Obituary

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 10, 6 March 1924, Page 15

Obituary

SISTER MARY ALBINUS, SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH TEMUKA. .'.;.' On January 7 there died at Temuka, Sister Mary Albinus, of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The deceased was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kirkwood, of South Hillcnd, Southland, where she was born 34 years ago. She joined the Sisters of St. Joseph at Fort Chalmers, 11 years ago, and after spending some time in that town and Gisborne, entered the novitiate of her Order at Sydney. After her religious profession she, was sent to St. Benedict's, Auckland, where she taught in the school for five years, till the time of the great 'flu, when her health broke down under the ravages of that disease. Broken in health but not in spirit, she was sent by her religious superiors to South Canterbury, where in the Kerrytovvn Convent, she continued to labor in ,the work of Catholic education. But her strength ebbed little I - little till she had finally 'to give up her loved work amongst the little ones of. Christ. During all this. time she was the object of the tenderest care of 'her Sisters in religion, and was the idol of the children and their parents, whose many kindnesses helped to sooth and sweeten her last days on earth. She spent her last few days on earth at the Convent, Temuka, where up to the last moment she joined in the prayers for the dying. During her long sickness she was a model of faith and patience, edifying all who came in contact with her. Solemn Requiem Mass for the repose of her soul was celebrated by his Lordship Bishop Brodie, assisted by Fathers Egan, J. Kennedy, and Herbert as deacon, subdeacon, and master of ceremonies respectively. The Marist Fathers of South Canterbury., and Father O'Connell, S.M., of Christchurch, sang the music of the Mass. A large body of the faithful followed her remains to the cemetery where she was laid in the Sisters' plot, amidst the prayers and tears of her sisters in religion gathered from all the convents of her Order in South Canterbury and Otago. The Bishop recited the prayers at the graveside and spoke very touchingly of the deceased Sister's life of sacrifice and patience.—May she rest in peace. *