1959 brought a first major change for Sister Carmelita when she was transferred to England to Sunninghill community where she was assistant cook, a ministry she carried out with generosity and graciousness until 1961. Her service over the next ten years was appreciated in West Byfleet and in Barnstaple North Devon   Following two years in the latter community she was transferred to a busy community of Marist Convent Paignton South Devon with a boarding and day school attached in a seasonally busy sea side town.  In Paignton community she ministered as housekeeper in a new and different environment where with her characteristic grace and generosity she was ever ready to respond to a need answering to the many demands on time and attention in a boarding school.

 

In 1982 Sister Carmelita moved back to Sunninghill community where for the next ten years she committed wholeheartedly to a full and busy ministry which included assistant cook and care of our elderly sisters.  She was also Eucharistic minister and visited some lonely people on a nearby housing estate.  She brought calm and happiness into the lives of the few her time allowed for visits.

 

This was a time of more expansion into parish pastoral ministry and Sister Carmelita’s pastoral efforts were needed elsewhere in the Parish of Blessed English Martyrs Askern South Yorkshire mission, her departure from her latest ministry causing regret and sadness.

The new parish commitment was a totally different life of ministry for Sister Carmelita yet she entered into this new situation with prayerful determination becoming involved in the different pastoral areas that opened up for her  She grew to appreciate and enjoy the challenges of her new pastoral mission and worked among the people with ease and enthusiasm.  She became a recognised and respected member not only in the R.C. Parish but also in the local area. From Askern once weekly she travelled to the Maridon Pastoral Centre in Doncaster where she assisted with the clientele there.

 

Sister Carmelita was a private person; reserved and retiring she underestimated her own potential.  Although hesitant about taking a step into the unknown she gave full commitment and support to the task in question.  She had a good sense of humour which enabled her to see the funny side of a situation with calmness and amusement.  In life she was no stranger to sadness and bereavement.  She had the rare privilege of being present and praying at the death of members of her family until finally she and one brother remained.

 

In October 2012 Sister Carmelita moved from the Convent in Hythe to Villa Maria when energies began to wane first moving around with her Zimmer-frame and latterly when mobility became difficult she was supported by a wheelchair all the while cared for by her dedicated carers.  She could be seen moving around to the chapel and the dining room invariably with her rosary beads in hands.  In September 2016 it was evident she was growing weaker and in community we received several alerts of her condition giving anxiety but she had said some weeks earlier that she was ready when God was ready for her.  

 

Sister Carmelita passed peacefully to her reward on 16th October 2016 amid the care and love of the community and her devoted carers.

 

May she rest in Peace