Marist Sisters in Asia-Pacific

Category Archives: New Zealand

Papua New Guinea Events

Srs Kathleen & Lavinia

Srs Lavinia and Kathleen recently left Papua New Guinea bringing an end to the Marist Sisters’ ministry in the parish of Wama in the Bereina Diocese. The sisters were filled with gratitude for the many varied experiences they had and for the friendships they formed over the last two and a half years and so there was sadness in their hearts as they said their goodbyes.

Blessing of New Toilet block

 

In the weeks prior to their departure they were able to be present at a day of celebration in Wama with the Opening and Blessing of the new Toilet/Shower Block. Preparation for this special event had been taking place for many weeks and there was great excitement when the day arrived. The amenities block was generously funded by Cerdon College, Sydney, with an additional amount given to complete the project through a donation made by the Sector of New Zealand. It is a colourful building surrounded by beautiful gardens and with traditional paintings on the outside walls. It was decorated with leaves and flowers, and was blessed by the Vicar General of the Diocese. Speeches, dances and a feast ensured an all-day celebration to be remembered!

Celebrations in Aotearoa-New Zealand

Srs Karin & Gemma

At a recent gathering of the Marist Sisters in Aotearoa-New Zealand the sisters celebrated the Daimond Jubilee of Sr Karin Christieson and the Golden Jubilee of Sr Gemma Wilson.

Fr Graeme Connolly sm was principal celebrant at the Mass during which Karin and Gemma renewed their vows. During the meal that followed thegathered sisters shared their memories of the jubilarians.

Liveable Spirit Workshops in New Zealand

Lay Marists in Partnership

Another group of Marist College staff recently participated in a Liveable Spirit workshop in the sisters’ lounge at Mt Albert. Of mixed cultural and religious traditions, they entered enthusiastically and fully into the programme presenting creative ways the lives of the founders.

This brings to 76 staff – teaching and support, participants in these workshops since 2005. Interest is high for a second programme that will take some of the Marist themes and weave them into the story of the Marist Sisters since 1858 particularly their coming to Oceania and the history of Marist College.

In a Hidden Manner by Sr Karin Christieson sm

Book cover

In a Hidden Manner …
The Story of the Marist Sisters in Aotearoa-New Zealand
By Sr Karin Christieson sm,
published February 2011 by the Marist Sisters of New Zealand Trust Board.

Completing a trilogy of works on the history of the Marist Sisters in Oceania, this book was launched recently by Fr Neil Vaney sm at the Marist Primary School Hall in Mt Albert on Sunday 13th February. An enthusiastic gathering of Marist Sisters, parishioners, representatives of other religious congregations, ex-students,

Sr Karin Signing Books

family and friends met in the place which was the first school of the Marist Sisters in New Zealand in 1927. Sr Karin Christieson, the author, spoke of her research process over some fifteen years. Fr Neil Vaney sm, recalled his personal experience of being educated by the Marist Sisters in Karori, Wellington and the distinctive contribution the sisters made to his education and personal development.

Outlining the social and ecclesial context, the book relates the beginnings of Marist Sisters communities in various parts of New Zealand – Mt Albert, Herne Bay, Waitaruke, Te Huahua, Putaruru, Wellington, Moerewa and Whangarei up to 1980’s. An epilogue brings the story of the sisters to the present. Appendices include an administrative history and a list of Sisters who have lived and worked in New Zealand.

Sr Karin Speaking at the Book Launch

Copies are available from:
Marist Sisters,
26 Kitenui Ave,
Mt Albert,
Auckland 1025
New Zealand
lorcmp@yahoo.com.au

 

For Direct Credit Payment: National Bank of NZ Acct: 06 0284 0025989 00 – SM Book.
Cost: $20. Packing and Postage $5.00 within NZ.
Please make cheques payable to Marist Sisters of NZ

Sr Iulia Pia sm – Aotearoa-New Zealand

Sr Iulia

How would I promote vocation for Women in Religious Life in the College for boys? I do not know. However, in Community, we have a holy hour every Monday evening, praying for vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life.

Every two years, I visit my family in Samoa. Recently, I was involved in my homeland parish in Samoa while I was on holiday, joining the choir, helping out in the Youth Group and visiting other Sectors of the Parish with our Parish Priest. There is vocation awareness in this community. I pray that my influence will attract some young women to the Marist Sisters.

Mary, our Mother and Jeanne Marie Chavoin, our Foundress:
Pray with us for vocations now and forever.

Marist Partnership In New Zealand

Lay Marists in Partnership

A second meeting of this group was held in December. The group spent time in prayer and formation clarifying their purpose. Briefly summarised it is: United in our common baptismal consecration we, Marist Sisters and lay partners have committed ourselves to embrace fully Mary’s way of living the gospel. Such a relationship is an awareness of a new way of working together in mission. It requires conversion of heart and attitudes in the service of the one Marist mission.

Since the initiation of the project in July we have offered communities two reflections to share with their local people; co-resented a Liveable Spirit workshop, contacted all the primary schools in which Marist Sisters have ministered to offer assistance with the Marist dimension of their special character.

Partnership Group

In 2011, sisters and their lay partners will continue to work together offering prayer reflections, support in education, with ex-students and parishioners. Lay partners will join the Marist Sisters retreat in October.

Marist Sisters in Auckland Share in Marist Week

Marian Display at Marist Primary

Marist Primary school Mt Albert, founded by Mother Bernard and Sister Austin in 1927 held a Marist week to celebrate their feast day which is the feast of the Holy Name of Mary. All the children had lessons on aspects of Marist life and on Mary. Sisters Patricia Bowley and Shirley Day visited all the classes to answer the children’s questions about being a Marist Sister. Sister Lorraine prepared a Power Point presentation on the Marist Sisters – who they are, what they do and why they came to Mt Albert, as well as showing the Marist “family” tree.

Sr Patricia at Marist Primary

The sisters also joined the school for Mass, their Assembly at which they presented the life of Jeanne Marie Chavoin. The children were fascinated by the fact that the building currently used as a hall, was in fact the original classroom in 1927. This was illustrated by photos of the first children taken in a spot that still is much the same today. Among the highlights for the sisters were encounters with the grandchildren and children of some of their early students both at Marist Primary and Marist College.

Feast of the Holy Name of Mary in Aotearoa-New Zealand

Feast of the Marist Family – Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and Laity.

We Marists, eager to retain the original inspiration and spirit of our Society, celebrate the name of Mary which Father Colin said should be “often on our lips and still more often in our hearts.” In doing so we recall Mary’s vocation and ours.

As part of a project initiated as our annual assembly, each sister was asked to invite one or two people to join us for prayer and afternoon tea on our feast, the Holy Name of Mary. A short prayer was prepared during which the sisters renewed their vows. It also included a time of sharing what being associated with the Marist sisters meant to those who came:
Some of the comments were:

  • It is a privilege to be part of the Marist family where one finds gracious hospitality
  • There is evidence of prayerfulness which shows forth in action
  • Marist means for me is ‘family’ – Mary is the mother of us all
  • Simplicity – A sense of frazzle and fragmenting disappears when I’m with the Sisters
  • I like the humbleness of Mary that comes through in their vocation of serving the Lord in the “other’
  • Marist means merciful love of God that is made evident in their way of life
  • Always ready to help the ‘needy’

The communities reported that it was a joy-filled afternoon, with a number of people hoping to come again for such a gathering.

150 Years of Marist Living

Sr Margaret & Her Brother Fr Neil

On Sunday 11th July a Marist celebration in Australia and one in New Zealand celebrated 150 years of Marist Commitment for three Marist Sisters. In New Zealand Sr. Margaret Vaney’s Golden Jubilee was celebrated with a joyful Mass in the Mt Albert Chapel celebrated by her brother, Fr. Neil Vaney SM. This was followed by a meal together during which there were speeches acknowledging Margaret’s life and ministry, and stories from communities of which she had been a part.

Srs Anthony & Margaret

Marist Sisters in Australia gathered at Woolwich to celebrate the Golden Jubilees of Srs. Anthony Walker and Margaret Sharma. Mass was celebrated in the chapel by Fr Tom Fulcher SM. Afternoon tea in Marian House continued the celebration and acknowledgement of years of faithful service for each of these sisters.

We congratulate our Sisters on this happy occasion of their 50th anniversary of Marist Religious Profession.

Director of the Jeanne-Marie Chavoin Centre visits Asia-Pacific

Sr Teri O'Brien

Sr Teri O’Brien, director of the Jeanne-Marie Chavoin centre in Belley, France, recently spent time in New Zealand and Australia. Arriving in New Zealand on January 9th, that same day she travelled with Lorraine to Totara Point for the special Mass commemorating the arrival there of Bishop Pompallier. While in the North they visited Motuti where the Bishop’s remains are enshrined. Teri’s busy schedule included being present at the Marist Youth Leaders’ meeting in Christchurch and giving presentations in schools of the New Zealand Network of Marist Schools, which have benefited from her insights into our Marist heritage.

During her week in Sydney, Teri met with nearly all the Marist Sisters in Sydney. There were gatherings at Marian House and at Marrickville. A picnic originally planned for the Blue Mountains eventually took place at Sefton due to inclement weather. In each case there was a lovely sharing of stories and an exchange of ministerial experiences. At Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich Teri addressed the School Assembly and enjoyed an informal lunch with the Staff. She spoke to the Cerdon College School Community at the beginning of their Opening Mass for the School Year and afterwards renewed acquaintances with the girls who participated in the 2008 Cerdon-to-Cerdon Pilgrimage. She also met those who are about to undertake the pilgrimage this year. Other significant Marist outings were to the parishes of Hunters Hill and St Patrick’s Church Hill. Teri completed her Australian experience with a visit to the museum of Blessed Mary MacKillop.