“Our house was opened in Dan Corkery Place, Macroom on the 20th of November 1994.  Srs. Philomena Murphy, Loyola O’Donovan, Eileen O’Connell and Brigid O’Connell took up residence in the newly built house.  Srs. Mary Hartnett and Mary Cunningham later joined the community” (from the Annals).

 On the evening of June 8th, 2023, Sisters from all over the province who had once lived and served in various ministries in Macroom gathered for the closing ritual in Dan Corkery Place.  While the “big convent” on the hill had closed in 2012, the Sisters continued to live and serve the people of Macroom from this local authority housing estate.

The ritual of thanksgiving opened with a reminder from Pope Francis of the importance of remembering: “disciples who remember with gratitude their encounters with Jesus, and with those people who share their own faith stories are the people who have what it takes to move forward”.  In this era of praying our goodbyes Sisters spoke with loving gratitude and nostalgia as memories were shared of their lives together in former years.

 

Mary and Loyola will be greatly missed in Macroom.  For the past 29 years they have made a deep impact on the lives of young and old in their estate and beyond. We wish them long and happy years as they move to their new homes in Holy Cross, Killarney and in Mercy Convent, Mallow.

Brid Biggane rsm
Southern Province