THE SISTERS OF CHRIST. INCORPORATING THE FORMER RELIGIOUS OF THE CROSS.
We always appreciate the presence of SR. RUTH MARY & SR. JOAN, at the Reunion, there are so many who want to talk with them; Sr. Ruth, having been both pupil and member of staff, scarcely has time to drink a cup of tea !

Now that the Convent in Bedhampton, Havant has closed and they are on the Isle of Wight it will be more difficult for them to come to the reunions, we will really miss them. Perhaps someone from the Southampton area could meet the ferry from Cowes and bring them down?

Sr. Ruth reminds us that the House at Springhill, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO32 6AT is a Guest House, at which all are welcome! It is a beautiful place, a lovely old house set on a hill overlooking Cowes and The Solent. Sr. May looks after everyone so well there.

The Portsmouth People published an article about the closure of the Bedhampton Convent :- A special Mass, celebrated by Bishop Crispian, was recently held at St Joseph's Church, Havant, when a packed congregation was able to join the Bishop, along with parish priest, Fr. Tom Grufferty.

In thanking the Sisters of Christ for the work they have done over many years within both the St. Joseph's parish and the Havant Deanery. The Sisters are now closing their house in Bedhampton and moving to the Isle of Wight.

Present in the congregation were the Head and senior management team along with present and past members of staff from Oaklands Catholic School which is situated nearby in Wateriooville.

Bishop Crispian emphasised the role the Order had in founding both Holy Cross Junior and The Convent of the Cross schools on the Stakes Hill Road site just after the Second World War.

Eventually the Sisters offered the Senior School to Bishop Warlock who accepted it on behalf of the Portsmouth Diocese and in 1971 it became the coeducational secondary school, Oaklands.

The sisters have maintained their link with the school with SR. CATHERINE MORTON being the last of the Order to hold the position of Head Teacher.

However, one of the Sisters present at the Mass, SR. RUTH MARY, has maintained a strong link with Oaklands until the present day, for when she retired as a teacher at the school she became a governor and has also supported students in recent years as a counsellor.

In addition to the presentation made to the Sisters by Fr. Tom, the Head of Oaklands, Chris Whitfield, gave SR. RUTH a hand painted picture of the White House, the main building at Oaklands, as a gesture of thanks for the tremendous contribution both she and the other Sisters of Christ have made to the school."

SR. MARGUERITE COWERD is still at the Convent in Sittingbourne, Kent, caring for some of the elderly Sisters. SR. CATHERINE MORTON is Sister Provincial of The Sisters of Christ in Cameroon.

THE HANDMAIDS OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS.
We missed SISTERS BERNARDINE & ROSA at the reunion. Just too late for inclusion in the previous Newsletter Sr. Bernardine sent news of SR. MARGARET SCOTT, who had arrived back in England after an extended year in Georgetown University, Washington, USA, as a Research Fellow.

With great enthusiasm she then embarked on the writing of her book on The Eucharist, and the effect of globalization on the poor. We look forward to further news of the book. SR. FRANCES LOTINA & SR. IRENE are stalwarts of the parish life of Corpus Christ!.

It is good to see SR. NORAH BIRCH out once more; Sr. Frances walks her over to the church for Mass.

MAY THEY REST IN PEACE.
We send our prayers and sympathy to the following people and to all former pupils and members of staff whose dear ones have died. May the deceased rest in peace and may all who mourn be comforted.

MARION BLOGGS (WIATR) died in June 2006, Marion was a greatly appreciated member of staff. She had lived with her daughter during the latter years, when she needed care. The Requiem Mass was at Our Lady Queen of Peace church.

Denis GALVIN, father of past pupils CATHERINE & MARGARET, Denis had been a teacher at Brockenhurst College.

DR. MARGUERITE ZUTSHI (SMITH), died on 7th June, in London. Her funeral took place at St. Etheldreda's Church, 14 Ely Place London. Unfortunately we did not receive the notification until too late to attend. I sent our sympathy to her husband, Dr. Derek Zutshi and he kindly wrote back with a synopsis of MARGUERITE'S life.

When Marguerite left the Convent she gained admittance to St. Bart's Hospital, London as a medical student. After qualifying she worked in leading NHS hospitals and Paediatric Departments, as a Paediatric Specialist.

Marguerite became a Member of the Royal College of Physicians of London and was later made a Fellow of this College and also an Honorary Fellow of The Royal College of Physicians, Child Health. She became a Consultant Paediatric Physician in the NHS.

Her many friends and colleagues have written to Derek commenting on her air of tranquillity and kindness as well as that of calming authority when dealing with a crisis or problem. He is sure that this was a result of the schooling she received at the Convent and asks that his deep gratitude is conveyed to any members of staff who knew her.

Those of us who remember her at school recall those qualities, especially during her year as Head Girl.

On 18th July 2006 Sheila Brook died, after a battle against cancer. Her Requiem took place at Corpus Christ! Church, at which her daughters ANNETTE, CHRISTINE, FRANCES AND MARY and other family members were joined by a large congregation.

Brian Caunter, the husband of ANGELA (BOLD) died on 9th August, we remember her and son Mark and daughter Emma in our prayers, The Requiem Mass was held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church.

Michael Barton, husband of AMELIA (MIMI) (BERTIE), died recently. Michael and his brothers are all past pupils of St. Peter's School.

JEAN BROWN (LITSTER) died on 29th October 2006, after a long illness. Jean went from the Convent in Boscombe to be a boarder at the Convent in Swanage. She was well remembered in Corpus Christ! parish, where the Requiem Mass was held.

Jean married the widower Ivor Brown, who was a member of the church choir there. Ivor was the uncle of SISTER RUTH MARY BROWN.

Please remember in vour prayers those who are ill and those who care for them.

ROBIN AND JEAN WALSH (HUGHES), he is now in a Nursing Home in Sidmouth, Jean's leg still needs frequent attention with dressing changes and antibiotics for infections. Michael CONSTANDINOS, husband of PAT (KITCHEN) has been in hospital for a long time.

Pat is feeling more settled back in Poole after nearly 50 years in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Pat keeps busy with charity work and as a committee member of the Alzheimer's Society.

Two of their daughters are still in Zimbabwe and one is in New Zealand.

GENEVIEVE BASTO (BOND) seems to be responding well to her latest session of cancer treatment

PAT BARR (BROWNING) has completed the course of chemotherapy treatment Her sisters ANNE & PAULINE 'phone regularly to Western Australia as does GAY, from the New South Wales coast.

THERESA NICOL (BROOKS) is undergoing radiotherapy treatment following an operation.

DOROTHY SAWTELL (BROOKS) has been in hospital following heart trouble, she also has osteoporosis. We keep in touch via e-mail with a daughter, who lives nearby, and 'phone calls.

Dorothy is unfailingly cheerful, her large family of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are very close. On 11th January Dorothy and Jack will celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.

There will be many memories of the 22 year old 'war bride' who set sail for Australia to marry the airman whom she had met during the war. Dorothy keeps in touch with MARY McGinnis (DREW), who was also a 'war bride', she lives in Canada.

GERALDINE NICHOLLS (MAHY) also corresponds with Dorothy.

We are pleased that DEIRDRE McKINNEY is recovering from a bout of ill health. DE1RDRE, a retired judge, was a valued member of the Board of Trustees of St. Thomas Garnet's School.

I have just learned that SISTER BERNARDINE CALLAGHAN has been in Hospital, she is now back in the convent in London recovering from an operation. Prayers please.