York: young Carmelite makes final vows at Thicket Priory

On Saturday, 8 December, Clare Wilkinson made her Solemn Profession of Vows at the Carmel of the Annunciation, Thicket Priory, York. Clare was born in Warrington, Lancashire. She first met the Carmelites while taking a Business Studies degree at Salford University. She had accompanied the chaplain, Fr Ian Kelly, to pick up some furniture. Contact deepened in the next few years and after her graduation she entered Carmel in 2002 at the age of 24. She took the religious name of Sr Therese. Her parents Chris and Arthur and her two brothers Paul and Stephen were joined by a coachload of parishioners and friends who travelled to York for the Profession Mass. Many other friends joined the celebration including Carmelite Friars and representatives of the other religious houses in the York area. In his homily Fr Ian noted that the journey which had brought Sr Therese to this day began when her parents took young Clare for baptism. It is this baptismal commitment to Christ which is deepened in religious profession. An account and images of the joyful day can be seen on the community's website at: www.carmelite.org/thicket/