|
Home > Our
People > Nuns (Sisters) > Christchurch > Newsletter
 |
J.M.
+ J.T.
"Christ Yesterday, Today
and
Forever!"
March 2003 |
Carmelite
Monastery,
52 Halswell Rd.,
Christchurch,
New Zealand 8002
Return to Homepage |
Peace of Christ!
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Carmel, families and friends
 Sister Mary Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee
On Sunday the 2nd of March our community had the joy of celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Profession of Sister Mary Elizabeth of the Trinity. The actual date was 11th of February but this celebration was transferred because of the Solemn Profession
of Sister Elisapeta (Sister Elizabeth remarked that a Solemn Profession in the community was a wonderful gift for her Golden Jubilee!).
The week preceding the day was marked by gifts of glorious flowers of all colours, with gold predominating - surely a sign of all the graces and blessings Sister has received over 50 years.
We woke to a very rainy day (in spite of all our prayers), but by the time of the ceremony the skies had cleared and the sun was shining brightly. The earlier unfavourable weather proved providential as it meant that two of Sister’s family members were able to
attend as their event scheduled at the same time was cancelled. We also realised how providential was the choice of day during the Sunday Mass that morning, with the first reading from the prophet Hosea, "I am going to lure her and lead her out into the wilderness and speak to her heart" (2:16). Sister returned from the wilderness of her retreat after the morning Mass and we
all welcomed her back. We then led her in procession through the monastery to the Novitiate, where the younger members of the community had decorated an infirmary bed for their Novice Mistress, and posted above it the sign "Have a break Sister
Elizabeth!" (We don’t think this is likely though, and actually hope she doesn’t!)
Our Bishop John Cunneen was the main celebrant of the Mass, assisted by more than a dozen diocesan and religious priests. The chapel was full, with a large number of Sister’s relatives, other religious and friends. St Paul’s Choir, Dallington led us in the singing which was enjoyed by all. Especially beautiful was the hymn sung for the gifts procession in honour of the Trinity, to the tune of "Be Still my Soul".
It was fitting for the occasion and very moving indeed.
Sister’s family played an important part in the liturgy, proclaiming the Reading, leading the congregation in the Prayers of the Faithful and bringing up the gifts. Bishop John preached on the consecrated life, emphasising the importance of balance - spiritually and humanly - all combined with a sense of humour! He also shared with the congregation a few glimpses into Sister’s life behind the grilles. One incident we can’t resist sharing with you. It occurred some years ago, when 3 sisters (all solemnly professed mind you, so no novitiate pranks) including our Jubilarian, decided to try out the waters on the newly-built sizeable fish pond. With the help of some old drums and planks they built a raft. Sister Elizabeth was chosen as sailor and the other 2 sisters launched her out into the deep, where promptly both Sister and craft sank. Fortunately Sister has managed to stay afloat since then!
After the homily Sister renewed her vows. Then her family brought up the gifts and her sister Mary came up to the Communion grille and placed a delicate white lei around Sister’s neck. It was a touching moment for both of them. At the end of the Mass, Mary came up again and shared some words of thanksgiving and a few thoughts on Sister’s life before she entered Carmel, including Sister’s sorrow at having to wait till she was 21 to enter Carmel. Afterwards Sister was able to greet many of those present in the Monastery parlour. People from far
and near contacted Sister, surrounding her with much love and affectionate gratitude - not to mention gifts - for a selfless life poured out for others.
Our warmest thanks to everyone who made this day so special for our Sister Elizabeth.
Sister Elisapeta's Solemn Profession
On the 11th of February - Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes - we had the joy of celebrating the Solemn Profession of Sister Elisapeta Mary of the Cross, always an important event in the life of a
Carmel. It has been a wonderful time of rejoicing and thanksgiving, not only for our community, but for our many friends who shared with us the
graces of the occasion, and especially so for Sister’s large and extended family. Yes, they came from near and far - as far away as Samoa,
Australia, Hawaii and various parts of New Zealand - many at considerable sacrifice.
Tuesday dawned a glorious summer’s day. The family had worked so hard the previous day decorating the church and
grounds, and what a sight met our eyes when we looked out into the church: the sanctuary and altar had been covered with fine mats, everywhere pale
blue and white decorations adorned the walls, and stretched out into the foyer, while beautifully arranged vases of white lilies and delphiniums
completed the picture!
The Concelebrated Mass and ceremony of Solemn Profession was a true praise of the glory of God, full of sound and
colour. As the procession of Acolytes, Priests, Bishop John Cunneen, and finally, Sister Elisapeta accompanied by Mother Dorothea, wended its way
round into the church, the haunting sound of the conch shell announced that something important was about to take place.
Bishop John gave the official Samoan greeting and his warm words of welcome set the tone for all that was to
follow. Many elements of Samoan culture were woven into the Liturgy, including distinctive ceremonial dress, the altar garlanded with flowers
as a mark of respect, the "Ava" bowl signifying community
and completeness, together with the Tugase or
"Ava" root, representing family and village. The role of the "Tausala" or Maiden whose privilege it was to carry
up the "Ava" bowl was assigned to Linda Vagana, a cousin of Sister
Elisapeta, and what an impressive picture she made in her beautifully
woven garb and tall head-dress of shells and coloured feathers.
At the heart of our celebration was Sister
Elisapeta’s pronouncing of her vows, which she did calmly and clearly.
This was followed by the Solemn Blessing of Sister and then she knelt to
receive the black veil from the Bishop.
There were other very special moments during
the Mass, such as the "Ifoga" or Penitential
Rite, when Sister Elisapeta was covered with a fine mat while a slow
penitential hymn was softly sung and we all prayed for her. Then the
Bishop sprinkled Sister with Holy Water, the mat was slowly lifted and one
could almost sense a general sigh of relief! St Paul would have been quite
at home with the symbolism of this ritual cleansing and rising to new
life.
The Readings were beautifully proclaimed in
Samoan and English (some of those present did not speak English) while
Father Paulo’s homily explained Sister’s vocation and the total giving of
herself to God; the Procession with gifts, the fine mats offered and the
presenting of leis (we all received one!); the crowning of Sister with a
wreath of white roses brought up by cousin Karmina, all the way from
Hawaii - we could go on! And when it came to the Sign of Peace and the
family were invited to come forward to embrace Sister, there must surely
have been few dry eyes in the congregation. Fortunately these precious
moments have been captured on video.
Three choirs - the Samoan community from
Dunedin, where Sister had lived for several years, and the Mt Carmel / Our
Lady of Fatima choirs, Christchurch - provided the hymns for the Mass, and
what a treat it was! Special mention must also be made of the chanting of
the Litany of the Saints by Deacon John Adams as Sister Elisapeta lay
prostrate, just before making her Profession.
As the choir began the final hymn "Lo Ta Nu’u, Ua Ou Fanau
Ai" - "My Beloved Samoa" - a radiant Sister Elisapeta came back into the enclosure where we joyfully embraced
her as a fully-fledged member of our community.
Outside, the usually quiet surroundings of
the monastery had taken on a gala atmosphere with decorations stretching
down to the front gate above which hung a "WELCOME - AFIO MAI" banner. A marquee had been set up where the overflow
congregation was able to watch the ceremony in the chapel on two large
screens. At least 400 people had joined in the celebration, and now they
partook of the abundant refreshments so generously provided by family and
friends. This was followed by a lively entertainment which spread well
into the evening. We shared in proceedings on our side of the wall as we
picnicked under the weeping ash tree, and from the sounds of song and
dance floating over we knew a good time was being had by
all!
Your loving sisters of the Carmel of Christ the
King,
Christchurch, New Zealand.
Return
to Our Home Page
Carmelite Monastery,
52 Halswell Road,
Christchurch, 8002, New Zealand
Return to Christchurch Carmel home
page. |
Christchurch Carmel Newsletters: 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |
Email Christchurch
Carmel
| 
