Sr Catherine Pennyfather’s story

The move to Stannard Court, a complex of retirement flats in Catford south-east London began in 2008. Sr Anne Benyon had come across it, it was a new foundation and she introduced Sr Maureen Maloney to it.

Anne was the first to move in, in September 2008 and she was followed by Sr Campion O’Hagon in October and I moved there in November. Stannard Court was very conveniently placed, the Catholic church was just minutes away and it was a wonderful parish which welcomed us. Anne and Campion both joined the RCIA team. It was also very near the shops, the post office, the library and numerous bus stops with buses heading in many different directions.

There were very many social “do’s” in the house and we joined in because we felt that if we were going to be there we had to be part of the Stannard Court community. We also had other contacts. Anne visited some of the more elderly and sick residents. A lovely lady who had had an implant to help her hear, asked me to help her practice her hearing. We had some very good books together and finally became very good friends. Campion continued her work at Belmarsh Prison, Anne went to the Jesuit Refugee Service and I continued my work of spiritual direction, some of my previous clients coming to Stannard Court and I also continued my visits to Wimbledon. Warm relationships were established, particularly at the social events we had. In that way I made a good friend and was introduced to the art club in the local Baptist church. Thus more contacts made. Each of us had a flat but we had frequent contacts and regularly prayed together and had a meal together. We had shopping expeditions together. When Anne sadly needed to move to Westgate, Anastasia moved into No. 69. Campion became very ill and was admitted to Lewisham hospital and then to Kings College for major surgery. She did not return to Stannard Court but went to Westgate where she died sadly just after a few months.

Then came the end. Anastasia and I were to move to Westgate. I was the last to move and a group of the residents arranged a lovely party for anyone in the house who cared to come. After that, one lady’s cry was “No more sisters” and that suggests that the sisters had been valued and the experiment of only 8 years had had a good outcome. Perhaps not exactly what we had anticipated.