Five nuns renew their vows

They are Sr Anne Abrams, 70 years, Sr Una Doyle, 65 years, Sr Mel Kenny, 60 years, Sr Theodore Winter, 60 years and Sr Mary Stanislaus Dwyer, 60 years.

Chief celebrant at the Mass, Bishop Robert Rivas, thanked all five nuns on behalf of the Church for the work they had all done in education, since each one of them taught at several schools in Trinidad and other Caribbean islands for decades.

He also said that the five women are examples of wisdom, noting that they see life from God’s point of view and that is where they have found their happiness.

Bishop Rivas added that the sisters are bold and daring, having left families, their homes and country for the one thing that is necessary, the Kingdom of God. "It takes a very special grace to be able to do that, and in a very special way for the Church," said the Bishop.

He said too, when he asked the nuns what had they found in the religious commitment, they all told him contentment, joy in life and finding the treasure that is the Kingdom of God.

Singling out Sr Anne, Bishop Rivas referred to her as the little giant, adding that she was no ordinary little woman, given her strong character and the leadership role she played in molding other nuns and many other students that she tutored. She was also gifted as an artist the Bishop noted, before telling the congregation of the special work Sr Theodore had been doing with women who have issues. Again on behalf of the Church the Bishop thanked Sr Theodore for empowering such women. He proudly divulged that three of the nuns are still bursars within their community and one in particular "does it without the use of a calculator, fearing that she may lose her brain."

The Sisters then individually renewed their vows followed by the renewal of vows by all the other nuns present from the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny.