17 June 2026 · 2026-06 newsletter
Adapted from the Eulogy given by Sr. M Isabell
The heavenly Father called Sr. M Rebecca home to himself in the late afternoon of 8 May after a battle with cancer which lasted almost 17 years. When in June 2025 she received the news of her impending “end of life” she consciously prepared herself for this last stretch of her way homeward to the Father. She was filled with gratitude toward the Triune God, our Sisters’ family and all who accompanied her on this difficult journey, day after day.
Sr. M. Rebecca was born on 13 December 1967 in Quezon City, Philippines, the eldest of three children. In 1975 her parents migrated to Australia, where Sr. M. Rebecca grew up and came to see herself wholeheartedly as Australian, even as her Filipino heritage continued to shape her character in subtle and beautiful ways.
Sr. M Rebecca did her initial training in our community in Schoenstatt Germany, commencing her novitiate on 5 August 1995. She received the Marian Sisters’ dress on 3 September of the same year. Sr. M. Rebecca returned to our province on 7 February 2000 but undertook further periods of training in Schoenstatt where she sealed her final commitment to God and to our family on 6 December 2003.
In both the East and West of Australia, Sr. M. Rebecca worked with the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate and served the Movement with particular love for youth and young adults. From 2007–2008 she was Youth Coordinator and, in this capacity, also an event organiser for WYD08 in Sydney.
The first signs of her illness appeared during 2009: cancer initially detected in her eyes, later spreading throughout her body. She lived through alternating seasons of hope and suffering, including an emergency spinal operation. Her surrender in this moment was itself a profound act of faith. Her spiritual depth shone through in her writing as well, especially when she shared with our sisters’ family some “Words of Hope” in connection with our centennial celebrations. What she wrote became a quiet source of encouragement for many: “My cancer diagnosis was a tremendous “turning point” in my life. But it was also a moment in which I began to tangibly experience the reality of the Covenant of Love with Our Lady. I can truly say that the Covenant of Love was the hope and the light that became alive in the darkest of nights for me. Why? Simply because when everything, humanly speaking, began to break away, I held on to what I believe would never change… I told myself: ‘being in Covenant with Our Lady means that you are never alone.’ So, I consciously prayed to her before every treatment; invited her to be with me through each procedure.”
Sr. M Rebecca grew up in a Catholic family who valued faith and education, ensuring she attended Catholic schools. She remained deeply connected to her family and was proud of them. When no one could be present in Schoenstatt for her reception, she sent a heartfelt fax to her family, thanking them for their support and asking for their continued prayers. Even from afar, she drew strength from the bonds that shaped her.
This same gratitude was expressed to our province sisters at that time and throughout her whole journey. Even in times of great suffering, gratitude marked her life.
Gifted in many practical areas, Sr. M. Rebecca possessed strong social and communication skills. She loved her work in the Movement and was, in turn, deeply loved by those she served. Even throughout her long illness, she continued to accompany young women with remarkable dedication, offering retreats and reflection days that touched many lives. The prayers, affection, and heartfelt gratitude that surrounded her during this time were a clear testimony to the relationships she had nurtured so faithfully.
Sr. M. Rebecca’s religious disposition was simple, sincere, and deeply rooted. She was a friend of the saints, turning to them with trust and affection. Her love for the Blessed Mother, especially the Immaculata, shaped her deeply. All her suffering she offered up for the Capital of Grace, for our Province intentions, most especially for vocations. During our Jubilee Year she made a conscious and deliberate decision to offer her suffering specifically for the grace and intentions of the Jubilee.
We give thanks for all that Sr M Rebecca contributed to our province and to our family. It seems that she has been gathered by God as a ripe fruit at the dawn of the second century of our family’s history.
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