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CONGREGATION OF JESUS NEWS
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Sister Francis North CJ |
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With sadness we announce the death, after a short illness, of Sister  Francis North CJ. She died peacefully, as she had wished, at home in Norwich on Wednesday, 28 May 2008 at 3.05 am, with Sisters Mary Richard and Colette praying beside her.
The Requiem, which was extremely well attended, took place at St George's Catholic Church, Norwich on Friday, 13 June. The liturgy had been planned by Francis herself - solemn and reverent, but with an underlying joy and thankfulness. The full text of the address given by Sister Gemma Simmonds can be found on the TALKS AND DOCUMENTS page of this website.
On 14 June Mass was celebrated for Sister Francis at St Mary's School, Shaftesbury, in the presence of our Provincial, Sister Jane Livesey, and a number of old girls and staff.
Sister Francis taught English and Latin for 20 years at St Mary's Shaftesbury, where she was then Headmistress from 1972 to 1976 and Superior from 1976 till 1979. After a short period at Ascot as Novice Director, she was appointed Provincial of the English Province from 1982 to 1991. From 1998 till her death she lived at Mary Ward House, Norwich, doing invaluable work for the Diocese of East Anglia. She was a well-loved teacher, and as Provincial she courageously implemented the important changes which followed the Second Vatican Council. May she rest in peace. |
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PUBLICATION OF MARY WARD SOURCE TEXTS |
The long awaited publication of Mary Ward and Her Foundation.The Source Texts to 1645 has now taken place. Mary Ward und ihre Grundung. Die Quellentexte bis 1645, 4 vols, edited by Sr Ursula Dirmeier CJ, has been published in Munster, Germany at the end of 2007. The texts are presented in their original languages with full introductions and notes in German. For further information on this important collection, which was presented to the Holy Father in March 2008, see the new Talks and Documents page on this website. |
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STRENGTHENING THE CLIMATE CHANGE BILL |
Twelve CJ sisters were among 300 Religious who took part in a national lobby of Parliament on April 23rd. The event was the brainchild of Sr. Pat Robb CJ, a member of the national CoR JP Links and the CJ JPiC groups, together with CAFOD. The groups began the day with a short input and then moved to the Houses of Parliament where they had set up interviews with MPs from their own constituencies, asking them to push for i) a reduction in carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 ii) inclusion of aircraft and shipping emissions in the Bill and iii) monitored yearly targets for climate emissions. The day finished with a liturgy, including a reflection by Sr. Gemma Simmonds CJ, focussing on the difference Religious can make in our world at this time. See also CAFOD website in LINKS |
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Sister Cecilia Goodman in Zimbabwe |
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Sister Cecilia Goodman has been visiting Zimbabwe to give workshops to the younger CJ Sisters, and those in training at Harare, Chishawasha and Kweke, including Amaveni and Mbizo. She writes, ‘The last time I went, nine years ago, the country was still flourishing and my memories were golden. Living day by day now, while not dangerous, was as worrying as I expected, and also brought home the harsh realities of what life with empty shops and a church under attack actually meant. … But it was lovely to see so many young sisters at all stages, from the aspirants and candidates, who are helping with the running of each house while learning English and preparing for the noviceship, through to the young professed working in such a variety of ministries. It was lovely to meet again with the many sisters who have been in England over the years, and most particularly with Sr Christopher (English, age 91) in her community where she provides so much, both in terms of instruction, but also of love and laughter. I owe a great debt of gratitude to Sr Salome (Regional Superior) who enabled me to see so many of the communities despite all the difficulties. | | |
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Retreats directed by Sr Pia Buxton at Whitby |
Sr Pia Buxton CJ SUMMMER DIRECTED RETREATS at WHITBY.
Sunday June 22 to Monday June 30
Tuesday July 1 to Thursday July 10
Thursday July 17 to Saturday July 26
Saturday July 26 to Wednesday July 30
Apply with SAE Sr Pia Buxton CJ. 39 St Georges Avenue, London N7 0HB. Further information about the Retreats, and the offering to cover costs, from Sr Pia at 0207 700 3256 or, until June 20, piabuxton.cj@btinternet.com |
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Sister Gregory Kirkus CJ |
 We are sad to announce the death on Thursday August 30th 2007 of Sister Gregory (Phyllis) Kirkus. Educated at Newnham College, Cambridge, Sister Gregory was a lifelong educator, founder member and headmistress of St. Mary’s School Shaftesbury. Her later career as an archivist and historian in the Bar Convent supported worldwide research into Mary Ward and Catholic history. RIP
A Memorial Mass of thanksgiving for the life of Sr Gregory was celebrated in the Chapel of the Bar Convent, York on October 18th.
See LINKS PAGE Independent Catholic News [ICN] 31st August for a longer Obituary.
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Mary Ward honoured in Yorkshire, the County of her birth |
The Yorkshire Society, a large group of members and corporate members, seeks to honour the achievements of distinguished people born in Yorkshire by erecting Yorkshire Rose Plaques in places with which they were associated. Up to now these plaques have celebrated famous Yorkshire men. On 31 March the Society came to the Bar Convent to set up on the front wall a plaque for Mary Ward, the first woman to be so honoured. This fine plaque, engraved by John Shaw on blue Welsh slate, has been much admired. |
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Biographies, IBVM and CJ by Sister Gregory Kirkus |
 The second edition of Sister Gregory Kirkus' Biographies, with the revised title An IBVM/CJ Biographical Dictionary of the English Members and Major Benefactors 1667-2006 is now available. This enlarged edition, first published by the Catholic Record Society, has been reprinted and published by the Bar Convent Trust. There is an entry for each member of the English Province since 1669, the year when Frances Bedingfield returned to the English Mission to found a hidden convent and school in Hammersmith, followed by a similar foundation in York in 1686. The Biographies can be ordered from the Bar Convent shop (see Links or Contacts page). Hardback: Price £15 sterling plus £1.50 postage and packing in the UK, £2.00 for airmail in Europe, and £5.00 for airmail outside Europe.
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The long awaited English translation of Immolata Wetter's book Mary Ward Under the Shadow of the Inquistion has been completed and is available from the publisher, Way Books, Campion Hall, Oxford. (Click