Aunty Mon,
TO PLAY VIDEO Click on the arrow in the bottom left of the picture
TO SEE VIDEO IN FULL SCREEN After starting video, double click on the icon at the right side of the time bar at the bottom
PHOTO GALLERY Click here to see a selection of older photographs of Mon’s parents, brothers and other family members. When it opens, click on SLIDESHOW in the bottom left of the screen.
“You did not choose me, no, I chose you” John 15: 9-17
This quote used by Father Paul Hanna at the Eucharistic Celebration for the Diamond Jubilee of Profession of Aunty Mon, a Sister of Mercy for 60 years, resonated with me. I often wonder how young men and women, in their prime, choose to lead their lives as a religious. Father Paul put paid to that question this afternoon.
My father Les would be 100 this year.
‘Aunty Mon’, almost 85, is now matriarch of the Musgrave family.
Monica is the elder of two girls, and one of eight brothers and sisters in the family of my grandparents Les and Rachel Musgrave. She was old enough to know how she wanted to lead her life when she entered the convent at age 21. It is wonderful that we can now celebrate with her the sixty years of Profession.
For more than sixty years, the congregation of ‘Parramatta Mercies’ has been her family. How things have changed in those 60+ years – historical shifts from living a more secluded life in convents while teaching generations of children in parochial schools, to discarding the habit and moving into the outside world bringing comfort and healing to those on the margins of our society who battle against the odds.
In recent weeks, Mon has accepted the suggestion of her Mother Superior and has reluctantly given up her ‘mission’ assisting others and is settling into well-earned retirement at Stella Maris by the ocean in Cronulla where her sister, our Aunty Bobbie, is also in residence.
In the early days of life in the convent, nuns would serve you tea in the front parlour and then disappear, leaving you to sip and eat homemade bread and jam, alone. Last year, when I picked Mon up at Epping to go to lunch, she was in her best purple suit, full make-up, and she used her membership card to get us in to the Leagues Club for lunch!
Sister Sophie had the Musgrave Family history down pat when she spoke about Mon’s life. It gave me the idea to include some pictures of Nanna and Pop and Mon’s siblings in my ‘album’. My photo ‘archive’ stretches only so far, but I think I’ve covered all bases. I was in Gunnedah for Aunty Colombiere’s Jubilee in 1950 (?), and thankfully, I have a snapshot in which most of the family is featured. As a boy, Tony Musgrave did a pencil sketch of Pop, and he scanned it down to me, which I’ve also included.
How wonderful to see such a beautiful human being, with such a god-filled soul honoured. Thank you for sending me this momentus video Uncle Michael. It made me smile so much! I can’t wait to speak to Auntie Mon.
xxxxxx
Jac
Dear Michael and family
Thank you Michael for this lovely tribute to Aunt Mon. The only thing you failed to mention was the heartfelt speech you gave, it was well delivered and by far, in my opinion, the best speech of the afternoon. It was a shame we didn’t get it on video.
Love
Julie
Michael;
Great effort;have forwarded onto to our tribe – must update you
with their new e-mail addresses.
Thanks again enjoyed viewing it immensely.
John.
P.S.
The pencil drawing that Tony did of my Dad ;I think I have the original
hanging in our TV room.
John
Hello Michael. This is wonderful. Thanks for including me in the email. It was just grand to see your movie. Very professional. Maryanne
we arrived very late last night from a day flight New York – London. All ok here.
You are doing overtime with video productions and I have difficulty to cope with all this news.
Slow down!
Dear Cousin Michael,
Many thanks for the lovely video of Aunty Mon’s Celebration. It was good to see other members of the Musgrave clan in the video too, many of whom I haven’t seen for some time.
You do a marvelous job of keeping everyone in touch and I commend you for it.
All the best,
Mark
Unca
Very very nice.
Enjoyed whilst having a quiet moment.
Nephew
Dear Michael,
Ruth and I have just viewed your movie of Monica’s jubilee. It is indeed a lovely record and something to look back on as the years pass. It was grand to see the images of my older relatives, Nanna Rae, Pop, Mum and Dad, siblings and cousins, including some who were at the celebration. It brought back many fond memories. Doesn’t Betty look good. We thought John looks very distinguished. Give Aunty Mon a big kiss from Ruth and me when you see her next.
Love from us both,
Tony
How blessed you are to have had a Religious Sister in your family and a lifetime of prayers for you!
Michael,
Another great,professional production. What a wonderful momento of such a special occasion. I was sorry I couldn’t be there to help Aunty Mon celebrate so it is lovely to be able to have a glimpse of the ceremony and to see all the family.
Love
Jennifer
A wonderful tribute for a wonderful lady. Congratulations Aunty Mon.
Samantha Martin (nee Musgrave)
Michael
Thanks for the photos from Mon’s jubilee. A pity we could not make it.
Hi Aunty Mon …hope all is well in the shire. Robyn, Holly & Annabel are all doing well and Annabel is settling in well in her first year at Loreto Normanhurst.
Will send some photos to your email address.
Annabel & I are currently working on the Musgrave family tree. Michael & Trevor Schramm have passed on various bits of information to get us going. And we have got all the info that was on display at your 80th a few years back. I must say it is a very large family!! Will keep you posted
Andy