Our Trip Down Memory Lane this month brings us to Tacloban in the Philippines and the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the foundation there. This article was first published in Mercy Live newspaper in October 2004. The author of this article, Loretto Crowley continues her ministries in Kilkenny. Annunciata Desmond returned to Cork and continued ministering there until her death in July 2019. Gertrude Ryan returned to nursing in St. Finbarr’s Cork in 1955 and died in 1986. Joseph Corcoran returned to Cork in 1955 and continued teaching. She died in 1976. Assumpta Hayes stayed teaching in the Philippines until 1990 and sadly died in 2000. Emanuel Browne taught in the Philippines for 16 years before returning to Cork where she ministered until she died in April 2013. Canisius Murphy taught in the Philippines for twenty years, returned to Cork and continued teaching there. She died in May 2011.
The Sisters of Mercy in Tacloban was founded from St. Marie’s of the Isle, Cork in 1954. Six Sisters – Gertrude Ryan, Joseph Corcoran, Assumpta Hayes, Emanuel Browne, Canisius Murphy and Annunciata Desmond left St. Marie’s of the Isle to pioneer work in the Philippines.
The celebration marked the foundation story of the arrival of the Sisters to start their mission in Tacloban, Leyte. It was a great joy for the people in Tacloban to welcome Annunciata Desmond, who was one of the six pioneering Sisters. Annunciata was the guest of honour at all events and her presence there meant so much to the Sisters, staff, students and alumni of the Holy Infant Academy and Assumption Academy. Sisters Rita Twomey and Celestine Forrest were also welcomed as both had served in the Philippines. People loved seeing them again and showed the warm affection and esteem in which the Sisters were held.
Annunciata Desmond opens Gonzaga Hall
On the 23rd September, we had the blessing and unveiling of the statue of Venerable Catherine. The statue is similar to the one at Mercy International Centre, Baggot Street, Dublin. We also had the dedication of the Holy Infant College school hall as Gonzaga Hall, in memory of Bishop Lino Gonzaga who invited the Sisters to the Philippines.
The highlight of the visit was the Eucharist on Mercy Day celebrated by Archbishop Guadencio Rosakles. There were three concelebrant Bishops and over 50 priests and religious joining with the Sisters for their celebration. The celebrations had a huge international flavour with Mercy Leaders from Newfoundland, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and England in attendance. Sr. Breege O’Neill represented our Congregation. I was honoured to represent the Southern Province and experienced the joy and faith of the Congregation there.
Loretto Crowley is Provincial Leader of the Southern Province, Ireland
Loretto Crowley rsm
Southern Province
