Daughters of Charity to leave Killinarden after thirty years serving the community

Arriving in Killinarden in the early eighties, the Daughters of Charity have been at the centre of community development – supporting not only residents but the creation of community facilities, services and spirit.

One resident told The Echo how she remembers the Daughters of Charity lending families, who moved into the area with nothing, electrical cooking rings back in the early eighties – and since then the sisters have continued to support and nurture, working on the ground with families to grow Killinarden.

The sisters, who established the Killinarden Family Resource Centre, supported new and old residents over the past three decades, giving their time to local schools, the church and the over-all wellbeing of the now thriving Killinarden community.

Parish priest Father Manus Ferry told The Echo: “A great sadness has fallen over the parish.

“The Daughters of Charity have given a great service to the parish and also great friendship and companion-ship. 
“They supported people in their daily lives and in up times and down times, and they will be greatly missed.”

Like many other religious orders, changing times with less young sisters and an aging membership has brought pressures, and a decision has been made to move Sr Anne, Sr Kathleen and Sr Lucy out of the house in Killinarden – which was built by the Daughters of Charity.

According to Fr Ferry, a farewell Mass of thanksgiving to celebrate the Daughters of Charity’s ministry and friendship will be held on Sunday, May 29, at 11am in Sacred Heart church.

Everybody in the community is invited to attend the Mass, with an invite also being extended to former sisters who were based in the parish.

 

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