After qualifying as a teacher, I taught in London and became headmistress of St Victoire School, Hackney. I later moved to Maria Fidelis School FCJ, Somerstown, before retiring in 1980.

At this time, I moved to Liverpool and in 1986 I worked and lived in the L’Arche Community. However in 1990 because of my severe arthritis I had to give up this apostolate. I now live in Kersal Hill Convent FCJ in Salford, where I live a life of prayer and witness with many others, in the presence of Jesus, my faithful companion and friend.

Shortly after leaving I entered the Novitiate at Broadstairs, Kent and remained there for a few years after novitiate days. I enjoyed my studies at University College, Dublin where I studied Maths, Latin and English. This was followed by a year at Sedgley Park College, Manchester where education and practise of education were the main subjects.

My first teaching post was at Poles, a boarding school, where I spent 18 years; these were happy times and were only interrupted briefly when I went to Corpus Christi College to study Catechetics.

On leaving Poles in 1980, I spent six happy years at Upton followed by another six in Jersey. During these years I entered the fields of counselling and spirituality.

In 1992 I became a member of the team at St. Beuno’s Spirituality Centre, North Wales. Here I feel I was most fulfilled. I loved the work and enjoyed living in a community of men and women.

Now I am living in Salford, looking after a community of our older and sick sisters. I also have opportunity to continue my work in retreats, spiritual direction, Christian Life Communities.

A Very Dear Companion
- contributed by Mary Galvin fcJ

Vic and I have been friends since 1976 when we lived at the Hollies Convent in Manchester . 

Her love for Jesus, the sacramental presence of Christ in Chapel and of the Mass shine forth as always.  Her life of dedication to all whom she served embodied this, and continues in her prayer life now for all of us and the whole world at age 92 years.

 Great sadnesses for her to which she regularly refers, were the deaths of both her parents due to "the flu" of 1917 which depleted the adult population in many European countries, including Ireland, in Limerick where they lived.  Her brother and herself had to go into care.  They expected to live together but the boys' and girls' accommodation was separate.  Another great personal loss for both of them.  Nevertheless they have kept in touch - weekly phone calls once this was permitted. 

In recent years, due to deafness, this is not possible.  Yet her family and faithful friends are maintaining the contact which she values very much. 

For me, Vic is a real FCJ.  Her sense of vocation and belonging always inspires me.  'Perfectae Caritatis' (Vatican II) underlines that for her being a religious means 'the following of Christ as set forth in the Gospel'.  Thank God for Vic and others like her!

I was a volunteer at Her Majesty's Prison, Strangeways, from 1982, and in 1986 I went into prison ministry full time, first of all with what is now The Bourne Trust.

In 1989 I was appointed full time RC Chaplain at Her Majesty's Prison, Holloway, where I remained until 1996.

Since then I have been a part time chaplain at Manchester Magistrates Court. I am now a part time chaplain at Her Majesty’s Prison, Strangeways.

I also have a counselling/supervision/spiritual direction, private practice. I am a BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) accredited counsellor.

And life is wonderful!

Our foundress, Marie Madeleine Victoire, in one of her mystical experiences, heard the words ‘I thirst’, coming from a crucifix before which she prayed. Our spirit is to respond to this thirst wherever, and in whatever guise we meet it, especially in the marginalized and despised.

Jesus’ statement ‘I came to call sinners, not the just’, speaks loudly to me in my ministry. Of course, one always receives far more than one gives and I am grateful for all that I have received, from those with whom I have companioned over the years.

I spent thirty-three stimulating and challenging years working in secondary education and three years in pastoral ministry. I now devote most of my time and energy to supporting Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Initiatives at local and national level. I also welcome the opportunity to retain an involvement in secondary education as an FCJ Governor.

My mission as a teacher was to educate all children and to ensure that they reached their full potential. Many of these children needed constant encouragement and praise. During these years, it was necessary to keep abreast of current trends and changes in education, so I availed myself of any courses that would help to improve standards and work in the classroom. We always liked to have a bright cheerful classroom, clean, full of colour and plants. It was essential that both girls and boys had an all-round education. I tried to make learning fun and to treat all children in the same way. I felt I achieved a very happy and co-operative learning environment.

In 1993 I took early retirement and after a short sabbatical in Ireland, where I did a Scripture Course, I returned to Salford and was missioned to work with the elderly sisters at Kersal Hill (an FCJ care home). It was a very different situation from teaching but I loved this work, helping and caring for our very elderly sisters who had given so many years of their lives to working and caring for children and families in many different ways. This work has been very enriching for me.

In recent years my work has expanded to include responsibility for administration, maintenance, employment of staff and accounts. At all times my aim is to enable those I live and work with to be happy, contented people. I strive for justice and peace in our home and workplace and I will do all I can to achieve this aim.

However it is not all work and there is time for hobbies. I enjoy craftwork of many kinds. I often knit or crochet and do embroidery for gifts, Parish Fayres, etc. I also work for FCJ missions.

I am involved in some work in the Diocese, again in Administration, where I meet people in difficult situations. I am also involved in voluntary work with unmarried mothers and their babies. The home I visit cares for and helps young girls, not only when their babies are very young, but gives support and help in after care work and playgroups. I find this particular work very rewarding. At times I feel I gain more from them than I give.

I have learnt so much from being in these situations about the needs of everyday life and the hardships which people endure. I experience many ways in which I can give help and support to those less fortunate than myself. In all of the above commitments I work, as an FCJ sister, working, praying and hoping that I can bring some peace and justice in the lives of those I meet.

We are a community of three, Loretta, Winefride and myself. Living together is not always easy, but we try to support one another in living our vocation to be Faithful Companions of Jesus.

Our house in Park Lane is a stone's throw from another FCJ community at Kersal Hill, which is set aside for the care of our sick and elderly sisters. We appreciate their interest in our various activities and count on their prayers. We join them for Mass each day and sometimes for meals.

Also in the vicinity is Katherine House, a small centre of spirituality of which I am the administrator. Katherine House is an ecumenical meeting-place, and offers a quiet space for prayer and reflection.

Groups and individuals can book the centre for their own events, residential and non-residential, and I welcome them and try to provide what they need. I also produce and supervise an annual programme which includes retreats, quiet days and other events of a spiritual or holistic nature, many of these led or co-led by myself or other FCJs.

I enjoy living in the North West of England and love working at Katherine House.

People who go there tell me that they find it a place of warmth, welcome and companionship. That, I believe, is a sign that God is with us in this endeavour.