Sister Declan
Loving Co-Operation In The Service Of God
Sr Declan, dolc - Mavis Walsh
I was born in Kyneton-Victoria, Australia on the 30th of May, 1924, with a condition called right haemagplegia. That means one side of my body was partially paralysed. My childhood involved a lot of therapy aimed at improving the use of that side, particularly my right arm and hand. At the age of 12 I was seen by a Dr Jean McNamara, who was a specialist in the treatment of disabled children. Dr McNamara asked me if I wanted to be a “one handed child”, as would be the result if I was not determined enough to overcome my disability. Dr McNamara encouraged me to continue with the therapy and to seek employment which would force me to use the weak arm. I found work at the Myer Emporium, which is now Myers of Melbourne, in the ‘OK’(credit system) office.
After 8 years with Myers I was still in contact with Dr McNamara. She asked me if I would work for the Catholic Education Office in a project to aid other handicapped people. I took up this position, and in the course of my work I became acquainted with the Grey Sisters (now known as the Family Care Sisters) who offered respite care to relieve parents of disabled children. On June 11th 1955 I attended a function at the Melbourne Exhibition. It was here that Mother Shanley-the leader of the Grey Sisters-introduced me to Sisters’ of Compassion Mother Zita (congregation Superior at the time), and Sr Marcelle.
It was Sr Marcelle who said to me “If ever you go to New Zealand, come and see us.” The following Monday, June 13th, was the feast of Saint Anthony, so I prayed to him “If you want me to go to New Zealand, then give me a ticket”. On the 23rd of December my prayer was answered. I had visited many tourist bureaus, and found only one ticket available for travel to New Zealand., so I took it and paid within the hour. I still had to ask for leave from work, and this was granted.
On my New Zealand holiday I stayed in Wellington for two days, and on January 13th 1956 I visited Our Lady’s Home of Compassion at Island Bay. As I walked in the front door of the old Home, immediately I knew that this was the place for me. This was also my first visit to the Home of Compassion Christmas crib, and I was given the following quote of Mother Aubert: “Your office at the Court of King Jesus will be an Angel going in advance to prepare the local angels for the arrival of the Court” with the practice of this being “Loving co-operation in the service of God”. Strange to say on my last visit to the crib I got exactly the same quote; to me this confirms my Vocation.
On my return to Melbourne I began approaches to the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion. I was 31 years old (at that time the upper age limit for postulant intake was 32) and disabled. Despite these questionable factors I was still acceptable to the Congregation. I entered on 11th August 1956, and was professed in 1959. As a novice at Island Bay I cared for the infants in the nursery, and also the children in the Home. I worked at Silverstream with disabled boys for 18 months; spent time helping at the Buckle Street Soup Kitchen, and also at the Crèche there (with Sr Flora). Over one 6 week Christmas period I also helped at St Raphael’s Home of Compassion for the disabled children in Carterton.
Since profession I served for a few months at Jerusalem and Ranana on the Whanganui River, then I was at St Vincent’s Home of Compassion for mothers and children in Auckland. From St Vincent’s I went to St Vianney’s in Timaru, again caring for disabled children, and then I spent 14 years at our Loreto Home of Compassion for the elderly in Wagga Wagga, Australia.
From Wagga I came back to Wellington, New Zealand; again to work in our Soup Kitchen, then located on Sussex Street. I was there for 10 years, working alongside Sisters Annette Green and Margaret Anne Mills, and other sisters and volunteers in this ministry. Since January 2000 I have been back in Wagga Wagga, where I am part of the care and ministry to the residents of our home, and their families. We also have significant contact with our benefactors, and other folk from the local community, many who come to us through our chapel services.I still have some impairment of my right side, but I am always grateful to God and the Sisters of Compassion that I was acceptable and able to serve in my calling.
Sr Declan was interviewed for this story at the end of 2001.
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