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.
How can I get in touch with Sister Agnes Norris.
ReplyDeleteI need her help. Thank you very much.