A Life Worth Living
http://www.rcdai.org.uk/articles/199/1/A-Life-Worth-Living/Page1.html
By Website Editor
Published on 08/11/2009
The hill-top church of St. Michael's Eriskay, with its breath-taking views of sea and sky, was an ideal setting for the ceremony of the perpetual profession of Sister Mary Cathie MacInnes which took place on September 27th 2009.
Mary Catherine was born, baptised and brought up on the island. So it was fitting that the ceremony took place during the parish Sunday Mass and in the presence of her extended family, parishioners and members of her own religious congregation.
Bishop Joseph Toal of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles was the chief celebrant and performed the rite of religious profession after the reading of the gospel. During his homily the bishop emphasised the relevance of the consecrated life for today.
The presence of several of the local clergy gave noticeable witness to the close bonds that bind together pastors, religious and parishioners throughout the Western Isles. Father Calum MacLellan, himself a native of Eriskay, was there to support Sister Mary Cathie, just as he was when she ventured out to take her first step in religious life in the year 2000. Also in the sanctuary were Father Roddy MacAuley, Daliburgh; Canon MacQueen, Barra; Father Ross¬ Crichton, Benbecula; Father Michael Hutson, Rothesay.
Fifteen members of Sister Mary Cathie's religious congregation, the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, travelled from various parts of the UK and Ireland to show their support to Mary Cathie and to join the day's rejoicing. Sister Pennie MacInnes (South Uist) was among the sisters represented. She had travelled from Kasama in Zambia where she is also presently on mission.
For many in the packed congregation, the highlight of the ceremony was that moment, during the rite of religious profession, when Sister Mary Cathie placed her hands in those of Sister Elizabeth Dawson, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. In a clear and firm voice she went on to pronounce the formula of perpetual religious profession:
I, Sister Mary Cathie MacInnes,
in the presence of the whole court of heaven,
and in your hands, Sister Elizabeth Dawson,
vow and promise to God to observe for my whole life
the three simple vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
A traditional touch of Hebridean culture adding to the solemnity of the ceremony, was the unmistakeable haunting sound of the pipes as two of Sister Mary Cathie's young nephews piped their much-loved aunt in and out of the church. As we emerged from the church at the end of Mass, sudden gusts of western-island-winds enveloped us as we took our turn to greet the newly fully-fledged sister; it also set us hurriedly on our way downhill to the community hall where a sumptuous buffet, prepared by the parish social committee, awaited all and was thoroughly enjoyed and greatly appreciated.
The day's celebrations ended with a traditional Gaelic ceildhe during which the local school children performed a specially prepared display of Scottish dancing and singing. The MacInnes family- five rendered a rare selection of Gaelic airs on the pipes. All guests were warmly invited to join the dance and to add their voices in song as the evening progressed.
The Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and Katie Mary Campbell, her only sister, together with her five brothers, wish to thank Bishop Toal for his gracious presence on this memorable day. Heartfelt thanks also go to all those who gave so generously of their time and skills to make the day one of such joy and thanksgiving.
Sister Mary Cathie has since returned to her mission in Bauleni compound in Lusaka, Zambia. At present she is project manager of a multi-faceted development programme for children and young people in this impoverished area of the capital city. She remains ever grateful to you for your continued prayerful and financial support.
The hill-top church of St. Michael's Eriskay, with its breath-taking views of sea and sky, was an ideal setting for the ceremony of the perpetual profession of Sister Mary Cathie MacInnes which took place on September 27th 2009.
Religious Profession In Eriskay
The hill-top church of St. Michael's Eriskay, with its breath-taking views of sea and sky, was an ideal setting for the ceremony of the perpetual profession of Sister Mary Cathie MacInnes which took place on September 27th 2009.
Mary Catherine was born, baptised and brought up on the island. So it was fitting that the ceremony took place during the parish Sunday Mass and in the presence of her extended family, parishioners and members of her own religious congregation.
Bishop Joseph Toal of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles was the chief celebrant and performed the rite of religious profession after the reading of the gospel. During his homily the bishop emphasised the relevance of the consecrated life for today.
The presence of several of the local clergy gave noticeable witness to the close bonds that bind together pastors, religious and parishioners throughout the Western Isles. Father Calum MacLellan, himself a native of Eriskay, was there to support Sister Mary Cathie, just as he was when she ventured out to take her first step in religious life in the year 2000. Also in the sanctuary were Father Roddy MacAuley, Daliburgh; Canon MacQueen, Barra; Father Ross¬ Crichton, Benbecula; Father Michael Hutson, Rothesay.
Fifteen members of Sister Mary Cathie's religious congregation, the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, travelled from various parts of the UK and Ireland to show their support to Mary Cathie and to join the day's rejoicing. Sister Pennie MacInnes (South Uist) was among the sisters represented. She had travelled from Kasama in Zambia where she is also presently on mission.
For many in the packed congregation, the highlight of the ceremony was that moment, during the rite of religious profession, when Sister Mary Cathie placed her hands in those of Sister Elizabeth Dawson, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. In a clear and firm voice she went on to pronounce the formula of perpetual religious profession:
in the presence of the whole court of heaven,
and in your hands, Sister Elizabeth Dawson,
vow and promise to God to observe for my whole life
the three simple vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
A traditional touch of Hebridean culture adding to the solemnity of the ceremony, was the unmistakeable haunting sound of the pipes as two of Sister Mary Cathie's young nephews piped their much-loved aunt in and out of the church. As we emerged from the church at the end of Mass, sudden gusts of western-island-winds enveloped us as we took our turn to greet the newly fully-fledged sister; it also set us hurriedly on our way downhill to the community hall where a sumptuous buffet, prepared by the parish social committee, awaited all and was thoroughly enjoyed and greatly appreciated.
The day's celebrations ended with a traditional Gaelic ceildhe during which the local school children performed a specially prepared display of Scottish dancing and singing. The MacInnes family- five rendered a rare selection of Gaelic airs on the pipes. All guests were warmly invited to join the dance and to add their voices in song as the evening progressed.
The Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and Katie Mary Campbell, her only sister, together with her five brothers, wish to thank Bishop Toal for his gracious presence on this memorable day. Heartfelt thanks also go to all those who gave so generously of their time and skills to make the day one of such joy and thanksgiving.
Sister Mary Cathie has since returned to her mission in Bauleni compound in Lusaka, Zambia. At present she is project manager of a multi-faceted development programme for children and young people in this impoverished area of the capital city. She remains ever grateful to you for your continued prayerful and financial support.