Tributes to charitable icon of Sussex Catholic Church

Lady Sarah (nee Fitzalan-Howard) was many other things in the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton, most notably the Lourdes Pilgrimage.

From 1978 until 2011 she was the director of the pilgrimage which takes over 700 people from all over Surrey and Sussex including many sick and disabled to the shrine of Our Lady in Lourdes in the South of France every summer.

Bishop Richard Moth, Bishop of Arundel & Brighton says: “Although new to the Diocese I am well aware of the tremendous love and esteem in which Lady Sarah was held. The Diocese owes her a huge debt of gratitude for her witness to the Gospel, notably in her wonderful work for the Lourdes Pilgrimage.”

Michael Thoms, the current Director of the Lourdes Pilgrimage says of his predecessor: “In this life she was a tower of strength, helping others throughout her time with us, and showing through example what it is to serve from the heart.

“We would ask people to pray for her and her family at this time.”

There will be a private funeral next week with a Memorial Mass to be held at Arundel Cathedral on Monday 28 September 28.

Lady Clutton was instrumental in setting up Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice.

A spokesman for Chestnut Tree House and the linked adult home, St Barnabas Hospice said: “We were so sad to learn that Lady Sarah Clutton our much-loved Honorary President died on Sunday 14 June 2015. Lady Sarah was out in her garden on Saturday with her secateurs, keeping her plants in order and then slipped away in her sleep overnight.

“Lady Sarah became President of St Barnabas Hospices in 1996 following the death of her mother, Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk. For the past twenty years, she has been an incredible support, inspiration and a real friend to both Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice and St Barnabas House adult hospice. We owe her a huge amount for kindnesses small and large, not least for the land on which Chestnut Tree House is built.”

Did you know Lady sarah or have memories or her contribution to the Diocese? Contact us in the ways outlines below.

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