Happenings Parish Notes Suzanne’s Crucifix returned to Sisters Sacred Heart, Ponsonby Toward the end of last year the Sisters of Our raffle went down a treat; March 2018 Issue 6 Compassion received a crucifix from Terry the basket contained the Verrall. It once belonged to Suzanne Aubert, Aubert biography, Spiritual who gave it to Sister Zita Lenihan before she Tonics, Notes on the Run, the died. Sister Zita was Terry’s great aunt, and Joy Cowley book for children, when she died Terry’s mother was given the notelets, a packet of kawakawa In God’s Time cross and had it by her bedside for 50 years. tea, two kawakawa seedlings he journey to sainthood is not a quick one. Her presence, Upon her death, Terry decided the Sisters and a bottle of kawakawa cream. Although we witness miracles every day as too, is felt in the of Compassion must have it. The rondel at It gave us the opportunity to T the top of the cross suggests it was for a lanyard, as worn by speak to our parish two weeks in a result of the wonderful work and intercession of life and mission French priests. a row, and here’s hoping it has Venerable Suzanne Aubert, we must wait for the of the Sisters of encouraged a few more people to Church to recognise two official miracles before Compassion and Compassion Schools Programme pray for Venerable Suzanne Aubert’s canonisation. Suzanne can be canonised. all those who Suzanne Aubert, pray for us! share their vision It is the dream of the Schools Programme that all students in We all celebrated when Francis declared that of a just and Catholic Education will be able to visit the Suzanne Aubert More displays created Suzanne Aubert had exercised the Christian virtues Heritage Centre and other sites of significance to an heroic degree. On 1 December, 2016, he officially compassionate during their time at school. In addition, there is a wealth of An increased number of parishes recognised her as one of the Church’s holy women. She society. online resources available and throughout the year there are nationwide now have a Suzanne was to be called “Venerable”. It was a step her friend The Church Aubert special display in their several opportunities for schools to participate in various and protector Cardinal Gasquet, would have very much requires the church or school. These are in programmes from the classroom, including an art reflection on appreciated. Following her death in 1926, he wrote: official recognition the Stations of the Cross and an activity for schools leading addition to diocesan Places of of a miracle up to the anniversary of Suzanne Aubert’s birthday on 19th Pilgrimage that have been created “Not only I, but many here in the Eternal City, before each of the June. For more information, visit: https://compassion.org.nz/ in , Hamilton, Palmerston regarded her as a true and I hope next two steps ( and Canonisation) but schools/ or contact Deirdre at [email protected] North and Dunedin. that I may be spared to see at least the initial stages Many parishes have created their of the process of her Suzanne’s influence goes well beyond the demands of own displays using materials available from Sister Beatification; that she Canon Law. Official miracles may occur in God’s good Josephine, while others have utilised one of the various will most certainly be time, not ours. It will be great to see her canonised one display options provided on preprinted boards. These raised to the altar, I feel day, but in the meantime we can confidently ask her to can still be ordered, along with a copy of the icon confident.” intercede on our behalf. portrait, from Sister Josephine. There are many people who have experienced a Email: [email protected] Although the Cardinal’s hope was return to health or the resolving of personal problems not realised in his and family issues, and others who have joined them Keep in touch Great resources available lifetime, his hope has in prayer, and they can testify that such confidence in Suzanne’s help has not been in vain. Despite the ould you like to receive regular updates and news here are some terrific resources that have become our hope and the waiting continues. technical requirements of Canon Law, people of faith Wby email? If so please give us your email address. Tbeen produced to help in the promotion of the know that miracles occur in many different ways. spirituality and good works of Suzanne. More details on We do not wait in vain, You can do this by registering on-line or by emailing Faithful Christians, over the centuries, have always [email protected] the website: www.suzanneaubert.co.nz however, as we believe that “in death life is recognised the in their midst and asked for their help. Name changed not ended”. Please keep me informed of progress Postal Address Hundreds of Please continue to pray for the intercession of Suzanne Please send me information on resources available testimonials confirm that Suzanne has not left us to in a miracle that the church recognises. Venerable I would like to make a donation to Sisters of Compassion Suzanne Aubert, holy woman of God, pray for us! Email Phone journey alone. She continues to intercede with our loving God for those who ask for her help. (Fr. Maurice Carmody, ) Please send to: Sisters of Compassion, PO Box 1474, Wellington or scan and email to: [email protected]

For more information please visit our website: www.suzanneaubert.co.nz For more information please visit our website: www.suzanneaubert.co.nz i i SUZANNE AUBERT NEWS SUZANNE AUBERT NEWS i i

“Patience is one of the mostTwo of thesolid very important people associated with WhyWe are developing Suzanne several new resources Aubert to help people learn is an inspiration“To love God above to all me i promoting the Cause for sainthood of Suzanne Aubert are more of the and of Suzanne Aubert. We have things, to love all people as Father Maurice Carmody and Sister Josephine Gorman. recentlyot long published after Suzanne a 16-page Aubert’s booklet andarrival you can find details of I believe that as theoneself, Outhwaites to give one’s heart helped foundations of sanctity” and soul, one’s mind and Father Maurice is the Postulator and has been responsible Nthat inon New the website. Zealand It she is a becamewonderful a very publication close that provides a Suzanne Aubert in life, she has helped them in life-long friend of the Outhwaite family. Thomas death. They werestrength influential in order to makeand significant in his morning I unwittingly misread the above quote Thefor journey compiling to Sainthood the comprehensive documents required by great summary of the life of Suzanne. Copies are available from the and then I laughed. Perhaps Suzanne occasionally is not a quick one. Along Outhwaite was the first Registrar General. Mrs. Auckland societypeople in better1860 and but happier, since they died, T . You’ll find more on the that Father Maurice office if you can’t download it from the website. Just call Sister Jo that is life, that is the law, struggled with her sanity as she waited in Rome longing to the way wonderful Outhwaite was French and was like Suzanne’s they had been forgotten. After the restoration compiled by going to this website (www.suzanneaubert. on (04) 383-7139 and she will send you a copy. There is a small fee that is happiness, justice return to . It was a long wait and it tried her experiences of faith and New Zealand mother. In Suzanne’s letters to and unveiling ofand their truth.” grave, St Peter’s College in many ways. healingco.nz/resources). are happening Mrsof $5 Outhwaite to cover postage she addressed and packing. her “Dearest in Auckland named a new 12 classroom block She had received “The Decree of Praise” for the Daughters forYou many can people. also readThey a biography of Father Maurice at MadameThere will & be Mama”. other material The family added providedshortly to theon- Website including the ‘Outhwaite Building’.New Zealand’s I believe in the making all this has NO¯ AOTEAROA, HE TAONGA O TE HUN of Our Lady of Compassion and was itching to return are(www.suzanneaubert.co.nz/people). awe-inspiring stories goingsome financial video material and practical that you support can download,to Suzanne. and a spiritual come about because of SuzanneGA TAPU IAubert. RARANGAHIA She home to New Zealand. She had no other home, the of faith and well worth Inreflection September booklet 2009 basedI went on tothe Island writings Bay of toSuzanne. Watch out for has repaid them. They are finally recognised in French Embassy in Rome did not recognise her as a French sharing with each other. praymore for details. a special intention and I have prayed Auckland today and their name is once again citizen as she had been away from for 57 years. I am frequently asked to Suzanne every day since. I became interested mentioned. The English Embassy offered her a passport on the strong “When is Suzanne Aubert going to be made a Saint?” I in the Outhwaite family after reading Jessie Munro’s As Suzanne Aubert said in one of her letters... “Whose work Duringadvice that the she current stay in northern Italy until is possibleafter the we war. could This have was some respond, “There is a season for everything and that season biography. When I found the family grave broken and is it? Surely not mine.” summer,reinforced unanimously the theologians by the cardinalswonderful in news Rome. to Suzanne celebrate will be in God’s good time - when we are ready, when the forgotten, I knew I had to do something. An inner voice It is very exciting to know Rome is once again concerned inwaited Rome and are she reviewing waited patiently the around using the the time anniversary to write to of people of New Zealand are ready for such a momentous would always encourage me and never let me give up. I with Mother Aubert. the sisters (the and case her for friends, her being to helpSuzanne’s others death where (October she could 3rd). happening.” In the meantime I encourage you to keep resigned to this and just let things happen. Jenny Doherty madeespecially a saint) the sick. at the Her request life had Iftaught the theologians her the value are of satisfied praying for Suzanne Aubert’s canonisation and to make her ofpatience Pope and Francis. she shares Provided insights and of this their knowledge decision isthrough positive, known in New Zealand and beyond. Her journey towards theyher writings. are satisfied Today she with would all Suzannebe smiling could and saying be declared to us sainthood is for us a journey of growing deeper in faith,

as we pray earnestly for her Sainthood: inspired by the life and faith of Suzanne Aubert. It is also Care with Compassion Te Rauhi i Runga i te Puaro the documentation, they will ‘venerable’ before Christmas. 2 Rhine Street, off Murray St, Island Bay Visit the Suzanne Aubert Heritageha Centre PHONE: 04 383 7139 EMAIL a journey of patience. As the process of her beatification : [email protected] release“God is theirmarvellously decision patient at the withThat us, is but a very we also significant have to step slowly unfolds, we continue to be inspired by her life of be patient with Him, that is to say: we must know how to We invite you to join us in beginning of autumn (our on the causation journey. Please must-see when visiting Wellington is the prayer for the Cause for

Beatification of Suzanne Aubert. faith and achievement. “ springtime).wait for Him...” While and: we are pray for these deliberations. Arefurbished Suzanne Aubert Heritage Centre trying“When not must to get we too know excited, how it to wait for God? When He I note that Pope Francis was reflecting on this very issue and the newly opened Resting Place of Suzanne delays the manifestation of His Will, in regard to things today as I wrote this column. He said during his morning Sister Josephine Gorman is the archivist for the Sisters of Aubert. ” Mass “Patience is often produced when our faith is tested. New Zealand’s which we would like to do immediately; when He seems Compassion and has spent many years managing the all- saint in the making deaf to our prayers...” It is neither defeat nor resignation. We must embrace it like Nestled in the hills of Island Bay, the Home of NO¯ AOTEAROA, HE TAONGA O TE HUNGA TAPU I RARANGAHIA Jesusimportant did, rather archival than material. complain”. Compassion affords a rewarding half-day or day She has assisted Father Maurice Sr. with Margaret sourcing Anne historical Mills outing. Suzanne Aubert’s inspiring story is presented material for the Positio that he produced. A detailed profile in an eloquent and accessible way in the Exhibition Suzanne’s footsteps through Aotearoaof Sister Jo is on the website and you can read more on her room. Unique artefacts and audio visual recordings by visiting (www.suzanneaubert.co.nz/people). bring the story to life. enerable Suzanne Aubert journeyed the length of New Zealand (‘My poor life will be spent chiefly on the Main Trunk Line’), and at each A refreshment space and cloistered garden provide V St. Mary’s Church in place she stopped, whether briefly or for long periods of time, her visit was an opportunity to rest and relax. Barista-made coffee and tranquil Resting Place of SuzanneNorthcote, Aubert Auckland is fast is significant. • and simple homemade fare is available. The highlight • becoming a place of prayer and pilgrimageone of the for first visitors. parish To assist in promoting the spirituality and good works of Suzanne Aubert, • of a visit is spending time in the light-filled Chapel of If time allows, there is more to experiencechurches in withNew Zealanda and to help New Zealanders (and visitors) to learn more about her and her Compassion Would you like a copy of the wonderful portrait recently walk to Our Lady of Lourdes’ Grotto,to commission or longer their walks own good and lasting works, the National Digital Pilgrimage map is being prepared • with its • • painted of Suzanne Aubert? The painting was done by John take you up into the hills beyondicon the ofHome Suzanne where Aubert. which will enable people to retrace Suzanne’s footsteps and visit these places • beautiful the Baptist studio in Auckland. The artist has brilliantly the historic reservoir is located. She occupies a place of of significance. Once there, pilgrims will be able to access electronic material •• stained glass via their smartphone to learn why the place being visited is significant. • captured the key symbols that are so important to imagery honour on the wall of the • art and Accommodation is also available in the Retreat House • associated with Suzanne. Using pictures of Suzanne from her church alongside icons of “This is a really exciting development in our journey together as we reflect and • outlook to for visitors seeking a quiet place of refreshment for are inspired by the work of this truly remarkable woman,” said archivist Sister passport and other documents, the final portrait is what we St. John Paul II, Blessed • nature. To their stay. Josephine Gorman who is helping to develop the project. “It will provide believe Suzanne would have looked like when she first set , St. Mary the side of the immediate and up-to-date digital and print material for all to become better • foot in New Zealand. The location is obviously For more information and openingMcKillop hours visit: of the Cross, informed and more inspired.” with the river in the background and the main church Chapel, clearly https://compassion.org.nz/our-places/suzanne-aubert-and others. Parish priest the beautiful Watch out for progress reports on the development of the digital map, and the visible. If you would like your own copy of the icon, you heritage-centre/ Craig Dunford blessed the big launch on Celebration Day in October. can order it on-line (www.suzanneaubert.co.nz/resources) icon at a special Mass and invited the congregation to pray for the or by contacting Sister Jo. Cause of Suzanne Aubert. For more information please visit our website: www.suzanneaubert.co.nz %QR[TKIJVi(TGG8GEVQT/CRUEQO For more information please visit our website: www.suzanneaubert.co.nz New Zealand’s Saint in the making New Zealand’s Saint in the making