Mercy Sisters

In February 1992, Bishop Colm O'Reilly, at the request of Mother Angela, Abbess of the Poor Clare Convent in Drumshanbo, approached Sr. Elizabeth Manning, Mother General of the Mercy Congregation in the diocese, as to the possibility of forming a Community of Mercy Sisters who would live in the Lodge adjoining the Poor Clare Convent.  The Mercy Sisters would work closely with the Poor Clare Sisters and also develop a Mercy Apostolate in the parish.  This request was welcomed since, at Chapter in 1990, the Mercy Congregation had committed itself to addressing the needs in rural areas.

14th August 1992: Left to Right Srs. Clare McDermott, Helen Keegan, 
Mother Angela, Elizabeth Manning (at back), Alphonsus O'Brien and Joseph Regan
 

On the evening of Friday, 14th August Four Mercy Sisters, Sr. Helen Keegan, Sr. Clare McDermott, Sr. Alphonsus O'Brien and Sr. Joseph Regan arrived at the Lodge.  They joined the Poor Clare community for evening prayer in the Convent chapel.  Next morning, 15th August, Feast of the Assumption, Bishop Colm O'Reilly came to bless the house.  Next day, Sunday 16th August, the Bishop celebrated Mass in the Parish Church and presented the four Sisters to the people explaining their mission and apostolate.  In his homily, he showed how contemplative nuns, active sisters and people should all pray and work together for the good of the whole people of God.  He presented the Sisters with three symbolic objects: the breviary, sign of a life of prayer, a towel, sign of their life of service, and a pyx, sign of their Eucharistic Ministry.

Thus began a new chapter in the history of Monastery and Parish.  The coming of the Mercy Sisters has greatly enriched the local Church.  For the first time, the people of the locality are inspired by the presence of active religious in their midst.

Mercy Sister : Sr. Helen Keegan and Sr. Mary Doherty.