I come from the parish of Dromard in North Longford. The ‘North’ part of Longford is very important to me despite the fact that I have lived all my adult life away from it. It is the part of my life that I associate with the beginning of a faith journey that was to bring me in contact with the Sisters of Mercy.

I was educated by the Sisters of Mercy and after a lot of soul searching decided to ‘try out’ the convent thing that seemed to be hovering around me. I am still ’trying out’ 28 years later!

During that time I have been blessed abundantly. There have been many ups and downs, but being part of a community of women who try to meet the needs of today just as Catherine McAuley did in her time gives me a sense of contentment and peace.

The opportunities that I have received as a Mercy Sister have helped me to become the person that God has called me to be. In my early years as a nurse/midwife I had the privilege to meet and care for many people to my present ministry of spirituality and communications where I meet and care for people from a different perspective. Good friends, faith sharing and community life have sustained me over the years and not forgetting the odd card game!

I often ask myself why I stay in Mercy today. It is because I still feel called to search for ‘more’ and the person and vision of Catherine McAuley inspires me even more today than 28 years ago.

Our Chapter Statement 2006 asks the question “How will we nurture the hunger for God?” It is the opportunity to journey with that question that Mercy gives me today – it is an opportunity that can be yours as well if you are wondering how you can make a difference. Why not give it a ‘try’. God is full of surprises!

Sweet Darkness
You must learn one thing.
The world was made to be free in.
Give up all the other worlds except
the one to which you belong.
Sometimes it takes darkness and the
sweet confinement of your aloneness
to learn
anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive
is too small for you.
David Whyte