Mrs Kay Dodsworth’s Mary Ward summer

In the summer break Mrs Kay Dodsworth, Lay Chaplain, attended an international conference for the Friends of Mary Ward at St John's University in York. Organised by our school governor Sister Frances Orchard, and attended by 126 people from 23 different nations, Mrs Dodsworth was astonished to eat breakfast next to a gentleman from Zimbabwe who is a close friend of Sister Christopher, a former Headmistress – it seems it was quite the extended Mary Ward family affair! I know Mrs Dodsworth enjoyed visiting historical sites linked to Mary Ward, such as Mulwith where she was born, Ripon Cathedral where her family was baptised, and Mount Grace chapel where she went on pilgrimage.

The theme of the conference was Mary Ward prophetic woman, and Mrs Dodsworth mentioned that one of the ideas that struck most forcefully was that “resilience comes from a sense of belonging”. It was suggested that Mary Ward was only able to achieve what she did, and to be so resilient in the face of apparent failure and persecution, because she had a strong sense of belonging. This is one of the most important characteristics of St Mary's School, Cambridge; students and members of staff have a strong sense of belonging, and that is something we need to cherish, preserve and develop. What a superb message to be mindful of as we begin the new academic year.