Sister Elizabeth McNulty (Mary John of Ars)
Elizabeth, known as Betty, was born in Scotland to Isabelle and Tom McNulty, the third youngest of seven children, three boys and four girls. During difficult times and struggle in the country, the family moved to Kent when Elizabeth was three where thankfully her father took a job in the mines to support his growing family. Both parents worked tirelessly to provide for their large family. The Christian ethos of their home was important; her mother attended daily Mass, and both parents were an example of what was important in life.
Elizabeth’s early education took place at St Anne’s School, Sturry, run by the RNDMs and completed at Sacred Heart Secondary School, Hastings, before she entered the Congregation. Elizabeth trained as a Primary school teacher at Roehampton College in London. She taught in many schools across the UK between 1951 and 1971, nurturing young minds and inspiring a generation of students with her dedication and passion for education. In pursuit of deeper spiritual understanding Elizabeth gained an MA in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University in the United States. She also pursued further academic qualifications completing a Diploma in Religious Studies and Theology at Maynooth University in Ireland and a Diploma in Catechetical Education at the University of Liverpool.
Part of Elizabeth’s life was spent in Peru, a developing country, where she lived and worked from 1978 to 1987. She loved the colourful beauty of the many cultural groups with their friendly disposition and their connection to nature. The country was unsettled with internal conflicts at the time and poverty and illiteracy was evident. Elizabeth worked with women’s groups and children, as well as supporting the development of religious education within the local community. She used her artistic gifts and organised activities that involved creativity and originality, and she gladly shared her innate and natural talent in sketching, drawing and painting. While in Peru, Elizabeth was happy to attend a workshop given by Oscar Icaza, a Bolivian Philosopher, who originally put the system of the Enneagram together. She appreciated his deep understanding of the spirituality of the Enneagram and used some of his material in her many workshops later.
After returning from Peru, Elizabeth worked with a team in the Catechetical Department of Arundel and Brighton Diocese. As well as visiting schools to train teachers she was part of the group who developed an RE syllabus for schools. Her contribution was gratefully appreciated by teachers and parents. For many years she played a key role in training individuals in catechetics, supporting the development of religious education within local communities.
She was passionate in giving workshops on the Enneagram, an area that stimulated her and gave her energy. She had a deep understanding of this discipline as a spiritual guide, approaching it not from how the various numbers function but how the three energies of head, heart and gut expressed themselves. She was a deep spiritual thinker, working with various groups, Anglican Ministers, lay people, educational bodies, religious groups. The Marist Brothers invited her for ten consecutive years to their renewal courses in Rome where her understanding of the Enneagram as a Spiritual Guide was greatly appreciated. She wrote a book “Planted in Love”, from the point of view of the conversion called for by the Enneagram. An invitation from the USA to write another book developing some specific aspects of her thinking came at a time when Elizabeth was already beyond being able to undertake such a task.
After spending some years in Wealdstone, life gradually became more difficult. Due to the progression of Elizabeth’s condition as she experienced significant cognitive decline with changes in memory and behaviour, the necessity for an environment to manage her medical and emotional needs became apparent. She happily joined the community at St Anne’s. During her years there she continued to enjoy painting and to express her feelings through her artistic gifts. She was grateful for the full time care she received from staff and Sisters. Elizabeth passed away peacefully on 16th December, 2024 after a long and remarkable journey in life.
Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated on 17thJanuary in the Chapel in Sturry, by Father Giovanni Prandini, Assistant Priest at St Thomas’ Canterbury. Present was Larry, brother of Elizabeth, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, Sister Catherine, Province Leader, with her team members, Sisters from St Anne’s, Euphrasie Barbier, New Southgate and Wealdstone communities and Staff from St Anne’s. Elizabeth was laid to rest in the cemetery in Sturry.
Rest in Peace Elizabeth
“There are far better things ahead than what we leave behind” ~C.S. Lewis