Over the past 100 years, 76 RNDM Sisters have lived and worked in the convent, school, parish, and music department at St. Patrick’s, Kaiapoi.
The first three Sisters, Vincent, Natalie and Fabian, lived in a simple house which did not have a set-in flooring. They received help from the people. Farmers brought along wheat, potatoes, and wood, also fruit and vegetables from the gardens.
The Sisters also taught the families who were poor. Often there were not monetary payments.
Jubilee celebrations began on Friday 6th March with the Mihi Whakatau, a special welcome from teachers, students, for us, and invited guests.
to Srs Margaret and Gael
The two RNDM’s present, Sisters Margaret Monaghan and Gael Henry responded with speeches after the principal, Trish McKendry welcomed us and highlighted the Sisters who had worked at St. Patrick’s. Our charism, missionary work, and the cultural narrative were remembered, and thanks were given to the teachers, parents, caregivers, and students for carrying on with all the good work. This was followed by senior students showing people around the classrooms where children were busily working. The two RNDM’s present, Sisters Margaret Monaghan and Gael Henry responded with speeches after the principal, Trish McKendry welcomed us and highlighted the Sisters who had worked at St. Patrick’s. Our charism, missionary work, and the cultural narrative were remembered, and thanks were given to the teachers, parents, caregivers, and students for carrying on with all the good work. This was followed by senior students showing people around the classrooms where children were busily working.
and Sr Gael Henry
On Saturday 7th March, Sister Anna Maria Persico joined us where there were further registrations and the visiting of classrooms.
Photos were taken and there was a tree planting ceremony of a native tree, the blue totara.
Later in the day, we proceeded to the auditorium of a neighbouring school, where the teachers and students presented the showcase, “Spanning the Decades.”
At St Patrick’s there are ten classrooms. Each class highlighted an era with acting, singing and dancing.
We then watched the cutting of the centenary cake.
On Sunday 8th March at the 9 a.m. Mass, two Bishops, Michael Gielan and John Adams officiated and with full participation of parents, teachers and students, we honoured our land, our Māori people and all who have come to live here.
We praised and thanked God as we celebrated together our 100 years of St. Patrick’s School, Kaiapoi. Sr Gael Henry