Jubilee Day in the United Kingdom

Tuesday, May 14, 2019 was a truly wonderful day as we celebrated the long and fruitful years spent in the Congregation by Sisters Barbara Cleary, Evelyn Sheridan, Alexine Anderson, Anne Kenny, Margaret Redmond and our loved Congregation Leader, Sheila Lemieux. We were happy and privileged to have Sheila choose to join our five stalwarts on this day of joy. Barbara celebrated 80 years, Evelyn 70 years and Alexine, Anne, Margaret and Sheila each gave thanks for 60 full and sometimes challenging years.  

While we appreciated Louise DuMont’s reminder that Jubilee is a lifelong celebration we were determined to begin this special occasion on a high note and keep to that high note right into the future; that is why the “ younger “ Jubilarians crafted an intimate and inspiring Liturgy, arranged the place, the time, the readings, participants, celebrants, songs and musicians and made sure all would enjoy the lunch at a local hotel.   “Thank You” to all!  

Special Guest and chief celebrant of the Liturgy was Father Philip Inch, priest of the Archdiocese of Liverpool, friend of Sheila and, as of now, of the Congregation, who was so pleasingly at home with us and spoke movingly of the vocation and calling of a Sister. It was really a delight to hear him link the 390 years in total service as Sisters with the historical events of 1629 – Charles 1st dissolved the Parliament of the time, Puritans left persecution of their Protestant religion to sail to freedom in the New World and Oliver Plunkett was born in Ireland; a connection of three countries, the UK, the US, and Ireland.  Father Adam, the Jesuit priest of the parish of Our Lady of Mercy, concelebrated with Philip. 

The celebratory lunch was a happy and leisurely event; delicious food, beautifully served, constant attention to everyone’s needs and a quiet atmosphere in which we could hear each other and enjoy visiting with those we rarely see except for meetings. This was indeed a momentous day, the start of the continuing celebration of Jubilee.

Thanks to:
Eileen Byrne, CSJP for the article
Maureen Brennan, CSJP for the photos

Previous
Previous

Western Region Jubilee in Bellevue, Washington

Next
Next

Celebrating Jubilees in the East