Peterlee's Norman writes book on conversations with Mother Teresa

A man who answered a calling to work alongside Mother Teresa has put together a book about his experiences as plans move on to make her a saint.
Norman Imms, of Scafell Close, Peterlee, with his book about Mother Theresa, that he hopes to have published.Norman Imms, of Scafell Close, Peterlee, with his book about Mother Theresa, that he hopes to have published.
Norman Imms, of Scafell Close, Peterlee, with his book about Mother Theresa, that he hopes to have published.

Peterlee man Norman Imms has channelled his energy into writing a 150-page manuscript detailing his time with the religious sister, who worked tirelessly to help people through Roman Catholic missionary work.

He has spent 11 years on the project and is now searching for a publisher.

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Norman, 70, said: “It’s a great many works and it includes 32 letters from Mother, so it’s a summary of what we wrote about together.

“They’re from 1989 to 1997 and the last one from her was written when she was in the Bronx, in New York, and she said she was then planning to fly back to Calcutta.

“I met her 10 times, in London, Rome and Belgium.

“It’s really nice to think that this is now complete.

“I hope people will find it interesting.

“It has just evolved over time.”

Norman, a retired state registered nurse, is planning to travel to Rome later this year as the process of making Mother Theresa a saint moves on following an announcement from the Vatican last August.

She will not be the first Saint Teresa, being preceded by Saint Teresa of Avila, who lived from 1515 to 1582 and Saint Teresa de los Andes, who was born in 1900 and died aged 20.

Norman has also met three popes – Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis – and has carried out his own charity projects.