The Mayo News Tuesday June 3, 2008

Mass of Thanksgiving for Sisters of Mercy

On Friday evening, May 23, the people of Newport both young and old gathered together in the Cuan Modh Day Center, which was originally St Joseph's Convent of Mercy, for a special Mass of Thanksgiving in recognition of the years of service given to the community, by the Sisters of Mercy. Having lost Sr Consilio Murphy last December, the only remaining Sisters are Sr Immaculata Brady and Sr Raymond Nolan, both of whom will be moving to their new homes shortly.

The Mass which was also attended by Mercy Sisters from the Westport Community was celebrated by Canon Eamon Concannon PP, assisted by Fr Declan Carroll, CC, Tiernaur and Mulranny, with Mass servers Nathan O'Malley and Cathal O'Malley. Newport Choir sang appropriate hymns accompanied by organist Mickey Walsh.

The first reading was read by Liz Kilroy with whom Sr Raymond worked in the St Vincent de Paul Society; the Responsorial Psalm "Blest Are You" was sung by Fionnuala O'Malley and the second reading was read by Maureen McGee, who for many years worked alongside Sr Consilio and Sr Immaculata as founder leaders of the local Foroige Club.

The Offertory gifts were brought to the altar by long-time friends and neighbours of the Sisters, Mary Brady and Mary Kelly. Prayers of the Faithful were read by Nancy Mulhern representing the Pastoral Council; Chrissie Kelly representing the Legion of Mary; Mary Jane O'Malley representing the Pioneer Association; Niall Mullarkey representing the Foroige Youth Club ; Deirdre Nevin representing teachers and past pupils, and Mary Jo Geraghty representing friends from the parish, all of whom the Sisters were very involved with while in the parish.

Following the Gospel as Canon Concannon began his homily, the names of the seven founding siters followed by all the sisters who were part of the Newport Community were read out by Kathleen Loftus, and the names of all these sisters were on display next to the altar.

Canon Concannon gave a brief history of the foundation of the Convent in July 1887 and he then spoke about the very many ways that the Sisters of Mercy had been involved in the community and their huge contribution towards the spiritual, educational , cultural and social life of the area; from establishing the "Lace Room" for the manufacturing of Newport lace - a craft that unfortunately died away, teaching children, which not only included the 3 Rs, but piano, singing and elocution, needlework and cookery classes, to forming the various church choirs- children, men and mixed choirs - forming the local Foroige Youth Club and acting as leaders for many years; being members of the Pioneer Association and the St Vincent de Paul groups from where they cared for and helped so many of the community who were sick, lonely, in need in any way, or visiting those in hospitals, and all done so quietly and discreetly.

Padraic MacEoin, Principal of Holy Family NS Newport (where Sr Consilio and Sr Immaculata taught) read the Communion Reflection at the end of Mass. Both Sr Raymond and Sr Immaculata were presented with bouquets of flowers by Dr Brian Lennon, GP, Newport and Jacqueline Nevin, representing the community. Canon Concannon, on behalf of the Pioneer Association presented Sr Raymond with the Fr Cullen Medal, and Pat Gannon, President of the Westport Regional Pioneer Association presented her with the Fr Cullen Diploma which accompanies the medal.

Those present then relaxed and enjoyed some light refreshments organised by a small group of ladies from various community groups, while peole recalled the old times and the memories and stories they held from their years at school in the Convent. Eamon Connolly, Westport, who lived in Newport for many years and married Mary McNeela there, played the piano together with Mary Theresa Geraghty on the button accordion, Baby (Elizabeth) Bracken, who was a pupil in the school in the early 1920s, sang Whispering Hope and Danny Boy; Canon Concannon dedicated his song of "The Best is yet to Come " to the sisters; Eamon Connolly sang "The Brown Oak River" a song written by the late Peter Kilroy of Bleachyard; his wife Mary then recited "The shape tha I'm in"; Fr Declan gave a lovely rendering of "Galway Bay" and Mary Friel sang "Here's to lovely Newport" This was followed by John Joe Geraghty with "A Madrain Rua" who also danced some sean nos dancing.

However the highlight of the entertainmant that evening was a wonderful display of dancing by four-year old Lilian Sheehy, daughter of Martha and Paul, and granddaughter of Mickey and Sheila Walsh, Main Street, who when she was aksed to sing, politely refused saying "No, but I'll dance" and dance she did in perfect time to the music.

Sr Immaculata thanked everyone on behalf of herself and Sr Raymond for a wonderful evening, the organisers and those who attended on the night making it a night to remember . Then the evening came to a close with the Canon leading everyone in a verse of "Faith of Our Fathers."

As in towns and villages all over Ireland the Sisters of Mercy, their convents and schools are sadly missed. They encouraged and instilled so much in so many , they can never be forgotten. Each person who came in contact with them caries their own story, their own memory. The people of Newport now wish Sr Raymond and Sr Immaculata many blessings and hapiness in their new homes.

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