At the conclusion of 2013 and at the start of 2014 we were blessed with a
wonderful retreat preached by Reverend Fr Robert MacPherson, who is currently stationed in
Wanganui, New Zealand. It is always a
special privilege to end and start a year with holy reflections and blessings. During
this time, we did not go anywhere else, yet in the silence of our little
temporary convent in 35 Granite Lane, Tynong, we meditated and reflected on the theological
virtues and holy vows of religion as reflected in the life of the prophet
Eliseus, supplemented with Holy Scripture, the writings of St Augustine, St
Bernard and other saints. Thus armed with holy thoughts and good
resolutions we were again fortified for this year’s battle towards sainthood and the salvation of souls. We again express our grateful thanks to Fr MacPherson
and even though it poured with rain at the end of retreat, we considered it was a symbol of abundant blessings
for the year ahead. However we did pray for beautiful weather for the next day
– the Feast of the Epiphany – a very special day for our Congregation, for it entailed the
reception of the habit for our four Postulants and First Profession for two
Novices.
wonderful retreat preached by Reverend Fr Robert MacPherson, who is currently stationed in
Wanganui, New Zealand. It is always a
special privilege to end and start a year with holy reflections and blessings. During
this time, we did not go anywhere else, yet in the silence of our little
temporary convent in 35 Granite Lane, Tynong, we meditated and reflected on the theological
virtues and holy vows of religion as reflected in the life of the prophet
Eliseus, supplemented with Holy Scripture, the writings of St Augustine, St
Bernard and other saints. Thus armed with holy thoughts and good
resolutions we were again fortified for this year’s battle towards sainthood and the salvation of souls. We again express our grateful thanks to Fr MacPherson
and even though it poured with rain at the end of retreat, we considered it was a symbol of abundant blessings
for the year ahead. However we did pray for beautiful weather for the next day
– the Feast of the Epiphany – a very special day for our Congregation, for it entailed the
reception of the habit for our four Postulants and First Profession for two
Novices.
On the awaited day, despite the
overcast sky, light rain and little attendance of our faithful parishioners (although we were especially grateful to the presence of these few faithful, friends, and particularly to the loving and very supportive parents and family members of our Postulants and Novices who travelled from afar to be with us), the
ceremony began with solemnity. We were overjoyed to have a grand Schola and choir – the Schola was
led by Reverend Fr Couture, District Superior of Asia, who flew in that day from Singapore as well as Reverend Fathers Delsorte and
Belisle, the Prior and Assistant Prior of Corpus Christi Church. We were also blessed with a visiting seminarian, Mr Patrick Kennedy and members of the Parish Schola.
overcast sky, light rain and little attendance of our faithful parishioners (although we were especially grateful to the presence of these few faithful, friends, and particularly to the loving and very supportive parents and family members of our Postulants and Novices who travelled from afar to be with us), the
ceremony began with solemnity. We were overjoyed to have a grand Schola and choir – the Schola was
led by Reverend Fr Couture, District Superior of Asia, who flew in that day from Singapore as well as Reverend Fathers Delsorte and
Belisle, the Prior and Assistant Prior of Corpus Christi Church. We were also blessed with a visiting seminarian, Mr Patrick Kennedy and members of the Parish Schola.
A young lady has to be courageous
and generous to follow God’s call. Our “little” Postulants displayed this generosity and valour as they asked for the holy habit after having completed their time of postulancy.
Like the three wise men from the East who offered the little infant Jesus, gold, frankincense and myrrh, our dear Postulants offered their very selves as
special gifts for the little King.
and generous to follow God’s call. Our “little” Postulants displayed this generosity and valour as they asked for the holy habit after having completed their time of postulancy.
Like the three wise men from the East who offered the little infant Jesus, gold, frankincense and myrrh, our dear Postulants offered their very selves as
special gifts for the little King.
What do you seek?
God’s mercy and yours, Father.
She hurries to lay
down the hair of her head for His love
down the hair of her head for His love
that He may give her
the Holy Ghost,
the Holy Ghost,
that He may preserve
the perpetual habit of Holy Religion in her,
the perpetual habit of Holy Religion in her,
and defend her heart from the distractions of the world and from worldly desires…
Just as she is
changed in head and face, in the same way may His right hand give her an
increase of virtue and open her eyes from all spiritual blindness and pour upon
her the light of eternal glory.
changed in head and face, in the same way may His right hand give her an
increase of virtue and open her eyes from all spiritual blindness and pour upon
her the light of eternal glory.
Receive dear sister the crown of thorns in memory of the crown of Our
Lord
Lord
and if you wear the crown of thorns of tribulation in this life you will
be rewarded by your Spouse with a crown of glory for evermore in the life to
come
be rewarded by your Spouse with a crown of glory for evermore in the life to
come
Names in the Old Testament usually signify
something. They refer to, as the Catholic Encyclopedia stresses, “either to some trait of a child, actual or prophetic, or to some feeling or hope in the
parent at the time of its birth”. A change of condition too, demanded a
change of name, for instance; the conversion of Abram to Abraham – “because I
have made thee a father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5). And so our new little Novices
received new names, that they may be detached from the world and enter the religious state. Attached to the name is the name of the Mother of God, “Mary”
in whose protection St Dominic entrusted the Order of Preachers and another
name (preferably Dominican) in order to imitate their virtues and sanctity. For
all of us, this was the most exciting part – to hear the new names of our dear little
Sisters.
something. They refer to, as the Catholic Encyclopedia stresses, “either to some trait of a child, actual or prophetic, or to some feeling or hope in the
parent at the time of its birth”. A change of condition too, demanded a
change of name, for instance; the conversion of Abram to Abraham – “because I
have made thee a father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5). And so our new little Novices
received new names, that they may be detached from the world and enter the religious state. Attached to the name is the name of the Mother of God, “Mary”
in whose protection St Dominic entrusted the Order of Preachers and another
name (preferably Dominican) in order to imitate their virtues and sanctity. For
all of us, this was the most exciting part – to hear the new names of our dear little
Sisters.
Miss
Maria Beatriz Piña Mejia from Mexico took the name
Maria Beatriz Piña Mejia from Mexico took the name
Sister Maria Dolores
Miss Anna
Cristen from Kansas, U.S.A. took the name
Cristen from Kansas, U.S.A. took the name
Sister Mary Amata
Miss Cara Ruegg from Maryland, U.S.A. took the name
Sister Mary Francis
Miss Emilyn Ng from Singapore took the name
Sister Mary Imelda
To
add to our excitement, our two American Novices, Sr Mary
Johanna and Sr Mary Thomas pronounced their first vows.
add to our excitement, our two American Novices, Sr Mary
Johanna and Sr Mary Thomas pronounced their first vows.
“Just as Jesus hidden under sacramental species is a source of
grace to those who approach Him in proportion to their dispositions (faith, hope,
charity, humility) thus also the graces we will receive from Jesus hidden in
our Superiors will be in proportion to the dispositions with which we approach
them.” Dom Marmion
grace to those who approach Him in proportion to their dispositions (faith, hope,
charity, humility) thus also the graces we will receive from Jesus hidden in
our Superiors will be in proportion to the dispositions with which we approach
them.” Dom Marmion
“the eyes of the handmaid are on the hands of her mistress”
(
Psalms 122: 2)
Psalms 122: 2)
Fr Fullerton, the District Superior of Australia and New
Zealand, preached an inspiring sermon on humility, taking the example of Our Lord who was
born in a manger and on the Religious vows, pointing out obedience as the key
to all the vows and the hardest of all; for by it a Sister submits her own will.
Zealand, preached an inspiring sermon on humility, taking the example of Our Lord who was
born in a manger and on the Religious vows, pointing out obedience as the key
to all the vows and the hardest of all; for by it a Sister submits her own will.
Behind the cloud, the sun is always shining, as the saying goes, so with happy
faces in thanksgiving for new graces received were able to process outside for a “family” photo. We also extend our grateful thanks to Fr Stephens and Fr Du
Chazaud for being with us on this solemn occasion.
faces in thanksgiving for new graces received were able to process outside for a “family” photo. We also extend our grateful thanks to Fr Stephens and Fr Du
Chazaud for being with us on this solemn occasion.
Congratulations to our new
Novices and Professed Sisters!
Novices and Professed Sisters!
To all the Fathers, Parishioners, Friends,
Parents and all our family members abroad, thank you for all your prayers. God bless you all!
Parents and all our family members abroad, thank you for all your prayers. God bless you all!
We ask for your earnest prayers for the perseverance of our
new Novices and the fidelity of our newly Professed Sisters. We also make an urgent appeal to
your ever generous hearts to help us build our New Convent in Tynong. God
reward you!
new Novices and the fidelity of our newly Professed Sisters. We also make an urgent appeal to
your ever generous hearts to help us build our New Convent in Tynong. God
reward you!
