OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, 18 November 1920, Page 22

OBITUARY

REV. MOTHER MARTS STELLA. SISTERS OF NAZARETH, CHRISTCHURCH. The community of the Sisters of Nazareth, of Nazareth House, Christchurch, mourn the death of their devoted Superioress, Rev. Mother Maris Stella, who passed away on Thursday, November 4. Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, a -member of an illustrious family in Great Britain, the deceased became a convert to the Catholic faith, and entered upon the life of a religious. Prior to coming to Christchurch (some five years ago), she had charge of a House of her Order at Cape Town, South Africa. During her all too brief period of energetic and fruitful service in Christchurch, she, by her homely, genial, unassuming, and tactful manner, thoroughly entwined herself in the affections of her Sisters in religion, the orphans and aged inmates under her charge, and the general public with whom she came in contact. Her generous nature prompted her to make extraordinary efforts to meet all calls for admission to Nazareth House. It. was entirely against her nature to refuse care and shelter to any poor child, and she would make room even in the face of the seeming impossible. Some four months ago she contracted

an illness from which she failed to recover, despite the unremitting efforts of her medical adviser Er. C. Morkane. , Solemn .Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of the deceased was celebrated in the Chapel at Nazareth House on Saturday morning, November 6, by his Lordship Bishop Brodie, assisted by Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm., and Rev. Father O’Connor, Addington (who attended the late Rev. Mother during her illness).. Amongst those present were Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., Fathers Seymour, S.M., and Roche, S.M. (St. Mary’s), Fathers Gallagher (Cathedral), Finnerty (Addington), Graham, S.M., Burger, S.M., (St. Bedes College), Fogarty (Rangiora), Murphy (Hawarden), Cooney (Lyttelton), Tlanrahan (Earfield), Farthing (Gore). Also , present were /representatives of the, Sisters of Mercy ? Sisters of the Mission, Sisters of the Little Company of Mary (Lewisham Hospital), and Marist Brothers (including Rev. Brother Denis, Provincial). At the close of the Mass, his Lordship the Bishop spoke feelingly of the goood work accomplished by the late Rev. Mother, and extended his sympathy and that of the priests and people to the Sisters, and inmates of Nazareth House, on the great loss they have sustained. The funeral cortege to Linwood Cemetery was very' lengthy'. It was headed by the orphan children of Nazareth Mouse, and thoroughly’ - representative of the Catholic people oi Christchurch, and benefactors, generally, of the institution. His Lordship Er. Brodie officiated at the graveside.—R.T.P.