Teresa O’Neill

I was born in 1949 in county Derry in the townland of Drummuck and baptised in in our Lady of Mercy parish church Lavey which has treasured Memories   and is very special to me.

I have many happy childhood memories of growing up and helping on the farm with my parents and three brothers, me being the second eldest. Helping on the farm for me was very exciting, especially when fluffy day – old chicks had to be carefully placed in the brooder, or when a new baby calve was born. I have vivid memories of helping to collect the hen eggs also walking to my grandparent’s orchard to pick apples for Mammy, as we all loved her homemade apple pies. Living in the countryside gave me endless opportunities for outdoor pursuits, from rambling through the fields after the corn and barley crops were harvested, to gathering wildflowers in the meadow when I took tea to Daddy when he was ploughing in the fields.

It was in imitation of my parent’s faith that I first turned my face to God in childhood prayers. It was at a warm fireside that I came to know something of God through the religious rituals of the home and parish. Praying the family rosary before a picture of the sacred heart, and the nightly ritual of repeating prayers after my mother before going to bed. The excitement of making a visit to the crib and dropping money into the box, bells ringing at mass, the smell of incense at benediction and the lighting of tiny candles.  Making St. Brigid’s crosses with rushes then sprinkling them with holy water before bringing them to school. That was my world it was centred on home school and parish and I felt secure in it.

I attended Dreenan Primary School which I enjoyed, there I made new friends. I was taught new prayers, learnt catechism and prepared for the sacraments. After primary school I transferred to St. Mary’s College Clady, which offered me a wide range of subjects, enabling me to further my education, providing me with opportunities for the future.  I will always be grateful for the care, support guidance and encouragement given to me from amazing teachers. It was at home, in school and parish that I was educated in valued that made sense of life for me, and eventually brought me in contact with the Sisters of Mercy in Our Lady’s Home, Beechmount, Belfast. While caring for the elderly and working alongside the Sisters I was inspired by their commitment dedication and care.  Saying ‘yes’ to the challenging question ‘have you ever considered becoming a Sister?’  This was a thought provoking- question which led to much soul searching, as I had intended pursuing nursing as my career.  Saying ‘yes’ at this point meant a vocation to religious life dedicating myself to the service of God and his people through works of mercy.

Mater Hospital, Crumlin Road, Belfast

I entered St. Paul’s, Convent of Mercy in Belfast on the eve of Our Lady of Mercy 1967. I made First Profession in 1970 and Final Profession in 1975. On my mercy journey I continued my religious studies and nurse training. I have happy, treasured memories of nursing alongside so many from different disciplines. Together bound by the common purpose of serving the needy, we have sought to embody the mission and ethos of the Mater; ‘to comfort, console and support the sick and dying without distinction of creed’.  I left the Mater Hospital in 1999 as I was going on sabbatical and had the privilege of participating in the renewal for ministry course in All Hallows College, Dublin.

In 2000 I took up duty at the Convent of Mercy, Beechmount in the west of the city where some of our retired Sisters were living.  In 2008 I returned to the Mater and joined the chaplaincy team.  In 2019 the mental health unit at the Mater closed and the following year my chaplaincy ministry had taken me on another journey across the city to the new mental health unit.  I have been enriched by my experience in chaplaincy over the past thirteen years the time has gone very quickly It has been challenging at times but also very rewarding, as someone once said ‘You never know when one kind act or one kind word of encouragement will change a life for ever’.

Acute Mental Health Centre, Belfast

Recently when reflecting on what the original call I experienced was and what brought me to Mercy, my thoughts went back to the ceremony on my Reception Day. There were a few questions which I had to respond to and the first one has stayed with me.  It was “What do you ask?”  and the response was “The Mercy of God”. Ever since then I have been unpacking that response, what it means for me and what it means for those I serve. “The Mercy of God” has been real to me on my mercy journey over the years but especially in my ministry as a Psychiatric Nurse and then Hospital Chaplain. Daily I ask the Lord to fill me with his presence so that I may see his face in all who are sick physically, mentally and spiritually, thus having the same care and compassion for the sick that he had. Ministering to the sick, poor and vulnerable who have been entrusted to my care continues to be a privileged and humbling experience, as I realize I receive more than I give.  I have always understood my vocation and that of my Mercy Sisters to be one of compassionate, Christ-like presence in every situation. In my ministry as a Sister of Mercy over the years I hope I have been a compassionate presence, especially to those most vulnerable entrusted to my care.

Teresa O’Neill rsm