Sr Margaret Anne Mills

Since I was about 16 there had been a little niggle in the back of my mind to give religious life a go. I did not do much about it, and began the exciting life of a student in Palmerston North, training to be a teacher. While at Teacher’s College I became interested in special needs and thought that I would like to teach in this area. Very little was available for training in New Zealand at that time. Possibilities of training were mentioned to me, one in Australia and one in England. I was not able to afford to do either. While in my last year at school I had visited a Home for disabled children run by the Sisters of Compassion at Carterton. Since my interest was strong, I arranged to make a second visit. Well I just thought the school was tops, and this was the work that I knew I wanted to do. I asked one of the sisters how I could do this, and she replied–"You could enter". I remember responding emphatically "You must be joking".

Two years later I had begun my training as a Sister of Compassion in Island Bay, Wellington. I thought that I had planned things well. I talked with God–I would give it a go for a few years. If things did not work out, I would return to teaching and in time train as a special needs teacher. After my First Profession I had a year at the school in Carterton and just loved the work. I have taught with other special children in Newtown-St Anne’s, and in Wilcannia-NSW Australia. However I have now been away from teaching for nine years. So, ‘why do I stay’ if I am not able to follow my initial call to teach special needs kids? Well the mystery of God has lead me to be taught by a variety of special people, and it is because of this mystery that I stay.

One strong lesson was when I was very new in the small town of Wilcannia, so far from all that was familiar to me. To make things worse, it was my first real taste of prejudice. White people would not walk on the same side of the street as me. This was not because of who I was, but because of what I did––run a school for Aboriginal infant children. The shock for me was still hitting home when an old Aboriginal fellow put out his hand to shake mine in welcome. I was embarrassed as my hands were black. The black of the water hose had rubbed onto my skin while watering the lawn and I had been unable to wash it off. The old fellow smiled with glee and said "Look Sister: you and me nearly the same colour".

Another lesson was here in the soup kitchen when one of the street kids said "Hey Sis, what’s the matter with you? Have you forgotten to take your fix or what?" I laughed as I realised that he had sensed my grumpiness. He broke into my mood and positively changed the outlook of my day. There are so many encounters that have brought me closer to God. I continue to keep falling in love with Him, again and again.

Presently I am involved in the many changes of how our Homes of Compassion are managed and run. It is quite chaotic and I sometimes wonder why do I stick it? It is knowing that God is in the chaos. Knowing that, in God’s providence, all will be well. Even though at this stage I do not see how. Outside structures have forced the Homes to change, and less women come forward to give Religious Life a go. However there is just something within me that is caught in the mystery of it all. I am very sure that I have a part to play in the Sisters of Compassion at this time.

The words of Suzanne Aubert our foundress give me that added boost. "Everything corresponds, the small as well as the great, and everything has its place in the great designs of God".

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