In his Apostolic Letter on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life, Pope Francis encourages us to 'look back with gratitude; live the present with passion; look to the future with hope', so said Fr Martin Coyle SDB in his homily to the congregation at the Parish Church of St Joseph's, Blundellsands on the celebration of the anniversaries of Final Profession of Sister Elena Gibson FMA (Ruby), Sisters Helen Murphy FMA, Valerie Jackson FMA, Eileen Foley FMA (Golden) and Sister Helen Carey FMA (Diamond).

(Pictured: L to R - Sr Helen Carey, Sr Eileen Foley, Sr Valerie Jackson, Sr Helen Murphy, Sr Elena Gibson)

The whole congregation thanked the Sisters for their lives of dedicated service to young people as religious women in the Church - by faithfully following the example of Don Bosco and Mary Mazzarello, and of being with the young in friendship and love.

The celebrations continued afterwards at the Provincial House, where everybody was invited to drinks, a lovely buffet and a cake which was expertly cut by Sister Helen.