Mary Christopher Sweeney

Deceased Sisters

Mary Christopher Sweeney - Fiji
17/12/1921 - 10/05/2018

Celebrating the Life of a Marist Missionary

Sister Mary Christopher was born Nora Christina Sweeney, the 12^th child of Kate and Tom Sweeney on 17^th December 1921 in County Sligo, Ireland.

Nora Sweeney grew up in County Sligo, the place described by the poet W.B. Yeats as the Land of Heart’s Desire. Nora enjoyed life to the full and as she crossed the valleys and climbed the hills, her songs rang out and reached the villages around and everyone said, “That’s Tom Sweeney’s daughter”. Then the day came when she heard a special calling – that was God calling her. She followed the call with great generosity – she was being called by a gracious choice into the family of the Blessed Virgin. Plans were made and so Nora entered the Marist Novitiate from 1944 to 1946 at Carrick-on-Shannon.

On 26^th August 1946, Nora made her First Vows in the Congregation of the Marist Sisters, having received the name of Mary Christopher. She is one of the few who kept her religious name. After Vatican II, most Sisters took up the option to return to their Baptismal Name.

After her first profession, Sister Mary Christopher began a journey which led her to England, France and then to Fiji. Her deep faith and generosity in God’s service were combined with a sense of humour, missionary zeal, love of work and constant awareness of physical fitness and exercise. These qualities enabled her to learn the Fijian language, get to know families in whatever mission she found herself and, with her photographic memory, she was able to re-tell the stories of the people with whom she came in contact. This particular gift of story-telling never left her and she loved to hear news of everyone and was able to tell her own stories with great interest and enthusiasm. She was an avid reader of the Fiji Times and the news therein connected her to what was happening in Fiji.

Mary Chris had her own mobile phone, which connected her to her family overseas. Influenced by her large family, and being the youngest in a family of twelve, Sister remembered all the incidents in family life and loved all her relatives dearly. Her nieces and nephews, and her grandnieces have been to Fiji for her birthdays and anniversaries.

Mary Chris’ first mission in Fiji was to Namosi in the year 1955. There she rode on horses to visit families and the children were fascinated by her fair skin. She spent one year there and thence to Solevu, Levuka, Yasawa, Sydney, Lautoka, Cawaci, Nadi, Wairiki, Lami and back to Nadi in 2011 where she was much loved by the Sisters and parishioners. Mary Christopher not only endured her pains with patience but she was a true Marist presence in community. She was a source of inspiration and prayer for those who came to visit and to seek her counselling and prayer. Mary Chris continued to love life to the end and always enjoyed all the news about our families.

After a few weeks of being bed-ridden, Sister Mary Christopher died very peacefully on the morning of Ascension Thursday at 7.45am after receiving Holy Communion and an Anointing from Father Lasaqa.

Mary Chris, you have left a big gap in our hearts. We miss you, but believe you are at peace in the special place prepared for you by our Heavenly Father.

Sr Rosemary Simon sm

Deceased Sisters

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