Fifty Years of Service

A Sister from the Cross and Passion based in St. Andrew’s Parish, Teesville, Middlesbrough, has celebrated fifty years of service. Sister Maria Varley CP celebrated her Golden Jubilee on Friday, May 14 with a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Parish Priest Canon Edmond Gubbins and con-celebrated by Fr. Peter Johnson from Leeds and Fr. Alred Coleman and assisted by Deacon Pat Thomas.

The picture shows Sister Maria Varley with her brother Colin and sister-in-law Elaine, Fr. Edmond Gubbins and Deacon Pat Thomas after her Mass of thanks giving in St. Andrew’s Church, Teesville. Photo by Paul Terry.

Sister Maria entered the order of the Cross and Passion in 1957 and took her vows in May 1960 at the age of 20. Since then she has served in many places including Keighley, Bishop Auckland, USA and Romania and is presently serving our parish community of Teesville, Eston, Grangetown and South Bank.

The Mass of Thanksgiving was attended by her brother Colin and his wife Elaine, some fellow sisters of the Cross and Passion including Sr. Francis, the Provincial Leader, friends from the various parts of the UK where she has served, children and staff from our three parish schools, St. Mary’s and St. Margaret’s primary Schools and St. Peter’s Catholic College and of course parishioners from St. Andrew’s Parish. Music was provided by two of our parish organists, Edna Graham and Stephen Terry. Before the blessing Sr. Maria was presented with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the parish by one pupil each from St. Mary’s and St. Margaret’s Primary Schools and Fr. Gubbins presented her with a monetary gift of £515 and thanked sister for “all her ministry in our community.” After the Mass everyone was invited into the parish hall for a buffet lunch where glasses were raised and a cake was cut by Sister Maria.

Sr. Maria said later:

How do I begin to express my gratitude for making my Golden Jubilee such a wonderful celebration? You certainly made it a day to remember and I enjoyed every minute. Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way – by your participation in the Mass; your sharing in the celebration in the hall; your gifts – the cheque and many other gifts, the flowers, cards and good wishes; for all the hard work in making it all ’happen’ – and dare I say it – thank you for your obvious and often expressed, enjoyment of the day – your enjoyment added to mine. Thank you and may God bless you.

Log onto www.standrewsteesville.org.uk for more photos of Sr. Maria’s big day.