The end of an era following 163 years of loyal service
On Friday April 12th, 2013 the Sisters Jerome Darcy, Mary Galvin and Joseph Conway bid farewell to the people of Rathkeale as they moved from their convent to their new residences in Limerick city. The great wave of warm affection and good wishes which enveloped the Sisters at their departure was underscored with sadness that the day had finally arrived when they closed the convent door for one last time. The people ensured that their departure was celebrated and appropriately marked.
Srs. Phyllis Moynihan, Jerome Darcy, Joseph Conway and Mary Galvin
On Sunday April 7th, Sisters from the Limerick area were invited for afternoon tea. This was a most enjoyable afternoon, where people chatted and mingled and walked around the house and garden, each bidding their own farewell to the place.
Afternoon tea in Rathkeale
On Wednesday 10th, the parish marked and celebrated the departure of the Sisters with a Eucharistic celebration which was followed by refreshments in Rathkeale House Hotel. The church was packed with the people determined to give the Sisters an appropriate farewell. The liturgy was moving and prayerful and it was enhanced by 4 choirs and the local band. After the Mass the people gathered around the Sisters to bid them farewell and to express their gratitude for their presence over the years. Hundreds of men, women and children of all ages gathered in the hotel to be with the Sisters on this special evening. Many moving tributes were paid to the Sisters for their role in Primary and Secondary education, befriending and helping the travelling community, preparation of the children for the sacraments and care of the sick in the parish. Presentations were made to express gratitude and appreciation. A very moving tribute came from a lady who spoke on behalf of the travelling community. She said that ‘we knew we could knock on the convent door, day or night, and the Sisters would support us. This compassion, this much needed support will be missed’. The Sisters who had lived in Rathkeale were each presented with a candle on which was embossed a picture of the convent and their name.
A beautiful specially commissioned painting of the convent by a local artist was presented to the Sisters in recognition for their enormous contribution to the people of Rathkeale over the years. A great legacy of mercy and compassion has been left in Rathkeale and it has handed over to the dedicated lay people of the parish.
2.30 pm on Friday 12th arrived all too soon for the Sisters, the day that they finally closed the convent door for a final time. As the Sisters got into their cars to drive away some of the local people and the priests surrounded the cars singing a chorus of ‘we miss you’,’ we love you’ and ‘God bless you’, a very emotional moment. As the cars drove slowly up the street the local primary school children formed a guard of honour and waved good bye. Some of the local people walked ahead of the cars waving flags. The people came to their doors and lined the streets waving goodbye. A group of parishioners gave the Sisters a car escort through the town of Rathkeale and travelled with them as far as Croagh. The horns hooted for the whole journey and flags waved gently from the car windows. On arrival at Croagh they got out of their cars and bid a final farewell to each of the Sisters.
An unforgettable farewell and a privilege to be part of it.
Phyllis Moynihan rsm
South Central Province
