Caterina and Richard Brown have been devoted members and leaders of the meditation group at Worth Abbey for over 25 years. Now they are no longer able to travel to come to our meetings, we should like to thank them warmly for all the support and guidance they have offered to our group with unwavering dedication.
Caterina’s journey with Worth and the John Main meditation groups began through her mother, Silva. Silva was a close friend of Eileen Byrne, who was instrumental in encouraging Fr John Main to record his talks for the emerging meditation groups. Together, they meditated with Father John at the Abbey in Ealing. Silva and Eileen met later at Worth Abbey, when Caterina and Richard started taking Silva to the meditation group at Worth.
Eileen was then living close to Worth Abbey. As she had been a director at CMC house in Kensington, she was now running the Christian meditation group at
Worth.
Upon Eileen’s retirement in 2008, Geraldine Constable briefly took over the group’s leadership. When she moved away, Caterina, despite her busy work and family commitments, stepped in to continue the work, ensuring the group’s continuity. With support from her husband Richard, Caterina’s commitment extended to organising and supporting retreats at Worth Abbey, where they worked quietly and efficiently behind the scenes.
Even after relocating themselves, Caterina and Richard remained deeply involved, travelling long distances through all seasons to maintain the Worth group’s meetings.
They also helped establish new meditation groups in their hometown of Barnham in Sussex, and during the Covid pandemic, Richard set up Zoom meetings for the groups, ensuring that the practice continued even in challenging times.
Over the years, Caterina and Richard have welcomed every new member with warmth and kindness, faithfully sharing “the pearl of great wisdom” passed down by Father John Main and Father Laurence Freeman.
While Caterina and Richard are no longer able to lead the group for health reasons, their legacy of love and service remains an inspiration to all who have been touched by their kindness and faithfulness. We are deeply grateful for all they have done, and we shall certainly miss them. We pray that the Lord grants them strength and peace as they embark on the next chapter in their lives.
Members of the Worth Abbey group
Cheryl, Beth and Gabrielle