Successful Marist Sisters 150th Anniversary celebration and book launch

Members of the clergy and the Marist Sisters are pictured with Sr Sylvette, Mother General Marist Sisters in Rome; Sr Miriam McManus, Unit Leader Marist Sisters Ireland; Sr Elizabeth Gilmartin, Superior Marist Sisters, Carrick-on-Shannon and His Lordship Paul Connell, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois who celebrated the special Mass in St Mary's Church, Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday last, July 2, to mark the 150th Anniversary of the arrival of the Marist Sisters in Carrick-on-Shannon.

July 2nd 2023 will remain in the memories of all who joined our Marist Sisters at 12noon for Solemn High Mass to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of our first Marist Sisters in Carrick-on-Shannon.

The newly appointed bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, His Lordship Bishop Paul Connell, assisted by Fr Seamus O'Rourke and Fr Mark Bennett (Local Clergy), Fr John O'Gara SM, Fr Ed Duffy SM, Fr Farrell Cawley (Sr Georgina’s brother), Fr Pat Columb (Past Pupil), and Fr Eugene Duffy led a most prayerful and thought provoking celebration in keeping with the mind and heart of all present.

We, the Marist Sisters are overwhelmed by the love and support of our new Bishop, clergy, Past Pupils, friends and relatives who joined us on the day. In his homily Bishop Paul spoke eloquently on Hospitality, the theme of the day, and its relevance to the life of the Marist Sisters. That grace filled presence of Mary the Mother of God held the Marist Sisters together through two World Wars and continued to pervaded the atmosphere on Sunday.

To the Choir especially to Siobhan Talbot (Directress) and Brendan Cryan (Organist) who took the Community to new heights of liturgical music, to Fr Brendan O'Sullivan who shared his beautiful array of flowers with us, to Orla Finnegan and staff of the Education Centre who made us welcome and made it possible to share our story in the form of a talk by our Superior General, Sr Sylvette, followed by a video presentation by Sr Terri O'Brien who joined us from Belley, Southern France, to the launch of our Commemorative Book “Light on the Hill” by Dr Eileen O'Connor McDermott whose father Jim McDermott was property Manager with the Sisters for almost a lifetime, we salute you.

Deep appreciation must go to Fr Seamus O'Rourke who replaced Fr Frank Garvey PP, on this occasion. We wish Fr Garvey a speedy recovery. To Sr Miriam McManus, Unit Leader, for her help in making this commemoration possible, to Lena and staff for delicious refreshments, ably supported by Melissa, our Manager of Staff in Carrick-on-Shannon, to An Garda Siochána, the stewards, Sinead Gilligan and her helpers, to our commemorative book committee and to retailers who have agreed to sell it, to photographer Willie Donnellan and the Leitrim Observer, we thank you all and look forward to your continued support in the future.

- Sr Elizabeth Gilmartin. Superior