Remarkable nun lights up prisons

by Letters Editor · September 25, 2014

From Gert Louw, Brits, NW

I wish to praise a very dear soul: Sr Rita Carey of the Sisters of Mercy in Winterveld is a religious worker at Losperfontein Correctional Centre where she gives a selfless service to needy souls.

Sr Rita Carey

Even though she is always dressed in her Roman Catholic attire, she touches not only those from her own denomination, but considers all souls as children of God, irrespective of their religious inclination or even the lack thereof.

She always has a kind word and a smile to light up sombre days, and I can say without hesitation that she is much loved by the majority of members and offenders alike.

Sr Carey visits our centre every second Sunday, when she administers the Word of God, accompanied by the singing of hymns.

She also comes every Monday to conduct the two courses which she teaches to offenders: the Alpha course, and the Six Steps course. These courses assist offenders hugely in personal growth on both religious and personal levels.

Sr Carey, however, not only conducts these courses here, but also in the Odi Correctional Centre. Apart from this, she has permission to assist offenders with materials such as pens, pencils and books (for school purposes) and jigsaw puzzles as well as magazines for leisure time.

When needy offenders, upon their release, are in need of civilian clothes, she assists them, irrespective of whether they are Catholic or not.

Offenders from outside our borders are even assisted by her to get in contact with their families.

It is an absolute blessing to have a rose such as this nun in a sometimes very unpleasant place like a correctional centre. She brightens up the place with her presence; her altruistic outlook is to be admired, and we love her so much.

It is because of this that I wish to thank her in an open letter, for the unselfish sacrifices she makes for us, and for all the lives she has knowingly and unknowingly touched during all the years.

People like Sr Carey change the world through their actions, for the better. She truly walks the proverbial talk.