Our Lady Star of the Sea – Howick
175th Jubilee Celebrations 2023 August 11-15th
On August 11-15, 2023, Our Lady, Star of the Sea Parish and school celebrate 175 years. As Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, we were part of the early history of Catholic Howick. This Jubilee invites us to visit that history, to remember and give thanks.
For more information on the celebrations please click on the following link https://www.starofthesea.school.nz/175-years-of-catholic-education/
Some interesting information about Howick from our Archives:
Our Sisters staffed the school from 1904 until 1924. For the first year, they lived in a cottage in Howick. In 1905, they moved to a bigger house in Panmure and travelled by horse and trap to Howick each day. In 1912, the Bishop asked them to go to Ellerslie. From here, they travelled by horse and trap to Howick after breakfast on Mondays, returning to Ellerslie on Friday afternoons.
The beach was across the road from the school. If the Sisters’ buggy was late arriving, the children would be found at the beach having fun!
When Bishop Lenihan was asked what recompense the Sisters would have in Howick, he replied, ‘Ýou may have the Blessed Sacrament in your house and Divine Providence will do the rest.’ Consequently, Reverend Mother M. St. Pacome had no difficulty in choosing ‘Divine Providence’ as the title for the new foundation.
In 1925, Bishop Cleary invited the Sisters of Mercy to open a Diocesan orphanage in Howick, so our Sisters were no longer required there. The Ellerslie house History records: ‘…. the dear Sisters feel keenly leaving Howick where they have worked so devotedly for so many years, but God knows best, and He in His tender love, knows all the secret acts done for Him and not even one kind word they have spoken will be without its reward.’
Altogether, over 20 Mission Sisters taught in Howick between 1904 and 1924.
We give thanks for these 175 years and ask God’s blessing on the celebrations to mark this wonderful milestone.
Footnote: Sr Margaret Monaghan’s great-great-grandfather, Patrick McGrath, from Co.Mayo, Ireland, arrived in Howick in 1848 as a Fencible. He was one of the original parishioners of Our Lady, Star of the Sea Parish, Howick.
