Leadership Changeover

On Sunday 2 March 2008, the Mission Bay Community and Sisters from the Auckland area gathered to welcome Sister Colleen Keeble to the Aotearoa New Zealand Province.

The Ritual took place after the Sunday Mass which is attended not only by the Mission Bay Community but also by the wider community of Unit Residents and local people.

Sister Ann Neven welcomed Sister Colleen saying this was a time of handing on to her the Leadership of the Aotearoa New Zealand Province. Roseleen extinguished the Candle used by the previous Leadership Team, lit the new Candle used during our Province Chapter and presented it to Colleen. Included in this Ritual of Leadership change Colleen was handed the recommendations of the General Chapter and the Province Chapter Documents as a recognition of her role to lead the Province in discerning these recommendations for the next three years. Ann presented Colleen with a Koru Paua necklace - a New Zealand fern, symbolising the unfolding of new life, of new beginnings.

The following Blessing Prayer was said:

Colleen may your new ministry excite your heart,
Kindle in your mind a creativity
To journey beyond the old limits.

May this ministry challenge you towards
New frontiers that will emerge
As you begin to approach them,
Calling forth from you the full force
And depth of your undiscovered gifts.

May the ministry fit the rhythms of your soul,
Enabling you to draw from the invisible
New ideas and a vision that will inspire.

May you have the grace of encouragement
To awaken the gift in the other’s heart,
Building in them the confidence
To follow the call of the gift.

May this new ministry be worthy
Of the energy of your heart
And the light of your thought.

May your ministry assume
A proper space in your life;
Instead of owning or using you,
May it challenge and refine,
Bringing you every day further
Into the wonder of your heart.