Sister Jane

(Community Leader)

I came into religious life having worked for many years in supermarket retailing, mostly with Waitrose. The Lord has a great sense of humour and has put many of my past work experiences to good use in the community! The call to religious life burned away slowly as I became more and more involved in my London parish: I joined All Saints in 2005, making my Life Profession in 2011. My main work so far has been as guest sister, but I am also the unofficial community photographer. I am now passing over to Jean and Frances Dominica the role of Guest sister, but am remaining as the community photographer!

I love most sports and am a Life member of Middlesex County Cricket Club. I am also a passionate music lover, particularly singing.

Sister Jean Raphael

I joined All Saints Sister of the Poor after a very fulfilling career in teaching and social work. I was married for 23 years and have a stepfamily who are very close to my heart. However, I had lived and worked with Religious Communities in Africa during my twenties, and the call came to me some years after I had been widowed. 

My time as Community Leader called on an unexpected variety of my life experiences, and God is always teaching me more. Our move to Ealing has opened up new opportunities which I am looking forward to explore. I now look forward to being able to be available for more prayer and more spontaneous activity.

Sister Frances Dominica

From the age of three I wanted to be a nurse. School was a struggle but I finally started training at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street and the Middlesex Hospital. I planned to work abroad with an NGO when I qualified but to everyone’s surprise, not least my own, I realised God was calling me to be a member of a religious community. I was 23 when I became a postulant with All Saints Sisters of the Poor in 1966, and I took Life Vows in 1972.

Paediatric palliative care, active concern for those who are homeless, in prison or suffering from addiction, are among the ways I have been able to live out my calling, however imperfectly. Day by day our call to be alongside the poor or marginalised offers life-enhancing blessings and opportunities beyond our imagining.

Sister Helen Mary

I am both the oldest and the longest serving sister, having entered the community in 1955. I trained as a nurse at the Middlesex Hospital in London, and then spent over 30 years nursing in the community.

For many years, I was responsible for the gardens in Oxford, a role I enjoyed as I love gardening very much. Having moved to St Mary’s Nursing Home and Convent in 2024, I enjoy walking around the garden here, watching the changes of the seasons and particularly like the roses! I am very interested in art and designed some of our community’s cards in the past.

Sister Margaret Anne

Having read English at Durham University and taught English in secondary schools and also worked in two retreat houses, in 1991 I joined All Saints Sisters of the Poor in Oxford, making my Life Profession in 1998.  I have had a number of roles in the Community over the years, including guest sister, sacristy work in Chapel, novice guardian, chapter clerk and Companions sister.  I was ordained a priest in 2002 and have ministered in a variety of roles, including parishes and chaplaincy as well as giving spiritual direction. 

For several years I ministered as associate chaplain in St John’s Home in our Oxford grounds, with a particular responsibility for spiritual end of life care.  In 2015 I moved to live in South West London for seven years, where I ministered in churches across the Richmond and Barnes Deanery.  In 2022 I moved to Ramsay Hall in Worthing West Sussex.  Ramsay Hall is community living for retired clergy, owned by the Church of England Pensions Board.  In addition to my ministry in Ramsay Hall Chapel, I am a Day Chaplain at Chichester Cathedral and also a Duty Chaplain at Westminster Abbey.  My interests include English Literature, classical and choral music and Christian art.