I have never looked back or regretted the decision I made all those years ago to become a religious. I know I am loveable and loving. I believe there are many ways to live life and to experience the love of God, but for me, it was to be a religious. As my journey continues, changes in my life have given me a lot to learn from my own experiences. Compassion is my leading light – the joy is not so much in what I have given but in what I have received from people I have encountered on my journey. It is a grace to realize and acknowledge that Mother Aubert’s spirit continues to be alive in the work we do today making a difference to the people in need who don’t have much. ‘Thanks be to God’. Sister Josefa was honoured in November 2021 with the Benermerenti medal, awarded by Pope Francis for services to the Catholic Church.
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Our Stories
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Sister Majella Dawson
Margaret Mary Dawson was born on 16 May, 1914, in Lislea, Ireland. Her parents were Peter and Brigid Dawson (nee Quinn). Margaret Mary was the third child in a family of five, the eldest her brother Joe, and her sisters Maureen, Bridie, and Joan who was born in New Zealand.
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Sister Columba Staveley
Kathleen Mary Staveley was born at Carterton on the 28 October, 1906. Her parents were Frank Spencer Staveley and Hilda Mary Staveley (nee Weight). Her mother belonged to the Weight family, and was the sister of our first Sister M. Columba [Weight]. Her mother’s aunt was our first Sister Francis McManaway, called Auntie Tot...
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Sister Rose Buckley
Rhoda May Buckley was born and baptised at St Bathans, Central Otago. Her parents, Patrick and Margaret, were born in Ireland and passed onto their family born in New Zealand a strong Irish inheritance.