Joyful Jubilee Celebration

May Assembly, Matlock

When the Presentation Sisters in England gathered for their assembly last May, they took the opportunity to celebrate the jubilees of Religious Profession of two of their Sisters –

Sr Cecilia Johnson who celebrated her Platinum (70 years) Jubilee and

Sr Susan Richert who is celebrating her Golden Jubilee (50 years).

Celebrating a Jubilee of Religious Profession is just as important for us as Religious as for a Married Couple celebrating their Wedding Anniversary.  We take Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience and so the Jubilee is a particular moment to thank God  for his faithfulness, to renew those Vows and thank our community for having helped us to be faithful to our Way of Life. It’s an opportunity as well for the Jubilarian to look back on their life of service to God’s people and to thank God and the people we have ministered to, for allowing us to serve them.

CONGRATULATIONS, THANKS AND MANY BLESSINGS TO CECELIA AND SUSAN

Sr Cecelia

It all began for Sr Cecelia when she joined the Sisters in Livesey Street, Manchester and made her First Profession in 1955 .  This is the day she committed herself to living the Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience – which she has done faithful to this day.

Sr Cecelia taught nursery and primary school children in Manchester and in Matlock.  She also played the organ in church and in the Convent in Manchester and Matlock. Cecelia loved being with people and when not in school or when she had retired from school – her love is visiting people and taking Holy Communion to them in their homes. She also delights  in welcoming people to the Convent.

Sr Susan

Sr Susan joined the Sisters in Matlock and at the end of her novitiate in Ireland, returned to Matlock to make her profession on the 16th September 1975. This she did in the Convent Chapel in the presence of the Sisters, her family and the girls who made up the school community.

Following this, Susan continued some study and ministered in the boarding schools in Matlock.

After College, she taught at the PCHS in Matlock and then at St. Mary’s High School in Chesterfield. From here she was appointed to leadership in the Province for 10 years – a very enriching time when she had the privilege of visiting other Presentation Sisters across the globe.     

After finishing in leadership, Susan went back to school as a chaplain, first in St. Mary’s Chesterfield and then in All Hallows, Macclesfield. On her “retirement” she became Vicar for Religious for the Diocese of Nottingham, pastoral assistant at Our Lady and All Saints Parish, Mansfield and also did some chaplaincy in St.Joseph’s primary school, Shirebrook where she first met the Presentation Sisters. She also enjoys working in the Heritage Centre in Matlock and her ministry in the Province and Congregation.

But in all this, the ministry most close to her heart is being with children and people wherever she meets them.