Early composition doll in Catholic priest's vestment (late 1800s - early 1900s)

Mary O’Neill talked to Arthur Shultze a manager of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic shop in Napier. “It’s an old catholic priest's vestment, I would say very old. They do not have those vestments for years. It could be up to 1930s. It looks like Father Paul (Napier priest, he now lives in Waipukurau), he uses to get dressed like this for Art Deco Festival."

Mary also spoke to Keri  the owner of the Napier Antique & Jewellery Centre, Keri said she is very experienced with antique laces, and dated lace and fabric on this doll in the 1940s, or before.

The doll is an example of the earliest composition doll made in the late 1800s or early 1900s.

Mary O'Neill Doll Museum news blog  http://dollmuseumnewzealand.blogspot.co.nz/2014/06/the-late 1800s-or-early-20th-century.htm

In memory of Bishop Dr. Soane Lilo Foliaki 1933-2013

A Catholic nun, who is not longer with us, sister Aganete made an appointment for me to see Bishop Dr. Soane (John) Lilo Foliaki in Nukualofa in 1998, he was 64 years old. This photo, reminds me of him sitting in his office when I visited him the first time. I stayed in Tonga 5 months, and I met Bishop Foliaki occasionally, he also served the mass at the church. I remember the ordination of the priest on one occasion at the church in Maofanga.

Bishop of Tonga Dr.Soane Lilo Foliaki

Bishop Foliaki said talitali fiefia (welcome), and made every effort to see me safe in Tonga, and made possible for me to live with nuns at  the convent, and more. I assisted sister Sussane teaching  students art and decorating tapa clothes at Maofanga Convent School. I also created some artwork for the Maofanga Convent which we exhibited at the queen Salote Memorial Hall.

I painted the life size statue of St. Anthony of Padua at the Nukualofa Catedral, and tought sudents at Maofanga School how to do it. I also restored and painted a few other medium and small statue of Holy Mary.

Bishop Foliaki passed away on the 24th of December 2013. I would like to say one more time Mālō ‘aupito (thank you) to bishop John Foliaki for all he has done for me. Rest in piece.

Mary O'Neill

Announcement - Stella Maris Chapel at the Mary O'Neill Doll Museum in Napier

Mary O'Neill Doll Museum Napier
Announcement, 28th of January 2014

A little Stella Maris chapel (Our Lady, Star of the Sea) will take place at the Mary O'Neill Doll Museum in Napier.
This chapel will include all the dolls which are objects of religious devotion and made by Mary O'Neill for example a Doll of Pope Benedict XVI, Doll of Adele Euprasie Barbier, St. Mary MacKillop etc. At currently there is a new doll of Archangel Michael in preparation. Mary is planning to design a life size figure of Holy Mary.

"This will be a doll museum chapel devoted to Stella Maris. There are a number of churches in the coastal region  throughout the world and in New Zealand being named Stella Maris or Our Lady Star of the Sea. Our Lady of the Sea is a protector of those on the sea. Napier is a coastal town. However, this is not the only reason I devoted this chapel to Our Lady Star of the Sea” Mary O’Neill said today.