Hill of Tara

Sister Columba (Charlotte) Moore

05.07.1900 - 10.01.1993

I was born in Ireland and as a young woman I felt called to Religious Life, but was uncertain as to which Order to join. By chance, I met an Irish priest home on vacation from Australia and also two Sisters of St Joseph seeking Postulants who were willing to make the complete sacrifice of leaving family and homeland. They told us about the various works of the Congregation and what to expect in Australia so I decided to join the Josephites.
Thirty-two of us - young Irish girls - met for the first time on board the ship “Berrima” on 15 September 1920 to sail for Australia. We arrived in Sydney on the 11 November. After Novitiate I was Professed in April 1923 and I was sent on my first destination to Mittagong in New South Wales to teach school and after classes, to teach music.
Two years later, in 1925, I was sent to New Zealand, my first home being Morven in the South Island, where again I taught school and music. Through the years I was appointed to 18 different Convents in both the North and South Island to teach music, mainly the piano.
During my brief stay at Whakatane we lived in the old leaking Convent although a new Convent was being built. On wet days the rain poured in from all quarters yet still music lessons had to continue, so I covered the piano with large plastic bags and held an umbrella over the pupil’s head. Needless to say it was a jovial lesson! I had the pleasure of living in the old and new Whakatane Convents for only a few months.
I thank God that my Religious Life has been a very happy one!

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