Sister Monica Elizabeth Kortegast

Sister Monica Kortegast, was a gentle, generous, fun-loving and prayerful woman who faithfully lived her commitment as a Sister of Our Lady of the Missions for over 64 years.  Monica Elizabeth was born in Christchurch in 1932, the third daughter of Philip and Theresa.   There were 8 children in the family: Clare, Bill, Pat, Sadie, Philip, Monica, Bernard (who died at a young age) and Helen. Monica was educated at St Joseph’s Primary School and at Sacred Heart until she went to the Juniorate in 1946. She and Sarah Greenlees were the first two girls to go to the Juniorate at Mount St Anne’s in Cashmere, Christchurch.

The sisters’ semi-enclosed life made an early impression on the young Monica and at the age of 17 as she was coming home from the pictures with her Brother, Phil, past the high brick wall of the Ferry Road convent she told her brother she intended to be a sister.  They climbed the wall and serenaded the sleeping sisters.  She said “with some irreverent songs, but that it was fun!!’

In 1950 she entered the novitiate and took the name Sister Philippa after her father.  In her words “life was full of surprises and challenges”.

After profession in 1953 Philippa taught in several catholic primary schools including Dallington, Kaiapoi, Sumner and New Brighton.  She had a stint as a boarder’s mistress in Napier as well as teaching music in Kaiapoi.  She was a teaching principal for over 10 years in Leeston, Addington, Sumner and New Brighton.  In all Monica spent 30 years teaching in Primary schools.  She was a well-loved teacher who always gave of her best to her pupils.

In the mid-70s the sisters withdrew from Leeston but Monica stayed on as the principal.   She stayed with a family during the week returning to Addington Convent at the weekend.  This would have been rather unusual at that time.  This was one of the many things that she was a ground- breaker in.  She is well-remembered and respected by the people of Leeston.

Changes began to happen in these years and Sister Philippa became Sister Monica. It was over these years that Monica would have been able to enjoy some of the activities that she thought she had left behind when she entered the convent.  She loved walking in the bush, and swimming in the sea was a real pleasure for her.

In 1977 Monica joined the international Spiritual Life group in Rome for 5 months and in 1989 she took part in the renewal Course at Assumption Institute in Melbourne.  These two international experiences were wonderful times of refreshment and renewal and Monica made the most of them.

In 1984 Monica moved to St Joseph’s Maoris Girls’ College in Greenmeadows to be boarders’ mistress. Being in the Hawkes Bay Monica was able to enjoy the outdoor life that was available there.  The beach at Waimarama was a wonderful spot for her, walking and swimming particularly,over the summer holidays.  She encouraged the girls at St Joseph’s to be active as well.  She introduced the Duke of Edinburgh scheme to the school, organised craft and a first aid course for year 9 students and often took the girls on long walks.

A major change came for Monica when in 1990 she asked to go to the mission in PNG.  She was in PNG for 9 years and was much loved by the people.  They remember her – as “meri bilong funny”! (A comical lady always with a smile.)   Her work with the women of Pangia and young people who couldn’t achieve their Grade 6 was remarkable; she set up a study room and really gave her all for those young people and the women trying to learn to read.

Here she was able to continue her love of the outdoors. She took her turn to go into the bush and walked miles in all weathers to reach the villages to work with the women.  Every Saturday she would, without fail, produce her pikelets. They became Monica’s trade mark.Her final year, 1999, was in Madang, on the North Coast of PNG in tremendous tropical heat where she worked in St Fidelis College – a Minor seminary, as a teacher of English.

At the end of 1999 Monica returned to New Zealand and moved firstly to Kaikoura and then to Nelson where she was involved with our international sisters who come to New Zealand to learn English. In Monica they found an able teacher who with patience and determination helped them understand the difficulties of our English language.  I am sure her work in PNG and her primary teaching experience was invaluable in this work. During this time she was the chaplain to the Light and Faith group in Nelson.  She is remembered with much affection for her help and support to these people.

In 2002 again Monica stepped out of her comfort zone and asked to go to Vietnam to teach English to the young sisters.   However, due to ill health, she had to return to New Zealand sooner than she expected. In 2009 Monica moved to Addington to retire but she was often out and about visiting friends and especially spending time with her sister Clare.  In 2013 it became necessary for her to move to Parklane Rest home.  After two other moves to different rest homes for various reasons, it was a great joy that just under a month before she died Monica moved to Nazareth Care.  It was here she felt at home and was able to make the final journey home to her God on 18 December.

Many family members and friends gathered on the night of Tuesday 20 December in Sacred Heart Church, Addington, for a vigil of prayer and thanksgiving for Monica.   Stories were shared and there was laughter and tears as we remembered a much loved RNDM.  The following day more people gathered for the Requiem of Thanksgiving to celebrate Monica’s Life.  Father Dan Doyle, who had spent time with Monica in PNG, celebrated the Eucharist.   She loved the outdoors and it was very fitting that the flowers on her coffin were all from the gardens around the Addington Convent and Church.

Monica’s life was characterized by a spirit of adventure,   determination   and   a   strong   will, which saw her through many difficult situations. She was a competent teacher who saw to it that her  students  always gave their best.    She  has been a loyal and committed missionary throughout her life serving God’s people in many different  situations  always  with  their  best interest at heart.

May she rest in Peace.