| My soul doth magnify the Lord sang the large congregation – many of whom were members of different generations aged from 92 to teenagers all united by the common bond of having been an FCJ pupil.
This could have been a sad occasion, for the Thanksgiving Mass marked by the departure from Jersey of the last FCJ sister to teach here – but instead the joyfulness of the singing was a token of the positive experiences of our school days.
More than a dozen sisters who had taught in Jersey joined Sister Cecelia Connolly. Among them were four former headmistresses.
After Mass the congregation shared a buffet reception. Many friends met again; some perhaps not seen since schooldays long ago; some
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perhaps greeted with a shock of recognition! The photos on display, dating from 1928 to 2002, brought home to us the changes in fashion, memories of processions, plays, choirs, sports teams, formal occasions, class photos and fun.
Former lay teachers were also present, renewing relationships with past colleagues and pupils. For me it was a poignant but happy occasion for there were some who had taught me more than thirty years ago, some who were fellow pupils and some whom I had taught, as well as teaching colleagues both lay and religious – a whole web of relationships.
The departure of the FCJ Sisters does not bring their involvement with Jersey to an end, for FCJ Primary School continues under lay headship,
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with the Sisters remaining as the trustees of the school and attending Governors’ meetings at least once a term.
Some sisters are already “further out” in Argentina, and Sr Judith Routier, a Jersey girl and past pupil, is currently serving in the Philippines. After a sabbatical Sr Cecelia wants to work among children who are victims of child trafficking and the child refugee crisis – a far cry from the comfortable conditions of FCJ Primary, Jersey.
Although we in Jersey will miss the presence of the Sisters, we send them with our love to other places where their work is needed.
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