Looking back in thanks for a life enriched by many gifts

Sr Jacinta McKillion

I was born in Larne, Co Antrim in Northern Ireland and joined the Congregation in 1958.

My aunt was a Presentation Sister and my initial attraction to the Congregation was  the missionary  aspect  and the possibility of going abroad to work with children.   Meeting sisters from India and Africa further influenced my decision and so I eventually entered the Novitiate in County Limerick.

My main ministry however, has been teaching in various parts of the UK and I look back in gratitude to all the places where I served.  Ryde was my first community and school and the involvement with the church and parish has been an influence in my future ministry for which I am grateful.     

Other school ministries included Glossop, Shirebrook and Manchester where each one had different challenges and blessings.  I spent some time as a Hospital chaplain in Banbury – and in spite of being a new undertaking for me, I enjoyed my time working with the chaplaincy Team.   

The local Presentation Community was vital in all these ministries and I was grateful for the support, care and encouragement I received from my companions. At present I live in Nuneaton in Warwickshire where I work with the people of the parish in Prayer ministry / Justice Activities and CAFOD. 

Looking back on my life, I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given to share some of the gifts received during my life - especially to share the gift of who Nano Nagle is to us and to the life of all the people we encounter.  In these latter years I am also thankful to be able to share the work of Meditation and to work with  the Justice and Peace commission, which has opened up many areas of collaboration within and beyond the Congregation.