By Liam Michael Quinn, Congregational Communications Manager
Unsure of what would appear on the canvas, Sr. Eugene first picked up a paintbrush in 2010.
“I felt my work was very amateur,” she says. And yet, within a year, she had already put three pictures up for sale, the proceeds from which she sent to the Good Shepherd mission in Africa.
She credits Sr. Susan Chia for overcoming her initial hesitation to sell her work. “Susan gave me the courage to believe in myself and in the value of my artwork. She persuaded me to sell them, and I agreed only because I knew the money was going to a good cause”.
From that first sale, Sr. Eugene was able to send $1750 to enable two young women who were survivors of gender-based violence to complete their education in a crisis center for women and children in Nairobi, Kenya*.
Further sales of her artwork followed, and more money was sent to support the Good Shepherd mission – for amounts never less than $2000.
Throughout her life as a professed sister, Sr. Eugene has lived and shared in the life of the mission in several countries, living in various different communities. Her love to express her faith through song and music is one constant throughout her journey.
For the 20 years before the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked as a staff member at the Marymount Convent Kindergarten in Singapore, where she taught music and movement.
During daily assemblies, she would use her talents to play hymns and other songs for the children and keep them entertained with lively pieces such as Fur Elise, Blue Danube, and Greensleeves while they would wait to return to their classrooms.
Her example and inspiration led many of her former students to love music and embrace it as a profession and way of life.
Of all the places where she has led choirs, she most fondly remembers leading the choir at Johor Cathedral, Malaysia, where – with the Bishop being in residence there – she often had to lead the music for important events held at the cathedral.
“My life has been a colorful one,” she says with a fond smile. And at 82 years of age, she has no plans to actually retire – having recently stepped in to support the work of the Communications Office as we reach out to invite sisters and partners-in-mission to share in our global work of communications.
Today, whether at work painting, playing, or proofreading, Sr. Eugene’s hands continue the work of the hands of Jesus the Good Shepherd.
Yet, she takes no credit for her talents: “They all come from God,” she says, adding, “All praise and glory are to God alone.”
*This crisis center evolved to become the present Euphrasia Women’s Centre (EWC).
