Sr. Magdalene Quinn
Little Company of Mary United Kingdom
On September 8th, 2009, the Feast of the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sister Magdalene Quinn of the Little Company of Mary, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, celebrated the 75th anniversary of her final profession on September 8th,1934. In her long active ministry she served as a nursing sister in hospitals in Edinburgh (St Raphael’s) and London (Dollis Hill) as well as parishes in Liverpool. She also served as housekeeper to Bishop Patrick Casey during his time in Westminster and finally as Bishop of Brentwood. The anniversary Mass was celebrated by Fr Alfred Buttigieg SJ, chaplain to the Little Company of Mary Sisters in Westcliff-on-Sea. By coincidence Fr Buttigieg himself celebrated the 50th anniversary of his entry to the Jesuit novitiate in Starnford Hill on September 8th, 1959. Friends and family paid their respects to Sister Magdalene, among them her niece who is Mary Whelan, Irish ambassador designate to the Netherlands, and her nephew Alan Whelan, principal emeritus St Benedict's College, Colchester.
Sr. Fillys Madziya
Little Company of Mary South Africa & Zimbabwe
"I was deeply touched by the relationship my parents had for one another, for our family and for those in need. As I was growing up in Zimbabwe, I was a frail child. I will never forget the healing, loving touch from my parents that kept me alive. Imitating them, I began to do charity work at the parish level. I visited, prayed with the sick, the lonely, the poor and those in need of my support in any way. I felt drawn and called to do more for God - I felt like something was missing. When one of the Little Company of Mary Sisters visited my parish, she was full of life and joy that was ‘infectious’. I felt drawn to share with people my faith and spirit and give them my companionship as they journeyed through life. I wanted to be that loving presence to those people who would like to remember their last moments as being loved. I felt the call to the Little Company of Mary's spirituality was where I could best spread God's kingdom."
Sr. Monica Whelan
Little Company of Mary Australia
"After encountering a Little Company of Mary Sister, I was drawn further to seek and understand its charism. It was then after meeting with other Little Company of Mary Sisters that I was able to finally give my 'Yes' to that same call to pray for the sick and dying. A variety of life's experiences, reflective of my own and others' suffering, challenged me to question the restlessness within myself. There is great fulfillment in answering this call and being a Sister of the Little Company of Mary. This journey gives me great joy, peace and happiness amongst all the chaos of everyday living. The Spirituality of the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary enables me to be with those in need and be a greater part of the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. The essence of being called to live a life of prayer enables me to continue to spread the Good News as Mary did for her dying Son on Calvary."
Sr. Mary John Schlax
Little Company of Mary USA
"Over sixty years ago, I was enjoying a very happy life working in the business world," recalls Sister Mary John Schlax. "Then one day I was asked by a priest if I had ever considered a religious life. Although I had not, I started to pray about it as I continued to attend daily Mass. Later I visited the Little Company of Mary Sisters and found them to be warm and inviting. After a year of discernment and visiting the Sisters, I entered Little Company of Mary in December of 1942.
"Every congregation has its own charism," Sister Mary John explains. "In Mary Potter's vision, the Sisters follow Jesus' pattern of self-giving love on Calvary for the sake of the Kingdom. They do this in union with Mary's maternal heart by bringing God's love to the world. It is that passionate love for God and humanity which compels us to search out the lost, the lonely and the alienated."
"I am grateful to have been called to this Marian congregation," recalls Sister Mary John. "I have now celebrated 60 years filled with God's many graces and blessings."
Sister Mariana Keegan
Little Company of Mary Australia
Sister Mariana Keegan worked for 22 years on the Reception desk
at Calvary Health Care Canberra. Over that time, she oversaw many changes – the beginnings of the private hospital, the development of Hyson Green Mental Health Services, the opening of the Calvary Clinic, the establishment of the new older persons unit within Calvary Health Care. Working under five different Chief Executive Officers, Mariana was part of the growth of Calvary Health Care. Her ministry at the front desk ensured that patients and visitors and staff were greeted and supported with respect and hospitality. Her association and support of the auxiliary of Calvary were highly valued, and are still missed.
While Mariana is no longer at the front desk, her ministry continues. She has a long standing phone ministry to the sick, and now she has more time, she visits and supports them in their homes, and in hospital. She is also a valued visitor to Calvary Retirement Community Canberra, where she is known to many.
Over the years of her ministry, Mariana’s fondest memories are of the people she has met, those she has supported and those befriended. Now she has some time to enjoy listening to music, and doing those things that have been put on the backburner over the years.
Sister Margaret Webb
Little Company of Mary Australia
Sister Margaret Webb held her ministry at LCM Health Care National Office for almost five years. She came to the office to provide an LCM presence and a visible reminder of the Little Company of Mary vision and values, as well as to provide her not inconsiderable experience in Administration.
Margaret was known as an Administrative Assistant, but she was far more than that. She was a support and a point of influence for the members of the National Office over her years of service. She supported the endeavours of the National Office – a task that often meant hard labour – preparing for board meetings, organizing and meeting deadlines for the National Office Educational programmes. Her expertise and unfailing good humour made life easier for those around her.
While Margaret enjoyed her time at the National Health Office in Canberra, and in particular her contacts with those associated with LCM Health Care, she now looks forward to some time to herself. This might be hard to find, as she, along with Mariana, visit the sick, support those who are bereaved, and spend time at the Calvary Retirement Community. However, in her ‘spare’ time, she hopes to get to watch some cricket and football, and the occasional tennis match.