The time of the vocations discernment retreat finally arrived after months of preparation! Sixteen young ladies came from various parts of New Zealand, Australia, and Tasmania. Parishioners had been generous in their loans of bedding, and even a house across the road was lent for the purpose of housing some retreatants (and a Sister to … Read more
THE HAIL MARY Words of the Angelic Doctor onTHE ANGELIC SALUTATION This salutation has three parts. The Angel gave one part, namely: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women.”[1] The other part was given by Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, namely: “Blessed is the fruit of … Read more
This day is a very dear feast for us as St Catherine is one of the patrons of our Congregation. Also, some of our Sisters received the habit or made profession on this day. This year we had an early Mass in our chapel and then a Sung Mass in the Church. At the Sung … Read more
This year we have five novices and five professed Sisters in the Community. It looks very neat in Church, one row of Novices in front and one row of Professed Sisters behind. (However, there is room for more novices, so don’t hang back for fear of spoiling the symmetry). The Professed Sisters are pursuing worthy … Read more
The Feast of Epiphany this year brought a very special joy for the whole Church, and for the Dominican Order, in particular. On this day, two more souls were made the eternal spouses of Our Lord Jesus Christ and three souls entered into their betrothals with the Divine Spouse. A retreat, preached by Father Jacques … Read more
1. The Dominican way of life, the mixed life, is, St Thomas says, the way of life most similar to the life of Jesus and the Apostles. 2. The role of the Dominican Order is to save the Church in times of crisis and heresy. Such an Order is never more needed than now. 3. … Read more
Mother Micaela’s public speaking is, alas, dotted with jokes, when she sees the audience’s eyes take on a glassy look, from too much educational talk. Here are a few from her talk to parents: About Classics/History – One Egyptian to another. “You know that huge statue in the desert? It’s lost its nose.” Second Egyptian, … Read more
1. Prepare the night before by reading over the passage on which you wish to meditate. When you have read it over you could make notes, either mentally or in writing, of the points that seem to be particularly applicable to yourself and your relationship with God. 2. In the morning start your meditation kneeling … Read more
When we come to talk about vocations there are several questions that need to be answered. These are:• What is a vocation?• How do I know if I have a vocation?• Should I try my vocation?• When will I have security in my vocation? A vocation is a call from God to follow a particular … Read more
On the Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena, April 30th, in addition to the magnificent and breath-taking ceremony of Sister Mary Madeleine’s Perpetual Profession, there was also added a new member to the community. Miss Martin, the first American in the convent, received the holy habit of St. Dominic and was given the name of … Read more
APRIL9th-14th …………..Easter Break30th…………………Feast of St Catherine of Siena………………………Final Profession and Reception of the habit30th-May 18th…….Holidays___________________________________________________MAY11th-15th…………..Bethlehem Intensive Course………………………Pilgrimage to Paraparaumu___________________________________________________JUNE16th-20th…………..Mid year exams___________________________________________________JULY6th-10th…………….Mid-term break22nd………………….Feast of St Mary Magdalene……………………….803rd Anniversary of the Dominican Sisters___________________________________________________AUGUST3rd……………………Raffle closes4th……………………Feast of St Dominic………………………..Annual teachers vs students netball match………………………..Raffle is drawn15th…………………..Feast of the Assumption22nd- Sept 13th…….School holidays___________________________________________________SEPTEMBER29th…………………..Mother’s Feast day___________________________________________________OCTOBER7th…………………….Feast of Our Lady of the … Read more
This year our Bethlehem studies started with an intensive course up in Tauranga at the end of January. We had a very stressful beginning as the accommodation which was promised us fell through at the last minute. As always, Mother was quick off the mark and managed to organise an alternative lodging at the Marist … Read more
