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For as long as I can remember I always wanted to be a Missionary Nun.
It is now 66 years since I succeeded in taking the first steps of my journey to Cork
from Belfast, accompanied by my older brother, John, an SMA priest waiting for
his first assignment to the missions. His enthusiasm for Africa really inspired me
to give my life to God and go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News.
So after much correspondence with the Ardfoyle Sisters I settled to become an OLA Sister.
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Life in the Novitiate as a Postulant and a Novice was an exciting one for me as my pronounced Northern accent caused much laughter to the others while I understood very little of what they said to me in their lovely brogues. My First profession Day was a red letter one for me. God and God alone helped me to this day. My heart was full of gratitude to God and I was determined with His grace to persevere to the end. I could say with Peter, James and John, “Lord, it is good for me to be here.” I studied for my Leaving Cert in preparation to go to England for a 3 year Teacher Training Course. Having been successful I was ready to depart for Nigeria where I went to a variety of mission places in Nigeria – Minna, Kaduna, Jos and then Zawan. I worked in the primary Schools and loved every minute of it. The catechism classes in the evenings was where I was happiest and most at home. The children returned to school at 4 p.m. to prepare for instruction for baptism, First Confession and Communion. They were so faithful in turning up for the instruction which was compulsory before they were allowed to receive the Sacraments. After two years in Zawan I had to return to London for circulatory trouble which meant the end of my Nigerian Mission. When I recovered I returned to Cork. I did some promotions work for vocations and after that I was sent to Leigh, England for six months which turned out to be 23 years! I taught 'slow learners' in G irls’ Modern School for 8 years and then transferred to a unit for children with special needs. This was very rewarding work. I remained there until retirement age when I returned to Ardfoyle to do Fund Raising. Which I did for 11 years. Then I became the Sisters driver. I must say I enjoyed every minute of my life no matter what I was doing. In every capacity I tried really hard to “go out and proclaim the Good News.” I’m now in the Infirmary in Ardfoyle awaiting The Lord’s second call – “Come”. I thank God for the happy life he has given me and I’m full of gratitude and joy as I await the Final call.
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| back to our story.... |
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| If you are interested in a life serving God following the Charism of the OLA Congregation, Contact us on |
| labyrinth@olaireland.ie |
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Sisters
of Our Lady of Apostles
