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)

Sr Marie Gabriel nee Elizabeth Connachy, first profession Lyon 1871

From the first Sisters sent from Ireland to the other side of the world was at the invitation of the Marists Fathers, living in Dundalk and Fr Favre, Lyon. From that time up until today, Sisters are working both in Ireland and across the world, hosting a wide range of RNDM missions.

Our first Irish Sister to “embrace the unknown” was Elizabeth Connachy. At the age of 15, she left her farming family in Castlebellingham, Co Louth to join Euphrasie Barbier in Lyon in 1867. Between the early years of her formation and early mission between France and England, Euphrasie recognised Elizabeth, now known as Sr. Marie St Gabriel for her strength of character so missioned her as Prioress of Christchurch, New Zealand in 1877. This young woman was universally esteemed not only by RNDMs but equally by missionaries, the people of Christchurch, Catholic and Protestants alike.

Ground breaking Era 1926-1960

Mission in Ireland was renowned for its generosity despite the long years of suffering due to famine and political unrest, families supported young women to enter religious life whereby vocations flourished. Many Sisters from Ireland including those who emigrated to New Zealand, Australia, UK and beyond, played a key role in opening schools where the State did not provide education, healthcare, social workers or generally caring for the disadvantaged in a parish setting.

1889 Maori Providence, Napier. With the support of Fr Euloge Reignier SM, Sr Marie St Jean (Antoinette Dufour) and the early Sisters in ANZ addressed the need to the Maori and mixed raced society who needed education.

 On-Going Call to Mission 2000-2026

The impact of Vat II was a pivotal turning point responding to societal change. Many Sisters moved from established ministries to work more within the local community, with and among the people. We RNDMs along with other Congregations work alongside co-workers and partners in mission to help facilitate people as we face a changing and uncertain Ireland.

RNDMs gathered with Fr Aidan Kieran in Divine Mercy Parish.

We were able to embrace the history of many religious congregations who sent missionaries from Ireland to various parts of the world. We also wanted to celebrate our own history which included our early days when Euphrasie Barbier worked in close union with the Marist Fathers and indeed, an opportunity to celebrate our first Irish Sister,

Elizabeth Connachy, from Castlebellingham, Co Louth, who supported by Fr Favre, SM joined Euphrasie in Lyon in 1867. In fact, many young women who were originality from Ireland, whose families had emigrated to Australia and New Zealand, were inspired to join Euphrasie or attend RNDM schools. Consequently to mark this part of our history, we invited a Marist, Fr Martin McAnaney, to celebrate the Eucharist for us.

The Gospel reading for the Sixth Sunday really said it all: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live . . . .”

This was highlighted during the homily that so many missionaries brought this message of hope to a world that in some places had not heard of Christ or who were under the pressures of war, disruption and poverty. We like so many religious have given our lives to bring hope to our fragile world. We can see it was a Consecration for Mission from Ireland.

After the Eucharist we gathered for lovely refreshments prepared by the parish and then later that day, we gathered in Churchtown for our evening meal prepared by the house manager and her team for us RNDMs and special guests. It was a day to be always remembered.

Selection of photos of the Celebration in Lucan:

Our Celebration in Churchtown

As Gittins rightfully said:  “Change is not only a defining characteristic of life but part of Christian theology. We individuals and community are in the process of becoming.” Our first presence in Ireland was for many a process of change and adaptation to a way of life that had to embrace religious and political diversity and challenge.

As we gather to remember those early days of our missionary presence in Ireland, we will be commemorating many Sisters who throughout these years and, with the presence of the community and school in Limavady, found their vocation to follow in their footsteps and the inspiration of Euphrasie Barbier’s vision for mission.  For many young women their vocation to our Missionary Congregation included a journey, away from their country of origin, not only to the UK and Europe but to countries beyond normal travel in those times, i.e. Oceania and Asia. They became pilgrims – “as disciples on the road to Emmaus, partially unfulfilled until they recognised Jesus in the breaking of the bread.” These early journeys were of exploration and for us as RNDMs, many of our provinces at that time were born.

We take this opportunity to pray for vocations as Gittins reminds us:  “In a world touched by the incarnation, there must be pilgrims, there will always be journeys and the bread will surely be sufficient.” So in thanksgiving for all our missionaries, we pray Psalm 66 to be sung on the Sixth Sunday of Easter:

Let all the earth cry out in Joy to the Lord . . .                   

proclaim him forever, tremendous his deeds for us.

The beautiful hymn: Because He Lives tells the truth of Jesus’s life. I would like us all to reflect and enjoy the song in the depth of our heart.

The Lent days in the Church calendar starts with greyness and dullness but as we go through the weeks meditating on His great love, every pain and suffering He endured makes us wonder in awe how could he do this for us, even though we are ungrateful, unforgiving, and unhuman at times? The only answer is God’s LOVE is IMMEASURABALE.  And because he lives. I also live.

Let us ask this question each day especially as we enter into the season of Easter. Where in my life do I need Jesus to LIVE? How can I make my life and others meaningful Because He Lives.

I would like to share Pope Francis’ final Easter message, 20^th April, 2025 at ‘Urbi et Orbi’:

“In the Lord’s Paschal Mystery, death and life contended in a stupendous struggle, but the Lord now lives forever (cf. Easter Sequence). He fills us with the certainty that we too are called to share in the life that knows no end, when the clash of arms and the rumble of death will be heard no more. Let us entrust ourselves to him, for he alone can make all things new (cf. Rev. 21:5)!

From the empty tomb in Jerusalem, we hear unexpected good news: Jesus, who was crucified, “is not here, he has risen” (Lk 24:5). Jesus is not in the tomb, he is alive!

Love has triumphed over hatred, light over darkness and truth over falsehood. Forgiveness has triumphed over revenge. Evil has not disappeared from history; it will remain until the end, but it no longer has the upper hand; it no longer has power over those who accept the grace of this day.  Happy Easter to everyone!”

Easter is about the incredible Hope we find in Christ. If you’re searching for hope in a world that seems hopeless, know that Jesus loves you, and died and rose for you.  Place your faith in him and accept the forgiveness, freedom, and living hope he offers.

Joyce Peter rndm

Over the years, since Vatican II, we have almost imperceptibly evolved and been transformed into songbirds, hardly visible, few in numbers, slower in our movements but with Oh!  So sweet a song to sing to the receptive, listening ear and heart.

And YES!
We are here among you still – 
from many different Congregations.

We each have a different song to sing, yet when our voices blend, there is a harmony so entrancing that we become ONE.

In response to the challenge of Vatican II we have come forth into the very heart of the Church and the world, in order to play our unique part in the transformation by the Gospel…making the Kingdom of God a lived reality on earth.

 Who exactly are we?

We are very ordinary men and women, who like you, share the vocation to holiness through our Baptism and Confirmation.

In our youth we experienced a further CALL to give the ALL of our lives to the ONE who is ALL.

Through the Vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience, we have been liberated and empowered to consecrate ourselves entirely to the Lord and to the humble service of all his people.  We are a prophetic group of people witnessing here in the UK and Ireland to eternal values. The main purpose of our lives is to contemplate the face of God in prayer, like Mary, to radiate His reflection by our Christ-like presence.

All other ministries we undertake, and they are diverse, are simply the expression of the song that God’s love calls forth from our hearts.

Need I remind you that songbirds are quite fragile and delicate?

In order to sing melodiously we need others in the choir to sing those notes that are beyond our pitch and ability. That is why we tend to gather together from time to time to rehearse and improve the quality of the sound.  So, if you happen to have a songbird or two in YOUR parish–ponder in these things!

It is not easy to changefrom being a “dinosaur” into a songbird and we do need a little help from you, the orchestra!

Around the world, especially in countries far away, the music of songbirds flourishes loud and strong.

We are alive and well!  So long as there is a breath in our bodies, hearts beating with love for our God – we will be among you!

Look out for us in the coming days and weeks.

And if YOU hear that CALL – know that your hearts too will sing for JOY and lasting HOPE and gratitude! Welcome!    (Image: website)

Sr Mary Frances Collett, RNDM

New Year resolutions are possibly forgotten or, not even made this year, as we tend to move so quickly. In one supermarket I was shocked to see on Boxing Day, Easter Eggs on the shelves! Often we never have that time to really reflect on the year past or the year to come.

As our days gradually become longer, February is really a time of awakening- moments of learning and seeing things that are hidden. However, this year we have been caught up with our unreliable weather patterns and certainly with such an unexpected cold spell with Storm Goretti, our New Year has been rough, leaving many of us with sad and broken memories and for some, an image of what this year might become. Yet, with our world in such a turmoil, maybe this is the time to STOP! February does invite change and a reawakening to what might be.

Catherine Garland, in her poem Learning Life ( Grateful Living, 1/01/26) really struck home, she writes:  I have learned that fences are for climbing to see if the grass is really greener on the other side . . .” Just these opening words opens up a myriad of thoughts and images, of what might “be” behind the fence: She expands her learning of various things beyond the fence that can so easily be lost or to some extent, not even known to exist. Without us knowing, already new life is in the making – there is a green hue when looking at the bare trees and shrubs. We may ask: what fences are holding us back from climbing over to the other side. February, even with its cold and misty days allows us time to ponder the world beyond the fence – it is neither one season nor another, just that time to STOP! It’s a time to reorganise and to rebuild, to prepare for the Spring of New Hope. Wars may continue and climate change will progress, but that shouldn’t stop us from wanting to climb that fence to discover new ways of existing and experiencing new realities that each season brings.

Garland finishes by writing:
I am glad these things were kept hidden from me
until I could open the gate to taste and touch,
to smell and feel, and
to discover myself along the way.

May February be a precious time of reflection and learning, preparing us to be able to climb that fence and to be ready for the unfolding of the New Year!

Rose Mary Harbinson, rndm

“Cheers to a gracious New Year. May we uphold the fullness of God’s  grace, goodness and goodwill.” — Lailah Gifty Akita

January, at the heart of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, is one of the coldest months, yet rich in meaning, offering a powerful opportunity to stop and think about priorities, values and intentions. The stillness and quiet moves our heart and soul  towards spiritual connection and reflection inspired by the natural world’s rhythms of rest and the promise of renewal.
The beginning of a new year is always worth allowing space and time to listen to and value the significance of the song of the earth, our common home.

January, named after the Roman god Janus, the deity and protector of doors, gateways and beginnings, is symbolically a spiritual doorway into the New Year, offering space in quiet moments to ponder life and review personal growth as we reflect on the beauty of starting anew.   Nature in January is in a state of deep rest, a time of quiet and stillness as plants and animals conserve energy to endure cold.  The natural world’s resilience, seen in evergreen trees and the hardy snowdrop flowers and shrubs blooming in the cold, serves as a reminder of inner strength and the power to start afresh, setting intentions for the future with clarity and purpose, rather than rigid resolutions. According to the Celtic Tree of Life, two trees in particular share a space in January.  The Birch tree symbolizes new beginnings, achievement and resilience.  The Rowan trees symbolizing courage and connection with their red berries said to represent protection.  In every aspect of nature, God is conveying something.  It is in the stillness of winter that we often find our truest selves.

By honouring nature’s call to slow down and go inwards, January offers a unique opportunity to shed what no longer serves us, heal our inner world and align our intentions with a deeper, more authentic purpose, ensuring we are ready to ‘rise to new life again’ with the full arrival of spring.  Take time to sit in silence this January.    God never wants us to lose our sense of wonder.

“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written.” — Melody Beattie

Liz Hartigan RNDM

This is the picture many of us have in our minds when we hear the carol “And so this is Christmas.” But is it? One could say we have killed off the spirit of Christmas by an overload of activities. If Christmas is to survive the philosophy of “shop till you drop.” the frenzy of consumerism and the unending commercial exploitation, then we need to concentrate on the real meaning of Christmas “the reason for the season.”

Behind Christmas lies the Incarnation, the story of the Word of God becoming flesh in Jesus of Nazareth, to repair a broken world, by reconciling God with his people. St Paul says: “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.” Christmas is a time for reminding ourselves that God reached out to each one of us in Jesus. We are invited to respond by accepting God’s healing and reconciliation. Also, by getting in touch with our broken selves and repairing broken friendships with God, family and friends.

We can’t help noticing a series of paradoxes in our world today. We have more money, but less peace. More concern about our physical welfare and less about our spiritual needs. Rapid technological efficiency and progress, but less social involvement and more stress. The “shop till you drop” consumerism at Christmas is really a search and cry for a communion that is not to be found in the market place.

There is a need in all our lives to get in touch with the still centre of our being. Only when Christ is born in the heart and life of each person, can He be born in the heart of society. The purpose of Advent is to prepare us to receive Christ at Christmas, as Mary prepared for His coming for nine months.

The world is not waiting for Christ anymore. It is waiting for us, to be His hands, feet, voice and heart, so as to be a means of healing and reconciliation. In this way, we will continue the healing mission of Jesus and be participators rather than observers. Christ will be truly born again in us, to bring love, compassion, justice, peace and faith to birth in our world, our families, our relationships in society and in our Church.

Una Rutledge, RNDM.

Pope Francis in his vision for the world taught us to look beyond the everyday events – In his powerful text: Laudato Si’ he states: May our struggles and our concern for the planet never take away the joy and our hope. Throughout this text we see that it is our attitude and how we personally approach the planet- that piece of earth that we dwell and walk upon – that will make the changes for the good. These sad events shouldn’t make me negative and feeling lack of hope.

Today as you read this sentence, “God, don’t change my circumstances, change me.”

Let us pray

God, instead of asking you
to change the outer world,
today I simply request:
guide me within, to the perfect interior
of my heart where you live.
When I find you,
it changes me,
because I trust you more fully.
Change me.

Taken from Franciscan Media: Pause + Pray, by Maureen O’Brien, Oct, 2025.

November then is a time when we can pause and look back and view the world with our loved ones, especially those who have gone before us and remembering those who died to give us hope. It is also a time to reflect on ourselves, here and now, in our preparation to accept change and the new life that we will experience over the Advent, Christmas and New Year period. This is for us HOPE that something will change, within ourselves and within our world.