Rediscovering Nano

By Catherine Tompkin 

(Presentation Associate, Nottingham Group)

I was born, the eldest of five siblings, into a traditional Irish Catholic family. We lived near Evergreen Street, Cork City, a short walk from the Presentation Convent. Growing up in Cork, Nano Nagle was a familiar name to us, however we knew very little about her.

Years later Presentation Sisters came to live in St Augustine’s Parish, Nottingham, near my home.  In November 2009 they invited parishioners to join their Novena. I was interested when Sr Philomena Rooney suggested we start a group of Associates: coming together for prayer and discovering Nano.

The Nottingham Associate group soon flourished, growing to significant numbers, with regular monthly meetings, gatherings and assemblies which were well attended. 

In 2013 I was privileged to join the Ruah Pilgrimage in Ireland, with Sisters and Associates from around the world, all sharing Nano’s charism. 

Over the years, I became a member of the (JPIC) Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation group, the Associate Core group and more recently a newly formed JPIC Commission group. I take the minutes for all these groups.

I had the honour to attend, as an observer, the United Nations ‘Civil Society Forum’ with many professional speakers.  Listening to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, speak on ‘people trafficking’ was the highlight of the visit.

It is both a challenge and a reward to be part of the International Presentation Association (IPA), tackling social justice issues locally and globally and rediscovering Nano Nagle once again.