The Convent of Mercy, Beechmount in Belfast was the place to be on the 26th December last.  Apart from celebrating the Feast of Stephen, there was a special reason for the local Mercies to come together.  Sr. Mary Alacoque McDonagh’s 100th Birthday!

Sr. Alacoque with Sr. Mary Delargy

Sister is currently a resident in Our Lady’s Home in Beechmount, but spent the day in the convent next door for the PARTY.  The day began with a Eucharist of Thanksgiving celebrated by Fr. Phil Dunlea CSSR, a great friend to the Mercy Sisters in the Beechmount Community.  On behalf of everyone present he expressed all good wishes from the community, family and friends to Sr. Alacoque.

Sr. Alacoque’s Birthday Cake

Sister has had a life long ministry in Education throughout the Diocese of Down and Connor and in her later years in Florida.  She then was in community in the new parish of St. Oliver Plunkett in Lenadoon in West Belfast.  It was here in response to the Parish Priest Fr. Frank McCorry PP, she established among other things the Parish Choir.  This was acknowledged by Mr. Tom Stafford another good friend to the Mercy Sisters throughout the years, when he presented Sister with a beautiful bouquet of flowers from the Parish and the new Parish Priest Fr. Aidan Brankin  PP.

Tom Stafford presenting Sr. Alacoque with a bouquet of flowers

The celebrations continued with lunch provided by the staff in the convent and thoroughly enjoyed by all.  The afternoon was spent chatting and reminiscing about the life and times of Sr. Alacoque and many memories shared.  It was truly a day of Joy and Thanksgiving for the commitment in Mercy and the Gift of Life.

Sr. Alacoque’s niece, Miriam and husband presenting her with a bouquet of flowers

Veronica O’Brien rsm
Northern Province