Sr. Shanti

MY VOCATION STORY



You wont believe it if I said that I never dreamt of becoming a nun more so a Canossian when growing up. I am now in my 8th year in the convent from the time I began my journey..how time flies., I cannot believe it myself at times!!Why a nun and why a Canossian, you might ask. I grew up a Canossian I guess…Why, because ever since I was young I knew the Canossian sisters and my mum is a Lay Canossian. So we always had articles or something in connection with the Cannossian lying around the house. I knew them but did not want to know more than that!!

I must say big gratitude to Sr Retta because if she had not challenged me then I would not be where I am today. I was single, available and enjoying all the trimmings the world could offer. I had very good job, a car, a lifestyle that would be very girls dream but yet there was always something missing. I could never pin point it anyway until Sr Retta brought to light that I wanted more out of my life. I wanted a Spiritual experience, an intimate relationship with God. I was missing that.

It was not an easy decision telling my family, being the only girl and youngest really did not help the situation either. I took a lot of courage. I know I hurt my mum the most surprisingly even though she was a Lay Canossian. I think it was the hardest for her. Dad was more acceptable even though it was he who gave me the best education anyone could ask for!!. I had everything in my life!!..well at least I thought so.

As I look back I am indeed very grateful to my family. It is not I who did the sacrifice its definitely them. To sacrifice me after giving everything they could give to their only daughter and sister was something BIG. I thank them for that.

It has been a very interesting, exhilarating and remarkable experience indeed. I am not saying that everything is a ROSE garden. You will find a thorn or two along the way but I always tell myself that I came here on my own free will and I will stay on my own free will. God has been great. He has been a very faithful, supportive and strengthening figure in my life. I could have not reach so far without Him!! Thus far he has been with me and I know he will continue His journey with me. I am after all an UNFINISHED PRODUCT….He is the POTTER I AM THE CLAY….

Love

Sr Shanti A Mariadass

Sr. Agnes Norris

Sr Agnes writes: ‘it was the Lord who arranged everything…..’

She was initially a pupil of the Infant Jesus Convent in Victoria Street but was transferred to St Anthony’s Convent School, Middle Road as Agnes’ mother was a close collaborator of the Canossian Sisters in catechism teaching, home and hospital visitation .

It all began with Mother Christine Rozario, a Sister-in-charge of the Boarders at St Anthony’s Convent. She invited Agnes and Helen Fernandez, while waiting for their Senior Cambridge results, for a holiday at the Sisters’ Changi seaside residence together with the boarders and some Sisters.
At the seaside, Sr Christine casually asked Agnes ‘what do you want to be?’
Taken by surprise, Agnes replied that ‘I would like to be a Mother like you’. (in those days, the Sisters were called ‘Mothers’).

Her reply to be a religious received a quick response from the Mother Delegate of Singapore-Malaysia, Mother Victoria Garre. She informed Agnes’ mother of her religious vocation. Later Agnes confirmed with her parents the call to serve the Lord as a religious sister. They were very supportive of her vocation as Agnes’ brother had been a priest ahead of her. He was Fr Lionel Norris.

Agnes began her formation as a religious in Hong Kong in 1937. After her first profession on 1 January 1939 she returned to Singapore as a teacher. Had her final vows in Melaka, 1 January 1944. She was then posted to Segamat and remained
a resident in Malaysia till this day except for a short return to Singapore for a short period.

Sr Agnes says: I am thankful and grateful to our heavenly Father for choosing me to be the ‘spouse of Jesus’ His Son who has kept me in this Canossian Religious Order for more than 60 years.

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Sr Agnes is 92 now - still agile, humorous, continues to serve the community in household chores in spite of her age. Her hobbies are gardening and card-making.

Praise the Lord indeed for the gift of Sr Agnes Norris as a Canossian.

Sr. Gerry and her call

Vocation Story


(Sr. Gerry on the right)

God indeed is the designer of one’s life.

How of personal vocation:
Was supposed to be in a Chinese school. A neighbour, teaching in the Canossian KG registered me in the KG with my parents’ consent. Thus began my 11 years of education in the Canossian Convent Primary and Secondary Schools.
It was the beginning of my faith development in Christianity through bible knowledge, prayers at school assemblies, weekly catechism classes and visits to the school chapel during recess with my catholic friends.

Who, why and what of personal vocation
Sisters’ enthusiasm and passion in their Ministries of Charity especially to the poor greatly impressed me.
Visibly seen and experienced were their
* Care for the needy (students, families) regardless of race and religion
* involvement in weekly parish faith education and formation to youth
* regular home and hospital visitation.
* Humble attitude and simplicity
* Kindness, their being religious, their humour, their presence as a community in prayer and at work speak much of who they are to people around them.
.
The Sisters who greatly inspired vocations through their ministries and personhood –
Srs Elvira Forbice, Dorothy STa Maria, Lucy Lau, Joy Shelley, Angelica D’Piazza and Teresina Rajaratnam.


When of personal vocation
There were a lot of encouragement and constant care for ‘aspiring’ candidates to the Canossian way of life. Invited to a vocation exhibition and get-together in Singapore. Met Sr Agnes Liew who was then a postulant. Follow-up by Srs Joy Shelley and Elvira.

Went to the Juniorate at St Anthony’s Convent, Singapore as an aspirant after 2 years of temporary teaching in Segamat and Kluang.

Entered postulancy on 15 September 1969, novitiate for 2 years;
lst profession to the religious life in Singapore, May 1972; perpetual vows in Melaka Convent, July 1980.
All with God’s grace and love.


(Sr Geraldine Tan)