The young Derry nun killed in the Ecuadorian earthquake three weeks ago died doing what she “believed was beautiful,” mourners at her funeral were told.
Sister Clare Theresa Crockett (33) was one of six people killed in Playa Prieta when a school collapsed.
It is believed she died when a stairwell collapsed as she tried to lead children, who she was teaching music to, to safety
Hundreds accompanied her remains as they were taken from her Iona Court home in the Brandywell area this morning for noon Requiem Mass in St Columba’s Church in the Long Tower where hundreds more had gathered.
Year 10 and Year 14 pupils from St Cecilia’s College, which Sr Clare had attended, formed a guard of honour.
Among those in attendance were three members of Sr Clare’s Home of the Mother Order who had flown in from Madrid to attend her funeral.
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.
He added: “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
“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.
Celebrant Fr Eamon Graham, in his homily, 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.”
He added: “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.”
Over 12 priests took part in the Mass.
In attendance were the Bishop Kevin Doran, from Sligo, Retired Bishop of Derry Edward Daly and Rev David Latimer, from the Church of Ireland.
A number of Religious Orders were also represented.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, Foyle SDLP MP Mark Durkan and Sinn Fein’s Martin Mcguiness were among the mourners.
St Clare will be laid to rest immediately afterwards in the City Cemetery.
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