Nottingham Diocese Youth reflect on bereavement

^{Source: Diocese of Nottingham}‍

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Young Adults across the Diocese of Nottingham have been reflecting on death and bereavement this month, thanks to the wisdom and insight of Maggie Mairura, who runs Cafod’s Candlelight Fund.

Maggie is dedicating the month of October to the young adults of Nottingham Diocese, to share the legacy work of Cafod with them, along with her own personal experience of bereavement.

The Candlelight Fund is a dedicated charitable fund, which people can set up in memory of a loved one, as a lasting way of honouring their legacy.

While telling young adults about the work of Cafod in this regard, Maggie has also shared her own personal story which began in Liverpool where she grew up in a strong Catholic community. Since then she has been very active in the causes of justice and peace thanks to the powerful influence of the Young Christian Workers (YCW) group; founded by a Belgium priest (and later Cardinal) Josef Cardign, to respond to the needs and rights of young working class people in a post industrialised world.

Reflecting on her upbringing, Maggie said: “Growing up in Liverpool in the 60s and 70s I was very much part of the local Catholic community. Most of the families on my street were Catholics; so, we played together, went to school together, went to church together. My mum Tess worked in the Presbytery, which was like our second home; where we would answer the door, the phone, clear the dining room. My earliest memory is of 8 priests in the parish.

“My mum was an amazing role model. Being Catholic meant more than going to Mass on Sundays; being part of the community was really important and so we had roles in the music group, as readers, altar servers. Mum was a founding member of the local Credit Union and an active member of the Union of Catholic Mothers.”

Maggie was also deeply influenced by her own experience of bereavement. “My role now with CAFOD is working with supporters who donate in memory of a loved one

who has died; a baby who didn’t survive pregnancy; a son who died tragically; a wife of 60 years. It is really humbling to hear their stories about how their Candlelight Fund brings some meaning and hope to the feelings of loss and grief – that in memory of their loved one, they are not only making a donation but making a difference,” she explained.

“And I can relate and empathise with this as in 2017 my dear mum Tess died and the following year my daughter Anna died. Two very different experiences of grief and loss

which have somehow equipped me for this role, this ministry, of accompanying supporters in this way."

She added: “I have really enjoyed my experience of meeting young adults around the diocese. Being more of a doer than a reflective person I have really valued the time of Adoration and Benediction which starts the gatherings before we share some social time.”

Maggie will speak at St Joseph’s in Derby on October 17 and Holy Cross in Leicester on October 24. All young adults aged between 18 and 35 are very welcome.

Masses of Remembrance will also be celebrated at all young adults meetings throughout November. They will as usual, take place on Thursday evenings in Nottingham, Lincoln, Derby and Leicester.