THE PHILIPPINES
Just before Christmas we received this message from our sisters in the Philippines:
Thank you very much for your concern and prayers for our country and people at this time when tragedy has once again struck us..... We grieve the death of more than a thousand people; we share the pain of hundreds who are still searching for lost family members; we suffer with those who lost homes and property. But we continue to hold on in faith and keep the hope alive..... We find consolation in the outpouring of help and solidarity from our own people -- persons and groups toning down Christmas parties to be able to send help to our suffering brothers and sisters, volunteers offering time and effort to respond to needs, and medical/psychological/technical personnel flying to Cagayan de Oro and Iligan to attend to the victims. Now more than ever, we hold on to EMMANUEL.....
M JOSEFA BULTO RIP
M Josefa Bulto, who died in early December, aged 106, was Superior General of the Society from 1967-1970, guiding it through a time of profound change in the life of the Society, religious life itself, the Church and the wider world.
She wrote to the Society in September 1968: “Love must be real, concrete; we must train ourselves ceaselessly to recognize the presence of Christ in our Sisters… The only way we can learn to love one another truly, courageously, is to abide in the living Christ… For it is truly a matter of giving one’s life, of wearing oneself out in the service of others, of sharing the responsibilities of others, of bearing their burdens.”
We give thanks for her many years of self-gift and loving, courageous service, and ask her to intercede for us, that we may respond generously to our call to reveal the love of God to all those we encounter.
FIC 2011
An account of the Fourth International Conference for heads of Sacred Heart Schools, with links to keynote speeches, letters and other resources. Click here...
CONGRATULATIONS
to Siobhan Burke, who on 5th November graduated from Oxford University with a doctorate in Maths. Her thesis was entitled 'A Numerical Analysis of the Minimisation of the Ambrosio-Tortorelli Functional, with Applications in Brittle Fracture'.
Some more photos
Siobhan currently works in the Maths Department at Northumbria University, and is one of three young women who started their journey with us in September 2011. Click here to read more...
ELIZABETH BASSET RIP
At dawn on the 14th October God called 98-year-old Elizabeth to the fullness of life.
Born in 1913, Elizabeth was one of four siblings who all became either RSCJ or Jesuits. She was educated at our school in Roehampton, where her contemporaries included two future film stars - Vivien Leigh and Maureen O'Sullivan. Elizabeth chose a less glamorous path and entered religious life in 1933, a few months before her 20th birthday.
Elizabeth was professed in 1942, and was one of the last surviving "Green Hearts": RSCJ from here and elsewhere who prepared for and made their final profession in Ireland, as travel to Rome was impossible during wartime. She did make it to Rome many years later, where she worked at the Mother House.
Throughout her life Elizabeth was a well-organised and meticulous woman, and these qualities came to the fore when she was "econome" at St Julian's in Malta, responsible for the finances and practicalities for the convent and school.
Alongside this Elizabeth was a highly creative and resourceful woman; for several years she taught art and pottery at West Hill, where she built her own kiln in the grounds. When her eyesight deteriorated in old age she found new channels for her creativity: she made cards on a specially-adapted computer and was part of the group who created our first province website.
Elizabeth celebrated her 75th anniversary of first vows in 2010.
To the very end Elizabeth did whatever she could to be of service at Duchesne Community, and to welcome visitors into the house. We are sure she has received an ecstatic welcome into heaven from the One who now says "well done good and faithful servant, now come and take your rest..."
NEW BOOK by Marianne Tavares RSCJ, on clinical aromatherapy and palliative care. See www.clinicalaromapac.ca
NEW CANDIDATES
Please join us in praying for Karen, Katie and Siobhan, who have just begun their journey in the Society.
They introduce themselves here...
You can read more about our vocation and about becoming an RSCJ here...
SADNESS AFTER REJOICINGS
Ten days ago, at Duchesne House, we celebrated two special birthdays in the Province. Today, with our own sadness, but also with great rejoicings for her, we celebrate the birth into eternal life of Prue Wilson who was 90 years old on August 11th.
Prue was taken into hospital last Friday with breathing difficulties, and she died early this morning, August 21st.
Prue was a great character, passionate about God, and passionate about all the many people she met in her varied life. This was all truly celebrated both before, and on, August 11th. with greetings from her community at Duchesne House, from her sisters in the Province; her many friends, ex-pupils of Tunbridge Wells school from the 1950’s, past students of Oxford, and by her nephew, Sandy, and family, who came from Thailand and took her out for a very special meal on the day. Perhaps it was God’s kindness to allow all the warm feelings of this time to be the prelude to His saying “Now I want to celebrate with her here!” And you can bet that she will!!
Prue in her own words - click here for some thoughts from Prue on her call and the Heart of Jesus.
The photo shows Prue with Norka, a young Venezuelan RSCJ who spent six months in Oxford ten years ago. Sadly, Norka died in a car crash a few years later, but we're sure she's now welcoming Prue into heaven.
CONGRATULATIONS to two RSCJ who are celebrating 107th and 90th birthdays, and Profession anniversaries. Read more...
GOLDEN JUBILEE: Congratulations, prayer and best wishes to Srs Mary Barrow, Mon Marudi and Frances Lynch, who on 21st July celebrate fifty years since their final profession.
A few months ago they talked about their experiences as RSCJ - click here for the youtube video
MARY COKE RIP
On Saturday 18th June God called Mary to the fullness of life.
Born in 1925, Mary went to our school in Tunbridge Wells and joined the Society when she was 22. She taught chemistry for several years, before becoming headmistress of Sacred Heart Grammar School in Fenham, Newcastle, remaining there until her retirement in 1976. A fluent French speaker, she then spent some time in France where she completed a doctorate in French catechetical methods. After her return to England she changed disciplines again, becoming Provincial Archivist; she continued in this role until sudden ill health in 2004 led to her second retirement.
Although she rallied round, and was able to live independently for a while, Mary's health and strength again began to decline steadily. She died peacefully on the eve of Trinity Sunday, and is now enjoying the eternal life promised in today's Gospel.
ANDREE MEYLAN RIP
On Thursday 2nd June God called Andree to the fullness of life.
Born in Switzerland in 1917, Andree came to England as a young woman and worked as a nurse for several years before joining the Society in 1950. In 1964 she was called to Rome to act as Secretary General for the international Society, responsible for communications and administration. After the Chapter of 1967 she returned to England, as Mistress of Novices; then, from 1971-77, she was Provincial Superior for England-Wales.
In recent months, as she became frailer, Andree longed for heaven. She died on the original feast of Christ's Ascension - as did our foundress - and we can rejoice that she can now enjoy heaven with the God whom she had served so faithfully here on earth.
ELIZABETH GRANTHAM RIP
On 5th April God called Elizabeth (Liz) to the fullness of life.
Liz was born in 1929, and made her first vows in 1955. She spent many years teaching geography in Sacred Heart schools in England, especially in Tunbridge Wells. Her health had steadily declined in recent years, so we especially rejoice that she can now celebrate the Easter mystery in heaven.
GOLDEN JUBILEE
On Saturday 12th March, at our province meeting, Sr Anne Hine celebrated her Golden Jubilee of first vows. We join her in giving thanks for all that has been, and in praying for renewed commitment and grace for all that will be.
CEREMONY OF FINAL PROFESSION IN ROME
On 30th January 2011 thirteen RSCJ from all over the world made their final professions together in Rome ...read more
JOSEPHINE HEYWOOD RIP
On 28th January, after a short illness, Josephine (Jo) died, aged 97, at Duchesne House.
Jo entered the Society in 1938, and last summer celebrated her 60th anniversary of First Vows. Her 65th anniversary of final profession was on the 2nd February, and we are sure she celebrated this fully with the God she had faithfully served for so many years.
