Kate – A True Associate of Venerable Mary Potter’s Little Company of Mary

We relate to symbols in our daily life and especially in the Christian and Catholic churches. We recognize the symbols used at mass and at different ceremonies when we go to church. Let us ask ourselves: Do we relate to a special symbol and carry it in our heart? What religious symbol has a deep meaning for you? Do you understand why this particular symbol resonates with you? God speaks to us through these symbols and moves us to being His disciple through them. In this reflection I would like to pay tribute to our darling Associate and friend Kate Robert who recently passed away and how she used “a” symbol through her own circumstances and journey through life.

This narrative is true to Kate’s conversations and discussions with me through the years and my simple listening and enjoying her sharing them with me:

Kate loved reading the shapes and formations the clouds often display in the sky and this would bring her great joy even if it was to scan over a photograph of the sky and clouds. In comparison, Kate shared her deep connection with the symbol of the “anchor”.

She had embraced the image of God being her anchor.

In all her challenges she would say the anchor contributed to her dedication to Jesus and Mary. She felt their incredible “pull”, she would say, “keeping her on the right track”.  She also mentioned how she always prays to Mother Mary Potter.

Last year, on one of my visits to Kate she mentioned that she had a reappearance of the anchor and this time it was very special. Her grandnephew, of school age, told her he needed an anchor for his canoe. So here was Kate all excited and joyous at this unexpected event of being able to provide the anchor for his canoe. Then in a reflective way, mentioned she needed the reappearance of the anchor at this particular and difficult time in her life. There was no doubt this occurrence further contributed to her belief in the anchor.

With the Jubilee Year 2025 symbol, showing it to Kate was amazing to witness. It did not take her long nor an explanation of it, Kate just knew it from deep within her heart. She looked at me and said, “this is what I believe – ‘Jesus’ cross and the anchor and the waves with me swimming in them and that person holding on to the cross”.

The symbol of hope is left for us to live and the anchor for us to share with Kate.

RIP darling Kate.