Sisters stories – Compassion

18 July, 2017
Sister Liguori Dowdall

Christina Agnes Dowdall was born in Wanganui on 9 November, 1908. Her parents were Christopher and Gladys Dowdall…
8 March, 2017
Sister Yvonne Manera

I was born in Hokitika, on the West Coast. My father was William Paul Manera, and my mother, who came from Ross, was Maureen Margaret Roberts. I was the second of a family of four. I have an older brother Bill, my only sister Noleen, and a younger brother Malcolm.
3 March, 2017
Sister Aloysius Kerrigan

Margaret Kerrigan was born at Ashhurst, near Palmerston North, on 5 September, 1885. She entered as a Postulant on 13 October, 1907 and went to Island Bay when the Noviciate was transferred there in March, 1908. She began her Novitiate on the 17 September, 1908, and received the name of Sister Mary Aloysius. She was professed on 28 September, 1910….
3 March, 2017
Sister Alexis

Mary Catherine Heagney was born on 31 May, 1913 in Dublin, Ireland. She came to New Zealand with her family at the end of May, 1921, so she was old enough to retain clear memories of her early childhood in Ireland. Her brothers, Father Pat and John and her sister Theresa were also born there, while Margaret and Michael were born in Wanganui where the family settled. May, as she was always known, commenced her schooling in Dublin and often talked of those years, but once in Wanganui she attended St. Mary’s Convent School, run by the Sisters of St. Joseph…
13 February, 2017
Sister Ita Flannery

Bridget Cecilia Flannery was the eldest daughter of John and Ellen Flannery, and was born at Timaru on 12 October, 1913. Two of her sisters also entered the Sisters of Compassion: Sister Mary Joan and Sister Mary Adrian…
13 February, 2017
Sister Hedwige Donovan

Mary Jane was born in Greytown, Wairarapa, the only daughter of William and Jane Donovan. Her parents owned a large and productive farm in Rangitumau, in eastern Wairarapa…
12 February, 2017
Sister Prisca McQuilkin

Annie McQuilkin was born at Hau Hau, Hokitika, on the 5 August, 1874. Annie was the second daughter of John McQuilkin and Mary [nee Sweeney]. Annie’s parents were well-known and highly respected pioneers of the West Coast whose strong faith and open-handed generosity built up the Church in the early days of New Zealand…
12 February, 2017
Sister Julian Redwood

Gwendoline Redwood was born at Woodend, Victoria, Australia, on the 2 February, 1942. Her parents were John Sylvester and Mary Teresa Redwo0d (nee O’Grady). Gwendoline entered the Sisters of Compassion on the 14 August, 1645, and received her religious name Sister Mary Julian Eymard. Sister was Professed on the 15 September, 1948…
12 February, 2017
Sister Martin Walsh

Lorraine Mary Walsh was born in Gisborne, the daughter of Thomas and Mary Walsh. Lorraine was the eldest sibling. The family later settled in Wanganui and Lorraine received her education from the Sisters of St Joseph. The Walsh family became quite active in local activities. Prior to entering the congregation Lorraine with her sister Marion moved to Wellington and were employed in an ammunitions factory in Petone. After the war she had a position with an accountancy business gaining bookkeeping skills which she would apply later in religious life. Lorraine was 28 when she entered the Sisters of Compassion and on reception into the noviciate received the name of Martin…
12 February, 2017
Sister Stanislaus Forbes

Martha Forbes was born at Ensfield, Oamaru, on 19 April, 1885. Martha entered the Sisters of Compassion on 8 December, 1907. Although her health was not very robust, Mother Aubert decided to admit her, although she thought she would never reach old age. When the Novitiate moved to Island Bay, Martha was one of the first four postulants to receive the Habit there and was given her religious name Sister Mary Stanislaus…
12 February, 2017
Mother Zita Lenihan

Mary Lenihan was born at Kangaroo Grounds, Victoria, on 7 June, 1888. Her parents were John and Maria Lenihan (nee Aspden). Mary entered the Sisters of Compassion on 5 January, 1910, and began her Noviciate on the 28 September, 1910, receiving her religious name Sister Mary Zita. Sister was professed on the 28 September, 1912…
12 February, 2017
Sister Xavier McDonald

Eileen McDonald was born in Auckland on the 26 January, 1904, the second daughter of James and Rose McDonald. Eileen was baptised and confirmed at St Patricks Cathedral, Auckland…