A lifetime of service and faith shown by 78-year-old Sylvia Mellish has seen her honoured with a Benemerenti Medal and scroll signed by the late Pope Francis.
It was one of his acts last in the days leading up to his death.
Sylvia, 78, a former Rakaia resident now living in Christchurch, said two days before he died Pope Francis signed the scroll presented to her for dedication to the Catholic Church.
It made it even more special, she said of the surprise accolade.
Sylvia was invited by Mid Canterbury parish priest Father Joselito Quinones to attend a special service at St Ita’s, Rakaia, in May.
As Mass began, Sylvia’s family walked in to join her.
‘‘I was totally overwhelmed that they had come from all over the country, to share the reception of this award with me and of course extremely happy to see them. It is such an honour and I am very humbled,’’ she said.
It was not until the end of the service that Sylvia was presented with the medal; the second in her family.
Her sister received one three years ago for her work in the Wellington Diocese.
Sylvia was also awarded a life membership by the Rakaia Catholic Women’s League (CWL).
Sylvia grew up in Dunedin and attended St Patrick’s Basilica. At age 14 she began playing the basilica’s organ.
She attended Dunedin’s Teachers College before taking up a teaching post in Gore.
It was there she meet her late husband Murray, a stock agent.
The pair married and in 1973 move to Rakaia, where Sylvia continued teaching and lived for 53 years.
She moved to Christchurch a year ago and now attends Holy Family Parish in Ilam.
‘‘I was the first lay teacher at St Ita’s school in Rakaia and became principal there when the school amalgamated in the early eighties.
‘‘I love meeting up with ex pupils to hear about their life’s journeyafter school,’’ she said.
Music has played a big part in Sylvia’s life. She has taught, sung, played and directed choirs in schools, the church and community.
She has also had a book published on the history of St Ita’s school and church.
‘‘As liturgy convener in Rakaia I prepared many liturgies for Sunday masses, weddings, funerals, special feast days and other occasions over many years.
‘‘I have also prepared many power point reflections for various groups, including taking part in ecumenical services in other churches in the Rakaia area at Easter, Christmas, World Day of Prayer and other significant events – the mining disaster and the mosque shooting come to mind,’’ she said.
For many years Sylvia served as member of the Rakaia and the Ashburton pastoral parish councils and is still involved in taking communion to the sick and dying.
It was something she felt was a huge honour to do.
The medal began under Pope Gregory XVI in 1852 and was given in recognition of distinguished service in military. In 1925 the medal began being awarded to civilians as well for their services and commitment to the church .
Sylvia is current national president of the CWL and has been involved since living in Gore more than 50 years ago.
Since then she has held a variety of positions including president, regional representative, diocesan president of Christchurch.
There had been many enjoyable moments in her roles and a sense of belonging had been an important one, as well as socialising with like-minded women and bringing hope to mission communities and those in need.
‘‘It such an inspirational group of women who work so hard under our motto of ‘faith and service’.
‘‘I love travelling around the country to meet up with groups of the league in other dioceses.
‘‘The work these ladies do and the money they raise for mission communities and other worthy causes is quite incredible,’’ Sylvia said.
Sylvia said that work she had done had never been about getting recognised for the contribution she made.
‘‘I must admit it is very heartening and very special to be acknowledged,’’ she said.
