Bishop Niall Coll pays heartfelt tribute to Focus Ireland founder Sister Stan

A Donegal-born bishop has paid tribute to the late Sister Stanislaus (Stan) Kennedy, describing her as “the love of Christ in action for others.”

Bishop Niall Coll, a native of St Johnston and now Bishop of Ossory, said the death of the Focus Ireland founder has been met with “great sadness and also deep gratitude” in Kilkenny, where her pioneering social work began.

“Her’s was a life of vision and service,” Bishop Coll said.

“Sister Stan was a consistent voice for change in our world, the change needed to better serve those who had no voice for themselves.”

Before her ground-breaking work in Dublin, Sister Stan worked alongside Bishop Coll’s predecessor, Bishop Peter Birch of Ossory, in developing a new approach to social care inspired by the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.

Under Bishop Birch’s leadership, and with Sister Stan’s drive, the Kilkenny Social Services Council was established to co-ordinate the work of voluntary organisations, statutory bodies and religious orders.

Within a year, the council had recruited more than 100 volunteers, Catholic and Protestant, to provide meals and practical supports for the elderly, housing for Travellers, and schooling for children with special needs.

Bishop Coll said Sister Stan’s “commitment to the gospel and its social vision” later led her to Dublin, where she founded Focus Ireland in 1985.

“Her belief that everyone had the right to a home inspired not only a lifetime of service for herself but also acted as a call to others to walk that same path,” he said.

“In so doing, she transformed the lives of thousands of people for the better. Sister Stan was, in so many ways, the love of Christ in action for others.”

Extending his sympathy to Sister Stan’s family and to her religious community, the Religious Sisters of Charity, Bishop Coll added: “May the Lord who called her to service now grant her eternal rest.”

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Sister Stan Kennedy, one of Ireland’s best-known social campaigners, founded Focus Ireland to combat homelessness and remained a tireless advocate for social justice throughout her life.