Sisters are members of various parishes in the city. They have a specific role as Parish Sisters in St. Eugene’s Cathedral  and Holy Family Parish, Ballymagroarty.

Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty, Derry

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Steelstown, Derry

St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry

A Sister is Director of Music at St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry. The Cathedral Choir services the 12:30 pm Eucharist each Sunday and provides music at all the major diocesan liturgies. In addition, the Cathedral Choir performs standard scored choral repertoire pieces from time to time. She has the responsibility of ensuring a high standard of musical excellence is maintained in respect of the SATB choir of forty member.

Sr. Perpetua McNulty
Director of Music at St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry

This Sister trains young organ scholars as part of her role as Director of Music and provides support for music throughout the diocese in offering deanery workshops and in visiting parish choirs on a regular basis.

Sister, as a member of the Holy Family Parish Bereavement Group, assists families in the parish where a death has taken place, helping the family to prepare the funeral liturgy and leading prayers in the home of the deceased. There are also follow-up visits for those families who require or request a visit.

Each year on March 25th, the Bereavement Group prepares a special Healing Liturgy to which those families who have lost a child at birth or through abortion are invited. At the Offertory of the Mass, parents are invited to come in procession to the altar, carrying a white flower in memory of their baby. The priest accepts their gift, gives a short reflection and invites them to hand their child over to the loving care of God the Father. This liturgy is open to people from other parishes.

On November 2nd there is a Mass for all deceased members of the parish who have died during the past year. Prior to this, the Bereavement Group visit those families where a death has taken place, informing them about the Mass and inviting them to attend. Photographs of deceased parishioners are displayed in the Church during the month of November. On the first anniversary of their death, relatives receive a card letting them know that the people of the Holy Family Parish are thinking of them at this time.

Visitation of parishioners who are sick, elderly, lonely or isolated, continues to be an important part of Sisters’ ministry in the various parishes where they live. They bring Holy Communion to those who are sick or housebound. They give particular attention to those families who are coping with the aftermath of loss through sudden death, suicide or other tragedies.