Rosemary Read - A life offered to God

Rosemary Read's funeral at St Joseph's Church in Derby on 30 March was a wonderful celebration of a life of service where she was described as an "exemplary post Vatican II Catholic". I could focus on the packed church, full of family, friends and colleagues who had travelled from around Britain and Ireland to attend, or the lively folk hymns with a focus on Justice and Peace which raised the spirits of many grieving people, or the presence of 15 priests who had worked with Rosemary over the years. Instead, I'd like to focus on the Offertory procession, through which friends presented her life's work to God through symbols.

Processing up the aisle first was Peter Hereford, Vice President of the National Council for Lay Associations, carrying a tapestry. Rosemary was Vice President of the NCLA for a number of years and in 2011 assumed the role of President. Earlier this year Rosemary chose this tapestry for a presentation. Made by poor Peruvian Indians and symbolic of their faith, it had much meaning for her. Rosemary always sought the means to assist the poor and marginalised and spoke out strongly and passionately against their situation and for their needs. In recent years Rosemary has been instrumental in focusing discussion within the NCLA on issues of social justice so this tapestry was considered a particularly appropriate and personal symbol to put forward.

Next came Maureen Matthews and Eddie Slawinski of the Executive of the National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales. They carried the NJPN's candle which is lit throughout all NJPN conferences and symbolises the Gospel message that underlines all justice and peace work. Also, a poster advertising this year's July conference on China, for which Rosemary was chairing conference planning meetings. They said "Rosemary has been a light and inspiration in all our lives". Then the Diocese of Nottingham J&P, represented by Sammy Mckenzie, Chair of the Commission, and Clare Proctor of Derby J&P. They offered two items symbolising the length of time Rosemary had been the guide of the Commission. One was the programme for a 'Seeds of Hope' Mass of Celebration for One World Week 1982. The other was a 'Way of the Cross' which Rosemary organised and led for the ecumenical Derby Churches Justice and Peace Group just a few weeks before she died, and with reflections from the writings of Blessed Franz Jagerstatter.

Progressio's Director, Christine Allen, presented a bright red watering can. Rosemary served on the Progressio Board as a trustee for seven years. Even when she stepped down, she continued to offer ideas and suggestions to Progressio's work and campaigns. The most recent campaign, "Waterproof", is on water and the watering can was a symbol not only of the Waterproof campaign but how much Rosemary loved bright, fun and creative ideas.

CAFOD's symbol, a Jubilee 2000 scarf, was carried forward by its Director Chris Bain and Campaign Coordinator Maria Elena Arana. The scarf was chosen by CAFOD because as well as supporting CAFOD's work for more than three decades she was also a great CAFOD campaigner from Landmines Action to Renewing the Earth to Thirst for Change. She took action, collected petition signatures and came to the many big CAFOD-supported Jubilee 2000 Human Chain events to have the debt of poor countries cancelled.

A large and colourful cross was held high as it moved down by aisle, held by Julian Filkochowski, Chair of the Archbishop Romero Trust. This symbol is a very typical Salvadoran cross painted by women in a rural cooperative in La Palma and it evoked the memory of the martyred Archbishop Romero and his crucified people, who were a great inspiration to Rosemary. Julian pointed out that Rosemary's funeral was held on the same date - 30 March - as Archbishop Romero's funeral in 1980.

Pax Christi and the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel were represented by Pat Gaffney and Anne Dodd, the Executive Secretary and Chair of Pax Christi. They walked slowly down the aisle with a bottle of Palestinian olive oil and an olive branch. Rosemary served on the Executive Committee of Pax Christi and was an ecumenical accompanier in Palestine. During this past year Rosemary wrote two powerful articles using the olive tree as a symbol of resistance and faithfulness.

Cathy Scott and Mike Monaghan represented Catholic People's Weeks. Rosemary had chaired CPWs in Teignmouth and Alton Castle. She was due to be co-chairing a week this year in Herefordshire, and had already participated in one energising planning meeting where lots of exciting ideas were shared. The symbols carried were photographs of Rosemary participating in discussions during the Alton Castle Week, and this year's CPW brochure with details of the week at Dunfield House in August.

The Columban Missionary Society was represented by Ellen Teague and Mike Kelly. Rosemary did several visits to Peru with the Columbans and worked with their Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation team for several decades. The symbols were a Columban video with footage of Rosemary explaining the biblical Jubilee and a Vocation for Justice booklet with an article by Rosemary.

After the presentation of the symbols - all held high by parish priest Fr John Trenchard, before being displayed at the altar - Rosemary's three godchildren brought up the bread and wine. They too walked by her simple wicker coffin, so chosen because of the ecological woodland burial. This too could be regarded as a symbol of another aspect of her mission - to respect the integrity of creation.