Sisters of Mercy, Cahir, 1863 to 2013

Saturday, 7th September
“Cahir of the Welcomes” was how a member of the community described it to me when I joined them as a stranger in 1996. My experience proved her correct. It was the beginning of seven happy years when I was welcomed and absorbed into the community. The same is true today. My companions and I, arriving well before the official time on September 7th, were welcomed into the convent with an invitation to join the Sisters for soup and a roll. Already it was “open house” and “welcome” in attitude and word.

Convent of Mercy, Cahir, Co Tipperary

It was no different at the parish church, Sisters and friends shared words of welcome spoken from the ambo before the sequence of events was outlined. The official celebration consisted of a powerpoint presentation, the liturgy of the Eucharist, a procession from the parish church to the convent cemetery and a prayer service there for, and in appreciation of, the Sisters who had gone to God.

The powerpoint presentation was a combination of the history of the foundation, the contribution of the Sisters to the town of Cahir and later developments. In Cahir, as well as care of the poor, education was provided in primary and second level schools, including a boarding school. Extra-curricular activities such as music, art, drama and debating as well as work for “the missions” were made possible through the giftedness and commitments of individual Sisters.

The information was beautifully presented through scenery, photographs and commentaries by Sisters who are, or were, involved in the various places and ministries themselves. It showed how the works of Mercy begun in Cahir spread to Clogheen, Ballyporeen, Clonmel, Portlaw and Haverford West in Wales. It was an excellent illustration of how the expression of our Mercy charism adapts to current needs.

After a short break the liturgy of the Eucharist was celebrated. Bishop William Lee presided and spoke in appreciation of the work of the Mercy Sisters both in the diocese and in Cahir itself. The chief concelebrant Fr. Gerry Frankford P.P. was assisted by fellow diocesan priests, as well as a number of Spiritans from Rockwell College. Music was provided by the parish choir which richly enhanced the celebration. Primary and second level students took part in the offertory procession and acted as ushers later. The homily was given by Sr. Miriam Kerrisk, Provincial Leader of the Southern Province of the Sisters of Mercy. She noted the appropriateness of the Readings (Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 131; Eph. 1:3-14 and John 15: 9-17), to the life of the Srs. of Mercy in Cahir during the last 150 years.

The Mass was followed by a procession to the graveyard where there was a prayer service to remember those women who, in the early days, kept alive the vision of our Foundress, Catherine McAuley, in reaching out to the most vulnerable in society in those post-famine days of poverty and depravation. Two lantern-type candles were placed on the Sisters’ graves.

Refreshments were then served in a marquee in the grounds. There were also displays in the Convent itself – photographic records, artefacts and relics. It was indeed “open house”. All the ministries past and present were represented. These were of much interest to all. People wandered from room to room lingering where their interests lay while meeting friends and renewing old acquaintances.

The “museum pieces” were on display in the chapel. They were many and varied. Of them all two made the greatest impressions on me. One was a huge heavy silver monstrance presented to the community in the 1800’s by the mother of one of the early Novices. The other was a piece of crochet lace, the work of Sr. Agnes English whom I had known in the 1990’s.

An incredible amount of planning and organising went on beforehand. Great credit is due to all concerned in this fitting tribute to the past and celebration of the present.

Magdalen Agar rsm
Southern Province