Celebration of 250th anniversary in Swindon community

Anniversary cake

By Sr Teresa Molloy PBVM

We celebrated our 250th anniversary on 9 December. It was truly a beautiful celebration. The Associates were the main organisers with us. Some parishioners joined us as well as our parish priest Fr. Obi.

We had a lovely prayer service, a talk by Sr Concepta Tobin about our order and work, then some slides of our beginnings were shown. A talk by the chairperson of the associates, Brenda Johnson, was given on the work and reason for the Presentation Associates to carry on our charism and mission. A reflection on the beatitudes was read. We were then given a challenge of how we can use our gifts. Each one wrote down their gift and this was offered up to the Lord. Now we must work on it! Seven associates were inducted and they were presented with their badges and a lighted candle by Sr Lucy. They were also given a commitment payer that we all joined in.

A representative from “The Haven” - a local shelter for the homeless, gave a slide show and a talk on their wonderful work; a cheque for £250 for their charity was presented.

We celebrated with some lovely food that had been brought by the Associates. One of our parishioners gave a scrumptious cream cake with the emblem of the lantern on it. Afterwards Fr Obi asked for some symbols to be placed in the church and during the Mass Fr Obi spoke about Nano’s life.