Holy Rosary Sisters visit Kildallan to mark their centenary

By Bernadette Nyam MSHR

It was a burst of life with our vibrant African sisters singing away on the Hill like a hundred nightingales. The Holy Rosary Sisters, gathered together from different parts of the world, had come together to visit Kildallan, the place of their beginning. They were back home like children coming home to their father’s house.

The venue was Kildallan parish in the diocese of Kilmore in County Cavan - the very place where they were first welcomed by Bishop Finegan 100 years ago. The church was packed full of the sisters and parishioners, both young and old, who had come out to share in the joy.

Sr Kathleen Scullion MSHR explained the purpose of the celebration, which was remembering our past with gratitude, while living our present with passion and looking forward with hope to the future.

Sr Franca Onyibor, the Congregational Leader, elaborated further on this by telling the sisters: “Welcome home! For Kildallan is our home. This is a historic moment.”

And with the help of the gong, she announced the good news of a future full of hope.

In his homily, Bishop of Kilmore Martin Hayes emphasised our dependence on God. He traced the history of the Sisters beginning with Shanahan who began the congregation not knowing what it would grow into as well as Bishop Finegan who by faith received the young nuns into his diocese thereby co-operating with the divine plan of God.

This collaboration led to the establishment of the congregation, which has survived 100 years and is still counting!

This has ever extended to other Missionary families, for there among the four con-celebrating priests with Bishop Hayes was Fr Peter a Nigerian priest of the Missionary Society of St Paul of Nigeria who has been working in the Diocese for nine years.

Other highlights of the Mass included the presentation of flowers by the daughter of P.J. Kelly who worked as a gardener in Killeshandra for 14 years. His daughter, Mona (Kelly) Maguire, who had taken over the care of the flowers, brought them. The flowers were cut from the original ones grown by Mr Kelly while working with the Sisters. In a way, the flowers symbolised those who worked behind the scenes in Killeshandra silently. Prayers were offered for all these “hidden faces” who worked in Killeshandra to make successful the missionary activities of the Sisters.

Also not to be forgotten was the heartfelt welcome extended by the parish priest. He also presented to the Sisters a donation from the parish.

After the Mass, the Sisters processed from the church with songs and dance to bless the bench erected near the Grotto of Our Lady, which was donated to the parish by the Holy Rosary Sisters many years ago when they were moving out of Killeshandra.

A tree was also ceremoniously planted to mark the Centenary. Thereafter, all present were well entertained in the parish hall.

The sisters next proceeded to Killeshandra - the spot where the original Holy Rosary Convent stood. The compound evoked tender memories for all present. The Sisters took many pictures at the spot where the main door of the convent was located. There is a beautiful monument erected at this spot in memory of the Holy Rosary Sisters; a wonderful gesture by the person who purchased the property from them.

Then everybody proceeded to the graveyard where many Holy Rosary Sisters lie. The graveyard is beautiful and well maintained. Prayers were said for the deceased Sisters, after which a lot of pictures were taken to keep alive the memory of the experience.

At the end of the day, the Sisters returned home renewed and filled with immense joy and gratitude. It has been a powerful connection for them with their past and they were ready to move into the future strong with the energy received from their founder and early Sisters all who were present with them every step of the way during the visit.