Catholic Women of the Year 2013

The Catholic Women of the Year for 2013 have been chosen. In this Year of Faith, the theme is that of upholding and passing on the Catholic Faith.

The four Catholic Women of the Year for 2013 are: Mary Maguire from Bury, Lancashire, Mary Cahill from Jersey, Channel Islands, Rosaline Egan from London and Marjorie Parker, from Leeds. In addition, the Catholic Women of the Year committee is giving a special certificate of honour this year to the wives of Ordinariate clergy.

Mary Maguire, of Bury, Lancashire, who with her husband Kevin has built an orphanage and school for children in Kenya. They raised the money, built the house, and now care for 60 children, spending half of each year in Kenya. When in Britain, they work full-time raising the £70,000 required to run the orphanage and the new school that they have recently opened for 350 children alongside. The Good Life Orphanage has transformed the lives of some of Africa’s poorest children.

Mary Cahill of Jersey, Channel Islands, who founded Jersey Catholic Youth, establishing a youth ministry that ranges from 'Praise and Play' for toddlers to Confirmation groups, and a 'Spirit on the Rock' Festival for people in their teens and twenties. She has taken groups to World Youth Days in Cologne, Sydney and Madrid, to Taize, and to Pope Benedict’s visit to mainland Britain. She and her husband David run the Oasis House of Peace retreat house, and this Autumn will be helping to run a Mission to the whole of Jersey with the Sion Youth Team. Mary was nominated by the Jersey groups of the Catholic Women’s League who say: “We are truly blessed to have some one of Mary’s enthusiasm and endeavour in passing on the faith to the young people of our Island”.

Rosaline Egan from London, who is 93 and still active hosting a weekly tea for people who need company, taking home-made soup to those who cannot cook for themselves, making toys and clothes for new babies, and being an active supporter of the Union of Catholic Mothers in the Westminster diocese. She makes young people welcome, encouraging them to read and to share her passion for literature and poetry, and has given talks in the parish about her work in Churchill’s wartime headquarters in London.

Marjorie Parker, from Leeds, who has worked as a Head Teacher and as a parish catechist, and also given her time as a street pastor helping to keep local streets safe, and as the organiser of regular events and lunches for elderly people. She has helped with the establishment of bereavement counselling and projects for refugees and vulnerable people, and has opened her own home as a refuge for people in need. Marjorie was nominated by the Family Life ministry of the diocese of Leeds, who said that her life is one of 'conscientious and cheerful abundance as she evangelises wherever she is, by living the commandment to love'.

In addition, the Catholic Women of the Year committee is giving a special certificate of honour this year to the wives of Ordinariate clergy. Usually the award is not given to groups but to specific individuals. An exception has been made this year after the wives were nominated in a letter noting that they have “bravely supported their husbands on the path to Christians unity: in the process they have surrendered financial security and family homes while having to support their families at a time of great stress and uncertainty. They are an often forgotten but nevertheless vital part of fulfilling the vision of the Ordinariate.”

The Catholic Women of the Year Luncheon will be on 11 October at the Thistle Hotel, Marble Arch, London. Funds raised will go to the Maryvale Institute for scholarships for training catechists.

Further information: Joanna Bogle 0208 942 5009 or Janette Woodford (chairman) 01920 420758. In addition, the Catholic Women of the Year committee is giving a special certificate of honour this year to the wives of Ordinariate clergy.