Westminster: Medal awarded to 'an inspirational teacher'

Sr Bernadette with Canon John O'Leary and Bishop John Sherrington

Sister Bernadette Hunston has been awarded the Westminster Diocesan Medal, with a certificate signed by Cardinal Vincent Nichols recognising 'over sixty years of active and dedicated contribution to the Diocese.'

Bishop John Sherrington presided at a Mass in Ealing Abbey today, at the end of which he presented the medal to Sister Bernadette.

The ceremony was attended by sisters of her own congregation (the Sisters of Charity of St Jeanne Antide), other sisters from local communities, and members of her family who had travelled over from Ireland for the occasion.

In his address Bishop Sherrington drew special attention to Sister Bernadette's time at Allen Hall seminary in London, where for over 20 years she taught spiritual theology and served as spiritual formator. Many priests, he said, owed her a debt of gratitude not only for her dedicated teaching but also for her encouragement, wisdom, and affirmation.

Abbot Dominic Taylor OSB recalled that in earlier years Sister Bernadette had taught English at a school in Ealing, and that one of her students, Catherine Pepinster, years later as editor of The Tablet had described Sister Bernadette as 'my most inspirational teacher'. Sister Bernadette, said Abbot Dominic, had carried that ability to inspire into every avenue of her ministry.