Sister Maureen Richardson

On Monday, 31 May, Sisters, family, and many of Maureen’s friends, filled St Mary’s Catholic Church, Greenmeadows, for her Requiem Mass.  The main celebrant was Father Rory Morrissey, who had shared ministry with Maureen for many years.  Four other priests concelebrated.

Maureen was a wonderful RNDM.  She was big-hearted, optimistic, full of enthusiasm for life.  ‘Praise the Lord!’ punctuated her conversations whether the topic was happy or sad.

She wrote about her life and ministry.

I was born in 1937, a much wanted and loved daughter of Gladys and Wilfred, and I have one younger brother.  We grew up in happy surroundings on a market garden just out of Christchurch, and I can still recall some incidents relating to World War 11.  One occurred when my father biked some twenty kilometres to where we were staying on holiday with Mother to tell her he had been rejected by the Army.  I recall the surprise of seeing Dad arrive and the tears and joy on that occasion.

 School days were happy days.  I loved school and participated fully in anything that was on.  As a youngster, I recall one of our teachers telling us that God had a perfect plan for each of us, and that it was in following Him that we would find true happiness.  At this stage in my life, my greatest dream was to be a nurse, and then marry and have twelve children.  However, a struggle was beginning – maybe God wanted me to be a nun.  This disturbing thought was pushed into the background, and life went on.

 Secondary schooling, nursing –  and then during my second year of nursing, my mother died.  A dilemma!  I had missed an exam, the hospital wanted me back.  I loved nursing and knew I was a good nurse, but the thought I had about combining nursing and religious life no longer seemed important.  Something inside me seemed to be saying, ‘No, not that way!’  So, I handed in my resignation and went home to be the homemaker.  I loved it – the cooking, washing, ironing, preparation of large morning and afternoon teas for the workers.  But I kept remembering the line from scripture: ‘We have not here a lasting city, but seek one that is to come.’  So, I decided to trust God and give religious life a go.

 I entered the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions in Christchurch, a place I said I would never go near because of their apparent emphasis on teaching.  I was professed in 1961 and for ten years cared for the senior Sisters in the Christchurch community.  1971 saw me back in the nursing world of Burwood, Essex and Princess Margaret Hospitals in Christchurch.

 After a spiritual renewal programme in Rome, I returned to be matron at St Joseph’s Maori Girls’ College in Napier.  This was something of a mothering role, care of the sick, making dental and medical appointments, and being Boarders’ Mistress with special responsibility for Third Formers.  Outside the boarding school, in any spare time I had, I involved myself in parish visiting, visiting the sick, renewal in faith groups, Lenten study programmes and prayer groups.

 As Pastoral Assistant in Titahi Bay Parish, I am very much involved in parish visiting, in working with Mothers’ Groups, and in the different parish and ecumenical based groups.  There is much more I could say, but my greatest desire is to bring people to an encounter with Jesus Christ, so they know His healing love and power in their lives.  

 In 2001, Maureen moved to Featherston in the Wairarapa as a founding member of the Magnificat Community joining the members in a ministry of prayer and healing.

Three years later, Maureen moved to Auckland and joined the Communion of Peace in Herne Bay.  Here she continued her connection with people, giving great example of her religious commitment and always being a warm and supportive friend to countless people.

At the end of 2015, Maureen moved to Napier and back to the many friends she had made there so many years ago.  From her little flat in Osier Road, she continued her ministry of prayer and companionship to so many.

Over the next five years, ill health gradually overtook her.  Even at this time, she remained optimistic and cheerful.  When she became too unwell to go out, her many friends visited her, keeping her company and seeing to her every need.  Her wish to die at home was granted.  She died very peacefully just after 7am on 26 May 2021.

‘Maureen was larger than life in her joy and love of Jesus.  A woman who welcomed all into her embrace and love.  One of those people never forgotten once met.’  So wrote the Cenacle Sisters after her death.

Maureen is buried with our Sisters at Te Wharerangi Cemetry, Napier.

Rest in peace, Maureen.  Praise the Lord!