THE 10th anniversary of the death of Derry-born nun, Sr Clare Crockett was marked on April 16 with the blessing of a new mural in the Brandywell, in honour of the now Servant of God, and the celebration of Mass in St Columba's Church, Long Tower.
This milestone anniversary of the Home of the Mother Servant Sister, who was 33 years old when she died along with five young Ecuadorian postulants in an earthquake in Ecuador in 2016, fell during the annual week-long Sr Clare Retreat in Long Tower, which attracted thousands to hear talks and testimonies on the theme of reconciliation, as reflected in Sr Clare's faith story which is impacting countless lives around the globe.
The artistic work of Ray Bonner, Derry UV Art, the new mural features two images of Sr Clare, who grew up in the Brandywell; one focuses on the great joy she radiated in giving her life to God, and the other on her prayerfulness, keeping her close to the Lord. With the original Sr Clare mural needing a face-lift, it was decided to restore it with the help of her many devotees in Derry and around the world, who quickly responded to the request to help with the cost involved.
Many of those who gathered for the blessing of the mural by Fr Gerard Mongan, Adm Long Tower, and Fr Stephen Quinn OCD, wore clothing bearing the now world-wide known Sr Clare motto – 'All or Nothing'.
Fr Gerard and Fr Stephen were joined by the six Home of the Mother Servant Sisters currently residing in the Derry Diocese, in Crossroads, Killygordon, Co Donegal, and Sr Clare's family at the foot of the mural for the blessing, before which Sr Clare's family and friends released blue and white balloons into the air.
Leading the prayer, Fr Gerard said: "Loving Father, we gather today with hearts full of gratitude to unveil this image of Your servant, Sr Clare Crockett. We thank You for the gift of her life - a life that reminds us that no soul is too far from Your reach and no heart is too small for Your great love."
Before Fr Stephen sprinkled Holy Water on the new mural, Fr Gerard prayed: "Lord, look with favour upon this mural. May all who pass by this place be struck by the joy in her eyes and the peace in her smile. May this image be a sign of hope to the broken-hearted. May it be a call to courage for the young. May it be a reminder of Your mercy to those who feel lost. As we look upon her face, remind us of her motto: 'All or Nothing.' Help us, through her intercession, to give our 'all' to You, holding nothing back, just as she did."
10th Anniversary Mass
After the blessing ceremony, everyone made their way back up the hill to Long Tower Church for the 10th anniversary Mass, which was celebrated by Fr Eamon Graham.
Recalling having also celebrated Sr Clare's Requiem Mass, Fr Eamon remarked: "It is hard to believe that it is 10 years since we gathered here for the funeral Mass of Sr Clare. On Vocations Sunday 2016, we awoke to the sad news of the earthquake in Ecuador. Little did we realise the sadness that would descend on the Crockett family and this community.
"That sadness touched people from far and near, of all faiths and none. In the period between the tragedy and the funeral, the family and the community asked many questions about God and His ways. We questioned our faith and felt feelings of anger and bewilderment. At the time, there were few answers. In many ways, those weeks and the terrible events gave us an insight into Clare's life and motivation. This was always expressed in her Derry directness and its joy and enthusiasm."
Paying tribute to the women of Derry, who "so often lived the Gospel by putting the needs of others above their own", he added: "Sr Clare was a striking example of Derry womanhood. Clare asked herself what she could do to make the world a better place, how she could serve God through the most vulnerable. She did this in an exemplary manner as a religious Sister nourished by prayer, especially the Eucharist, but she did it above all as a woman who never forgot her Derry and Brandywell roots."
Noting that the St John Gospel reading at the anniversary Mass, in which Jesus is quoted as saying, "There are many rooms in my father's house", was a favourite of Sr Clare's and had also been read at her Funeral Mass, Fr Eamon said: "She saw room for all of us in the Father's House and often quoted this passage."
"Many people have spoken of how meeting Clare inspired them to change their direction in life," he added, "She continues to do this in death in ways that 10 years ago we could never have imagined. Clare always gave God the credit for all the good she was doing, and she continues to do so."
Fr Eamon went on to say: "Many people believe that the Church or the Pope has the power and authority to make someone a saint; nothing could be further from the truth. What the Church does is to declare that the person is with God already, that they can be held up as an example, and their name may be mentioned in the Canon (Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass). We all have known, loved and, indeed, lived with many saints; they have worshipped in this very church with us. No doubt, Sr Clare is among them and will soon be mentioned in the Eucharistic Prayer, The Canon of the Mass." The Mass ended with a most beautiful rendition of what has become somewhat of an anthem amongst the Derry faithful, 'Lady of Knock', the Marian hymn written by another famous Derry girl, Dana.