WelCom December 2022
Anne Burke rsj
On 19 December 2022 Sister Francesca Bourke rsj, of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart will be celebrating her 100th birthday in Whanganui. Family, Sisters and friends will be gathering with her to reminisce and be thankful for her long life.
Francesca hails from Irish parents and grew up on a farm in Taranaki. With her sisters she became a boarder at Sacred Heart College in Whanganui and entered the Congregation there in 1940. She taught in Catholic primary schools in Whanganui, Hastings and Feilding, as well as at Sacred Heart College in Whanganui.
From 1960 onwards, Francesca led the community at Sacred Heart, and from 1971 to 1981 was Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph of Nazareth in Whanganui. As she noted, ‘that time provided me with many challenges and varied experiences, including involvement in the Australia-New Zealand Federation of the Sisters of St Joseph from its earliest years.’
After her years of leadership Francesca moved to Central Hawke’s Bay where she was involved in parish pastoral work. Later came hospital and prison visitation, and involvement in the Faith and Light community.
In 1998 Francesca was one of the original residents of Quinlan Court in Whanganui – a retirement complex for independent living. Francesca loved her time there as she lived with men and women from all walks of life ‘growing old gratefully and gracefully’.
An interest in art developed into numerous paintings over the years and many were used in her ministries.
Francesca is now a resident in a Whanganui Rest Home where she enjoys visitors, and despite failing eyesight and hearing, she remains interested and eager to be part of the world around her.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 8 December
‘As has been the custom for many years an archdiocesan Mass will be celebrated on our diocesan feast day, 7pm, Thursday 8 December, at St Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, Karori. The archdiocese will again be entrusted to the care of Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception at this Mass. Parishes are asked to renew that Consecration on the following Sunday, 11 December, at All parish Masses.’ – Cardinal John Dew
Dates and events – what’s on
December 2022
If you would like your event listed on this page, please send an outline to welcom@wn.catholic.org.nz including name of event, date, time, location and contact.
Pope Francis registers for the next World Youth Day in Lisbon
At the conclusion of the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis registered for the next World Youth Day to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, in August 2023. Assisted and accompanied by Portuguese university students studying in Rome, the Pope tapped his way to becoming the first officially registered pilgrim for World Youth Day.