Margaret Purcell

Deceased Sisters

Margaret Purcell - Australia
24/11/1927 - 22/07/2019

It is a privilege for me to speak at this celebration of Margaret’s life and to honour the person she has been to each one of us. It is a tribute to her that her family, her friends and her Sisters have gathered together this morning in thanksgiving for her and the blessing she has been for us.

Margaret was born, the second child and daughter to Patrick John Purcell and his wife Elsie Margaret, on the 24^th November 1927 in Melbourne. After moving to Sydney she attended St Anthony’s Primary School Clovelly and then Marist Convent Woolwich for her secondary schooling. She left school with the Intermediate Certificate in 1943 and then went to Business College and found employment as a clerk/typist. In 1947 she began her postulancy with the Marist Sisters at Merrylands, and received the habit in January 1948, when she was given the name Sister Vincent. Margaret was professed on the 23^rd January 1949 at Merrylands, and on the 13^th May 1954 she made her perpetual vows at Woolwich.

After some initial basic training Margaret went to St Margaret Mary’s Merrylands as a primary teacher. The courage that was to become something of a hallmark in Margaret’s character was shown at the beginning of her ministry of teaching. St Margaret Mary’s was a school where the enrolment of students burgeoned in the 1950’s with the post-war migration. Margaret’s first class there was a kindergarten of 100 students. It is reported that she went to sleep each night reciting their names so as to try to remember them all. This courage was needed to be drawn on further when in 1957 she was appointed Superior of the community at Woolwich, a formidable position at her age in a sizeable community and which also required her having a significant role in the school there. An instance of the appreciation and regard in which the Sisters were held was the request in recent years received from a woman in Canada thanking the Sisters, and Sr Vincent in particular, on behalf of her mother for the education received there. In 1960 in the community in Burwood Victoria she was again entrusted with the Superior’s role, together with teaching at St Benedict’s Primary school. The opportunity was then given her to undertake studies as a mature age student at the Canberra University from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965. She then returned to Burwood as Superior as well as the Deputy Principal and Secondary teacher at Chavoin College.

In 1970 Margaret was elected Provincial of Oceania, a Province encompassing Sisters’ communities in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. A very specific task for Province leaders at that time, and so for Margaret, was the implementation of the direction set and the decisions taken at the Congregation’s Extraordinary Chapter of 1969. Such a chapter was required of all Religious Congregation by the Vatican, in order that the Renewal and Adaptation of Religious Life called for by Vatican 11 was instigated. The changes inaugurated a somewhat difficult, challenging period. Although understood generally and welcomed by some, there was questioning and resistance by others. The departure of a number of Sisters was part of the upheaval which ensued. Margaret’s wisdom, calm and inner strength were obvious as she guided the Province, seeking to respond to the signs of the times and the call to renewal, while keeping the ship afloat.

These qualities, together with her leadership and administrative abilities, were recognised by the broader Congregation and she was elected as Superior General at the Chapter of 1974. She now had the task, in collaboration with her Administration, of negotiating on the global stage the paradigm shift to which we had been called. Dealing with understanding and sensitivity the various languages and different cultures added to the demands. Given her reserved nature the role of being Congregational leader was thus undertaken at significant personal cost. She continued to suffer very debilitating migraines with which she had been inflicted for years and it was over these years that she experienced her first bout of cancer. Further, she was a long way from her family and, in particular, her ailing mother. She felt this very much and though very aware and appreciative of her sister Pat’s care of her, she naturally wanted to play her part in the care of her mother.

Nevertheless, Margaret gave herself wholeheartedly to the role and task confided to her. It was during her administration that international renewals and pilgrimages for the Congregation’s members were begun. These provided for participants to engage in a personal renewal program and to have the opportunity to visit Marist places of origin in France and drink of all that was being provided by new historical research into our Marist spirituality and history. It was also during her two terms of office that a rewriting of our Constitutions was begun, a process which included visits from those charged with the task to engage all Sisters throughout the Congregation. Further to such steps as these was the discernment and consequent decisions of the General Administration under Margaret’s leadership to establish new missionary ventures in Latin America. This outreach was decided in the context of several Popes’ calls for priests and religious Congregations to support the work of the Church there together with the growing thrust of the Latin American Bishop’s conference in Medellin’s call for the Church to take a preferential option for the poor. Margaret called for volunteers from all provinces and foundations were made in Brazil in 1978, Mexico in 1981 and Colombia in 1984. These initiated an audacious experiment within our Congregation embracing a new style of religious life with communities formed by Sisters from various Provinces living inserted amongst the poor and responding to their situations of need, rather than the more traditional institutional living and ministry. Grace, our current Congregational leader and a member of the founding group in Brazil, recalls: ‘Margaret made it clear that we were to discover a new way of being religious, not to just transplant models to a new place. Many years later, I asked Margaret if she knew what she was doing when she appointed me novice directress - me, with no experience in formation, no course as formator! Margaret smiled and said: I think so. I didn't want to send a trained formator because she would just do what she had always done. I wanted someone who would learn how to be a formator in another land.’ Such was Margaret’s vision and daring.

At the completion of her term as Superior General, Margaret showed her readiness to do herself what she had asked of her Sisters. She became a founding member of a new missionary venture in the Gambia. There in Farafenni recognising the needs and possibilities, she set up a training college for local teachers as well as establishing a primary school where children were enrolled at aged 6 rather than at age 8, providing them with greater opportunities of education. Margaret was particularly happy there. She was able to take to heart on a personal, as well as a Congregational level, the call to be with the poor. The Sisters experienced obstacles but under her leadership they weren’t deterred and found ways to overcome them.

After three years there Margaret was called back to Australia to take up again with continuing generosity and commitment the role of Provincial of Australia. In the three years of her term she initiated the move of the Blacktown community to a new house in the area so as to widen from there the apostolic involvement of the community members. The novitiate was relocated to Bennettswood Victoria and significant extensions and renovations to the Administration house were begun. It was also at this time that the Pastoral Planning process undertaken across the Congregation was set in motion here.

After a period of personal renewal Margaret undertook pastoral and social welfare work in the inner city through St Margaret’s Hospital. It wasn’t long before another project took root in her heart. I recall as Provincial of the time meeting with Margaret for coffee at the Centrepoint Shopping Centre to talk about her idea of establishing a community in a needy area of the inner city. An initial investigation with her in the area finally led to a meeting with the Department of Housing, Liverpool which embraced the idea of such a community of Sisters living among the economically and socially disadvantaged in Claymore, near Campbelltown. The Department saw the value of the presence of the Sisters among the people and a community was begun there in Claymore in August 1993. From this ministry of presence other ministries developed, in particular with migrants, refugees, St Vincent de Paul and the Neighbourhood Centre. Margaret was at home with other cultures and the people warmed to her interest and respect for them. She had a special and loved ministry with Cambodian families, teaching English and accompanying them through the challenges of life in a new country. When some other religious Sisters established communities in Claymore, it was decided to move to Airds where there was no such presence. A similar community was later established at Rosemeadow.

In 2000 Margaret was missioned to Marian House for three years where as community leader she established a lovely rapport with the Sisters. Her move into the parish at Laverton Victoria in 2003 engaged her in pastoral work, in particular with the socially deprived and elderly shut-ins. Her desire to be closer to her sister Pat who was unwell brought her back to Sydney in 2009, where she was resident for some months at Sefton before moving again to Marian House to give service to the Sisters there. As time went on she increasingly needed extra care for herself as a number of health problems developed and she experienced more intense suffering. This led to her recognising and accepting her need for extra care at Southern Cross Homes at Marsfield where she moved in May 2018. Margaret settled in well, appreciated the care and enjoyed among other things caring for her pot plants. Her quiet warmth and friendliness there endeared her to staff and other residents. The return of cancer this year eventually led to her final admission to the Mater Hospital a fortnight ago. Despite both emotional and physical struggles, sensitively handled by medical staff and those who loved her, Margaret as usual was mindful of others. She expressly directed that her gratitude for everything be given to the Sisters, the doctors, nurses, carers and her family.

Marist qualities are not difficult to find in Margaret. From her school days and from the Sisters she knew and loved there and undoubtedly from the values lived in her family, she absorbed the Marist spirit. She had a wonderful sense of Mary in her life and a great love of the Church, of Mary’s place in it and consequently that of Marists. She was totally committed to the Congregation. The vision she showed, especially in her leadership, was born of this grasp she had of what it is to be Marist. Her spirituality too was thoroughly Marist, simple and uncomplicated, but quite profound. Like Mary at Nazareth and Jeanne Marie in Jarnosse she was at home among the people, being with them, sharing life with them, loving and encouraging them in a quiet unassuming way. There was no pretentiousness in Margaret. She was a truly humble woman. She had a true understanding of what it was to live ‘hidden and unknown’. Although quietly friendly by nature, a natural diffidence, even apprehension, sometimes showed in her. This only highlighted the courage she showed throughout all her life. So many Sisters have expressed their admiration of and gratitude for her far-sightedness and daring – for her utter goodness.

Her reserve did not stop her from enjoying gatherings and entertainment with the Sisters and with others. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of craftwork, quilting, dressmaking and cooking all of which she developed some prowess in. She appreciated music and especially liturgical music, enjoyed reading, especially spiritual books and developed an interest in Australian history. She learned to appreciate sport. She had a special interest in young people, liked being with them, wanting and delighting in their development, their gifts and potential.

This was very evident in Margaret’s deep love for, pride, joy and interest in her family. You always gladdened her heart and she loved sharing news of you. Her sister Pat was very dear to her and Pat’s death left a very big gap in her life. Coming to terms with it was very much helped by the ongoing love, interest and devotedness shown by you, her nieces and nephews and your families. The care you have shown to Margaret, especially in this time of her last illness, has I am sure supported, comforted and reassured her. Your presence here today gives evidence of the place she has in your hearts and she, together with all those with whom she has been reunited, including her sister, your Mum, surely smiles at you all with gratitude and great delight.

In giving time to ponder and recollect memories of Margaret, I was drawn to the image of the valiant woman spoken about in the Book of Proverbs Chapter 31. In a reflection I came across on that passage I was alerted to the Jewish understanding of this valiant woman, in Hebrew, an Eshet Chayil. So many aspects of the insights presented verified for me that Margaret could well be named as a valiant woman. I share them with you as you reflect on Margaret’s person and life. An Eshet Chayil, a valiant woman, we are told, possesses unique strength. She is one in whom someone can put their trust as having the best intentions for the person. The valiant woman gives selflessly not wanting or waiting for anything in return. She does not use only what she has for herself, but also for others. Her tendency always to have an outstretched hand is an exemplary quality of a valiant woman. She draws on her own and others resources and all around her are strengthened by her trust and her focus on priorities. She is able to distinguish peoples’ energies and to channel them for good. The valiant woman possesses wisdom and so there is harmony in her person. She is consistent in her thought and action. She is a woman of great integrity. She manages situations with strength and gentleness. Her spirituality is reflected in her actions, and her strength is unparalleled. During difficult times she has unshakeable trust in God. At all times she knows that everything is in the hands of God. In short, an Eshet Chayil, a valiant woman, is a woman of inestimable value, more precious than a pearl.

Margaret you were all of this and more to us. We thank you for who you have been. We thank God for blessing us with you – a sister, friend, aunty, companion on the journey and a wonderful inspiration of self-giving love. May you be at peace and rejoice forever in the heart of our God.

Sr Gail Reneker

Deceased Sisters

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