Cenacle Aotearoa New Zealand

05/02/2026

For a deeper dive, here are more Cenacle treasures from "Treasures from the Archives":

On the occasion of the bicentenary of Notre-Dame du Cénacle, an exhibition recounts 200 years of history using archival documents from the sisters of the congregation.

05/02/2026

This week begins a big year for the Cenacle of Our Lady of the Retreat. The Cenacle Sisters and all the Cenacle Family invite you to join us in celebrating the 200th anniversary of the founding of our Order in La Louvesc, France 1826. Take a look at this video below, put together to give a quick history of the Cenacle. We look forward to you joining us in September when we celebrate this milestone at a special Mass.

The Sisters of the Cenacle are celebrating 200 years of history! Find out why 1826 is the date of the congregation's foundation...

28/12/2025

We wanted to let you all know that the mother of our Sister Clare O'Connor rc died at 102 years of age on Boxing Day, peacefully and loved. Here follows her death notice. Her Funeral Mass will take place on Monday 5 January:

"Kathleen Clara O’Connor died peacefully on 26 December 2025 aged 102 years.

Dearly loved wife of Noel (RIP), beloved mother and mother-in-law of Sue and Peter Amey (UK), Pat and Heather O’Connor (Christchurch) and Clare O’Connor (Cenacle Sister, Waikanae). Loved Nan of Sarah and Adam, Anna and Alex, Great-Nan of Emmy and Jack, Huxley and Sonny.

Special thanks to the staff at Sevenoaks who lovingly cared for Kathleen for so many years.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Kathleen at Our Lady of Kapiti Church, Presentation Way, off Milne Drive, Paraparaumu, on Monday 5 January at 11am.

Kathleen’s ashes will be buried with her husband Noel in Christchurch.

Beloved Mother and Friend enjoy Eternal Life."

20/12/2025

Christmas - a celebration of the birth of Jesus bringing gifts of hope, mercy and love to our troubled world.

Blessings for 2026!

Arohanui
Kathleen, Ngaire, Anne, Clare and Mary
Cenacle Community Aotearoa NZ

(Southern Madonna by Julia B Lynch rsm)

27/12/2023

On the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs:

The Crossing

Let us cross over to Bethlehem
and see
if the war has ended.
For from the river to the sea
we cannot count the dead and displaced.
But that’s too kind a word
like we’ve “misplaced the key”.
Jerusalem, place of bread,
there is none in Gaza
for old people
parents,
children
and again a baby born on the West Bank
cries out to us.

© Anne Powell

What cry of the Christ Child echoes in your heart this Christmas?
How can you act for peace and justice in our world?

24/12/2023

23/12/2023

In the beginning was the Word
And the Word was God.
The Word became flesh
And pitched a tent among us.

John 1

What images that describe Christ’s coming into the world hold meaning for you this Christmas?

Welcome one of the images into your heart and be present to it.

How can you share the Presence of the Divine with others this Christmas?

16/12/2023

Waiting for justice;
Waiting for wars to stop;
Waiting for anger to pass;
Waiting for fears to let go;
Waiting for shelters to be empty;
Waiting for all children to be fed and safe.
Take off your shoes.
Breathe.
The Heart of hearts, the Hope of all hope, Love journeying with us is here. He is always here.
Be awake to His hand in your hand and His request for your help.

(Clare Barrett, Cenacle Companion)

What am I waiting for this 3rd week of Advent? What is my desire?

09/12/2023

“Here or there
it is possible to lean the heart towards the sky
and hear
what it is most necessary to hear.”

© Anne Powell “Towards the sky”- Tree of a Thousand Voices, Steele Roberts Publishers, 2010

What joys and sorrows, anxieties and hopes do I hold in my heart this 2nd week of Advent?

05/12/2023

Advent Arrival
We wait for the gate to open
urging us
to step into the story
and the mystery
that calms and troubles the world.

© Anne Powell ("Joy, Justice and ginger" Firesong (Steele Roberts Publishers Ltd, 1999))

20/08/2023

Unleash the power of poetry!

29/07/2023

JULY 30: Talitha K*m joins the U.N. Campaign - World Day Against Human Trafficking
*raise awareness of human trafficking & exploitation
*support victims
*report exploitation
*check supply chains