Sr. Marie Duddy

Sr. Francis Forde

The Sisters of Mercy of Belfast and Downpatrick and the entire Mercy Community in the Northern Province, together with Fr. Brendan Duddy S.J., Fr. Peter Forde P.E., their families and friends, sincerely thank everyone who helped and supported them in their sadness and loss at the sudden deaths of Sisters Marie Duddy and Frances Forde RIP.

Overwhelming support and messages of condolence have been received from many people and organisations throughout Ireland and beyond. We thank all who visited with family members and local Mercy Convents; sent floral tributes, Mass cards, messages of sympathy and supported us through their prayers.

We thank Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop Eamon Martin, the Bishops and Priests of the diocese of Down and Connor; Bishop Donal McKeown, Derry; Provincial Fr. Tom Layden S.J. and the Jesuit Communities in Belfast and Dublin for their support and attendance at the wake and funeral services.

A heartfelt thanks to the S.M.A. Fathers and staff of Dromantine Retreat Centre, for their care and support of the Sisters gathered there on the morning of the accident. Sincere thanks to Fr. Lee Cahill and Fr. Krzysztof Kosciolek who attended the scene of the accident; to the kind neighbours and those who stopped to offer assistance. We thank especially District Nurse Majella Cahill, the PSNI, Fire and Ambulance Services; Mr O’Toole Consultant and all the Staff at the Accident and Emergency Unit, Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry. We thank the PSNI Family Liaison Officers and the Ombudsman’s Office for their ongoing assistance.

Our thanks to Fr. Patrick Duffy CP., Provincial and all members of the Passionist Communities in Holy Cross, Ardoyne, and Tobar Mhuire, Crossgar. A special word of appreciation to Frs. Gary Donegan, Rector, Eugene McCarthy PP., Holy Cross, Ardoyne for the inspiring funeral services, and to the many Priests who concelebrated the funeral Mass.

Thanks to Bishop Noel Treanor, Frs Gary and Eugene for the tributes paid to Srs. Frances and Marie RIP and to the Mercy Sisters.

We acknowledge with thanks all who attended the wake and funeral; parishioners, neighbours, relatives and friends of the Sisters; members of the Congregational and Provincial Leadership Teams of the Sisters of Mercy; Priests, Sisters and Brothers from many Religious Orders and Congregations; Representatives from the various Christian Denominations; Rabbi David Singer and members of the Jewish Community in Belfast; the Lord Mayor of Belfast Nicola Mallon and other Civic Leaders; the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland at the Belfast Office; Assistant Chief Constable of the P.S.N.I. Mark Hamilton and representatives of the Department of Education and the Northern Ireland Hospice.

We thank the Staff and Pupils of Mercy Primary School, Mercy College, Holy Cross Girl’s Primary School and Dominican College, Fortwilliam; Soloists, choir directors Mr Colum McGarry and Miss Michelle McGirr, and the Choir members of Mercy College and of Holy Cross Parish.

Thanks to O’Kane’s Undertakers for their efficient and professional services, to Paddy McEvoy the grave digger and to O’Neill & Company who care for Our Lady’s Acre cemetery.

We hope this acknowledgment will be accepted as a token of our deep and heartfelt appreciation for all your kindness and prayerful support. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for all your intentions.

We continue to remember in prayer all those involved in or affected in any way by the accident.

The Month’s Mind for Srs. Marie Duddy and Frances Forde will be on Saturday, November 1st in Holy Cross Church, Ardoyne at 12 noon.

Northern Province