WelCom August 2018:
Deirdre Hanlon
Crowds gathered at St Anne’s Church, Newtown, in June to commemorate 183 years since the birth of Suzanne Aubert in Saint-Symphorien-de-Lay, France.
Sr Telesia ‘Iva ‘Afungia, Sr Josefa Tikoisolomone and Sr Sue Cosgrove cut ‘Birthday Cake’.
Cardinal John Dew concelebrated Mass with Bishop Emeritus Stuart O’Connell and local priests. In his homily, Cardinal John said, ‘I am certain if there had not been 102 years difference in their ages, and if Mother Aubert and Pope Francis had lived at the same time, they would have been good friends. Both have shown us and are still showing us how to reach out to the poor, how to show mercy and compassion. They are showing us the Gospel calls us to love beyond those who love us.’
Sr Margaret Anne Mills, congregational leader, thanked Cardinal John for his homily and everyone for their contribution. Margaret Anne said she was writing to Pope Francis to share some of Suzanne Aubert’s writings as they echoed Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and be glad). She asked Cardinal John to hand deliver the letter to Pope Francis on his next visit.
Hospitality followed in the church hall – with a birthday cake gifted by the Parish of Wellington South and the singing of Happy Birthday. Children and young people from across New Zealand had made flowers to decorate the hall. Students from local Wellington schools, the Suzanne Aubert Scout Group and LifeTeen attended the Mass.
All are invited to next year’s commemoration of Venerable Suzanne Aubert’s life on 19 June 2019.