the voice of compassion

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1 We ought not to judge a man by his great qualities, but by the good use he makes of them the voice of compassion supporter and friends communications ISSUE 42 OCTOBER 2016 Welcome Dear Friends, I would like to thank you all for your continued prayers and support since our last newsletter in April. Thank you all for your messages and letters, I have enjoyed them. Our news items in this issue reflect stories from many perspectives and I trust that you will enjoy them. You will engage with Sr Margaret Anne. Photo credit: Olivia Lacey a unique story about Cyclone Winston from Sister Lusiana on her visit to the Fijian Island of Taveuni. Stories of God s blessings continue to be shared by the sisters celebrating their Jubilees of Religious Profession this year. I sincerely thank Sisters Justin, Catherine, Annette, Shirley and Mary Chase who have each contributed to the Sisters of Compassion for more than 60 years and Sister Carmel for more than 50 years. In May, I attended an international meeting for religious women leaders in Rome. I went to visit the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, prior to the group of 900 leaders gathering to meet with Pope Francis. Suzanne Aubert s case continues to progress very slowly and this is both puzzling and disappointing. As I lined up with other sisters to go to the Audience Hall I was given the unexpected joy of being one of the 30 leaders to meet Pope Francis. My heart was beating and my mind was buzzing. Inside me a clear voice said, Do something and tell the Holy Father about Suzanne. What could I do? The time was short, the security high and my Italian, oh so inadequate. I had a name pouch and the prayer card for Suzanne Aubert s Cause slipped into the back of it perfectly. Suzanne s name was boldly printed on the card. When Pope Francis took my hand I pointed to my card with New Zealand on it and then quickly turned the card over and pointed to Suzanne s name. He nodded in recognition. I trust that this was a sign that he knew who she was. With Father Maurice Carmody we continue to prepare the documents required by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. I thank you for your prayers for Suzanne Aubert s Cause towards sainthood. Please continue to pray and don t hesitate to ask Suzanne Aubert to intercede on your behalf for your needs. In August, I was at Chanel Home of Compassion in Suva for the blessing and opening of the new and renovated extensions to the Home. There have been many obstacles in getting the building ready for occupation. Sisters Emi Oh and Annette Green worked for many months with the architects to ensure we achieved the best possible result for a very challenging building project. The sisters in Suva identified with Suzanne Aubert as she had many trials prior to the opening of Our Lady s Home of Compassion at Island Bay in Reflecting on our history gives encouragement. Sisters today share the stories of our early sisters and their own and it is clear that God has not let us down. The opening brought joy to the residents, staff, guests and many friends who have worked in partnership with the Sisters for many years. Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to our Street Day volunteers for your significant involvement in July. To all of you who contribute in anyway, this is your connection with Suzanne Aubert as together we continue to follow her example in our time. Thank you again for your support for our services to those in need. Congregational Leader Sisters of Compassion is a registered charity. Registration no. CC 10246

2 Opening of the new wing Chanel Home of Compassion, Suva We are pleased to announce the opening of the new extension and rededication of the Chanel Home of Compassion in Suva which took place on 6 August The primary mission of the Sisters of Compassion in coming to Fiji in 1952 was to nurse and provide specialised care for elderly and disabled women, irrespective of religion, culture, or creed. Priority is always given to the poorest and those most in need. The new extension was carefully planned for the comfort, safety and care of our residents. Sister Michael Soani, our first Sister of Compassion from Fiji, came for the celebration with Sister Rae Berry from Wagga Wagga NSW. The sisters and staff wore a specially designed and made blouse and skirt (kalavata, see picture Sister Ruth with nursing staff) for the occasion. In her opening address Sister Margaret Anne said, Right from the beginning the Sisters have worked in partnership with many. Some of you here represent your family and community members who have supported the Sisters since their arrival. We remember them in our prayers and we thank you for your commitment to the Home. By your commitment, you become part of the legacy of Chanel Home of Compassion. The extension was such a significant project that we needed Sister Annette to oversee it full time. Michael Yee-Joy, chairperson of the Advisory Board, thanked Sister Annette for her commitment and dedication in keeping the contractors focused during many challenges that we faced. She did a fantastic job. The success of the Home is due to the generosity of many committed individuals, corporates, sponsors, donors, non government organisations and other organisations Thank you! Sekove Naqiolevu, Margaret Anne, Michael Yee-Joy and Margaret Toomey, Australian High Commissioner Sisters Lusi, Margaret Anne, Ruth and Esther Sisters Michael and Rae Sr Ruth with nursing staff Residents Vision statement: Following the mission of Jesus and in the spirit of Suzanne Aubert we share with people faith and compassion

3 Reaching out in Fiji A big heartfelt thanks goes to the Sisters of in Mercy New Zealand for their generosity and thoughtfulness in their response to the devastation caused by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston in Fiji on 20 February Their donation came in good time, as I had already booked to travel to Fiji to spend time with sisters and to visit my home on the island of Taveuni. I spent one and half weeks shopping in Suva for necessities which people living in affected areas had briefed me about. I packed twelve big striped bags, two suitcases, boxes and water containers and travelled by boat to Taveuni. My main priority was to visit the older people and those with disabilities. We focused on Vuna & Nabakawau, two villages on the South of Taveuni, and its neighbouring farms, Lavena village and a settlement to the north end. These areas were hit directly by Cyclone Winston. I travelled from one end of the island to another visiting, listening to stories and distributing gifts as appropriate. I felt very privileged and grateful for the opportunity to visit, to spend time listening to personal experiences and to see for myself the traces of the impact of Cyclone Winston. People are still traumatised in one way or another and are still picking up the pieces. Most families from the three villages and settlements are living in makeshift shacks, patched together from pieces of corrugated iron which were blown off buildings. Tents erected alongside the many damaged houses in every corner of the villages indicate the number of households completely gone. Water is a big problem for people living in south Taveuni and is carted there only once a week. I was touched, when despite all their losses, people came out to greet me and thanked me with smiles and hospitality for visiting their village, especially the older people and the disabled. I stayed a night with a family of seven, five of whom are at school. They have made every effort to put a roof over their head, using long strips of black plastic walling their houses. Space was tight and yet the family was content amidst their losses, and life goes on. Their story brought tears as they described the events of that unforgettable day, a mystery for them as to how they were saved from Winston. A three year old boy thanked me for his gift saying, is this your gift of love?. God is good. In every story people remarked we are lucky to be alive and God was looking after us because Cyclone Winston happened during the day, and it was low tide. Their faith sustained them during the ordeal. People are quick to point to holy pictures hanging in their houses, a reminder that God is with them. There are signs of hope. There is a resilience in the people everywhere. In the backyard gardens vegetables are again growing in abundance. Sr Lusi packing goods Sr Lusiana (Lusi) Raratini DOLC Sign up for our e-news and stay up to date with what s happening

4 Jubilee celebrations This year in March and September, we had the great joy of celebrating the gift of Religious Professions and Jubilees for six Sisters of Compassion - one Golden and five Diamond Jubilees. Below the sisters offer short reflections about their lives of ministry: Sisters Catherine, Justin, Annette, Mary and Shirley (all 60 years) and Sister Carmel (50 years). Our sincere and warm congratulations to each Sister. Sr Catherine Earlier this year I celebrated sixty years as a Sister of Compassion and I ve been asked many times, how has it been..? It has been a rich and full time. I have lived great joy with inspiring people in challenging Missions. The desert has been there but I have been Sr Catherine celebrated her 60th Jubilee stretched mentally and spiritually. I have had an ever deepening search for the love of my life, the Living Loving God. Would I do it again? Yes. Definitely. I believe I can do no other. Sr Annette celebrated her 60th Jubilee Sr Annette Born in Hawke s Bay, my religious vocation was strongly influenced through my family environment. The teaching profession and added studies, gave me a good platform to spread my gifts and talents, especially in schools at Hiruhārama, Island Bay and Suva. Challenges awaited me during my years at the Wellington Soup Kitchen Compassion Centre and keep on presenting themselves with other Congregational projects in recent times. My appreciation and gratitude is to the Congregation, my family and friends. Sr Justin celebrated her 60th Jubilee Sr Justin The first calling of my vocation came at a young age though it was not immediately acted upon. When I did enter, big challenges and new doors were opened for me, mainly through my nursing profession. This healing ministry of compassion, I came to value as a powerful instrument in reaching out to others, especially when I nursed babies with disabilities and the elderly. I express my sincere gratitude to the Congregation, my family and friends as I often repeat Suzanne Aubert s wonderful prayer: Thanks be to God for all he has done for us. Sr Mary celebrated her 60th Jubilee Sr Mary Leaving family and friends in Sydney, my call to religious life brought me to Wellington where I entered the Sisters of Compassion. Responding to my ministry of compassionate care as a trained nurse and a Radiographer, enabled me to be present in special ways to the sick in their time of need and comfort. It was a great pleasure to celebrate my Diamond Jubilee surrounded by the sisters, my family and friends in Wagga Wagga, which has become my home. A deep sense of gratitude dwells in my heart for the constant support received through the Congregation, my family and friends. Get the latest news and events. Follow us on Facebook

5 Sr Shirley celebrated her 60th Jubilee Sr Shirley Travelling north from Oamaru and entering the unknown territory of a religious life in Wellington required trust and bravery. My nursing profession has given me a wonderful focus, self-confidence and many life-long opportunities to express compassion and walk alongside a wide range of people. It is with great confidence and peace that I look forward to the coming years. My sincere gratitude goes to God for my religious vocation, to the Congregation, my family and friends. Sr Carmel celebrated her 50th Jubilee Sr Carmel My vocation was strongly nurtured through my family and volunteering as a young girl at the Chanel Home of Compassion, Suva. While presently living in Wairoa, my gifts and talents of compassionate concern and healing are drawn strongly from my ability to keep the pathways open and build bridges between people and cultures in the community where I live. I feel a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for the blessings and support given to me by the Congregation, my family and friends There is only one right way of looking at what life brings under our eyes; it is the way in which God looks at the world. Let us try to look at it after the manner of God. Suzanne Aubert Supporter quotes I would like to thank you all, on behalf of those in need of food, shelter and love for all that you give to our fellow human beings. I know and truly believe, we cannot change the world, but we can change the life of many by caring, compassion and sharing what we have. I hope the families that Sister Rachel is working with are settling into their new life in NZ. How sad it is to see the plight of the millions of people, especially the little children fleeing from their homeland. If I can help in anyway, please don t hesitate to let me know. I ve been an ardent devotee of Mother Suzanne Aubert. It s hard to put into words all the help I ve experienced whenever I invoke her help. Thank you Late Father Gerry O Connor ( ) The Sisters of Compassion have much to thank Father Gerry O Connor for. He was a much loved and respected priest of the Diocese of Christchurch for 63 years. We remembered him with gratitude and love at the time of his death. Father had been a loyal supporter of the Sisters for many years and more especially while we have been promoting the Spirituality and good works of Suzanne Aubert. Kerry Bergin, one of our promoters noted that Father Gerry was extremely good at getting co-ordinators for the different parishes in Christchurch. Late Father Gerry O'Connor

6 Diary dates Taizé prayer 7 8pm, 1st Friday of each month in the Crombie Chapel, Our Lady s Home of Compassion, 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay. For more information phone: or Christian Meditation 7 8pm, every Monday in the Crombie Chapel, Our Lady s Home of Compassion, 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay. No Meditation in January Keep up with events at events $50,000 raised Thank you for supporting the Compassion Soup Kitchen We want to say an enormous thank you to all of you who assisted with our Compassion Soup Kitchen Appeal. Collectively we drew the attention of thousands of Wellingtonian's about the plight of Kiwis who are struggling to make ends meet. Through the Street Collection, Sound Bites Concert and the 'Soup Kitchen for a Day' schools initiative we raised a total of... $50,000! This is a phenomenal amount. The weight of our buckets indicates that our city is aware of the value and need of the service we provide - not merely two meals a day, but access to services, advocacy, company and community as well. Most importantly, this money helps to enable us to continue our mission - to support people in need to live with dignity in the community. Thank you for the financial support, time and energy you gave. It helped to achieve this fantastic result. photo credit: Trish Dean photo credit: Paul Ramsay Lyon Room If you are looking for a beautiful, tranquil setting in Wellington for a meeting then you have come to the right place. Our newly renovated Lyon Room is the perfect place for gatherings and meetings. Set in the beautiful and tranquil setting of our Lady s Home of Compassion, Island Bay, the room has a full range of audio visual options, is fully air-conditioned, centrally heated and has direct access to the outdoor lawns. It offers a large, airy space suited to groups of up to 90 people. There is free parking onsite and catering options are available. The room was named as the Lyon room in tribute to Suzanne Aubert who came from Lyon, France. To discuss your requirements, contact us on: or islandbay@compassion.org.nz Freepost , Sisters of Compassion, PO Box 1474, Wellington 6140

7 Gifts of Compassion When you buy a Gift of Compassion, you re not only giving yourself or someone you love a gift, you re helping the many works of the Sisters of Compassion in the community. Suzanne Aubert s Spiritual Tonics This thoughtful selection of reflections and quotations by Suzanne Aubert is an essential reader for anyone wanting to learn more about her vibrant spirituality and the faith that sustained her life of service. Inspiring and accessible. $20 Set Apart Fibre Artworks by Merrilyn George These stunning artworks by acclaimed New Zealand textile artist, Merrilyn George, are inspired by the life of Suzanne Aubert. Set Apart features fullcolour and detailed photographs of these large-scale artworks. Taken together, these beautifully crafted quilts form a visual narrative of the life, work and faith of Suzanne Aubert. $30 Suzanne Aubert, New Zealand s Saint in the making This 20-page booklet and the 5-minute DVD provide a very visual introduction to the life and achievements of Suzanne Aubert. They are ideal for use in schools and parish communities. $10 (Booklet and DVD) The Story of Suzanne Aubert This is a superb, comprehensive biography of Suzanne Aubert, written by Jessie Munro. It was Book of the Year in the 1997 Montana Book Awards. $50 Seasons of Reflection This small book of reflections, written by popular author Kilian de Lacy, draws on Suzanne Aubert s down-to-earth spirituality. Taking Suzanne s insights as her starting point, Kilian explores aspects of the spiritual life according to the character of the four seasons. $20 Notes on the Run A small, delightful book of reflections by Sister Barbara King. The reflections are based on insights from Suzanne Aubert and other spiritual writers. Evocative photographs add to the reading experience. $10 Saint Grandma The story of Suzanne Aubert is written for children by bestselling New Zealand writer, Joy Cowley. $15 Greeting Cards Delightful botanical drawings by Pat Hutchinson. Quotations from Suzanne Aubert s Manual of Maori Conversation feature on some of the cards. $6.50 (6 pack) Letters on the Go This is the collected letters from Suzanne Aubert s eventful 91-year life, edited by award winning writer, Jessie Munro. $50 ($20 off RRP $70) With our Mother Suzanne (CD) This beautiful song was composed by Marist priest, Father Chris Skinner SM, and inspired by Suzanne Aubert s Short Prayer. On the CD, Father Skinner sings this memorable song in English, Māori, and French. $10 (CD) How Far is Heaven (DVD) A film following the life of three Sisters of Compassion over the course of a year in the remote village of Jerusalem / Hiruhārama on the Whanganui River. Throughout all seasons, the Sisters daily practice of compassion engages with the traditions of local Māori. Together they must learn to navigate life s heartbreak and joy. $30 (DVD) Gardening with Soul (DVD) The feature length documentary following a year in the garden with 90-year-old Sister Loyola Galvin. Sister Loyola s optimism is infectious and is fed every day by her love of gardening. Themes of faith, aging and compassion sit alongside the practicalities of community life, issues within the Catholic Church and the importance of good compost in this intimate, funny and moving portrait. $30 (DVD)

8 Order Form Name Postal address Delivery address* Phone Your supporter number (if known) I would like to collect my purchase from the Home of Compassion, 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay, Wellington (weekdays 9am 4pm). * If you would like your purchase to be sent as a gift or wish to post overseas please contact us on Item Quantity Price Total Suzanne Aubert s Spiritual Tonics $20.00 Set Apart Fibre Artworks by Merrilyn George $30.00 Suzanne Aubert, New Zealand s Saint in the making Booklet and DVD $10.00 Seasons of Reflections $20.00 Notes on the Run $10.00 Saint Grandma $15.00 Greeting cards $6.50 Letters on the Go $50.00 The Story of Suzanne Aubert $50.00 With Our Mother Suzanne CD $10.00 How Far is Heaven DVD $30.00 Gardening with Soul DVD $30.00 Subtotal $ Please accept my donation to Sisters of Compassion (Donations over $5 may be eligible for a tax rebate) $ Only for cards - postage and handling, NZ only $3.00 For all other items - postage and handling, NZ only $5.00 All purchases include GST. Total $ I have enclosed a cheque payable to Sisters of Compassion. Please charge my credit card. Card number: Expiry: / Card name: Signature: Type of card: Visa MasterCard Amex Diners After completion of your order please return it to us by one of the following options: 1) Post to Sisters of Compassion, PO Box 1474, Wellington ) Fax to: ) Scan and to: info@compassion.org.nz Note: Please allow 5 working days for delivery from receipt of order. To ensure Christmas delivery please order before 9 December If you re not completely satisfied with your purchase for any reason we will refund your money. Please return the items within 28 days of receipt. Contact details: Sisters of Compassion, , info@compassion.org.nz We hope you have enjoyed reading our last newsletter for 2016.Your interest and support of the Sisters is greatly recognised and appreciated. Please do not view the donation coupon below as an expectation that you should make a donation at this time. The donation coupon is for supporters who like to make a donation whenever they can throughout the year. Yes! I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO THE SISTERS OF COMPASSION CHARITABLE WORK. If this is your first donation to the Sisters, please write your contact details in the space below. Return this slip if you wish to receive a receipt. Please send me information on leaving a gift in my will to the Sisters of Compassion. I would like more information on giving an automatic monthly donation. Please enroll me in the Compassion Prayer Team. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE: $ My choice $10 $25 $50 $100 I have enclosed my cheque payable to Sisters of Compassion. I would like you to debit my gift above from my Credit Card Card number Card type Visa MasterCard Amex Diners Name on Card Signature Expiry Date My Address My Phone Number I have donated through online banking to: Sisters of Compassion. BNZ Please include your name and/or Supporter number. OCT 2016 Freepost , Sisters of Compassion, PO Box 1474, Wellington 6140