This weekend I went to visit my aunt’s grave. Auntie Veronica (or Auntie Barometer as she was affectionately known) was a Catholic nun – Order of the Poor Child
Jesus. This Order was founded to look after poor children – teaching, running orphanages etc. In her time, my aunt was a teacher and also ran the children’s home in Sheffield, the town where I grew up. She also held different positions within the Order over the many years that she served.
When Veronica died, one of the sisters in the convent asked if I would like Veronica’s Daily Office book – the prayer book that she would have used several times a day for over fifty years. When I had a chance to look at this book in detail, I discovered that Veronica had tucked different items into the cover. One piece of paper was a photocopy of a photograph of an uncle of hers who was a monk, with some details of his life typed underneath. She had also placed in there a photograph of her and her parents on the day of her Solemn Profession – the day when she formally became a nun.
It moved me very much to find these items and to realise that my calling to ordained ministry is part of a thread that runs through my family. One day, I will place a photo of me on my ordination day in with the other photos and hopefully pass on the prayer book to someone else in the family is also called to set their life apart in some way for God.
Many of us at MCC Newcastle do not have children of our own and may wonder what our legacy will be in the world. One of the things that I love about being part of MCC worldwide is feeling as though I am part of history. Our founder, Reverend Troy Perry, is still alive and well and active in ministry. I still am able to draw on the wisdom and support of many more experienced colleagues. At the same
time, I have now been in MCC for over 24 years and have seen other people grow and develop in their faith journey. Hopefully, I have helped and encouraged some of them in this.
Who is part of your faith family tree? Who has supported, encouraged and challengedyou? Who are you nurturing and supporting in your turn? This week, perhaps you
would like to thank God for these people and even send them a card or a little message. It is good to be part of a faith family.
God bless,
Cecilia
Jesus. This Order was founded to look after poor children – teaching, running orphanages etc. In her time, my aunt was a teacher and also ran the children’s home in Sheffield, the town where I grew up. She also held different positions within the Order over the many years that she served.
When Veronica died, one of the sisters in the convent asked if I would like Veronica’s Daily Office book – the prayer book that she would have used several times a day for over fifty years. When I had a chance to look at this book in detail, I discovered that Veronica had tucked different items into the cover. One piece of paper was a photocopy of a photograph of an uncle of hers who was a monk, with some details of his life typed underneath. She had also placed in there a photograph of her and her parents on the day of her Solemn Profession – the day when she formally became a nun.
It moved me very much to find these items and to realise that my calling to ordained ministry is part of a thread that runs through my family. One day, I will place a photo of me on my ordination day in with the other photos and hopefully pass on the prayer book to someone else in the family is also called to set their life apart in some way for God.
Many of us at MCC Newcastle do not have children of our own and may wonder what our legacy will be in the world. One of the things that I love about being part of MCC worldwide is feeling as though I am part of history. Our founder, Reverend Troy Perry, is still alive and well and active in ministry. I still am able to draw on the wisdom and support of many more experienced colleagues. At the same
time, I have now been in MCC for over 24 years and have seen other people grow and develop in their faith journey. Hopefully, I have helped and encouraged some of them in this.
Who is part of your faith family tree? Who has supported, encouraged and challengedyou? Who are you nurturing and supporting in your turn? This week, perhaps you
would like to thank God for these people and even send them a card or a little message. It is good to be part of a faith family.
God bless,
Cecilia
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