Category: Asia-Pacific

Sr Makareta Gilbert sm

Sister Makareta Gilbert sm, formerly known as Sr Basil, died suddenly in Whangarei, New Zealand, on September 9th, 2013, while visiting her sister, Amelia Kanara. Makareta was one of three Maori sisters who joined the  Marist Sisters after a congregation founded by the late Bishop of Auckland, Bishop Liston, had been disbanded. Of the three Sisters who became Marists, Kare has already passed away and Sister Rose Harris is now the only remaining Sister of the original group. Makareta was preparing to celebrate 60 years as a Marist Sister in January.

Makareta was born and baptised in Waihou, Hokianga on July 4th 1932.  Her primary education was at St Joseph’s school in Panguru. As she had to help look after her younger siblings, her secondary education had to be through the correspondence school.  After her profession in 1954 she spent most of her life as a teacher in New Zealand and Australia. She taught in Putaruru, Karori, Mt Albert, Waitaruke (Northland) Herne Bay, Merrylands, (NSW)  and Burwood (Vic). After her return to NZ she took up a position in Rawene State School and taught there for 4 years.  Some of her first pupils, now in their sixties, say that they will never forget her classes or herself! Later Makareta moved into pastoral work in Kaikohe and Matata. Her last appointment was to Tawa and the little church of Te Ngakau Tapu on the hill, where she made a valuable contribution to the life of the Maori community as she had in so many other places.  She was an expert in Maori spirituality and by sharing her knowledge and love of this spirituality has enriched many of her own people as well as many pakehas over the years.

Makareta was farewelled in a Vigil Mass in Mount Albert, Auckland, and in a special way by her Marist sisters as she lay in their chapel there. The Sisters shared many memories of her: her generosity with her time and talents, (playing the guitar and singing, sewing, cooking, making cards…), her wonderful sense of humour, her frequent bursts of laughter, her endless supply of stories!  On the 11th her body was taken up to the marae in Waihou, her birthplace, where she lay for two nights. Many of her family, and friends, as well as the Marist sisters, came to say goodbye to her there.  It was moving to witness just how much she was loved by them all.  Many of her nieces and nephews spoke of the great influence for good “Aunty Bas” had been in their lives. She had never hesitated to challenge any deviation from the right path! On Friday 13th September after a beautiful Requiem Mass celebrated by Pa Henare Tate and three other priests, she was buried in front of the little Waihou church beside Father Wanders who had been parish priest there when she was a little girl. The Maori community saw this as a great honour.

May she rest in peace.

Regional Newsletter No 1, 2013

The latest issue of the Marist Sisters in Asia-Pacific Newsletter can now be downloaded.  This issues highlights the ministry of Marist Sisters in Fijian schools, outreach to the homeless, the sick and outback areas of Australia, social work ministry in New Zealand and ministry to prisoners and street kids in the Philippines.  Sisters celebrating jubilees in 2013 are also listed in the newsletter.  Download your copy here.

Anniversary of Fourvière

On 23rd July 1816 twelve seminarians climbed 800 steps to the chapel of Fourvière.  There before the statue of Our Lady they pledged themselves to begin the Society of Mary.  They declared:

“We, the undersigned, striving to work together
for the greater Glory of God
and the honour of Mary, Mother of the Lord Jesus,
assert and declare our sincere intention and firm will
of consecrating ourselves, at the first opportunity,
to founding the pious congregation of Marists.”

On this day we pray that all members of the Marist Family – Marist Sisters, Marist Fathers, Marist Missionary Sisters, Marist Laity and Marist Brothers – will be inspired anew by the enthusiasm and commitment of the men of Fourvière who promised to spend themselves and all they had for the sake of the Kingdom.

Feast of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin

“A young woman believe
it is possible to transform a village
into a happier human community,
and that it is not all that difficult
to create relationships of service, friendship
and even prayer among the inhabitants.
Her ideal is the simple life of Mary
in another village, Nazareth.
(For a Marian Church by Antoine Forissier , p13)

Each year on 30th June Marist Sisters celebrate the feast of their foundress, Jeanne-Marie Chavoin.  Jeanne-Marie’s Marist journey began in the village of Cerdon in the early part of the nineteenth century.  She showed herself as a beacon of hope to those who were experiencing the harsh effects of the social and religious upheaval of the time. She and the sisters lived close to the people and were in touch with their daily problems and fears. Their style of presence and approach was welcomed and became a channel through which the Gospel message was received. From the small beginnings in Cerdon the Marist Sisters have spread throughout the word and are now found in Aotearoa-New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Gambia, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Philippines, Senegal, U.S.A., Venezuela and Wales.

Inspired by Jeanne-Marie’s deep and abiding faith
and her firm trust in God
we pray that we will be women of prayer
and learn from her
to live Mary’s loving concern for
and service of those in need.
Amen.

Peace on Earth

Prayerful wishes for a blessed Christmas and New Year from the Marist Sisters.


At the time of Christ’s birth the angels sang glory to God and prayed for peace for all.  As we celebrate anew the birth of Christ into our world and into our lives may we be filled with the joy and peace of Christ’s coming.

Colin Year Begins

Fr Jean Claude Colin Founder of the Marist Fathers & Marist Sisters

Today, 15th November 2012, marks the beginning of the Colin Year.  Fr John Hannan, Superior General of the Society of Mary, has launched a special year to honour the Founder. Among other things he wrote: As he (Colin) understood his time and responded to it, so we too, drawing from his wisdom and example, can respond to the needs of our times and engage wholeheartedly with the mission of our Society.

Marist Sisters will take this opportunity to deepen our understanding of the man we too call Father Founder, so that we may engage more wholeheartedly with the mission which is ours today.

Visit the Jean Claude Colin website to learn more about his life and vision.

The Stronger Futures Legislation

Sector of Australia Justice Task Force: (L-R) Srs Therese, Cathy, Noelene, Grace and Celina

An area of great concern in Australia at present is the situation of our First Australians.  With the passing of the Stronger Futures legislation this year, the situation has become even more critical. This legislation virtually extends the Northern Territory Intervention for a further ten years, despite so much criticism of the legislation that came from aborigines themselves and human rights activists.

The JPIC team (Srs Cathy Sariman, Celina Gavia, Grace Ellul, Noelene Simmons and Therese Campbell) joined also by Sr Gail Reneker, Sector Leader, attended an evening hosted by Amnesty International on 23rd October at NSW Parliament House.  The film, “Our Generation”, was screened.  This is a very moving plea by aboriginal community leaders who desire to be part of planning for their own people, insisting on self-determination that is a right of all people.

Srs Therese & Grace holding a copy of A Decision to Discriminate

On 5th November, Therese Campbell and Grace Ellul attended a book launch at Gleebooks.  The book launched was “A Decision to Discriminate”, which presents an analysis of the recent Senate Inquiry on the Stronger Futures legislation.  What was shared by aboriginal leaders during the consultation process appears in the book and the inadequacy of the consultation process is also made clear.  Keynote speaker was Graeme Mundine from Aboriginal Catholic Ministry.

As Marist Sisters, we join our voices to those of others.  United Nations, the Australian Human Rights Commission, Catholic Religious Australia and many other groups have strongly questioned this legislation.  We believe in the right of our First Australians to work together with government in the planning of what is best for the aboriginal peoples, always respecting their cultural heritage.

Feast of the Holy Name of Mary

On 12th September each year Marists throughout the world celebrate the feast of the Holy Name of Mary.  This feast reminds us that we “belong by a gracious choice to the family of the Blessed Mary, Mother of God.  In her name we are called Marists”(Spirit of the Society of Mary by Jean Claude Colin S.M., Founder).  The feast is also an other opportunity for Marists to reflect on how Mary would have lived the gospel in our day.

Two New Zealand Marist Sisters have prepared a reflection for this year’s feast. The reflections may be downloaded here.

Recalling the Legacy of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin

Jeanne-Marie Chavoin Foundress of the Marist Sisters

Each year on 30th June, Marist Sisters throughout the world celebrate the anniversary of the death of their Foundress, Jeanne-Marie Chavoin.  This celebration provides an opportunity to reflect on her life and be inspired anew by her trust in God, her simplicity and her compassion for others. Shortly before her death Mother St Joseph, the name given to her at her profession, reminded her sisters:

“A Marist sister’s sole desire should be to resemble the little family at Nazareth – there she will find the perfect models of poverty, simplicity and love.”   (Recollections of Mother St Joseph, 108)