Croagh Patrick, Mayo
Ard Bhride Community, The Lawn, Castlebar, Co Mayo
We the Ard Bhride Community came into being on May 30th 2008. On that memorable day we came from Achill, Ballinrobe, Ballymote, Newport, Westport, Swinford, and Castlebar to take up residence here. This building – “a thing of beauty and a joy forever” is purpose-built for assisted living. It accommodates 35 Sisters.
The editorial of the Mayo News of May 6th 2008 had this to say “This month across Mayo, the legacy of Catherine McAuley and the order she founded is being widely celebrated, as Sisters prepare to depart from Westport, Ballinrobe, Achill, Newport, Swinford, and Castlebar to move into a new accommodation in Castlebar. The hearts of all the communities the Sisters are leaving behind are broken at the prospect of their absence.
In all these communities over the last 150 years, the Sisters of Mercy played a hugely positive role. They have educated thousands of young people, helped the poor, nursed the sick, and visited the lonely and the housebound. Like their founder, the individual Sisters who have ministered all over Mayo have been inspirational”.
In our newly formed Ard Bhride Community, there is a wonderful sharing of experiences, and opinions on many aspects of our lives. Expressions like “we have a great sense of freedom” “Our group has blended very well” “there is hospitality here” “Our dream is happening” are real sentiments and words on the lips of many of us in Ard Bhride.
We share very amusing stories of our past experiences in school, hospital or visitation. These stories regale many of us on an evening, at our lively party celebrations and in our everyday sharing. We play card games, Scrabble, Bingo, and Rummikub – to mention a few. Spontaneous sing-songs come naturally as we express our joy, cheer and sense of unity. We embrace the ever-old, ever -new way of life in this way.
We share a very rich personal and community prayer-life. We share various prayer-experiences e.g. “The Liturgy of the Eucharist” “The Prayer of the Church” “Centering Prayer” Lectio Divina” “John Main Meditation” “Taize Prayer” and “the Rosary”. There is energy in this community that is fanning into a flame the original call of God to us – to live a life of Love and Mercy together.
There are many and varied services being offered and received within and outside the community e.g. companionship, the listening ear and helping hand, offering hospitality to visitors, befriending the sisters and others in the nearby nursing home and the local hospital, working in the local family life centre, St. Vincent de Paul, adult literacy and nursing. Through our living, working and praying together, we endeavour to be a community of love, showing compassion and mercy to all. You are very welcome to come and visit us in Ard Bhride.
“Bethany”, 8/9 Rockwell, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo
In 2005 the Western Province of the Sisters of Mercy purchased two four bedroom semi-detached houses in a new Development in Rockwell, Ballina. The houses were purchased off the Plans. The Sisters were in contact with the builders during the construction of the property and as a result a comfortable eight bedroom house was completed in 2006.
On the 8th September of that year the new community took up residence. A very nice prayer service was organised by the Convent community to mark this new beginning. Mass was celebrated and blessing of the house took place on the 9th September.
With the closure of the original Convent on the 19th December 2008 our community in Rockwell increased.
On the 11th February 2009, Fr. Pat Munnelly invited the Sisters of Mercy to a special Mass in the parish Church in Ardagh as a gesture of gratitude for the donation of two statues from the Convent of Mercy to the parish. The statue of the Sacred Heart is placed in the Church in Ardagh. The ladies committee provided tea and refreshments in the community hall afterwards.
We welcome visitors to our community. During her sabbatical time one of our Sisters brought along two members of the Sabbatical Group to visit for a weekend. One was a Chinese priest and the other was a Mercy Sister from the Southern Province. They enjoyed their stay and were very impressed with the warm welcome and the beautiful scenery of the western coastland.
Pontoon Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo
We are a small community residing in a residential area – Pontoon Road, Castlebar – founded in 1995 after the closure of the Convent – which closed due to its unsuitability for an aging community.
Prior to the closure of the Convent we had a year-long discernment process and as a result the community here was formed based on common vision, ideals and goals. These we endeavour to fulfill, despite changes of personnel and passage of time.
We are involved in a variety of ministries – Prayer, Faith and Light, Teaching (Primary and Secondary Levels), Retreat work, Parish ministry, Cura, Rainbows programme, Adult literacy, Ministry to Srs. in our Nursing Home and Ard Bhride.
On setting up community here we received a very warm welcome from our neighbours and we try to maintain an “open-door” policy where neighbours and callers feel welcome.
Riverdale Court, Castlebar, Co Mayo
In 1986 a decision was made by the Mercy Sisters in Castlebar to set up a Community in a Council Housing Estate in Castlebar. A three-bedroomed house was bought in Riverdale Court and on 15th September, 1986, three Sisters moved into No. 6, lock stock and barrel!
Our focus then, and still is now, to enable people to help themselves by facilitating meetings and prayer in our house; offer a space where people could gather, organise outings for women and celebrate with them in times of joy and be with them in times of sorrow. Back then this venture was a “Pilot Scheme” and we are still here 23 years on and we reckon we are competent to hold a Pilot’s Licence!
To facilitate our local ministry, our little home in the west was extended in 1994 to facilitate a bigger community and to incorporate a Ministry Room.
Apart from our involvement in the Estate, we are also involved in the local school school and in the parish. Our experience here in Riverdale has been very positive, worthwhile and challenging. We have received and learned from the people much more than we could ever hope to give. Long may it continue.
