The remains of sister Clare Crockett arriving at St Columba’s Church, Longtower in her native Derry. (North West Newspix)
MOURNERS at the funeral today of Derry nun Sister Clare Theresa Crockett heard a priest say that when the when the “sad news” broke of the earthquake in Ecuador “little did we realise the sadness that would descend on the Crockett family and this community.”
Fr Eamon Graham was speaking at the Requiem Mass at midday in St Columba’s Church in Long Tower, Brandywell.
Sister Clare Theresa Crockett (33) was one of six people killed in Playa Prieta when a school collapsed.
She was shepherding chiildren down a stairwell at the school where she worked when it collapsed under the force of the 7.8 earthquake.
Hundreds of people followed her remains as they were taken from her Iona Court home in the Brandywell area this morning at 11.20 am for noon Requiem Mass.
Several hundred more mourners had gather outside the church awaiting the arrival of her remains.
Sr Clare was a past pupil of St Cecilia’s School and today Year 10 and Year 14 pupils formed a guard of honour outside St Columba’s.
Three members of her religious order, the Home of the Mother Order who had flown in from Madrid to attend her funeral.
Sister Clare Theresa Crockett who died in an earthquake in Ecuador
Speaking during Requiem Mass, Bishop of Derry, Most Rev Dr Donal McKeown, told mourners Sr Clare had died doing what she “believed was beautiful.”
He added “Like Jesus, she died young – and because of Jesus we believe that a life given in loving sacrifice is never wasted.
“Sr Clare had seen heroism and idealism alongside loss and betrayal in the city where she grew up.”
Bisbop McKeown added Sr Clare’s death was a “huge cross” for her family
“Photographs are beautiful – but little compensation for a real human voice that is no longer with us, a face that will no longer walk in the door, a smile that her some young members of her family will,” he added.
“But her ministry did not die with her.
“Her life and death have posed questions for many of her contemporaries – what is worthwhile doing in life, what makes a beautiful person, who we want to have as our idols?
“The mission of Christ’s Church in this diocese is not to tell people what they can’t do – but to tell them of Jesus’ dream for what they can become.
In his homily, celebrant Fr Eamon Graham said when the “sad news” broke of the earthquake in Ecuador “little did we realise the sadness that would descend on the Crockett family and this community.”
“That sadness has touched people from near and far peoples of all faiths and of none.
“We first of all offer our deepest sympathy to Clare’s parents and sisters, the wider family and her religious community. You are having to deal with an unimaginable cross. No parent expects to bury their child.
“This past fortnight, we as a community and you as a family have asked many questions about God and his ways.
”We have questioned our faith we have felt feelings of anger and bewilderment. There have been few answers.
“In many ways these weeks and these awful events have given us an insight into Clare’s life and motivation.
“We have all been inspired by her faith and witness. Always expressed in her Derry directness and always lived out with joy and enthusiasm.”
Fr Graham said Sr Clare was a “striking example of Derry womanhood.”
He added: “Clare asked herself what could she do to make the world a better place and how could she serve God through the most vulnerable.
“She clearly did this in an exemplary manner as a religious sister nourished by prayer and especially through the Eucharist but she did it above all as a woman who never forgot her Derry and her Brandywell roots.”
Politicians also turned out to pay their respects: SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, colleague and Foyle MP Mark Durkan and Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness.
Devoted St Clare was laid to rest immediately after Requiem Mass in the City Cemetery.
The remains of sister Clare Crockett arriving at St Columba’s Church, Longtower in her native Derry. (North West Newspix)
