February 2015
Reflection
Sr Margaret Anne Mills
Pope Francis proclaimed 2015 as a year dedicated to the promotion of consecrated life. He has asked the church’s religious sisters, brothers and priests to ‘wake up the world’ with their testimony of faith, holiness and hope. He also asked the laity, who share with religious the same ideals, spirit and mission, to grow and respond with them to the promptings of the Spirit in society today.
The Year of Consecrated Life is an opportunity for the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion, known as Sisters of Compassion, founded in Hiruharama, Whanganui River, by Suzanne Aubert 1892, to reflect on their history and future. Suzanne’s prayer sums it up ‘Thanks be to God for all He has done and all he is doing for us’.
The people of New Zealand and beyond are part of this opportunity. The sisters’ history shows the commitment of people’s gifts and expertise in their’ ministries. Take a moment to recall how you or your family have been part of the Sisters of Compassion story. The sisters’ future remains a life of prayer and action as well as developing and nurturing our partnerships with people.
Pope Francis has asked us, the sisters and our compassion family to respond to the voice of the Spirit today.
Today Sisters of Compassion give witness to faith, holiness and hope in the prisons, hospitals, classrooms, the soup kitchen, refugee support services, spiritual direction and prayer groups, and much more. It is a wonderful privilege to be a Sister of Compassion and especially at this time as we look towards Suzanne Aubert’s Beatification. Suzanne Aubert’s journey to sainthood is the people of Aotearoa New Zealand’s journey too.
If you want more information on the work of the Sisters of Compassion or would like to receive their quarterly newsletter, please email Gerard McGreevy or telephone (04) 383-4952.