 The activities of the Order are many and varied, as you would expect from a group of really hip, modern-day nuns in touch with the pulse of life in a large city. At times we think that we almost go un-noticed, as we fit in so well with the activities going on around us. Joy and Praise for the caring activities of local fundamentalist politicians. Here you see us carrying the head of The Hon. The Rev. Fred Nile MLC in the 1998 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. Rev. Fred is one of our staunchest publicists, crying "blasphemy" at the drop of a wimple. Each year he promises to disrupt the parade and cleanse Sydney, but (as you would expect from a politician) he has yet to deliver. 
Many of us also show our support for other political activities - such as war, violence and racism (all on the opposing side) - and fundraising for community groups. Fashion shopping at the weekend market. Sister Salome of the Ninth Mystic Rhinestone is always on the lookout for a high-fashion designer accompaniment to his habit. Unfortunately, close inspection revealed this shoe to be of infreior quality, but he is still seeking that elusive bargain. You may think that a habited Order would have no time for fashion. However we rejoice in diversity, competing with each other for the darkest shade of black in our veils, the whitest wimples and the stiffest bandeaus. We despise photographers who use flash lighting which gives a bluish tinge to our veils.  Guided tours of (un)likely places are a traditional occupation for our education group. We were disappointed by the closure of the bijou underground convenience that is on our itinerary for historical tours of Sydney. However this larger one accommodated our crowd better, as Mother Abbyss gave a musical accompaniment to the lectures about our heritage. During the Mardi Gras Festival period we host guided tours about the city to highlight our gay and lesbian heritage - from colonial times to living history. Another target (mainly for our overseas visitors) is Taronga Park, Sydney's world-class zoo, where we have a festive tour with knowledgeable guides to tell us all the details of our rare animal heritage (and some delicious ways to cook them).  In 1998, just for a change, we toured the largest sewage treatment works in the city. What is in store for the future? Beware! Contact with overseas Nuns keeps us up-to-date with the latest theological developments in Europe and the Americas. Spirited discussions regarding the number of angels that can fit on the head of a pin are made more lively by participation from atheists (who deny the existence of angels) and anarchists (who deny the existence of pins).  This group in Paris in 1997 contains Nuns from several continents, gathered for the first International Conclave of the Order. You can see the vast difference in Habit styles, from the conservative Australian monochrome to flamboyant continental technicolour. Visibility in the community is a problem for such inconspicuous and inoffensive Nuns as we have in the Order. Sister Mary, Mary Quite Contrary had to lurk with a camera behind a streetside pole to draw this stern look from a Salvationist. But, no matter what the good Sister's antics, the Sally's consort did not notice. Fundraising for gay and lesbian community groups is another way that we use our timid invisibility to great effect. Who could ever refuse to give some small change to a Nun with a bucket? These days we find that those who need the money most are those organizations working with hiv+ people, but there are other good causes that we help too. Education is a traditional occupation of Nuns, so we are happy to point out the joys of safer sex. We also promote a positive self-image for those of our community that feel repressed or unwanted by society, and encourage them to throw off the tight corsets of Army life and slip into a relaxing Habit with us. |
