A Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated on Saturday June 15th in Kentish Town in the parish church of Our Lady Help of Christians on Saturday 20th June.
This Mass was offered to the Lord in thanksgiving for the prayers and work of the deceased and living sisters who dedicated themselves to the parish family over the years. The celebrant was the parish priest, Fr Tom Forde, who has known many of the sisters. A group of musicians from the parish ably accompanied the singing.
The Mass leaflet named all those members of the congregations concerned: The La Sainte Union, The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of Jesus. We remembered the ten deceased.
The homily was given by Sr. Amadeus Bulger CJ. She reminded of us of the unrepeatable unique individual personal vocation given to all Christians by virtue of our baptism. This has to do with the discernment and living out of the person’s truest self. We are called to reflect back to the Father a particular aspect or facet of the personality of Christ.One’s personal vocation is our unique way of being Christian. It goes deeper than our state of life – be it married, single, priests or vowed religious.
The sisters were feted after Mass with a reception including a most splendid specially decorated iced cake and other delicacies generously provided by the parish.
We also learned that within the parish at the home of Mrs Julia Forsyth there is a Vocations Night. On every second Tuesday of the month a group meet to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. It is a friendly and informal evening and they have only missed one day in sixteen years. Details may be obtained from the parish priest.
