The Anglican Catholic Church of Canada mourned the death of "Mother" Eleanor Woolcock on January 2.
Eleanor was born and raised in Pictou, Nova Scotia. She was a registered nurse when she met and married the young Cornishman, Alfred Woolcock, newly arrived in Canada. Her husband's ministry took them to England and eventually back to Canada where Alfred worked in various parts of the country. In the troubled years in the Anglican Church of Canada, she supported her husband's work in helping to build up the ACCC. Alfred Woolcock was chosen as Bishop de Catanzaro's successor.
The following tribute was made by Bishop Robert Mercer CR :
"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,
and obtaineth favour of the Lord". Ecclesiastes 9,9:
"Live joyfully with the wife thou lovest all the
days of thy life." Proverbs 31,10 and following:
"Whosoever fmds a virtuous wife trusts in her, for her worth is greater than that of jewels. She looks after her household well. Her children stand up to praise her. Where people gather in public places, they praise her deeds. Her husband also, who says, "Many women have done well, but you have been best of all."
Alfred Woolcock acted on such advice.
Eleanor became the queen of his heart. And in due course, a queen in the
hearts of their children, their friends. and their parishioners in several
parts of the world. We congratulate the Bishop on taking Eleanor to be
the wife and mother in the Woolcock family household. And if I may be African
for a moment, we congratulate the Bishop on taking Eleanor to be the mother
in his successive parishes: for in Africa a priest's wife is addressed
as Mother. We say when we introduce them to newcomers, "We'd like
you to meet the Father and Mother of our Parish." Some modem people
might say I was insulting Eleanor by describing her as wife and mother.
I do not think she herself would have felt insulted.
Mothering Sunday, Lent IV, is a popular observance
among Anglicans. Even non-Christians keep a Mothers Day in May. It was
therefore with the intention of paying Mrs Woolcock the greatest of compliments
that Father Palmer said to her, "We shall call you Mother Woolcock",
and it is- with the greatest affection and respect that we repeat Fr. Palmer's
words.
The greatest Christian of all is of
course a woman. Joseph was also advised by Holy Scripture when he took
Mary to be the queen of his heart. And in due course Mary became the Mother
of God, the Queen of Heaven. the Mother of the Church. the Mother of all
who are part of her dear Son Jesus Christ. I do not think St. Mary would
feel insulted to be called wife and mother. To the clergy and people of
the diocese she has indeed been "a mother in Israel" (Judges
5,7). We could tell much about her loving hospitality, her care packages.
Our matriarchs, Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel, were not only great mothers,
they were also great travellers, and Our own Mother Woolcock is heir to
this fine tradition. We children rise up and call them blessed. (Proverbs
31. 28).