Brno Says Farewell To Beloved Nun Georgina Clarson

Georgina Clarson, an Irish nun based in Brno, is a one-woman foster family, unparalleled networker, and beacon of generosity. After serving the city for 20 years, especially the English-speaking Catholic community, she is now retiring to her home country.

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On Sunday in Brno the serene garden of the 17^th Century Jesuit Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary rang with the sounds of feet tapping on flagstones to Jerusalema, a South African dance song which went viral during the 2020 pandemic.

One of the most enthusiastic dancers was 84-year-old Irish nun extraordinaire, Georgina Clarson, and the reason for this unusual and joyful celebration was a farewell thanksgiving (or ‘Agape’) in her honour, as she prepares to retire to Ireland after 20 years of service in Brno.

Fond Farewells

Past parishioners travelled from France, Poland, and Prague to attend the Agape and say their fond farewells. Visitors also included members of other Christian churches, the Reverend Lee Williams and his wife Petra from the Brno Anglican Church, and Events Manager Katka Báňová from the Brno Expat Centre.

There was a feast of food – including Brazilian, Czech, Filipino, Indian, Nigerian, Polish and South African specialities.

MC Leaf Saviour and DJ BigTOM Tembo kept the celebration momentum going, and performances by Filipino singers Charles Añoza, Gregorio Abadilla, Jacquelyn Armamento and Jophree Sagun added to the ambience of fellowship and nostalgia. The guests sang along spontaneously to the music, especially for the final song, Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.

Spiritual and Practical Guide, Living Brno Legend

Nobody wanted to leave. Everyone wanted a photo with this living Brno legend. Georgina was embraced by so many people. Everyone wanted to be close to her, to thank her, and to be with her to the last possible moment.

For many expats Georgina has been a comforting and inspiring guide in Brno – both spiritually and practically. She has helped us absorb the challenges and shocks of expat life, and find our feet – both in the church and in the city. She has taken us on walks around Brno, taught us about its history, and given us her profound insights and useful expat life hacks.

The anecdotes and comments of her parishioners, friends and religious peers, both beforehand and at the Agape, have built a stained-glass window of words illuminating the one-of-a-kind Sister Georgina.

Loving Presence and Builder of Bridges

A younger nun in her religious community of The Infant Jesus Sisters, Klára Maliňáková, said “Nothing I can write can capture my experience… Maybe just one statement: I have never met a more sociable person than Georgina. Her ability to love, and to be with people, is incredible.”

Church Council spokeswoman Aniela Sobociková commented in the Mass thanksgiving announcement that “Georgina’s smile was often the first smile we saw when we walked through this church. Her smile showed her open heart and her wish to make us to feel at home. She was probably the person who first welcomed most of the parishioners.

“Sister Georgina built bridges, she brought us together in faith, in joy, and in service. Her hands were always at work, but so was her heart. She gave tirelessly and never asked for anything in return.”

One-woman foster family – Sister, Twin, Mother

Sister Edith Breindl said, “Georgina has given me the feeling of being a real sister to her which I appreciated very much. We were like twins; I will miss her immensely.”

Czech teacher Marie Maliňáková said, “For me, Georgina is as much a part of my family as an older sister. I admire her activism, optimism and her love for all people without distinction. She is young in spirit, and loves singing and dancing.”

Long-standing friend Denise Carelse said “I met Georgina at a very heavy-hearted period of my life, when I had just lost my son Nick. On the anniversary of my son’s death each year Georgina came with me to the cemetery, and this was wonderful for me, because I have no family in Brno. She has been like a mother to me.

“I have seen Georgina coming to Mass several times when she is recovering from some illness, and needs to rest, but feels she can’t stay away. She must do her duties. She often speaks to so many people at functions like Agape, that she has no time to eat even something small. She pushes herself very hard.

“And she is very determined, very stubborn. Once she shrugs her shoulders you know she has taken her stance, and she won’t change it.”

Gracious Host and Inter-Cultural Connector

Another friend, Iris Finger remarked, “Georgina organized the Women’s Day of Prayer every March, and she invited foreigners into her home for Christmas year after year.

“With these events she brought people from all over the world together and lots of connections and friendships developed.

“I met many diverse people at these ‘get-togethers’. My life was greatly enriched, and now I have friendships for life, thanks to Georgina.”

Kitchen Duolingo

Georgina also organised what she called “Kitchen Duolingo” – in her kitchen at home. These were informal language get-togethers where Czech and English-speaking women could teach each other, enjoy each other’s company, and learn about each other’s history. These lessons were filled with laughter, around a table set with coffee and biscuits and flowers from Georgina’s garden.

Ordinary surroundings become something special in Georgina’s company. A friend, Andrea Kaliariková, remarked that her favourite memory is “Talking, chatting and laughing with Georgina while travelling to Líšeň by šalina.”

Parishioners have commented that Georgina’s positive language and smile is irresistible, and note that one of her favourite words is “gorgeous”.

Compassion and Conflict Resolution

Far from the gorgeous ideal, however, are real-life inevitable moments of misunderstanding and differences of opinion in the community. Georgina has never shied away from dealing with this.

Martyns Nwaokocha commented that “What has especially touched me is the way Georgina handles conflict. She does so with compassion, fairness, and an open heart. No one has ever left her presence feeling unheard or unloved. She always listens first, with her soul, and responds not to win arguments but to win hearts.”

Georgina’s often mentioned motto is “If you are not sure how to respond to a person or a situation, treat them with kindness and love. That way you will not go wrong.”

Inspiring Brno’s Creative & Business Community

She connects to everyone with empathy – and is especially kind to the mavericks and outliers. She has a soft spot for writers and artists, and encourages everyone to use their diverse talents.

Georgina has also inspired stories and poems, like this snippet from a poem by American singer-songwriter Christopher Barickman.

Before I knew
My Master’s name
Georgina’s lilt played
Through the notes
I staggered out
On our streets ……
And though she sails away
Today, I’ll keep her crook
And bonnet, in the most
Fond corner of my room
At the ready.

Chris Barickman

Georgina is equally at home not only with creatives, but also with business people, and formal networking functions. Many of these functions were at the Brno Expat Centre, where Events Manager Katka Báňová routinely deals with hundreds of people, and mountains of logistic, legal and bureaucratic issues. Katka lives with her feet firmly in the concrete world.

“Sister Georgina is an angel who came to Brno,” comments Báňová. ”She spreads light wherever she goes and the Love of God shines through her. I am so grateful to have been blessed in having met her.

“Her cheerful disposition and the encouragement she gives have been so uplifting. She will always be fondly remembered by all who have met her through the Brno Expat Centre, the Anglican parish and the ceilí events she attended etc.

“She’s a truly extraordinary person and I pray for the Lord to keep blessing her every step and day of her life.

“Céad míle beannacht! Go gcasfar le chéile sinn arís, go gcoinní Dia i mbois a láimhe thú.

(A hundred thousand blessings! May we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.)”

The last word about Georgina goes to the Jesuit Superior and Rector of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Father Josef Stuchlý. He says, “Quite simply, Georgina has been the Guardian Angel of this community.”