MORE than four decades of special service to the people of Moyross have come to an end but the Mercy Sisters legacy will live on, Bishop Brendan Leahy told a special event to mark the conclusion of their work on the city’s north-side.
Speaking after a celebration at Corpus Christi Church in Moyross and tree planting ceremony afterwards, Bishop Leahy said that the Mercy Sisters – the first Religious congregation to move into Moyross – had a special presence in the parish where people could turn to them for support.
The first four Mercy Sisters moved in to Cosgrave Park, Moyross on May 28, 1977. Two of that initial group, Sisters Lilian O’ Kelly and Frances Minahan, were present at the event and, over the following decades, 17 Sisters lived and ministered in the parish.
The last four Sisters to serve in Moyross were Sisters Joan Molumby, Joseph Mary O’Brien, Catarina Ryan and Anne McCarthy. In October 2020, the last of the Sisters, Sr. McCarthy, moved out of her home in Cosgrave Park but has continued to maintain a significant presence in the parish, attending daily Mass, followed by a cup of tea and a chat.
Addressing the celebration, Sr. Frances Minahan, one of the original sisters to move into the parish, said that Moyross would always have a special place in their hearts.
“We are here today with grateful hearts for all that has brought us to this day. Thank you for making such a difference in our lives, for friendships formed and for all the valuable learnings about what matters most in life.”
Sr. Frances said that these learnings included the importance of really listening to each other, planning together and being surprised by the outcome, having that sense of belonging and being a neighbour.
Following their arrival in 1977, the Mercy Sisters were joined by the Sisters of the Assumption, the Christian Brothers, the Sacred Heart Sisters and the Friars of the Renewal.
Bishop Leahy said said that these congregations worked together with the priests and local leaders in the parish supporting the development of many services to build up people’s lives in a vibrant Corpus Christi parish.
“The Mercy Sisters were part of many programmes for young people supporting them outside of the traditional educational structures. Some taught in the primary school and, in collaboration with lay staff, they ensured that an early start would stand to the children in later life.
“A range of support services developed over time, such as home-work clubs, FAS schemes, cookery classes and budgeting skills and a club for older people. They were involved in the Youth and Family support project in ‘The Bungalows’ for many years, reaching so many young people and parents over three generations in Youth clubs in Corpus Christi School and subsequently in the Community Centre.
“The spirit of Mercy lives on. As a diocese and as a parish, we appreciate the continuing Mercy presence in the parish of Moyross,” Bishop Leahy concluded.
