Sister Shirley Tunnicliffe

Born

Margaret Shirley Tunnicliffe was born on the 16 February 1936 in the small town of Owaka in the Catlans to Margaret Liston McAra and Cyril Alexander Tunnicliffe, both early pioneer families of the area. The eldest of four children, Shirley was baptised Margaret Shirley but was always called Shirley. Shirley had two brothers Donald Alexander and Raymond James and a much younger sister, Shona Janet who was born in 1950 after the war.

New hope for beloved Upper Hutt Care Home St Joseph’s

A residential care home for older people that was facing imminent closure, St Joseph’s Home of Compassion in Upper Hutt, hopes to keep its doors open announced Chief Executive Chris […]

The gifted opportunity to open our doors

On International Refugee and Migrants Day, Sister Margaret Anne Mills shares her reflection on the opportunity we have to help and support those who come from far away to live in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Sister Sheila McGrath

Many stories are remembered about the giftedness of Sister Sheila’s talents and her joy in sharing them with others and encouraging others to learn from her.

Sister Michael Soani

Sister Michael’s encounter with the Sisters of Compassion came in the form of a shabby little book. She was impressed with the sisters’ work with the elderly and that was the beginning of a long journey toward religious life. The Sisters of Compassion were not long in Fiji when she visited them.

Sister Kathleen Crean

Kathleen Theresa Crean was born in Blackstoops, Enniscorthy, Wexford, Eire. Sister Kathleen started her life on one side of the world and ended it on the other after travelling to New Zealand in 1959 and following the Lord’s call.

Sister Loyola Galvin

Sister Loyola Galvin (Johanna Mary Frances) was born on 12 May 1922, the second daughter of Adairine and Edward Galvin. In the family of two girls, her elder sister was called Von. The family owned a small farm in Hawera where her father raised poultry and owned many animals. Mr. Galvin was a French polisher by trade. Mrs. Galvin owned a drapery store and worked until she was 70 years old. On leaving school Johanna trained as a nurse at Wellington Hospital during World War II and graduated three years later achieving triple honours.

Sister Catherine Hannan

Sister Catherine Hannan was born on 19 August 1935 at New Plymouth. Her parents were Kathleen Rosena Foster and George Willis. Catherine was the oldest of six children, her siblings were Sister Patricia OP, James, Willis, Gillian, Paul. The family moved to Invercargill while Catherine was young and where she completed her education at St Catherine’s Dominican College. Excelling not only academically but also in music, speech and sport.

Sister Patricia Kraus

Mary Patricia Kraus was born in Wellington on 21 August 1927. Her parents were William and Ellie Kraus. Patricia was the eldest of four children, followed by Suzanne (Sister of Mercy), Bill and Helen.

Rā whānau! Happy Birthday!

Celebrating the 184th anniversary of the birth of Suzanne Aubert, Meri Hōhepa…

Sister Raphael Divine

Elizabeth was born in Meannee the daughter of Michael and Mary Devine. The family lived in a rural area of the Hawkes Bay.

Sister Thelma Backhurst

Thelma Backhurst was born in Auckland,  6 May 1940. Her parents were George and Gladys Backhurst. John her brother was the only other member of the family. Sister Baptist, her father’s sister, was a Sister of Compassion.