IT was the loss of her unborn daughter that inspired Carolyn Shannon to embrace ministry - especially among older people and those facing bereavement.

She will be one of three candidates who will be licensed as Readers in our cathedral on June 21, meaning they’ll be able to lead services and preach regularly.

That will help Carolyn to stay involved with families during and beyond the funerals of their loved ones, which will ensure continuity of care. She is already an Anna Chaplain in Leigh Park, visiting the elderly in the community.

“I feel as though my niche is the elderly, and those who need support after bereavement,” she said. “I had three daughters, but I lost my fourth in vitro, just before her due date.

“Everything I’ve done since then has been because that experience has spurred me on. I can talk about bereavement because we’ve been through it. I’ve been involved with the charity Sands, which offers support for those who have lost babies, and then was one of the first cohort of Anna Chaplains.

“It was frustrating to be caring for someone before they died, and not to be part of the funeral. This will tie the two aspects together, and I can be involved from start to finish.

“It was actually on a visit to St Peter’s in the Vatican where I felt called to get on with it. So I’ve been studying at Sarum College in Salisbury. It’s great to mix there with Readers and ordinands from six or seven dioceses, and get a wider outlook on faith.”

Carolyn has been part of St Francis Church in Leigh Park for more than 45 years, and is also a churchwarden there.