The Society of the Sacred Heart
Australia-Aotearoa
New Zealand ,
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The Society of the Sacred Heart
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It is not what you are nor what you have been that God sees with
all merciful eyes,
There is something wanting in education where a child has not had its share of leisure, to be rapt in silence and alone… Janet Stuart rscJ
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Sr Agnes Moriarty, RSCJ Agnes was
the fifth child and fourth girl in a family of eight, born in Melbourne of New
Zealand par After leaving school Agnes did two years of Nursing and later entered the Society of the Sacred Heart. She made her 1st Vows at Glen Iris on December 8th, (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) in 1943 and her Final Profession at Rose Bay on 15th August (Feast of the Assumption) in 1949. Throughout her life Agnes had a deep devotion to Mary, the Mother of God and with her beautiful voice loved to sing her praises. During the pre-Vatican 11 years Agnes led a contemplative life, performing various tasks in one or other of our school in reception, infirmary, sacristy, household management, catering or supervision. In all these areas she excelled. I sometimes recall the occasion when, as a novice, I was helping in the kitchen and proving to be utterly inadequate. When Sr Agnes was put in charge my life changed – thanks to her good management and her kindness. Later, when as a young nun I had a twenty-four hour shift, caring for the frail and elderly in the convent infirmary, Agnes once again came to my assistance and things went swimmingly. After Vatican 11 ou Order changed and moved from observing Papal Enclosure to being Apostolic, with no enclosure. Agnes then took the opportunity to undertake study, obtaining an Arts degree and Diploma of Education at Macquarie University and later procured a Master of Arts and pursued further studies in Spirituality at Spokane, Washington. During all these years Agnes formed friendships which have endured. Agnes spent some years teaching in our schools and also had the opportunity to study in the Holy Land, which she described as one of the most meaningful experiences of her life. Prior to joining Karlaminda in 1989, Agnes worked as a counsellor in Drug and Alcohol Abuse at the William Booth Institute of Rehabilitation, Surrey Hills, working face to face for nine years and on the Salvo Life Line for a further five.` In the ‘Residents’ Profile’ sheet at Karlaminda, Agnes listed the following eighteen items as her Areas of Interest: People and places around the world Reading widely Travel In depth conversation Development of women’s rights Justice for aboriginal people Prayer The future involvement of rscj Our Associates Our current work Our Parish Community World politics Artwork e.g. card making Writing Council of Jews Scripture studies Classical music Italian language. Perhaps this list was compiled prior to her involvement with candle-making. Agnes was wont to work away in a room under the house, converting donated candle ends into beautiful specimens that were sold in the church at Christmas and Easter. This raised hundreds of dollars annually that were donated to the missions. All this was done as far as possible without the knowledge of the Hostel Manager, who was terrified that the whole place would go up in smoke before ever the candles did. The Interest List has mentioned Agnes’ work with our Associates, with whom she met regularly and who were so dear to her heart. It makes no mention, however, of her weekly visits to the Villawood Detention Centre for the Mass with the detainees. Agnes did a wonderful work in procuring help for asylum seekers, who had so little by way of assistance or rights in their vulnerable situation. Every Friday she travelled the long distance by public transport until her physical frailty made it impossible for her to do so. Agnes took a keen interest in the Christian/Jewish Dialogue and with her sister, Betty, subscribed to this and attended meetings. She was happy to share this and all her interests with the community. Agnes was always a person of deep prayer and in many ways was able to share this gift with others. In the early eighties she went to support Sr Nicki Flipo at the House of Prayer at Goulburn and thereafter sustained an interest in this venture, going down to give spiritual input for many years. It is obvious from the above that Agnes was a person of zeal, strongly into social justice and much loved by many. However, it has to be noted that in community her sisters could find her company difficult to sustain. In the outside world things could be as they were but in community, if things were not as Agnes thought they should be, her protests were expressed vehemently. When this applied to other peoples ideas or opinions it could be rather daunting, even for the robust, let alone the more timid. However, Agnes’ “passion for the truth”, as she expressed it, could not be quenched, neither could she believe that her responses could be in any way hurtful to others. If, however, anything happened that caused pain to Agnes, it was obvious that in her long life she had never learnt how to bear a grudge. God was able to ask much of Agnes during her lifetime and most people were unaware of the pain that, in these latter years, was her constant companion. During the recent time of transition from one home to another she had much to endure. When, last week, a simple hospital procedure developed complications that became serious, her stated desire was to “go to heaven” and, as we know, the Risen Lord graciously answered her prayer. The Provincial does not wish to go unrecorded the spontaneous response from Agnes when the devastating news of the closure of Karlaminda was first given to our sisters there: “We have always had a ministry wherever we have been”, she said, “and we will continue to have a ministry wherever we go.” From heaven, continue to help us in this ministry, Agnes. Sr Nancy Fitzgerald, RSCJ
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Society
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ents, who came to Australia in 1913. She grew up knowing very few
relations. Her mother died at the age of 45, when Agnes was nine years old. She
was then sent to Sacré Coeur with her sister, Nano.