Catherine Scott, Remembering a Pro-Life Volunter.

Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and His justice, and all these things shall be added unto you

Catherine Scott, a long-time supporter of GCN and a very faithful vigil volunteer died on Sunday 30^th October 2022 on the Feast of Christ the King (in the Old Rite). This past Sunday would have been her Birthday.

I can’t remember a time when Catherine wasn’t involved in offering alternatives and real support to women entering abortion centres. She was fearless at the vigils and often received much abuse from passers-by in her daily presence at them. But she had a deep empathy for the women entering, no judgement of them and a desire to politely offer each woman the choice of life.

So many Mothers we have helped down the years were befriended by her and she would chide us if she thought they didn’t get the help they needed quickly enough, and would remind us if they needed something or needed a call.

Catherine was always ready to give witness for Christ’s sake and had a deep devotion to Our Lady. From the Chartres Pilgrimage to the G.K. Chesterton Walk, The Rosary Crusade, The Helpers of God’s Precious Infants Retreats, Catherine could be found supporting Mary’s Meals and numerous other Catholic events and good causes.

She had an incredible humility that allowed her to put any desire for human respect away when boldly reaching out to help those in need. One busy morning she popped into the office with a pregnant woman she had met by the fridges in Tesco, who needed help with accommodation to safely continue her pregnancy. Somehow this soul got talking to Catherine and she was determined to get her some real help.

She was full of love and mercy for others and never had a bad word to say about those she volunteered with and those she helped. She did have real anger towards those who lied about the vigils and those who profited from abortion while knowingly taking babies’ lives and putting women at risk.

Regularly accompanying us on staff retreats and formation days, Catherine was an honorary staff member of Good Counsel who had worked with us longer than many of our staff! As our sacristan Gabi said, “I remember Catherine radiant in prayer. I miss her being there for us all, such a beautiful, giving person. I feel so blessed for having met her.”

Thank you Catherine for all your hard work, for your tolerance of our foibles, for your kindness and your focus on what really mattered. Thank you for all the lives you have impacted, for making yourself an instrument in God’s hands to save children from abortion and to save Mothers from the sorrow of going through an abortion. God rest your noble soul, please pray for us, I know you will.

Clare

I remember being at Whitfield Street with Catherine one day. She was counselling women by the entrance to Marie Stopes abortion centre. One woman passing by stopped and asked her for a leaflet. The woman slowly tore the blue and pink leaflets up into tiny pieces and threw them up in the air. They fell to the ground, many of them landing on Catherine. It was really rather beautiful actually, and she stood there looking like she had been anointed. She just quietly bowed her head and prayed. – Len, Volunteer.

I think Marie Stopes is closed today…good thing the funeral happened on this day! Like they had a respite in abortions just for Catherine! – GCN Staff at Ealing Pro-Life Vigil on the day of Catherine’s funeral.