2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions in Ireland, in a market town, Limavady, County Derry, Northern Ireland. To remember and celebrate and give thanks, many gathered on Sunday 10th May 2026 at Divine Mercy Parish, South Lucan, Dublin, where the Sisters are present and have a mission.
From north, south, east and west and from across the Irish Sea, friends and relatives, past pupils and those connected by video link, joined us in Lucan for the Celebration. It could be said that the world came to Lucan to celebrate, remember and to give thanks for the many young girls and women who left these shores in response to a call they did not know where it would take them. Stories and memories of parents, families and friends who saw young women leave Ireland not knowing when they would meet again. This was the Call to be a Sister of Our Lady of the Missions and this is the reason for our celebration today. Thanks to Sr Rose Mary Harbinson, the Sisters in Dundrum and Lucan who kept the momentum for this celebration to become reality.
At 10am, the Divine Mercy Choir of youth and many parishioners filled the church, their voices raised in full volume singing the very appropriate opening hymn. I am sure its energy vibrated around the 23 countries where our presence is lived today.
Sing to the Mountains, sing to the sea.
Raise your voices, lift your hearts.
This is the day the Lord has made,
let all the earth rejoice.
(Robert J Dufford, SJ)
The Communion Reflection was especially composed for the occasion by Sr Marie Dunne, CHF
Called by God on this journey,
Led by God ‘s spirit of love,
They walked in faith, hearts filled with hope,
To what this call would mean.
Their hearts ever open to listen
That they might heart God’s word,
Chosen for this mission,
No matter what they endured…
Another Missionary came to mind, who, when praised by the BBC crew who visited Papua New Guinea to film “Missionaries”, Fr Dunstan, a Capuchin in PNG assured them that:
“God did not come in the pocket of the missionary; God is already here.”
Sr Marie Dunne’s words, “Their hearts ever open to listen” captures that.
After the wonderful celebration of the Eucharist, everyone was invited to the parish hall to share the generous and tasty finger food prepared by the parishioners. The decibels vibrated as the volume of conversation at meeting people who had not met for a long time, filled the hall! The laughter with stories and memories created an atmosphere that enabled us to relive our connections and ministry in the north and beyond.
After a few hours of fun, food and laughter we returned to Churchtown where in the evening, the Staff had prepared a special evening meal for all the Sisters.” A banquet will be ready when we come home to stay…” expressed what was prepared for us! How creative and generous to provide an ending to what was a blessed day!
To draw all the strands of emotions, stories, memories and the day’s energy, Sr Jo Kane read from a scroll that the Leadership Team in Rome presented to the province to Catherine, our Provincial. United we ….
Remember, Rejoice, Recommit
Mary, make arise in us the song
which burst forth from your heart
As you travelled those roads and through
the hills of the high country.
Make grow in us the song of the poor
and the little ones,
Of those who serve and are not served.
Make arise from our earth,
You the messenger of Present Times,
That song of love for the world when God visited it.
Enable us to set out, in great haste, each day
Towards those who await us.
Help us to carry Jesus Christ in a singing heart.
(Prayer from Missionaries Beyond Boundaries p 663)