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 CARMELITE
MONASTERY
52 Halswell Road,
Christchurch 8002,
New Zealand.
Tel. +64 (03) 338 9370
Email: 
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Sister Cushla's Profession Day
Cushla's Journey to Carmel
Sister Mary's Diamond Jubilee
J.M. + J.T.
"Christ Yesterday,
Today and Forever!"
Sister Cushla's Profession Day
Peace of Christ!
December 2001
Dear Sisters in Carmel, family and friends,
First of all a big thank you for all the cards, letters and gifts which
you sent for my Profession Day and especially for the prayers on the day
and in the past 3 years as I have journeyed towards this "new beginning".
The day was truly beautiful from beginning to end. As all my Carmelite
sisters will know, it was preceded by an 8-day Retreat, and now I know
why they refer to it as the desert! The experience reinforced for me the
great importance of Teresian Recreation - I felt a bit like an exile as
I heard all the peals of laughter coming from the Recreation Room! However
it was filled with many graces and certainly strengthened my longing for
the One to Whom I was about to vow my life.
I had begged God for a nice cold day on December 8th after being almost
knocked out by the sweltering heat during the early days of December, and
He responded with the utmost magnanimity and an abundance of rain, a symbol
I’m sure of the many graces pouring down. Sister Marietta had done
a wonderful job with the flowers and with the aid of our generous helpers
our chapel was beautifully decorated for the Mass, filled with beautiful
white and cream flowers of all kinds : lilies, roses, orange blossom etc.
The perfume was truly glorious! Vases and candles surrounded our beautiful
statue of the Virgin Mary and Child for the Feast of her Immaculate Conception.
The Mass began at 8:30am, celebrated by our Bishop John Cunneen, along
with my Parish Priest Father Miles O’Malley and Monsignor Bede O’Gorman.
My fellow parishioners, seminarians Chris Orr and Danny Martin, served
the Mass, while my sister Kirsten and brother-in-law David read the readings
beautifully. Fr Miles proclaimed the Gospel and Bishop John gave a beautiful
homily, after which I made my Profession of Vows for three years into the
hands of Mother Dorothea Mary of Jesus. The Bishop placed my vows on the
altar for the rest of the Mass and then presented me with my Profession
Crucifix and the Book of our Constitutions. After the Creed my friend Mary
led us in the prayers of the faithful, asking God’s blessings upon
us all.
At the gifts procession my 7-year-old nephew brought up a beautiful lei
made with tiny white shells, came to the communion grille and gingerly
placed it around my neck. I couldn’t help noticing the look of semi-horror
on his face and discovered the reason later in the parlour. He had gone
up to his mother after the procession and said; "Mum, were they teeth?"
He must have wondered why Carmelites wear garlands of teeth around their
necks! My young niece brought up a crown of flowers and placed it upon
my head, while mum carried up the water and wine. On our side of the grille
I brought up the Ciborium and Sister Elisapeta brought up a lei for Bishop
John. The beautiful Mass continued and then came the moment when I received
Our Lord for the first time as His bride; what a great joy! As the Bishop
lead the procession out at the end of the Mass, the chapel was filled with
the glorious throng of voices honouring Our Lady, Purest of Creatures.
Afterwards my family and friends came around to our guest room for refreshments
and to see me in the parlour; it was lovely to see them all, some after
3 years. We talked for hours! When everyone had left it was also lovely
to get back to the community to celebrate. All the sisters had worked so
hard to make the day so very special, and they all deserve a really good
rest now, but this isn’t likely in the days leading up to Christmas!
There were a few trips back to the parlour in the afternoon, and then we
celebrated with a festive evening meal. It was with great joy and peace
that the day came to an end.
Once again thank you for your great generosity; you are all remembered
in our prayers. Please continue to pray for me and for our community, that
the Lord will keep us always close to Him and that He will call many more
young women to give themselves to Him in our Carmel! Have a truly wonderful
and blessed Christmas!
Your loving sister in Christ,
Cushla
Sister Cushla's Journey to Carmel
What makes a young woman give up family, friends and career to enter
a cloistered community?
In my early teens I became interested in the Fatima message and came
to know of the existence of Carmel. Not knowing much about it, I jumped
at the chance to be in a group doing a school project on the Carmelites.
We were given the opportunity of interviewing two of the nuns. There
was something really attractive about the lifestyle. They gave us a pile
of pamphlets about the life and some of their saints and off we went. When
the project was over I ended up with the pile of pamphlets, which I was
to develop a love-hate relationship with over the years! Initially I was
really enthusiastic about a vocation but never mentioned it to anyone.
The school years finished and I went off to university, still with the
thought of a vocation lurking in the back of my mind. I decided to study
languages, thinking that at least it would be helpful for translating things
if I did become a Carmelite. However after my first year of university,
finding a job seemed to be more important, so I changed to a more career-oriented
course. During these years I would occasionally pick up some of those pamphlets,
and that old enthusiasm, and what I could only describe as a yearning,
came back. But I would put them aside, hoping that the thought would go
away!
The years went by, my studies finished, and with the help of a novena
to St Joseph, I got the perfect job, working in a government department,
using my degree. Everything was set. But there was still something missing.
About this time I started to go to daily Mass and regular confession. If
I missed Mass, the whole day seemed very empty. My faith was growing, very
gradually, and I was trying to spend more time in prayer. Often I would
pick up those pamphlets again and the yearning would return, and I would
say maybe Lord, then put them away and get on with life.
In 1994 I made a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, then returned the following
two years. By this time the years had really mounted up. I desperately
wanted to do God's will but really wanted to know what that was. I was
trying to convince Him that marriage and a family was best for me. I gave
the pile of pamphlets to my sister, reasoning that God would only want
one nun in a family, so if I could convince her of her vocation, I would
be let off the hook. (She has since married!) She took her time about reading
them, so I finally took them back. One night, being so frustrated about
the whole thing, I ripped most of them up!
It was time for another novena to St Joseph regarding the direction of
my life. Very soon after it was finished, on Holy Thursday evening while
at the Church at the Altar of Repose, the desire to be a Carmelite came
back with such force, and has never left me. The week after Easter I spoke
to a priest about it, and he told me that the Carmelite life wasn't all
beer and skittles, and that they don't eat much, and don't wear socks (neither
of these facts are true)! However he arranged for me to go out and speak
with one of the sisters. I had actually thought that with religious vocations
so few and far between in our country, they would want me there and then,
but have since discovered that it isn't actually that easy to get into
Carmel. Over the next 5 months I went each month to see them. How I looked
forward to those visits! They invited me to have a "live-in"
experience, so in late September I went to Carmel for a week. During that
week I felt sure that Carmel was where the Lord wanted me, so requested
to enter, and waited (very impatiently!) for the reply. It seemed to be
ages, but it wasn't actually long in coming and I was accepted to enter
the community. My joy knew no bounds, but my family's joy was more muted.
The months of waiting for my entrance day were difficult because I just
wanted to be back in Carmel. The prioress had told me to keep the news
close to my chest, so I took her literally and told very few people. The
reactions of those I did tell (or who found out on the grapevine) were
varied. Some thought it selfish, others thought it was a great waste, then
there was the prediction of how long I would last! Finally the great day
arrived, so at 28 a new chapter of my life began.
That was almost three years ago. In that time I have discovered that,
though it definitely is not all beer and skittles, when Jesus promised
one hundredfold to those who leave all to follow Him, He wasn't kidding.
To other young people called to a consecrated vocation, I would say give
it a go, there is really nothing to lose and everything to gain. I know
a lot of young people really want to do Gods will, but want to be sure
about what it is - we all want a sign. If only the Lord would appear in
front of us and tell us to do such and such it would be much easier. But
would it? The fact that you feel you may have a vocation is sign enough
to check it out - and if it's definitely not God's will, He will let you
know! And if He is calling you to give yourself to Him completely, who
knows what great things He has in store for you!
I look forward to making my first profession on 8 December 2001, vowing
chastity, poverty, and obedience to God for 3 years. Please keep me and
our community in your prayers! Deo Gratias!
Sister Mary's Diamond Jubilee
Peace of Christ!
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Carmel, families and friends,
On Sunday December 2 we had the joy of celebrating the Diamond Jubilee
of Profession of Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart; a truly "sparkling"
occasion. The concelebrated Mass, presided over by Bishop John Cunneen
surrounded by his priests, was magnificent and a fitting tribute to Sister’s
long years of loving commitment to her Carmelite vocation. Our church was
filled with many of Sister’s relations and friends, and as Sister
comes from a family of 12 children the generations were well represented.
Early summer here is a lovely time of the year and this was reflected in
the beautiful floral arrangements: roses, lilies, irises and orange blossom,
which formed a festive backdrop for the Liturgy.
As for the music and singing, we were privileged to have with us the
Choir of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament under the direction of
Mr Don Whelan, Musical Director and Organist. So with the Mass "O
Quam Gloriosum" (Victoria) we were treated to a real festival of music.
Our very special thanks to Don Whelan and his beautiful choir for treating
us to this unique experience. Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart was quite
overwhelmed and was so glad that she was able to thank Director and Choir
in the parlour afterwards.
Bishop John’s homily captured the whole spirit of the occasion:
"I exult with joy in the Lord." These words of Isaiah from the
First Reading expressed the heartfelt sentiments of our Jubilarian: joy
and thanksgiving for what the Lord has done for her. Bishop John recalled
Sister’s home town, Nelson Creek on the West Coast. For those who
may never have heard of Nelson Creek or "the Coast", suffice
it to say that its roots go back to the goldmining days, so the legends
that have survived - which Sister has often recounted at our recreations
- are as colourful as its "characters" that dot the pages of
its history.
To the delight of the congregation Bishop John went on to describe the
setting in which the youthful Doreen grew up: the O’Brien family were
raised by their mother after the death of Mr O’Brien - Sister was
five at the time. Nothing daunted, Mrs O’Brien also ran the local
hotel which seems to have been the hub of the universe where Nelson Creek
was concerned. So it was in this atmosphere of sturdy faith and hard work,
enlivened by good humour and music, that Sister’s vocation blossomed
and grew, encouraged at it was by her brother Father Sarsfield O’Brien.
In a more serious vein Bishop John went on to speak of her Religious Life
poured out "in the prayer of adoration, thanksgiving, intercession;
in days of peace and turmoil, in good times and bad, a Carmelite kneels
before the Blessed Sacrament, praying for the Church. For 60 years Sister
has prayed supportively and entreatingly for the needs of others, inspired
by Jesus’ invitation "Come to me all you who are burdened and
I will give you rest" ".
To hear Sister renew her Vows firmly and clearly was a moment that touched
all hearts. Her family brought up the Gifts, including a white lei and
a crown of white roses which Sister wore with evident happiness. It was
a celebration overflowing with warmth and love and as though the final
hymn "Now thank we all our God" was not enough to sum up all
our feelings, the choir then lifted us to the eternal heights (well, almost!)
with its magnificent rendering of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus! "Quite
out of this world" as someone remarked.
When Mass was over everyone was invited to our guest room where a beautiful
afternoon tea had been prepared by Sister’s family. A focal point
was the Jubilee cake decorated with an exquisite floral spray, the artistic
work of our dear friend Annette. In the parlour Sister had the happiness
of meeting her many relations and friends once again so it was a wonderful
reunion for everyone.
Jubilees are milestones in the life of a community and the Diamond Jubilee
of our Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart is one we shall long remember. Although
Sister’s vision may be impaired, we can be sure that the God of love
whom she has served so faithfully for over 60 years is revealing Himself
ever more clearly to her inner vision. We cherish her presence among us
and pray that her example may continue to inspire us in the years ahead.
Sister would like to thank all those whose love and kindness have surrounded
her at all times, and all those who in any way have been involved in the
preparation and celebration of her Jubilee. All the letters, gifts and
cards, especially those from other Carmels, have been so many added joys
and her ever grateful heart has been deeply touched. In Sister’s own
words: "My heartfelt thanks and prayers to each one of you and your
families. A loving God bless you…"
May Christ, the King of peace enfold you all in His love this Christmas
and may His Blessed Mother intercede for all your intentions in the year
ahead. You are always in the prayers of
Your loving sisters of the Carmel of Christ the King.
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Mother Prioress
Carmelite Monastery
52 Halswell Road,
Christchurch 8002
New Zealand
Tel: +64 (03) 338 9370
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