Transfer Celebration in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan
In 1951 the young idealistic Frances Fairclough set off from Drogheda to join the Sisters of Mercy in Auckland, New Zealand. En route she met up with eleven other young women bent on a similar mission. Laughter and tears mingled, friendships were formed, and finally the vibrant happy group arrived at their destination.
The ensuing years were busy ones, as Frances immersed herself in this new culture. Even though the Formation Mistress reminded the young Sisters that the boat was in the harbour, Frances never wavered from her initial missionary commitment. She respected and supported the native Maori people, visited the homes, taught and administered in various schools and institutions – all accomplished with a calm graciousness that became her trademark.
Sr. Frances Fairclough
After forty years, Frances returned to Ireland to care for her invalided mother and later her very ill brother. These changes she accepted with equanimity and soon carved a ministry for herself in Drogheda, helping young people with literacy problems.
Life was now at a crossroads and her motto “His Will is our Peace” helped her make the choice to return to Ireland on a more permanent basis. It meant leaving behind a world she had come to love – a world of friends, fruitful ministries, great beauty and freedom. She returned to a New Ireland, a new Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy, a new entity called the Northern Province.
Sr. Frances signs her vows with Srs. Anne Lyng and Margaret McQuaid
A fall on the 24th September, 2010, necessitated that she spend some time of recuperation in Castleblayney Convent, Co Monaghan, so Castleblayney was proud and happy to host her ceremony of Transfer Profession on 9th May, 2011. Eucharist was celebrated in the Convent Chapel at 4.30 p.m. What a happy occasion for Frances, her family and friends, Sisters of Mercy from New Zealand days, Drogheda days, Castleblayney days, and from various parts of the country! Sr. Anne Campbell, the New Zealand Provincial, arrived the previous evening to be joined for the ceremony by Srs. Coirle McCarthy and Kathy Rule CLT. and Sr. Nellie McLaughlin and the Northern PLT.
Sr. Nellie McLaughlin, Provincial Leader, presents the lighted candle
Excitement was high as old friends met to join in a beautiful liturgy prepared by Sr. Teresa Martin (also an ex New Zealander). The music provided by Teresa and Sr. Marie Cox captured the joyous mood of the day. Nellie’s welcome and Coirle’s homily were warm and inspiring, reminding us that the call is ever here and now. As Frances signed her vows, witnessed by Sr. Anne Lyng PLT and Sr. Margaret McQuaid, Castleblayney, we could make the words of the Responsorial psalm our own. “Till the end of my days, O Lord, I will bless your name”.
Convent Chapel, Castleblayney
A particular poignant moment was the singing of the Maori hymn, Mo Maria. As the voices of the New Zealand Sisters were raised in song, one sensed lifetimes of dedication and love.
Eucharist continued with a delicious meal in the Iontas Centre, Castleblayney. As the tales of days gone by filled the room, we remembered the Maori creation legend of the three baskets and could say in our hearts, “Are not our baskets full to overflowing”.
Rose Marie Keenan rsm
Northern Province
