The Catholic News joins the local Carmelite community and indeed the entire archdiocese in congratulating the two Trinidadian Carmelite Sisters featured in the two articles below. Sr Teresa Joseph comes from a well-known Catholic family of St Mary’s parish, Mucurapo/St James.
Sr Thérèse Emmanuel did general nurses training at the San Fernando General Hospital and served the Carmelite community in various fields – as nurse at St Jude’s School in Belmont and at the Christ Child Convalescent Home in Diego Martin. She was twice Superior at L’Hospice Carmel in Observatory St – 1967-70 and 1984-90.

Sr Theresa Joseph made MBE by Queen Elizabeth

Sr Theresa Joseph and Queen Elizabeth II

Congratulations to Sr Theresa Joseph Pegus O Carm, who was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II on May 1. The MBE pays tribute to outstanding achievement and service across society.

Sr Theresa Joseph is the regional superior of the Corpus Christi Carmelite Sisters in England. The sisters, who celebrate the centenary of their foundation this year, have three communities in England at Leicester, Birmingham and York.

Sr Theresa Joseph was awarded an MBE for her services as Assistant Roman Catholic Chaplain at Her Majesty’s Prison Glen Parva in Leicester. Glen Parva opened in 1974 as a Young Offenders’ Institution, and detains some 800 inmates.

According to the government department responsible for granting awards, the MBE recognises those “who work and serve at the sharp end – people who have really changed things or who have given outstanding service to others in difficult situation”
(Courtesy Leicester Mercury)

Sr Thérèse Emmanuel celebrates diamond jubilee
By Sr Mary Patricia O Carm

The day was sunny and bright as the crowd gathered at St Philip Neri Church in Mansfield for the celebratory Mass of Sr Thérèse Emmanuel’s Diamond Jubilee. The celebrant and pastor of the Church was Fr Philip who has a great devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and to St Thérèse.

Father has been a strong supporter of the Carmelite Third Order and has enjoyed a close friendship with the sisters of our Community in particular. The Mass was a splendid celebration. The Sisters in white mantles led the possession with Fr Philip and two concelebrants and a Deacon into the church.

The bright music Sister chose for the Mass proved to be a happy and interesting contrast to the solemn intonations of the sung rite and this put the people in a joyous mood. The entrance song was a resounding Praise to the Lord, praise him.

The first readings were Carmelite through and through and paid great honour to Mary. The First Reading from 1 Kings 18:42-45, spoke about the small cloud (Our Blessed Mother) rising from the sea.

Sr Thérèse Emmanuel

The Responsorial verse said: Draw us after you, Virgin Mary and asked the question: Who shall dwell on the Lord’s holy mountain? The Second Reading, from Gal 4:4-7, told us we are no longer slaves but adopted children of God, our Father. The Gospel, from John 19: 25-27, reminded us that Jesus also gave Mary to be our Mother.

Fr Philip’s homily was brilliant. He spoke of Sister’s long devotion and dedication to doing God’s work. He spoke especially of Sister’s faithfulness to her vows of consecration as a religious sister, saying that as a religious sister she has been a living witness for the Gospel and that her greatest contribution has been through tirelessly praying for others and the world.

After the homily and bidding prayers, the Rite of Renewal began. Sister Thérèse Emmanuel, accompanied by Sister Teresa Joseph and Sister Ann, stood before the sanctuary as Sister renewed her vows and was presented with her staff and crown as symbols of her “good fight in God’s service.”

The conferring of the staff, which was decorated with spirals of gold ribbon and flowers, put a smile on many faces. After Father’s blessing upon Sister, the Mass continued with the Offertory and the singing of the hymn We come to you, O Lord.  TheGreat Amen from Lilies of the Field was sung with gusto. The Holy Communion hymn was Let us Enter into Convenant with Christ.

For meditation the beautiful Panis Angelicus by Franz Caesar was sung as a solo by one of the choir members. This was followed by the singing of Dear Virgin Mother, Lady of Mount Carmel. Before Mass ended, Sr Theresa Joseph was asked to conduct the choir in a rousing rendition of O Happy Day from the film Sister Act I.

After Mass the clergy, sisters and guests were ushered into the Parish Hall, next to the Church, where a sumptuous feast of goodies awaited them. There was a large cake, made by Marie Page of St Philip’s parish, beautifully adorned with the shield and motto of the Corpus Christi Carmelites, also a smaller one with Sister’s motto “Have mercy on me, O Lord”, the handiwork of Michael Cooper of St Mary’s parish, South Wigston.

A great deal of love and effort was put into the preparations for the feast, mostly by parishioners and friends who wished to honour Sister and show her their gratitude. Many people stayed on for the afternoon for lots of pleasant company. All in all the day was a memorable one. (Nottingham Catholic News)