Grateful for the call to religious life

Sr Philomena Rooney

I was born in Kildare, Ireland into a family of ten children, seven girls and three boys. I attended Presentation School and had a Sister teach me in each class.

On leaving school, I received the call to religious life and joined the Presentation Sisters in St. Anne’s, Portarlington, Ireland. I was professed in 1964 and then missioned to England where eventually I became a primary school teacher in Birmingham. It was a great joy to live with a community of Sisters who were all teaching - just like our foundress Nano Nagle.

After a course in America, I was asked to begin parish work, supporting families in Redditch. This included sacramental preparation of children and adults with many people joining the Church in the Rite of Christian Initiation. After a visit to Zambia, I began fundraising for poor children along with our newly formed Associate group.

Many years later in my journey I was appointed to Warsop and continued my parish work in Mansfield and Sutton-in-Ashfield;  after a few short years I was asked to move to Derby to work with homeless people and adults with special needs. This call was very fulfilling and this continued when I moved to my new community in Nottingham, as I still return to work in Derby for a few days each week.

In Nottingham, I am involved in parish work and I am very happy with the various activities and demands including visits to the primary school and supporting the First Holy Communion programme and praying and journeying with people. I participate in all aspects of parish life which has changed in the last year owing to a cluster of parishes being brought together as one parish. I am a member of the pastoral council. I also work with the Nottingham Refugee Forum to support asylum seekers including helping them to learn English and to make them feel welcome in our community.

I also enjoy making greeting cards to sell to friends and neighbours to raise money for Zambia. I always look forward to visiting my family in Ireland each year.

I am grateful for my Religious calling and the love and blessing wherever I am. I hope to reach out and give my time generously to all I meet.