Golden Jubilee of Marist Convent, Sundrive Road
Marist Convent, Sundrive Road, is 50 years old. And once again
we gathered to
celebrate and give thanks. Many sisters who had ministered there
returned for
the celebration, among them six of the original pioneers.
The Eucharistic celebration helped us to gather together in word
and prayer
and song the marvels that God had worked in our lives. Ephesians
reminded
us that the life that began in this new building 50 years ago
had “Christ
Jesus himself as the capstone”. And in Him the various communities
who
ministered there were “built together into a dwelling place of
God in the Spirit”.
Fr. Hugh Fagan, CSSP, breaking open the Gospel story, invited
us to see the
Risen Jesus as Thomas did. Jesus’ wounds were still visible though
transformed.
As we follow Jesus we walk in faith allowing Him to transform
our wounds and
those of our world into something glorious.
To be like Mary is our Marist calling. Our lifestyle aims to
reflect the
aspiration “to think, to judge, to feel, to act as Mary did”
(Constitutions, Article 4). Fr. Hugh reflected on how Mary pondered
in her heart, presenting the
image of Mary holding in her hand the needs of the world, the
wounds, the
pain, the conflict, anything negative – holding all in her hand
waiting for it to be
transformed by the Risen Jesus. To be like Mary we are called
to ponder as she
did.
After mass we gathered to meet and greet and our fun-filled pioneers
entertained us with a parody recalling some of the hilarity of
those early days in
the 1960s
The Pioneers.
(L-R) are, Srs. Catherine, Brenda, Frances, Ann, Aideen, Leo. In front: Nuala McDermott, first pupil.
Sr. Leo’s composition is sung to the air of The Mountains of Mourne. Following is an abbreviated version!
****************
While our Convent was a-building we lived very near/ in a nice
little house just
a mile from here. /We had a wee bus so we drove to and fro /
the very first
morning we were going a bit slow, /when a very big bus came travelling
so fast/
we all held our breath, it was nearly our last! / But the driver
was quick and he
had to swerve, / an incentive to us to keep our nerve.
Our school wasn’t finished when we started to teach/ to open
our windows was
not within reach. /No doors on our classrooms so everyone could
see/ What
kind of a teacher you were going to be./ A dog wandered in and
sat down on the
floor/ And he wouldn’t budge though coaxed more and more/So he
just watched
the teacher and he didn’t bark/”You have a new pupil” was someone’s
remark.
Our classes were big we had sixty or more/It was hard for our
pupils to obtain
a high score/ They liked all their subjects ‘twas plain to see/”No
Irish for
homework” was their only plea./A lesson on the famine and all
it entailed/It
shocked them to hear that the potato had failed./ Then a girl
from the back
row held her hand up high/ “Were you alive, Teacher” she asked
with a sigh.
Our superior came from over the sea/ Sr. Virgilius as kind as
could be/ A
herbaceous border she did create/ And gave each a plot to cultivate/
For some
the flowers just withered away/ “You didn’t lose sleep over them”,
she would
say/ But others were lucky their flowers did thrive/And from
that day to this
some are alive.
We mustn’t forget our benefactors too/Some were our friends,
others were
new/ Many gifts they bestowed so generously/Statues and the altar
you still
can see/Now all of these friends have passed away/ May God reward
them is all
we can say/ We remember them here with joy and with love/As they
unite with
us from their realm above.
By now we have covered this passage of time/ No doubt you’ll
be glad we’re
finishing this rhyme/But not without thanking the God above/
For the graces
and blessings bestowed by his love/ And to Mary, our mother for
all that has
been/ For the ups and the downs we all have seen/And may we tread
onward –
one mind and one soul/Until we all reach our heavenly goal.
****************
The fun and fellowship continued over a delicious meal which
included the
traditional jubilee cake. Sr.Thomasina, our most senior sister
and only 96
years young, cut the cake. Sr. Thomasina spent many years teaching
little
ones in Sundrive and she was a very active member in the community
there.
Sr. Thomasina and Brigid Mary
Photos of some of the sisters who came to the jubilee celebration
