‘I have had a wonderful life serving and helping people’
IT was a memorable evening as the former Lord Mayor of Tallaght and Tallaght Person of The Year Bridie Sweeney was awarded a medal for her 50 years of work with St Vincent De Paul.
Bridie Sweeney lives in Tallaght and is well known across the community for her years of volunteering and contribution to the area including volunteering in the SVP shop in Tallaght and being a member of the local SVP conference.
Bridie, who has contributed 50 years of selfless work to the people of Tallaght and extended community was acknowledged and celebrated at a mass which was held in a small chapel beside the St Martin de Porres church in Aylesbury on Wednesday, September 15.
“I had a lovely evening – I got presented with a medal for 50 years volunteering and I was absolutely surprised,” Bridie told The Echo.
“There was a wonderful mass by Fr Michael who is retiring next week – It was beautiful.”
In attendance at the mass alongside Bridie was the seven members of the SVP Tallaght conference who usually work weekly in the parish when restrictions are not in place as well as Rose McGowan, SVP National President.
“Rose and her assistant Mary presented the medal to me with Fr Michael and then we had the mass and went to the Old Orchard for a meal, it was lovely,” said Bridie.
“I have been friends with Rose for years since we worked together, it was great to see Rose surprise me last night and for her to present the medal to me.
“She also presented me with a magnificent bouquet of flowers, and I knew immediately that I wanted to do one thing with them. I asked them would they mind if they escorted me up to the alter and I put them there for all the people who have helped me and have been so generous to me.”
As well as her work with the SVP conference, Bridie works in Tallaght University Hospital providing Eucharistic ministry in the wards alongside pastor Fr John Kelly.
“It doesn’t seem like 50 years you just do what you seem to do and what you know and that’s it. It’s all about doing good for others, it is not about me or you – that’s what makes it so special,” said Bridie, reflecting on the 50 years.
“I have had a wonderful life serving and helping the people in Tallaght and that has what has made me happy.”
