ST. MARY’S CONVENT OF MERCY, AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 7 November 1918, Page 39

ST. MARY’S CONVENT OF MERCY, AUCKLAND

With deep sorrow the Sisters of Mercy, Auckland, record the death of one' of the pioneer Sisters of the community, Sister M. Camillus, and supply some additional particulars regarding one who was very closely identified with the early history of the Order in Auckland, and of whom an obituary appeared in last week's issue of the Tablet. Sister M. Camillus Heffernan passed away on' Monday, October 21, at St. Mary's Convent, Ponsonby, after a brief illness* A native of Dublin, Sister M. Camillus entered Carlow Convent in the year 1854 and came to Auckland in 1855 to devote herself to the works of the Sisters of Mercy, who were established in the Cathedral parish as early as 1850. Her superior education and natural ability had lull scope in the schools and her love for the poor, sick, and destitute children was remarkable. She was one of the number chosen by her superioress, at the invitation of Bishop Viard, to found, with Mother M. Bernard, a convent of the Order in Wellington, where she labored for some years, until, assistance being procured from Melbourne, she returned to spend her declining years in her home at St. Mary's. " The deceased Sister celebrated her diamond jubilee in November, 1917, and was 86 at the time of her death. Included among the clergy present at the Solemn Requiem Mass, celebrated for the repose of the soil of deceased were Dean Cahill, Fathers Brennan, Murphy, O'Malley, and Kelly.—R.l.P. A large number of the friends of the Sisters of Mercy assembled at St. Mary's Convent, Ponsonby, on the Feast of St. Raphael to witness the reception of four young ladies. Tho ceremony was conducted by his Lordship Bishop Cleary. Those received into the Order were:—Miss Maud Simmons, Hamilton (in religion Sister M. Teresa) : Miss Irene McGarry, Ponsonby (S.M. Xaveria) : Miss Nora Prendergast, Ponsonby (S.M. Ambrose) ; and Miss Clara O'Connor, Blenheim (S.M. Clotilde). After the sermon, which was eloquently preached by Very Rev. P. Whelan, Superior of the Redemptorists, the postulants attired in bridal array retired to reappear in the sombre garb of a Sister of Mercy. On their entrance the choir sang the hymn "Quae Est Istu" after which the robing took p'ace. The music incidental to the occasion was rendered in a devotional manner by the convent choir. At the conclusion of the ceremony the Bishop gave Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The visitors were afterwards entertained in the convent by the Rev. Mother and community.