

Elizabeth entered the novitiate in Abbotsford in 1929 and was professed in 1932. After final vows in ’36, she became refectorian, an ancient title given to the person in charge of the dining room. Although this may seem a very humble occupation, Sister always seemed to be the great lady bestowing benefits in a gracious fashion. Sister had a strong, resolute character and could laugh at human foibles. She had a deep voice and could really tell a good story. She laughed a great deal – and was well loved. She had the happy knack of seeing the needs of others and not waiting to be asked to help – always doing something to make others happy as one nun remarked.

Sister was a great worker – and many would remember Maggie who used to help her in the refectory and all the fun Sr. Peter had with her.

After a serious operation early in her religious life Sister was somewhat disabled but never lost her cheerfulness. The Sisters who knew her in those days were always amazed at the ease with which she bore her suffering and the joy which emanated from her.

Her Golden Jubilee was celebrated with joy on May 27th, 1982. Many of her relatives and friends were present and she said it was “one of the happiest days of her life”.

Her latter years were spent in the Nursing Home [Gavin O’Sullivan worked there as a nurse in the late 1980s, Elizabeth was already suffering severe dementia] where she was a well beloved patient – the last week of her life was a slow process of dying. Very gently she answered the final summons in the evening of April 30th, 1991.

R.I.P.

(Extract from Abbotsford Annals:-)

1982 May 27

Today we are celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the Profession of Sister Mary Peter Faber Sullivan. Mass was arranged to begin at three o’clock with Rev Fr Casey our Parish Priest as Celebrant, Half past two came but no Father Casey, so Rev Fr Ambrose Ryan O.J.M.(?) a Relative of the Family who was going to Concelebrate the Mass with Father, so since there was no sign of Father Casey at two-thirty Father Ryan decided to begin Mass, he was near the Sermon when the Celebrant did arrive, From then on it was a Concelebrated Mass.

About ninety guests were present at the Mass and at its conclusion they all moved over to the Convent to enjoy a welcome cup of Tea with beautiful home – made sandwiches and cakes of all sorts and sizes, which were very much enjoyed by relatives and friends.

At the end of the day Sister M. Peter was rather tired, but remarked that it was one of the happiest days of her life – and how grateful she was for everything that the Sisters had done to make it so.