Matariki

                                          Matariki  

I look up,  I can already see the dark sky with a million stars. I can feel the cold, open air blowing into me. The fire is already lit. I am at Cook’s beach. My family and my friends are nearly at the camp-fire with Uncle Bob. Then Uncle Bob says to me ‘Hurry up or we will have to wait another year to see those stars.’ I am at the beach to celebrate Matariki.

The moment I reach the fire, I can already feel the warmth of the bright, burning flames. I stare at the sky to find the unique seven stars or the matariki. My shoes sink into the sand , I feel like the wind is actually whispering to me. The sea is like the beautiful reflection from a magic mirror. The sea is calm but i can hear the waves swishing and whistling.

But when I gaze at the dark greyish night, I think about why so many different cultures talk about stars and tell stories about them. I also wonder why the stars are so important to them too.

My Saint

St Bernadette

Hello my name is Bernadette Soubirous. I was born 170 years ago, 17 January 1844. I live in Lourdes, France and my family is very poor. My health is very poor,  because I am suffering from asthma.

One day I am sent to go out to gather firewood with my sister and a friend. But when I pass a rose bush, a beautiful lady dressed in blue and white appears to me and makes the sign of the cross, so I take out my rosary and begin to pray it with her. She is actually the Blessed Virgin Mary. She appears to me 17 more times. I tell my companions but they don’t believe me, so the police question me. I have to undergo medical testing to prove that I don’t need to go to a mental asylum.

After 13 years, I become a nun and I am now called   Sister Marie Bernarde. During my time as a nun, I suffer from ill health, from ailments and afflictions, but I do not complain. It becomes worse so I am confined to bed. After a few moment, I begin to make the Sign of the Cross, and drink a few drops of water. Then I leave my mortal body.