Spotlight on… Community Member Anne Atherton

Anne lives in Wigan with husband Steve. They have five children and one grandchild (Grandson Stanley is pictured with Anne).

Anne is a member of the Community of the Passion, a dispersed community of women and men finding together a new way of being Passionist. The Community is committed to prayer with and for each other, and to finding God in encountering with and committing to all those who are poor, powerless and suffering.

What is one word that you would use to describe yourself?

‘Crackers!’

What one memory do you most treasure?

My most treasured memory is of the birth of my first child Rebecca and falling in love with her as soon as I saw her.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t worry so much and don’t be so self-conscious.

Which person (living or dead) would you most like to meet and why?

I would most like to meet Jesus as he is my hero and I have so many questions for him.

What is the most important thing you have learnt in the past year?

What I have learnt in the past year is that I can do the unexpected, as in I completed the Diploma in Pastoral Leadership and Ministry. 

Brown sauce or red sauce?

Brown sauce – I like a bit of spice!

When did ‘God’ become more than a word to you?

God has always been more than a word to me, I’m glad to say.  I am a cradle Catholic and I don’t remember a time when I didn’t think that Jesus was my friend, though I was rather frightened of God the Father when I was younger.

How does your faith shape your work?

My faith shapes my work in that I feel that what I do is what God wants me to do and I am conscious of that as I work.

If you could go anywhere in the world right now where would it be and why?

If I could I would go to Africa to see how the people live there, not in the cities but in the small villages.

If you were about to be castaway on a desert island, what three items would you take with you?

If I were to be cast off on a desert island, I would take a large supply of wool, patterns and knitting needles.  I would like to have the bible and Handel’s Messiah and a means of listening to it.

Find out more about The Community of the Passion.