To our dearest Queenie and her family, we send our prayers, our love, and our condolences on the passing of your dear sister, Carla - R I P. May God hold her in the palm of his hand.
Notes from Queenie:
Carla was born on December 22, 1944, at the CWM Hospital in Suva. Throughout the years Carla always displayed a wonderful sense of composure, compassion and understanding which she shared with all of us, her family, and her many friends. Many of you will remember Carla as an accomplished cook and her famous specialty of yummny chutneys and jams which were very much sought after by her many customers from all ranks of the community.
Carla's passing on Monday, February 8th, 2010, was sudden and an awful shock. She had had a good afternoon; doing housework, and cooking up more guava jam, then whilst having a shower at 9:30 pm she suffered a major heart attack - so sudden that we hope that she did not suffer.
She was buried with her grandfather, Moritz von Reymond in the new Suva Cemetery.
Should alumnae members wish to contact Queenie, pleased send your emails to: Queenie Reymond Thompson: Queenie@thompsonville.net
After Glow
I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one
I'd like to leave an after glow of smiles when life is done,
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and summer days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun,
Of happy memories that I leave
When life is done.
With our loloma, our sympathy, and Many Blessings,
The St. Joseph Family
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ANGELA FENN REGAN CELEBRATES 70th BIRTHDAY, NOVEMBER 14th, 2009
with family and friends
Doreen Fenn, Marie and Angela
(click here for more pics)
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Career Talks for 7th Formers
On Saturday, 30 October, 2009 the Alumnae Executive hosted a very interesting and informative careers hour for 7th Formers in the School Hall at 3.30pm. The presentors were Shirleen Sahai who spoke on a career in the Bank; Sr Senoveva on a life of service with the Sisters of St Joseph de Cluny, Rachael Varea as an office manager/administrator and Elizabeth Fong spoke about a career in the library/information sector.
There were around 40 girls in attendance and were treated to afternoon tea at the end. The Executive is planning on making this an annual activity.
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Mother General Sr Morag Collins Visits Fiji (Oct. 22/09)
(click for more pics)
Sr Morag Collins, Mother General of the St Joseph de Cluny visited the School on Thursday 22 October. Excerpts from the School concert were presented to her in a kaleidoscope dance from Rotuma, Fiji, Tonga and India, and songs by the School choir that included the World Youth Day song which reaffirmed for Sister that Anne Marie’s dream lives on.
Following the dance and song was a welcome by the President of the Alumnae (refer attachment) after which Sr Morag gave a spontaneous address that was truly inspiringo all present.
In summary she said:
That all students should try to ‘embody the qualities of Anne Marie’ who showed respect for the dignity of each person at the same time acknowledging the differences in each person which she saw reflected in the dances presented by the girls `so gracefully, so elegantly and yet so differently.’
She made special reference to the Rotuman dance that depicted the boisterousness of the men and the calm and peacefulness of the women. She said that whilst women may take `a secondary role, doing things quietly and acting with respect and dignity, at the same time transforming the society in which she lives.’
She reminded the girls that many of them had come to the school ‘a little timid, shy and perhaps a little wild – the family welcomes you and helps you grow in many ways - not only academically but that growth that happens inside.’
Sister made reference to the song sung by the choir `Make me an instrument of peace’ in which she likened the scalpel as an instrument used by a surgeon but that it is the surgeon who dictates how the scalpel is to be used,. Thus it was with Blessed Anne Marie - to listen, be sensitive to the movements of the Holy Spirit desires in our hearts and by corresponding with God’s grace and will, we create peace wherever we go which she acknowledged is not easy.
She noted the headlines in the Fiji Times of that day which was `Pay back’ which she said might give momentary satisfaction but the real Christian attitude is forgiveness and love. She again referred to the role of women who influence without too much noise and who get the job done.
She asked that we `be open to the Holy Spirit for he is active and able to transform and that we should be ready when the time comes’ Sr Morag concluded with a final word of thanks and good wishes to all saying that `It is by living in Jesus Christ that we become people who contribute to society in a particular way’.
Sr Morag spent time at Waimanu Road, Hercules Street and Vanuakula and on Saturday was present at the Sacred Heart Cathedral for the vows of two novices from Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.
From Fiji she goes to New Zealand where she will also have the opportunity to meet with alumnae.
Elizabeth Reade Fong
President
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Address by Elizabeth Fong on the visit of the Mother General of the Saint Joseph de Cluny congregation on Thursday, 22 October, 2009
Sr Morag Collins, Mother General of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny, Sr Elizabeth Brown, Provincial Head of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny, Sr Genevieve, Sisters, Teachers, Alumnae, PTFA President, and Students, Sister Morag, it is my very great pleasure on behalf of the alumnae of the School, to welcome you to our shores.
If I may be permitted to reminisce for a moment, seeing you here brings back for me beautiful memories of my visit to the Mother House in Paris and the bicentennial celebrations for Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey, which along with my sister, I was most privileged to attend. That celebration which was a journey of her life, in the company of Cluny Sisters from houses all over the world brought home to me the greatness of the woman who has influenced so many in so many parts of the world, including our small country of Fiji and others in the Pacific.
Here at home, the alumnae is truly reflective of our multi-racial community and is confirmation that Anne Marie’s dream lives on. The alumnae of St Joseph’s totalling some 5,000 is alive here in Fiji and and throughout the world where they are successful mothers and family leaders whilst also working in a wide range of professions and as volunteers in church and civil organisations. Our golden jubilee in 2006 brought 1200 alumnae together from all parts of the world. What this reflected was the universal education that the Sisters have given to all who have passed through the school. In Fiji the alumnae of St Joseph’s are associated with women who are well-rounded in their approach to life and who have a confidence that enables them to make valuable contributions to our community. The alumnae recognize that in these challenging times that they play a major role in trying to meet these challenges and try to do this from a perspective that Blessed Anne Marie might have done and this has been the basis under which the Alumnae Executive and its members have focused their activities.
Sr Morag, I wish to convey to you our deep gratitude for the Sisters who have served in Fiji in upholding Blessed Anne Marie’s dream. We acknowledge the sacrifices that the Sisters made when they left their families and homes to come and work in Fiji. At the same time I acknowledge our local women who joined the congregation and who continue to serve us faithfully. We salute them all for their vision and commitment to us and the tenacity showed in the difficult times. We thank them for standing steadfast to ensure that our faith remains a focal and constant part of our lives which continues to be strengthened as they work with the laity to educate the `whole’ person of our young women.
Dear Sister, on behalf of the Executive and the Alumnae, I wish you God’s Blessings during your 10 day visit with the Sisters here in Fiji and a safe journey on your return to the Mother House in Paris.
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Lorraine's Harmony Place Honoured
SJSS alumna Lorraine Sing-Cutler is manager of Harmony Place
from http://city-south-news.whereilive.com.au/news
YERONGA community service Harmony Place leads the state, according to the 2009 Mental Health Week Achievement Awards.
Harmony Place, the only non-government multicultural mental health organisation in Australia, took out the non-government organisation category at the awards this month.
Manager Lorraine Sing-Cutler said Harmony Place was started 14 years ago to help link people from different cultures and languages who had mental health issues.
“People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds often struggle to link up with culturally appropriate services within the mental health system, so at Harmony Place we help them to negotiate that maze,” Ms Sing-Cutler said.
“Research illustrates that the experience can often impact negatively on the mental health and well-being of migrants and refugees.
“We work across the mental health spectrum from prevention to early intervention and recovery for people and their families.”
Harmony Place works with Sudanese, Congolese, Somali, Ethiopian, Samoan, Chinese, Vietnamese, Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian, Iranian, Burmese and Filipinos.
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The 2007- 2008 Executive Committee :
President: Elizabeth Reade Fong - fong_e@usp.ac.fj ; 3232363; 3300202 (h); 923062Vice_President: Margaret Reade Rounds - gasau64@yahoo.co.uk 9906665Treasurer: Leilani Seduadua - Leilani.Seduadua@dfat.gov.au Asst. Treasurer: Shirleen Sahai - sahais@anz.com 3213000Secretary: Susan Kolikoli - hakwagirl@yahoo.com 9956756Asst. Secretary: Sera Tamanivalu - serat@fmf.com.fj 3301188
Committee Members:Aloesi Makaba - aloveym@yahoo.com 9409575Maraia Vakatalai - mariah_vangel@yahoo.com 3372871Lusi Turaga - 3397878Monica Walisoliso - 3398132Diana Buresova - dburesova@gmail.com 3312600 / 3322432Pule Sukanaivalu - Pule.Sukanaivalu@gdaus.com.fj 3399100 / 9912941Maria Masicola - mmasicola@tycoint.comLydia Driubalavu - bgangers_6@yahoo.com
St. Joseph's Secondary School 
