OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, 19 December 1918, Page 37

OBITUARY

SISTER M. LAWRENCE (WHELAN), SISTERS OF MERCY, TE AROHA, AUCKLAND. Among the many victims of the epidemic who have answered with their lives to the call of charity and devotion to duty was Sister Mary Lawrence,, Superioress in charge of the Convent of Mercy, Te Aroha, Auckland. When the nurse in charge of the improvised hospital there was attacked by the disease she made a request to the parish priest (Very Rev. Dean McGuinness) that the superioress of the local convent should assume charge of the hospital. Sister M. Lawrence accepted the duty imposed upon her, and, assisted by Sister M. Stanislaus, undertook (under the direction of the matron) the charge of the hospital during the day time until she was attacked by the disease. After a few days it was thought necessary to administer the last Sacraments, and though everything possible* was done to aid the sufferer she passed away. on Monday, December 2. Sister M. Lawrence, in the world Miss

Julia Whelan, came to N.Z. from Melbourne in 1895 to devote herself to the work of education and charity .in the Order of Mercy. She spent the greater part of her religious life in St. Patrick's Convent, where she had charge of the schools, , and was directress of the Sodality of the Children of Mary attached to St. Patrick's Cathedral. " Two years ~i ago she was sent to Te Aroha r to take charge;. of. the convent. Her piety, zeal, and charity were known to all, and it is truly said that in losing Sister M. Lawrence the Sisters of Mercy, Auckland, have sustained a great'loss.—P. SISTER MARY CHANEL ; (BURTON), SISTERS OF MERCY, WELLINGTON. It is with extreme regret (writes our Wellington correspondent) that 1 have to record the death of Sister Mary Chanel, Superioress of St. Catherine's Convent, Kilbirnie, which occurred there on Saturday, November 30, after a very brief illness. The deceased nun, who was extremely popular, was born in Ireland, and when very young came to New Zealand with her parents, who settled in Blenheim. At the age of 19 she entered the Order of the Sisters of Mercy, and had been at various periods stationed at Dixon Street, Te Aro, and Newtown, prior to receiving her appointment as Superioress of St. Catherine's. The acquisition of the splendid Convent of St. Catherine's, and the pioneer work she performed in the establishment of the parish school of St. Patrick's, which she administered in conjunction with her duties of Superioress of St. Catherine's, proved her organising abilities. During the present epidemic she worked night and day nursing the sick in the Kilbirnie district, and the sacrifices she made for the sufferers caused her untimely death. She worked right up to the day before her death, and it can be said of her that, like her Divine Master, she laid down her life for the suffering and afflicted. The news of her death was received with feelings of genuine regret by both Catholics and non-Catholics, many of whom owe their lives to the care and attention which she tenderly bestowed during their prostration. The Children of Mary of St. Anne's, with whom the deceased Sister was associated for many years, attended in regalia the Requiem Mass offered on Monday,' December 2, at St. Anne's Church for the repose o'f her soul, and approached the Holy Table in a body. The interment took place on Monday, prior to which Requiem High Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick's Church, Kilbirnie, Father McCarthy, Marist Missioner being celebrant. His Grace Archbishop O'Shea presided, attended by the Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., and Father Hurley, S.M., was master of ceremonies! Father Gilbert, S.M., M.A., Rector of St. Patrick's College, and Rev. Dr. Casey, S.M., of St. Mary's Seminary, were among the clergy present. The music was rendered by the clergy, Father Schaefer, S.M., being organist. The church was crowded, and among those present were a large number of Sisters of Mercy, and Sisters of Compassion. Brothers Egbert and Fidelis represented the Marist Brothers. His Grace Archbishop O'Shea gave the absolutions. Officers of the Hibernian Society were pallbearers. Father Campbell, S.M., officiated at the interment. The chief mourners were Mr. E. Burton (Sister Chanel's brother) and family, to whom is extended the eincerest sympathy of a large circle of friends.—R.LP.