Church celebration

There was double cause for celebration at Uckfield Catholic Church at the weekend when the parish partied to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Sister Lucy's religious profession and the 70th birthday of priest Father David Sutcliffe.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Nov 2002, 15:50 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 22:50 BST

There was a special Mass on Saturday night followed by a party in the hall at St Philip's Catholic Primary School.

The Archbishop of Westminster Cormac Murphy-O'Connor sent congratulations to Fr David, who he has known for more than 50 years. He said he would remember Fr David in his prayers and hoped all enjoyed the celebration.

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Parishioner Donal McCarthy said Sr Lucy joined the Sisters of Mercy at Midhurst on the day war broke out. A reliable source told him that the then 16-year-old had said she would do anything that was asked of her providing it didn't involve cooking.

She went on to become one of the first bachelor of education students at Brighton University in the early '60s and was offered the post of head teacher at St Philip's School on March 17, 1967. She stayed there until 1984, when she moved to become head teacher at Hill House School.

In 1993 the Sisters of Mercy relinquished charge of Hill House, which moved to Mayfield, and since then Sr Lucy has dedicated her life to St Michael's Convent and the nursery which closed there this summer.

Mr McCarthy said Sr Lucy was the parish's main greeter, welcoming the congregation to church every Sunday. She was also parish sacristan and had the 'most incredible local knowledge of people'. He thanked her for the service she had given to the parish, the order and the wider church. 'We wish you many more years of good health and happiness,' he added.

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Fr David was a music teacher before taking early retirement in 1983 to train as a priest. Mr McCarthy said he was head teacher at a school in Worthing when Fr David was a curate there and parishioners described him as a gentle and kindly priest.

'When he came here in 1994 it was our gain and since then he has shown to us a caring, supporting nature and empathy with people.

'This is a wonderful opportunity for us to say thank you Father for your service in this parish and the wider work you do within Churches Together, your role within the school and your role in the parish as our leader. You are respected enormously.'

Related topics:Catholic Primary School