The outgoing Superior General of the Marist Sisters, Sr Jane Frances O'Carroll, who is a New Zealander, and the outgoing secretary general, Sr Miriam McManus from Ireland, were minding the shop while their newly elected leadership team returned home to pack up ready for the move to Rome.

They were trapped in the lift on Friday and were without food or water until they were rescued on Monday morning.

The average temperature in Rome on the weekend was 34 degrees Celsius.

After the lift became stuck, the women called for help but everyone else had left the building for the weekend.

Neither of them had a their mobile phone.

When rescued the two women were visibly shaken and severely dehydrated, but in good health.

They were admitted to the hospital San Carlo di Nancy located nearby, where they remained for several days.

On Monday, a cleaner noticed that the newspapers and mail had not been taken from the mailbox and she rang the doorbell but got no answer.

So she went nearby to the OMI Fathers and the Oblates who said there were definitely some people in the building.

The cleaner called the carabinieri and they used spare keys kept in a nearby religious house to enter the building.

When the policemen called out to see if there way anyone anyone there, the trapped women replied, "Yes we are stuck in the lift."

One of the carabinieri activated emergency procedures to bring the lift down to the ground floor.

Source

• thelocal.it
• CathNewsNZ Rome correspondent
• Image: stuff.co.nz

After Mass at 10am they were called on to the marae, nä Pä Henare i arahi.

Several Mercy Sisters came for the occasion, supported by some of the local priests, Marist Fathers and Brothers, and many Whangaroa people.

The Sisters will still play a part in Waitaruke Parish, but they will b e resident in Kaikohe.

In March the Whangaroa Catholic community collected more than 400 signatures on a petition requesting the Marist sisters remain in Waitaruke.

The sisters have been in Waitaruke, a settlement on State Highway 10 north of Kaeo, in the north of New Zealand since 1928.

At that time Sister Gemma Wilson, leader of the Marist Sister in New Zealand, said she had been overwhelmed by the love Whangaroa people had shown for their sisters, and their desire to have the sisters stay was understandable.

"We have fewer and fewer able-bodied sisters, and we want to use them in the best way possible."

The sisters have been in Waitaruke, a settlement on State Highway 10 north of Kaeo, in the north of New Zealand since 1928.

Parishioner Jeanette Kinneally said she suspected the decision had been made, but the petition would show the nuns - Sisters Margarita, (92) Isabelle ,(82) and Catherine(<70) - how much support they had.

Sister Gemma Wilson, leader of the Marist Sister in New Zealand, said she had been overwhelmed by the love Whangaroa people had shown for their sisters, and their desire to have the sisters stay was understandable.

"We have fewer and fewer able-bodied sisters, and we want to use them in the best way possible."
Source

• The Northern Advocate
• Image: The Northern Advocate

Former students of Vatukoula Marist Convent school from Nadi, Suva, Lautoka and overseas have been preparing for the three-day celebrations.

Association president Graham Peckham said he was expecting more than 300 former students.

"We're trying to raise money for the school and it would be really good to have their support."

He said the school would be celebrating its 75th anniversary and this would make the reunion of the former students even more special. The reunion and Diamond Jubilee will be celebrated from October 12 to 14.

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