April the 14th, 2012 was a day to remember in Dungannon, Co Tyrone. Amidst joy and thanksgiving there was a hint of nostalgia and some sadness as the local Parish Community gathered with the Sisters of Mercy to mark the closing of St. Patrick’s Convent of Mercy. As the Sisters’ state: “There comes a time when many people feel it necessary to ‘down-size’ to a smaller house. Shortly one of us will go to live in Lurgan, while the other three Sisters will be going just a few hundred yards away to Killymeal Road.”
Convent of Mercy, Dungannon
The Convent has been a place of hope and inspiration for many and it has been home to over forty nuns since the first Sisters arrived from Dundalk in 1894. They were invited by the Right Reverend Monsignor Dean PJ Byrne PP VG. They immediately took charge of the newly erected primary school, which had been prepared for them beside the Convent. Their vision was to be seen right from the outset appreciating the need for post primary education – they set aside a small room to facilitate those who wished to continue their education after the age of fourteen.
At the beginning of the 20th Century, St. Patrick’s Academy was built on a site on the Killyman Road, just below the Parish Church. This was to be the home of Secondary School pupils, boys and girls, for almost seventy years. At the time of writing St. Patrick’s Academy and St. Patrick’s College enjoy the most up to date facilities and excellent accommodation all due to the wonderful work instigated by those first Mercy Sisters.
The four Sisters in Dungannon at present: Srs. Anthony, Ann, Philomena and Marian
Mr. John Kelly, Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, welcomed everyone to Dungannon as part of the Introduction to the Liturgy, and on behalf of the local community expressed the great sense of indebtedness to all the Sisters who have lived and worked in selflessness, gentleness and patience using the gifts and talents given by God to play their part in building the Body of Christ.
Sanctuary of Church
The Liturgy celebrated in St. Patrick’s Parish Church expressed the gratitude and appreciation of the parishioners, young and old, for the current community. Led by Dean Colum Curry PP, and joined by the priests of the Parish, he expressed in his homily how all were acknowledging the Mercy contribution to the town of Dungannon.
“Today we give thanks to God for the gift of the Mercy Sisters in this Parish for the past 118 years. We give thanks for all the Sisters have done, but most importantly, we give thanks to them and to God for what they are themselves and what they represent, people who heard the call of God and took it seriously.”
Dean Colum Curry went on to mention the stained glass window in St. Patrick’s Church dedicated to the Sisters of Mercy and their enormous contribution through a variety of ministries.
Sr. Philomena reads the Word of God
On behalf of the Sisters of Mercy, Sr. Marian Hagan thanked all those who were involved in preparing the beautiful Liturgy. Thanks were also expressed to those who had travelled to be present for the Special occasion.
“Today is a day of memories. For some of you it will be remembering relatives who came to join the community in Dungannon; others will remember the nuns who taught you or visited you or helped you or your families. We have always tried to do our best, and we are very sorry if at times we have been found wanting.”
Sr. Marian with friends in the convent
Following the Special Liturgy all were invited to visit the convent where a display of memorabilia and PowerPoint presentations reflected the rich heritage of Mercy in the Dungannon area. The Convent was an ‘Open House,’ for the rest of the day.
Convent Chapel
Sr. Therese Clarke with a photo of the first Sisters to go from Dundalk to Dungannon in 1894
Veronica O’Brien rsm
Northern Province
