Sixty years’ service for St Ursula’s nuns
Two of the sisters at St Ursula's school recently celebrated 60 years in the order.
St Ursula’s School celebrated the diamond jubilee of two of its nuns at the school on Friday, 19 July.
Sister Mara Howe-Watson and Sister Catherine Pearson have both been part of the Order for the past 60 years (1959–2019).
Sister Mara joined the Order when she was just 19 years old.
“Her life revolves around God and she knew she wanted to be in His service,” explained Belinda Espach, the marketing manager for the school.
Sister Catherine was even younger, at only 17, when she became a nun. She originally comes from England, but moved to South Africa with her family when she was five years old. She grew up attending convent schools.
“This was a natural progression for her,” said Belinda.
“Diamonds are formed under great pressure,” explained Father Barnard, one of the priests at the school. He compared the two women to diamonds, explaining that they are worth a great deal, having stood the test of time.
To make a journey like this a successful one, there are three basic values to live by. These are celibacy, which means giving yourself to God; poverty, meaning depending on God and others, and obedience, meaning to listen and respond to God.
“Sister Mara and Sister Catherine, St Ursula’s School is proud and humbled by having you on our campus. You are role models to whom the staff and pupils can look for guidance,” said Belinda.
