Golden Jubilee celebration for Sister Susan Richert PBVM

Front: Sr Susan, 2nd right. Sr Mary Deane, far left.

Source: Presentation Sisters

A well known Presentation Sister based in Nottinghamshire, Sr Susan Richert, recently celebrated 50 years with the Congregation. Sr Susan was joined by family, Religious family, Associates, friends, past pupils, parishioners and companions for a joyful gathering at St.Philip Neri Church, Mansfield.

Born in Bolsover, Susan was educated by the Presentation Sisters at primary and secondary level. It was their inspiration and example that led her to join them and share in their life and mission which Nano Nagle had started in Ireland, in 1775.

Over the past 50 years, Sr Susan's ministry has included teaching, chaplaincy, pastoral assistant, catechesis, archives, Pilgrimage leader (with Fr Gerry sdb) to the Holy Land, Vicar for Religious in the Diocese of Nottingham, Vocation ministry and leadership within the Congregation. The latter ministry took her to various parts of the world to experience the diverse ministry of the Sisters in their localities. This also resulted in forging strong links between a school in Macclesfield and a clinic in India.

The whole liturgy of the celebration reflected these ministries, with participation especially from the children - who did a beautiful sign-song after communion. The African community brought up the Word of God in procession with song and dance and Sr Susan renewed her Vows.

Sr Mary Deane, Provincial of the Sisters in England, opened the celebration with a welcome to everyone on behalf of the Sisters: "Reflecting on the theme of hope, the philosopher Plato, is attributed with the quote: 'If we have any hope for the future, those who have lanterns must pass them on to others.'

The Lantern is a significant symbol for us. Our founder Nano Nagle was known as the lady of the lantern. Nano was a remarkable women and her lantern became a symbol of light in the darkness for her time. Her mission: educating the poor, visiting the sick, and advocating for justice-took root and flourished with the spread of the Presentation Congregation worldwide.

Today we celebrate another remarkable woman, following in the footsteps of Nano in the way of Jesus. Throughout your life and ministry Susan, you have passed many lanterns onto others. We thank you for the ways you have enabled the light to be spread and have empowered us to take up the light. As part of the opening procession we have some children from the Parish who will carry up lanterns reminding us all of the call to become lantern bearers, pilgrims of hope for our world today. And so we begin our celebration, Congratulations and blessings Susan on this special day. We celebrate the wonderful woman that you are, we give thanks for you and to pray that you will continue for many years into the future….. "

At the start of his homily, Canon John Kyne, PP and Vicar General of the Diocese, read a letter from Bishop Patrick McKinney who due to a prior engagement was unable to be present. As well as congratulating Susan on reaching this milestone. he expressed his gratitude for Susan's ministry in the Diocese particularly as Vicar for Religious, for her generosity and all she bought to this role.

Canon John, in his homily, reflected on the Gospel - saying that "it took us to the heart of why we are gathered here today. Jesus sees two working men, disciples of John the Baptist, who are already seeking a deeper understanding of God and he invites them into the next part of their journey, a closer walk with him. His simple request "come and you will see" is the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the Lord.. Canon John said that "Susan has been helping generations of people young and old, to follow Christ."

He said he was personally grateful to Susan for 24 years of friendship and for the past eight years of pastoral work and collaboration in the parish of Our Lady and All Saints in Mansfield and that it was remarkable to reflect on what had been achieved - three distinct parishes brought together whilst at the same time valuing and preserving the importance of each community in the spirit of synodality. He ended the homily with offering heartfelt thanks for Susan's "wonderful service of Love - Love for the Lord; Love for his people."

Everyone in the Church was touched by the tangible feeling of joy and celebration with comments such as "the best celebration I've ever been to"; "the Mass was so happy and uplifting, every part was so meaningful; that was just so wonderful."

And from Sr Susan - "I am deeply grateful to all who have touched my life and helped me to this day - remembering especially my parents, all my family and my Presentation family. I know too, that God has blessed me in calling me to serve him as a Presentation Sister, aware that I stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before and convinced, as was Nano Nagle, that :

"with the assistance of God we may do a great deal"

LINK

Presentation Sisters: www.presentationsisters.org/