Our latest Armchair Travel gathering brought the spirit of Australia right into our activity room. Led by Brother Tom, the afternoon was filled with stories, laughter, and the joy of exploring a faraway place together.
The event began with a video showcasing the beauty and excitement of Australia and the many sights travelers might experience “Down Under.” After the video, Brother Tom hosted a fun round of Australia-themed trivia. Residents had a wonderful time testing their knowledge of Australian animals, famous landmarks, and cultural traditions as the room filled with laughter.
This month’s gathering was made even more special thanks to our guest speaker, Brother Bernard Mary Fonkalsrud, who was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, and generously shared stories and memories from his homeland. Brother Bernard is a Franciscan Friar with the Franciscans of Saint Bonaventure Province and currently serves as Director of Vocations, helping men discerning the Franciscan Order.
Brother Bernard brought several meaningful items from home, including a beautiful handmade quilt made by his aunt, featuring many animals native to Australia. He also shared traditional Australian hats, which Residents enjoyed trying on and posing with for photos. Throughout the afternoon, Brother Bernard answered questions and shared fascinating insights about Australia’s history, culture, and landscape.
Residents especially enjoyed learning fun facts about the country. Did you know Australia is nearly the same size as the United States, but because so much of the land is desert, the population is only 8% of ours? Or that there are currently nearly twice as many kangaroos as people living in Australia?
To complete the experience, Residents enjoyed a delicious homemade Pavlova lovingly prepared for the event. The sweet treat sparked even more conversation and added to the joy of the afternoon.
We are so grateful to Brother Bernard for sharing his experiences and helping make this month’s Armchair Travel program so memorable. While our journey to Australia took place from the comfort of our seats, the laughter, learning, and sense of community we shared made it an adventure none of us will soon forget.
