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NEW ZEALAND |
Babelfish Translation
The Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions arrived in New Zealand in 1865. They
were the first missionary foundation established outside of France. At present there
are 153 sisters living in 55 houses in New Zealand and 30 sisters living in the following
countries: Australia, Canada, British Isles, Rome, France, Kenya, Papua New Guinea,
Peru, Philippines, Samoa, Senegal ,Myanmar, Czech Republic, Bolivia and Viet Nam.
WORKS (APOSTOLATES) INVOLVED IN TODAY
Primary education Secondary education Spiritual direction Social work
Tertiary education Diocesan education Prison chaplaincy
Ethnic ministryLanguage tutoring Music teaching School counselling Home making
Speech teaching Parish pastoral work Counselling
Secretarial work Archives Province leadership
School chaplaincy Hospital chaplaincy Refugee support
Maori missions Study Caregiving
Photo:
A group preparing for prayer at at
a gathering of the Sisters
MISSION SISTERS HOSPITALITY HOUSE FOR REFUGEES MANUREWA, SOUTH AUCKLAND
It is now 4½ years since our Sisters purchased a house in South Auckland to enable us to become involved in the ministry to refugees and migrants. The house found was suitable for a couple of Sisters, together with a self-contained unit on the lower level. Half of the double garage was converted into a classroom. The furnishing of the unit and the classroom was possible due to the generosity of local funding agencies.
Our aims in this venture continue to be:
to provide a place of hospitality where refugees can feel free to approach us for any kind of help
to enable these refugee families to take their rightful place in New Zealand society
to provide support with daily needs and difficulties
to accompany the refugees in their settlement time here in New Zealand
The Refugee and Migrant Centre refer rugee families to us. We support them and walk with them for several months and then assist them to find and set up their own homes. The unit has been put to wonderful use, enabling us to help four families settle in NZ - two from Vietnam , one from Sri Lanka, one from Afghanistan, and two single people - one from Vietnam the other from Myanmar.
The converted classroom is a hive of activity with three English language groups being taught twice a week, together with three classes held at St. Anne's Catholic Church. We also home tutor a number of women who are unable to join groups.
Contact: Margaret Mullin , Alei Leilua or Maureen Duncan - FAX: 00649 267 4791
Converted
classroom
MISSION SISTERS WHANGAREI
We are an RNDM community that:
prays together
cares for creation
welcomes others
deepens awareness, through study and reflection, of what it means to be a religious community in an environmentally threatened world
has concern for our neighbours
affirms local justice initiatives
creates a community of peace and contemplation for ourselves and for others
helps foster the spiritual and liturgical life of the local Christian community
supports and affirms each other in our individual ministries
We recognize our need for regular personal and community accountability if we are to be faithful to our mission statement.
We have now been in residence at Oshiwa Road four and a half years and are becoming widely known as Sisters concerned with contemplating and caring for God's gift of creation, retreat direction, theological exploration and teaching.
We are involved in a small local Catholic community where the laity are significant liturgical presiders. Our outreach includes involvement with NGOs and Justice Groups such as GE FREE NZ (Northland) INC, Pax Christi, and we are seed multipliers for Koanga Organic Gardens committed to maintaining NZ heirloom plants.
We grow, share and eat our own organic produce and are developing a new 60 square metre garden bed so that we may try our hand at a small cash crop - perhaps elephant garlic.
Contacts: 
Mary
Maitland : mary.cm@ihug.co.nz
Susan Smith s.smith@ihug.co.nz
Photo: The Whangarei House of Prayer is in a remote rural seting, ideal for a retreat and for spending time with nature
Photo: Sr. Mary welcomes a friend for prayer & sharing
MISSION SISTERS, A PLACE OF WELCOME & HEALING
PANMURE, AUCKLAND
A new venture has been established in Panmure, Auckland. We are an RNDM community that : are part of a wider group of women who choose to live together, seeking God. We desire to share who we are. We welcome all who seek healing and re-sourcing. We offer a quiet space, a safe place, where understanding and acceptance may be found and celebrated.
Contacts: rndm@xtra.co.nz
The Nelson community website http://olmnelson.topcities.com/
NEW ZEALANDERS ON MISSION OVERSEAS
Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam
1. Sex
workers – The project aims to provide a place of safety for women to have safe
entertainment, learn skills and attend evening classes in order to regain their dignity as
persons of worth. A suitable house has been found to meet the needs of an increasing
number of young women. Assistance is given in a variety of educational ways.
2. Leper
patients – The needs of leper patients continue and we give whatever help and
assistance we can - be it food, clothes or
housing repair. Negotiations are under way to obtain permission to work through the
Province Health Department in order to visit other villages in the Province to offer
assistance.
3. Bu
Ca ethnic village – Bu Ca is one of the most destitute villages I have visited in
this area. The supply of a functioning water system was of the highest priority and we
have been able to set up four filtration plants in four different localities within the
village. TB is a problem, with many having advanced TB. The village school has received
assistance in meeting the needs of each child.
Without the wonderful financial
support and assistance of many generous sponsors and donors these projects could not have
been undertaken and maintained. There is still much to be done.
For further information
contact: sheila@hcm.vnn.vn
London , England
I work in the Cardinal Hume
Centre in
a) long
term accommodation
b) education
in English as a second language and in computers
c) practical
skill and emotional support
d) a
family centre, where young mothers leave their children so that they can attend either b)
or c)
e) alcohol
and drug rehabilitation and care accommodation
f) 
a
doctor’s surgery.
I teach English 5 days a week
to refugees and those who are wishing to return to college. Tuesday and Friday afternoon
I’m usually free after a short meeting. The morning group usually consists of 10
student from any troubled country in the world. They come to me with absolutely no
English, and have been referred to us by the Westminster Council. Some stay at this level
for at least 6 months or more, then they either move to the next level, or go to school or
college – which ever they are successful at obtaining a place in.
The three afternoon groups are
usually students who have had some form of education but are suffering from other
emotional or social problems.
I thoroughly enjoy this work as
it energizes me and give me pleasure. I learn much more from these people - much more than
I can every give them – their respect, tolerance and acceptance of their situation in
spite of missing their families, or of their continuing refusals for indefinite stay.
I live in a community of three,
and in August we will be four. We are all busy and seldom home, but when we are we do
relax and enjoy our evening meal together, before heading off to yet another meeting!
For further information contact: kiaora@2brookdate.freeserve.co.uk
Further info and
articles about New Zealand missionary works can be found at the
following links:
Newsletter #2/02,
Newsletter #1&2/04
PAST PUPILS ASSOCIATIONS
AUCKLAND: Mission Sisters' Past
Pupils & Friends Association
President - Helen Howley, 12 Stanaway Ave., Northcote, Auckland
CHRISTCHURCH: Sacred Heart College Past Pupils' Association President - Mrs. Mary Slattery, 16 Masham Road, Christchurch 8004
GREENMEADOWS: c/o St. Joseph's Maori Girls' College, Private Bag, Greenmeadows
HAMILTON: c/o Sacred Heart Girls' College, PO Box 4064, Hamilton 2015 email: hearts@shgcham.school.nz
LOWER HUTT: Sacred Heart College Past Pupils' Association President - Sister M. Philomene, 35 Britannia Street, Petone 6008
NAPIER: Convent Past Pupils'
Association
President Mrs. Naomi Tong, 38 Trigg Crescent, Taradale
NEW PLYMOUTH: c/o Sacred Heart Girls' College, PO Box 3241, New Plymouth
MISSION COLLEGES : 4 Sacred Heart Colleges
established by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions in New Zealand:
http://www.missioncolleges.school.nz/
ASSOCIATES
RNDM ASSOCIATES - AOTEAROA-NEW ZEALAND
In September 1990 the Sisters undertook to introduce the possibility of Associate membership in New Zealand. Since that time about 120 men and women have committed themselves, after a period of formation, as Associate members of the Congregation.
Two or three times a year our Associates meet, regionally – in Christchurch, Lower Hutt, Mount Maunganui, Napier and Taranaki –for a day of prayer and reflection. Often a Sister from overseas will share her missionary experience with the group. From time to time our Associates join the Sisters for a regional day and celebrations. An Associates newsletter has been used to help keep the groups in touch with Order news.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There is a need for volunteer teachers in our two colleges for indigenous girls: St. Joseph's Maori Girl's College, near Napier and Logo'ipulotu College, Savai'i Western Samoa.
Anyone interested contact 
PLG, PO Box 30-575, Lower Hutt 6315, NZ
Fax: 4. 566 8328
or
hobanr@attglobal.net
ckearney@attglobal.net
maureen.johnson@attglobal.net ;
VOCATIONS
Anyone interested in finding out more:
Contact
Sister Cynthia Kearney - PO Box 30-575, 65 Waterloo Road, Lower Hutt
ARCHIVE ADDRESS
Sr. Marie Lucia Nobbs/ Sr. Margaret Mary Hunter
RNDM Archives
PO Box 33-177
Petone, NZ
Fax: 04 4 970 8946
SCHOOLS ON LINE
Sacred Heart College, Napier : http://www.sacredheartnapier.nz/
Sacred Heart College, Hamilton: http://www.shgcham.school.nz/
Cathedral College, Christchurch: http://www.cathcollege.schools.nz
Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt: http://www.sacredheartcollege.school.nz
New Plymouth: http://www.catholicgirlsnp.school.nz