by Gianni Criveller
On 2 January 2023, Maryknoll Sister Betty Ann Maheu celebrated an anticipated birthday at Maryknoll Sisters Headquarters in Ossining, New York, USA. She turned 100 years old on January 9. Still in reasonably good health, her mind is as swift, smart and lucid as ever, and her memory just as formidable.
John Cardinal Tong, the former bishop of Hong Kong, came all the way to preside over the moving and meaningful celebration. This writer was also there to be close to a much-loved and admired colleague from the years spent together at the Holy Spirit Study Centre in Hong Kong.
Covid-19 restrictions and concerns did not make the arrangement of the event easy. However, every effort and safety measure was put in place by the Maryknoll Sisters to offer Sister Maheu a memorable day in honour of a life entirely dedicated to the mission.
Cardinal Tong celebrated a Mass, and I delivered the homily. The sisters hosted a Chinese lunch in honour of Sister Maheu, along with others present who served in Hong Kong and China. A cake was cut.
It was a beautiful, memorable and moving morning, full of heartfelt significance, fond memories and whole-hearted gratitude.
Sister Maheu came to Hong Kong in September 1990 at 67. She served for 16 at the Holy Spirit Study Centre as the English editor of the journal Tripod and the writer of China Bridge for the Sunday Examiner. We, her co-workers, witnessed the tremendous work this dedicated and generous woman accomplished during those years. The centre accomplished much during those years due to her untiring efforts.
Until the last day of work, despite her “young age” [of 82], after attending early morning Mass, she was the first to arrive at the office via public transportation and a long walk. She opened the doors and switched on the computers. Her cheerfulness and optimism made her a favourite co-worker. She was always a unifying person when differences surfaced. When we faced troubles, she was part of the solution and never the problem.
Many people in the diocese, including Joseph Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun and Cardinal Tong, asked for and always received her help. She has written and edited numerous articles, translated hundreds of pages, proofread thousands more, and edited many books.
Words on Chinese Catholics
Answering our questions before her departure, Sister Maheu had this to say [Tripod no. 143, Winter 2006].
“I must admit that I knew very little about the situation of the Church in China when I arrived at the [Holy Spirit Study] centre. I quickly realised that there was much to learn, and the first thing I did was to read the first 57 published issues of Tripod. I also quickly realised that working to help the China Church and to make it known throughout the world was a most worthwhile endeavour. I have continually felt privileged indeed to be part of this ministry.
The Church in China has grown tremendously during these 16 years, and I am happy to say that the centre has played an important role in this development through its support of the bishops, priests and sisters. It was a delight to welcome young priests and sisters from the mainland to the centre. We have been able to establish a network of friendship with our brothers and sisters in the Mainland Church. We hope and pray for the day when the Catholic Church in China will be totally reconciled and free.
I am struck by the deep faith of the Chinese Catholics, the beautiful simplicity of the bishops, the faithfulness of young priests, many of whom serve in very isolated areas, the joy manifested by the young sisters even as they so often live in conditions of poverty. I never cease to be amazed at their obvious devotion to the Holy Father.
The Church in China holds great promise, I believe, for the Universal Church. Many young people in China are seeking meaning in life and looking beyond mere economic success. They are searching for God. Some are finding an answer in the priesthood and in religious life. The Church in China still has many hurdles to overcome, but there are signs of hope. The long years of suffering for the members of the Church can only in the end yield good. I look forward to the day when the bishops of China are seated together with the Holy Father.”
I would conclude the tribute to our beloved sister with the words the then Bishop John Tong pronounced on 24 October 2006, at the farewell party in her honour:
There is an ancient poem, “There is no unending banquet.” Even the best meal must come to an end. The happy years of her friendship and good example will always remain in our hearts.
Missionary career
Sister Maheu’s first missionary assignment was in Hawaii, where she served for 18 years from 1953, on the Island of Maui, then in Honolulu, on Oahu, as assistant to the superintendent of Catholic schools. From 1970 to 1979 she served as a member of the Maryknoll Sisters’ Central Governing Board. Following that, she was sent to Rome to the International Union of Superiors General, where she served as the coordinator of publications for six years and English editor of the Union’s major publication, Bulletin.
During her 16 years in Hong Kong, Sister Maheu also served China’s cause outside the Holy Spirit Study Centre. She took an active part in the Hong Kong-based orientation programme for teachers going to teach in China for AITECE and Maryknoll. She was a speaker at various international events, such as the first Symposium of the International Association of Catholic Missiologists in Rome [1999] and the US Catholic China Conference [2005].
She was a member of the Board of Governors for Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital and was a member of Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital Governing Committee for the Hospital Authority. She was also a member of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority’s Complaints Committee for four years and a council member of the Maryknoll Convent School Foundation.
Upon returning to Maryknoll at the age of 83, Sister Maheu was asked to complete the history of the Maryknoll Sisters in the China Region, including Hong Kong and Macau.
Statistics
Years of service at the Holy Spirit Study Centre: 16; Trips to China: 18; Issues of Tripod as executive editor: 72; Special issues of Tripod: 8; Books edited: 12; Editorials: 68; Signed articles: 23; Items written under the title of Tripod Staff: 122; Articles translated: 31; China Bridge [Sunday Examiner]: 180; Articles edited/proofread: countess. Articles translated and published in various magazines around the world [America, Mondo e Missione, Vita Consacrata, Vida Nueva, EDA Eglises d’Asie, Sedos, East Asian Pastoral Review, etc]: many.
