Former principal in Bailieborough and missionary in Pakistan

There was deep sadness to hear of the passing of Sr Christine Reilly on Sunday, April 23.

Sr Christine passed away unexpectedly and peacefully amongst her Presentation Sister Family in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

A native of Glasscarrick, Loughduff, Co Cavan, Sr Christine entered the Presentation Sisters in Bailieborough at the tender age of 18 years on February 11, 1948, on the ‘Feastday of our Lady of Lourdes’.

This was the commencement of a lifetime of dedication as a Sister and Missionary.

Less than two years after entering the Convent in Bailieborough, together with five companions, she was on the high seas and off to the far away sub-continent of India and Pakistan. There, as part of the Presentation Sisters, they founded and established many schools across India and Pakistan.

Sr Christine remained in Pakistan for 16 years from 1949 and returned to take up a position as Principal in Lourdesville Secondary School in Bailieborough in 1965. Sr Christine enjoyed her years and work in Bailieborough, but was drawn back to the mission field in 1978 and returned to Pakistan where she stayed for the remainder of her teaching, mission and religious life.

Pakistan was a challenging place to live and work but Sr Christine was happy there.

Although there were contrasts between great wealth and great poverty in regions, people were friendly, welcoming, hospitable and helpful.

Sr Christine dedicated her life to teaching and taught in schools in the Punjab and North West Frontier Provinces. These were all big schools catering for rich and poor students regardless of religion, creed or social status.

In the early days, Sr Christine did not get to make many trips home, but thankfully in her later years she was an annual visitor to her beloved Mullahoran, where she loved to return and visit family, neighbours and friends.

She considered her visits as a’ blessing and a time of renewal’. She had great belief in prayer and the highlight of her holidays was attending daily mass.

Sr Christine was also so very grateful and thankful for the generous financial support she received from family, neighbours, friends, the Mullahoran Apostolic Society, Mullahoran PTAA and Kilmore Apostolic Society.

She used the generous donations that she received on behalf of the Presentation Sisters in Pakistan very wisely, reaching out to the sick and marginalised and those most in need.

Sr Christine died unexpectedly on Sunday April 23.

Her funeral took place in St Joseph’s Cathedral, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, with her burial immediately after.

Her Funeral Mass was concelebrated by the local Bishop and visiting priests.

The ceremony, which thanks to technology was transmitted live and online, was a celebration and thanksgiving for Sr Christine’s dedicated service, her great missionary life and her outstanding service to education in Pakistan and the Pakistan people.

Huge crowds attended her funeral and reposing, while also paying their respects.

There were many tributes paid to her from her Presentation Sisters, the teachers and students from the various convents she served in Pakistan, past pupils from Lourdesville, Bailieborough and the wider community in Rawalpindi that were so much part of her life.

Amongst the lovely tributes paid were of her outstanding commitment, her generosity and humanity, her prayerfulness, faithfulness and selflessness.

Sr Christine had never retired, she continued to teach English and mentor the teaching staff right up to her passing. She had a great heart and loved to help deserving people who couldn’t afford education.

Sr Christine is survived by her brother, Dan Mel, her sisters Rosemary, Rita, Phyllis and Teresa.

Her sister-in-law Ena, brother-in-law Vincent, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, friends, neighbours and her Presentation Family in Pakistan and Ireland.

She will be sadly missed by all, but her family are so thankful for the wonderful life she lived and the care and camaraderie she received all her life from the Presentation Sisters and particularly her adopted home in Pakistan.

‘Sr Christine carried the lantern to brighten the path for others right up until she took her last breath’.

May her gentle soul Rest In Eternal peace.