Sister Nan Green rscj
When Sister Elizabeth invited me to prepare some reflections for this morning, I sought Sister Dorothea Hewlett’s assistance with material from the Archives, as well as memories from some members of the community assembled here and my own.
I think the overwhelming impression I have is that we all, in various ways and at various times, have been witness to a life lived through much difficulty and struggle and great bravery, but focused on the needs of other people and on how she could be of service.
In the course of my own time in the Society of the Sacred Heart, our lives crossed many times, but I did not have the privilege of really getting to know her until she joined our small community at Aroha, first in the 1970’s and then more recently in 2007. However, I have listened to the reminiscing of others, and together with my own experience, believe we have all been witnesses to the life of a truly valiant woman.
Over the years of her life in the Society of the Sacred heart, she spent time working in our Boarding schools – here at Baradene, at Island Bay in Wellington and at Kincopple /Rose Bay in Sydney. She also served in the community at Loreto Hall Catholic Teachers College, here in Auckland, and in Christchurch in our community at Cottesmore. As well as cooking for the boarders and the community, she taught Dressmaking, here at Baradene, when Clothing was part of the Secondary school Curriculum, and was an assistant Boarder mistress when Baradene was a boarding School.
Later, after the Council of Vatican Two, and when Church regulations around the Rules of enclosure changed for Semi-contemplative congregations such as ours, Nan sought ways to widen the scope of her services to the wider community. She pursued courses at Chanel Institute and later worked on the Chaplaincy Team at Auckland Hospital. She also, later served on the Citizens Advice Bureau, members of which still ask after her with fond memories.
Nan returned to live in our community at Aroha in 2007, and it was soon obvious that her health was not at all good. However, in true Nan style, she gave what energy she had to our community life, helping with driving, shopping, cleaning and cooking, and above all through her love of gardening. Her desire to be of service often outran her health and energy and it was very hard for her to let go.
My memories of Nan take me to that wonderful Chapter 31 of the Book of proverbs in the Bible, and in particular these phrases:
The truly capable woman,
Who can find her?
She is far beyond the price of pearls
She selects wool and flax
She does her work with eager hands
She puts her back into her work
And shows how strong her arms can be
She sets her hand to the distaff,
Her fingers grasp the spindle,
She holds out her hands to the poor
She opens her arms to the needy,
She is clothed in strength and dignity,
She can laugh at the day to come.
Give her a share in what her hands have worked for,
and let her works tell her praises at the gates.
Sr Annett Hanrahan, RSCJ