My Story: Natasha Clarke

Natasha's journey from Kenya to Crewe

Natasha Clarke’s spiritual journey is a rich tapestry woven through various significant parishes around the world, culminating in her long-term involvement with St Mary’s Church in Crewe. Her story highlights key moments of faith, community, and family life intertwined with her church experiences.

Natasha was baptized at St John the Baptist in Eldoret, Kenya, where her parents had moved from Mumbai, India, before relocating due to regional unrest. Her early years were marked by this significant baptism, which laid the foundation for her spiritual journey.

In 1975, her family moved to Dubai, where Natasha’s faith was further nurtured at St Mary’s Catholic Church. This vibrant, multicultural parish became a central part of her life. She received her First Communion and Confirmation there, attended catechism classes, and later taught catechism herself. The parish is notable for its large size and diverse congregation, which provided a rich environment for her spiritual growth.

At the age of 18, Natasha moved to the UK for university. She found spiritual support and community at More House Chaplaincy in South Kensington. Here, she took on various roles such as reading at Mass and serving as a Eucharistic Minister. She also initiated meditation sessions, further deepening her spiritual practice.

In 2003, Natasha married Jonathan in Leicester, and the following year, they moved to Crewe. They have raised their children in the parish of St Mary’s Church, where Natasha has been actively involved. A significant moment in their family’s spiritual journey was when Jonathan was received into the Church in 2024, inspired during a parish trip to Lourdes.

Natasha’s story is one of faith, community, and family, with each parish she has been part of playing a significant role in her spiritual journey.