Greetings from Sister Margaret Anne

Each time I met Pope Francis, he said, “Pray for me.”
In those moments, I felt woven into his story and invited into his journey. Prayer requests – whether for a sick mother, someone grieving, or struggling with depression – are never fleeting. These prayer requests are included in our daily Mass: you are woven into our story. Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert believed in the power of prayer and the importance of seeking God’s help, she wrote: “Lord, you promised that whatever I ask for in prayer, I would receive.”

The stories in this newsletter reflect your generosity and faithfulness towards our Mission Services. Thank you. On behalf of the Compassion whānau, we hold you in our thoughts and prayers during Christmas and New Year. God bless you all.

Remembering Sister Emi Frances Oh and Sister Mary McKernan | He Maumahara

With deep gratitude and affection, we farewell two Sisters who passed away following courageous journeys through long illnesses.

Sister Emi Frances Oh passed away in September. Since her profession in 1976, she dedicated her life to serving those most in need, working as a nurse at the former Home of Compassion Hospital, supporting various health organisations in Christchurch, and leading the Chanel Home of Compassion in Suva, Fiji.

Sister Mary McKernan died in October, after years of devoted service as a nurse and financial manager at the Home of Compassion Hospital. Professed in 1968, she served in Auckland, Whanganui, Hastings, Upper Hutt, and at the Chanel Home of Compassion.

Both Sisters were farewelled in loving ceremonies at the Chapel of Our Lady of Compassion, surrounded by family and Sisters of Compassion, leaving a legacy of unwavering commitment and compassionate service.

The Little Pilgrim’s Guide | Te Aratohu Mo Te Manene Tamiti

The Little Pilgrim’s Guide, a new resource inspired by the life and journey of Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert, is now available for children who are curious about pilgrimage.

The guide introduces tamariki in a vibrant and engaging way, to the idea of being a pilgrim, as someone who travels with purpose, reflection, and connection to faith, whether visiting the Home of Compassion in Island Bay or exploring other special places.

The content of the guide is closely tied to the Suzanne Aubert Exhibition Centre and the grounds of Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, offering activities and insights that reflect the spirit of the site.

Through maps, illustrations, and storytelling, children learn about Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert’s own pilgrimages, including where she went, what she wore, and what she carried, encouraging them to think about what they might bring on their own journey.

The guide also invites children to collect treasures, both physical and spiritual, along the way, making the experience interactive and meaningful.

Available in print at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion shop and digitally shared with schools, the guide supports Pope Francis’s call to embrace pilgrimage. It’s a colourful resource that integrates Te Reo Māori and offers a fun, thoughtful way for children to explore spirituality, history, and personal growth.

Purchase it online at: www.compassion.org.nz/shop/
Price: $10.00

Rising demand, rising cost | Te pikinga o te tono, te pikinga o te utu

The cost-of-living crisis continues to weigh heavily on families across Aotearoa New Zealand. Rising prices for food and other essentials have become a reality that we have all had to face in recent years, but those who feel it most are those with the least: the most vulnerable in our community.

We see the impact every day at the Compassion Soup Kitchen. Our breakfast and dinner services are often overflowing with whānau looking for a hot meal, or some extra help with clothing. There are many days when our dining room simply can’t keep up, and people must wait outside for a seat. While they wait, we do our best to offer them a hot coffee to help them through those cold mornings and evenings.

In the past 12 months, the demand for food has increased astronomically. In the year to June 2025 we served 20% more meals. And this year, the numbers are still climbing.

Meeting this growing demand with limited resources is becoming more challenging every day. Not only have our operational costs risen, but food is harder to source.

It has been a tough year – but thanks to the generosity of our supporters, partners, and donors, we have been able to keep bringing hope to those who need it most.

Expanding Compassion | Te Whakawāhnui I Te Puaroha

Eleven new housing units will begin construction in Levin early next year, as part of Compassion Housing’s plan to address the growing housing crisis and meet the needs of people seeking a place to live.

The new units will be located at Cambridge Place, close to the current units, and will be built through a partnership between Compassion Housing Horowhenua Limited and Willis Bond.

The project is co-funded by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and will be delivered by LT McGuinness, a company that has supported the Sisters of Compassion for many years.

Hiruhārama renovations | Mahi whakahou ki Hiruhārama

Significant renovation work is underway in Hiruhārama/Jerusalem, with the replacement of the roofs on the Heritage-listed Old Convent and St Joseph’s Chapel.

Both are over 100 years old and, due to their age, pose structural risks in the event of earthquakes. One of the upgrades also includes the removal of the chimney in the Old Convent.

This work is being carried out by Whanganui Plumbers and is expected to be finished by the end of the year. The below image shows the Old Convent chimney bricks.

The Cause continues in Rome | Haere tonu te take ki Roma

We already know that Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert is a saint, and the mahi to have this truth recognised by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints continues in Rome.

We invite our supporters to join us in prayer that Meri Hōhepa will be beatified soon. The prayer we use is below. If you would like a card with the Prayer for Beatification in English and Te Reo Māori, please contact us.

Lord Jesus Christ,
You taught us that as often as we show compassion to the least of our brothers and sisters, we show it to you.

Hear our prayer that Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert, who came to Aotearoa New Zealand to be with Māori, and dedicated her life to caring for those in poverty and in need, may soon be recognised by the Church as a saint.

Amen.

Celebrations in 2026 | Ngā whakanui I te tau hou

There are only a few weeks left until 2026, a special year that will mark two significant milestones in the history of the Sisters of Compassion: it will be 100 years since the passing of Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert; and 125 years since the founding of the Compassion Soup Kitchen in Wellington.

These two anniversaries invite us to look back and reflect on the remarkable legacy of Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert, a visionary woman of her time, deeply committed to social justice, who dedicated her life to caring for the most vulnerable: people experiencing homelessness, the sick, abandoned children, and marginalised communities.

Since her passing in 1926, Suzanne Aubert has left a legacy that is not only historical but profoundly relevant today. This legacy lives on in initiatives such as the Compassion Soup Kitchen, which will soon celebrate its 125th anniversary. Since 1901, the Soup Kitchen has been a place of welcome and dignity, offering hot meals, support, and community for our whānau experiencing difficult times.

In 2026, we celebrate not just a story, but a mission that remains alive through Compassion Housing, the Compassion Soup Kitchen, and the work of the Sisters of Compassion at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion.

Recent exhibitions | Nga whakaaturanga tata nei

A wide range of activities and exhibitions took place throughout 2025, generating strong interest from the community and establishing Our Lady’s Home of Compassion as an ideal venue for events of this kind.

In March and April, we hosted the first installment in a series of pilgrimage-themed displays to be held at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion during this Jubilee Year of the Pilgrimage. The year began with Fifteen Stations of the Cross Exhibition, by local artist John Drawbridge. Through his stained-glass prototypes, Drawbridge offered a unique interpretation of the way of the cross, just ahead of Holy Week celebrations.

In May, artist David Krsticevic brought us A Pilgrim’s Rest Exhibition, a collection of crosses crafted from driftwood gathered at Makara Beach.

In June, Junior Syndicate students from Sacred Heart Cathedral School painted a series of portraits of Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert. These artworks were later showcased in August in an exhibition titled The Birthday of a Hope-filled Pilgrim, celebrating the creativity and reflection of tamariki.

In September, it was the turn of Chris McKeown, an astrophotographer, who presented A Pilgrimage into Awe, a stunning collection of photographs captured during long nights he spent observing the sky and stars. This exhibition was part of the South Coast Arts Trail 2025.

These exhibitions deepened our collective appreciation for creativity and reflection. We look forward to continuing this journey of hope, art, and community at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion.