Aotearoa-New Zealand Celebrations

On June 17, the Unit of Aotearoa-New Zealand  gathered in the Mt Albert community chapel for a special Jubilee Mass celebrated by the local Parish priest, Fr Carlos. Celebrating their jubilees were Sr Shirley, 70 years, and Srs Patricia Sarju, Margaret Cross, and Marie Therese Ranum, 60 years.  Mass was followed by a very fine lunch.  Margaret was not able to take part in the celebration on the day but she was prayed for her!
The next day the sisters gathered again for “Matariki” – the time when we begin again, plant again, pray for our deceased members, forgive again and share a feast together.  This occasion is inspired by the Maori New Year which is indicated by the constellation called “Matariki” .  It also coincided   with Laudato Si and Goal 6 featuring “ecological spirituality”.

Sr Clare sm – Centenarian

Congratulations Clare.

Sr Clare Francis celebrated 100 years of life on 6th August. Her Marist Sisters gathered with her to celebrate this incredible milestone. Family came from as far away as New Zealand to celebrate with Clare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In proposing a toast to Clare, Sr Gail Reneker spoke of the various ministries Clare has been involved in during her long life, her outreach to so many people and her delight in truth, beauty and goodness.

 

 

Bon voyage Sr Kate

At the Marist Sisters General Chapter held earlier this year Australian Marist Sister Kate McPhee was elected to be a General Councillor for a period of seven year. Kate left Sydney for Rome on 6th August to take up her role as a member of the Congregation Leadership Team.

A number of sisters were at the airport to farewell Kate. While Kate will be missed in Australia, we wish her well in this important ministry for the Congregation.

 

Inaugural Patron’s Mass

Marist College, Mt Albert NZ, celebrated its inaugural Patron’s Mass at the end of term 2. The College Patrons are Colin, Chavoin, Champagnat and Chanel. During the Mass a board bearing the names of Marist Sisters who have been on staff at the College since 1928 was blessed.

 

 

 

 

 

In a letter to the College community the Principal wrote:

“This week we also celebrated our inaugural Patrons’ Mass. This was an opportunity to gather as a community to remember our founders and give thanks to the Marist Sisters who have dedicated their lives to God. The Sisters established Marist College in 1928 and since then have been pillars of strength in our school and the Mt Albert community.”

Image above – Marist Sisters who attended the Patron’s Mass
Image right – Two long long time staff members, Srs Patricia and Julianna.

Celebrating in Australia

Marist Sisters in Australia gathered on 23rd July to mark three significant events. Firstly they acknowledged the anniversary of the Promise of Fourviere on 23rd July 1816. On this day a group of seminarians pledged themselves to beginning a congregation in Mary’s name. Beginning the afternoon with prayer the sisters remembered the Fourviere event and reflected on the gift of the Marist Spirit that has been passed down for over 200 years.

Secondly, the gathering was an opportunity to welcome Sr Grace Ellul home to Australia after serving as Congregation Leader for 7 years, and to thank her for her commitment and service during those years.

At the Marist Sisters General Chapter held earlier this year, Sr Kate McPhee was elected as a General Councillor. Kate will soon be leaving for Rome. While she will be greatly missed in Australia, the sisters expressed their love and support for Kate as she takes up this new role which she has generously accepted as God’s call.

Sr Veronica Taylor sm

Sr Veronica Taylor sm was called to eternal life on Tuesday 12th July 2022.

Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord.
May perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.
Amen.

We extend our prayerful sympathy to the Marist Sisters in Australia and to Sr Veronica’s family. The following words of remembrance were delivered by Sr Beverley Lewis at her funeral on 25th July.

Today, we come together to pray for and say our final farewell to Veronica Ruth Taylor. Born to Leo and Mary Taylor (known as Myra) on 4th November 1931, their second daughter. Two of her sisters Marie and Clare are deceased. Pauline is present with us today as are members of Pauline’s and Clare’s families. I know very little about her childhood. No doubt it was not easy as Leo died as a young man and left Myra to bring their four daughters up on her own. Veronica used to say her mother did simple fun things with the girls which kept them together as a family unit. I can remember her telling us that she and her sisters played amongst the coffins in the back room of their home. Myra had taken on the role of an undertaker to support the family due to Leo’s frequent illnesses and his early death.

Veronica joined the Marist Sisters and was professed on 8th February 1953. During, her religious life Veronica was called to many different ministries. She spent time teaching in Fiji and at Woolwich. Her superiors noticed her giftedness for study and asked her to attend Regina Mundi in Rome for three years. Soon after her return to Australia, Veronica was appointed Scholastic Mistress. Many of the Sisters present today would have done their Scholasticate under Veronica. She had the wonderful gift of bringing out the best in people. She gave the best foundations for research and study of the new horizons in theology and Scripture which the Vatican Council opened up for the Church. She showed how to study. We have many stories from those days.

Other groups benefitted from her scholarly expertise. She was called to assist in the formation of the seminarians at Toongabbie teaching them Church History, and was also involved with the formation of the laity at Aquinas Academy.

She was also appointed as the Pastoral Planning Co-ordinator. Remember the big green folders, we had. There was also the yellow folder on Leadership and Discernment. Veronica also headed the Justice Committee raising consciousness among the Sisters of the Justice issues confronting our country and other parts of the world. Her actions spoke louder than words in her outreach to those on the margins, such as the Aids suffers who were often isolated in their homes. She was humble in taking up her various responsibilities entrusted to her by the Congregation. She was gifted in many ways but did not flaunt it.

Many of us worked with Veronica on these committees. We certainly worked hard but not as hard as she did. Everything Veronica did was done to 100% capacity. But she certainly knew how to celebrate and relax. On one particular weekend we gathered as the Pastoral Planning Committee, we worked all weekend until late Sunday. She decided it was time to celebrate so the seven of us went out to a Chinese Restaurant, where we shared a Chinese Banquet, which was quite substantial. It came time for dessert but no one wanted any. Veronica wanted us to try the fried ice-cream so she ordered one scoop of ice-cream and seven teaspoons. She was very generous in giving to the Sisters.

In her later years, she undertook pastoral work in several parishes Torquay/Grovedale in Victoria, Richmond NSW, where she is still fondly remembered, and Marrickville NSW.  Veronica had a great love for learning and shared this gift with many people especially those undertaking the RCIA programme.

 

Veronica was a hard working, generous and kind person. If she was able to help she would not spare herself. You never wondered what Veronica thought or felt, she was always forth coming with her thoughts and feelings and always prepared to share her wisdom. Equally she always humbly accepted decisions made by the Congregation whether they were what she thought or not.  She was always appreciative of what was done for her and always saw the best in people.

In these recent years especially, since Covid hit us, she grew in patience. If things were meant to be they would happen. I believe this was a result of her deep life of prayer. Veronica had peaceful expectations but a humble acceptance of God’s will.

She had a great love of her family, friends and the Marist Family, especially her sisters. She often would say to me when I visited her I don’t see a lot the Sisters and my family but that is okay because I know I belong and they are with me in my heart. There is so much more that could be said but she knows our and appreciation for the gracious person she was and still is.

In conclusion I would like to say “Go forth valiant woman of faith, true daughter of Mary, to enjoy the company of your family, friends and your Marist Family especially the Sisters. Go to the place prepared for you by Your Beloved who loved you in life and embraces you for all eternity.

General Chapter 2022

Marist Sisters in Australia gathered recently to receive feedback from the Marist Sisters’ General Chapter 2022.

Chapter delegates – Srs Gail Reneker, Kate McPhee and Noelene Simmons – shared their reflections and presented the message of the Chapter to those who were present.

Sr Judith Lythall, who had attended the Chapter as a support worker, presented a pictorial overview of the Chapter.

 

Meeting with Ambassador

While in Rome to attend the Marist Sisters’ General Chapter Sr Noelene Simmons, a member of ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans), took the opportunity to meet with Australian Ambassador to the Holy See, Chiara Porro.

Ambassador Porro was interested to learn more about the work of ACRATH. During the meeting topics such as Australia’s Modern Slavery Act, the PALM Scheme (Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme), the need for a National Compensation Scheme, the 2022 Chocolate Scorecard and ACRATH’s international reach through organisations such as Talitha Kum were discussed.

Synodality – Participation, Communion, Mission

On Saturday 26th March the Marist Sisters of Raiwaqa, Lami and one sister from Levuka met together in Lami for the process of Synodality. The process was facilitated by a trained couple from the Raiwaqa Parish, Ben and Maria Lee.

To begin the facilitator explained  the image of the Holy Spirit hovering over the people of God in the Synod2021-2023 logo. The importance of discerning the work of the Holy Spirit in this process was emphasized.

The sisters worked through the topics at a leisurely pace with each sister responding to the questions “What are you hearing?” and “What is your response?”.

Remaining focused throughout the session the sharing of the sisters was positive, enlightening, faith-filled, and gratuitous. The summary of responses will be written up by the facilitators and sent to the Archdiocesan Office.

Unit Gathering in Sydney

On Saturday 4th March, Marist Sisters from the Unit of Australia came together to deepen their commitment to the safe-guarding of children and vulnerable adults. Led by Sr Ruth Davis, the sisters reviewed the Marist Sisters’ Policy and Guidelines for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults. There was an opportunity for sisters to discuss the various aspects of the policy and to understand their responsibility in this regards. The sisters affirmed their commitment to live with care and compassion for all and to foster a culture of safety and care for all persons by signing a Code of Professional Conduct.

While gathered the sisters took the opportunity to pray a prayer of blessing for the sisters who will be attending the 30th General Chapter of the Marist Sisters in Rome in April 2022.