Parish celebrates Sister Carmel’s 30 years of service in community

A CELEBRATION marked 30 years of service for Sr Carmel, a much loved stalwart in the Neilstown community.

A special Mass took place at Neilstown parish on Sunday, and a large crowd showed up to pay their respects.

Originally from Brittas Bay, Sr Carmel (86) left home at the age of 15 to join the Franciscan order, and spent 40 years in the USA, before returning to Neilstown.

She was instrumental in helping to set up important ventures like the Caroline Project, which is aimed at keeping teenagers off the streets and the Beacon of Light.

Joan Maher, a Community Employment Supervisor in Neilstown, has known Sr Carmel since she arrived in the area.

“She is a big part of Neilstown, and is still working, nothing stops her. She worked in the schools, set up the Caroline and Beacon of Light, does loads of work with Vincent de Paul, I don’t know where she gets her energy,” said Joan.

“We wanted to do something to surprise her because usually, she does all the organising. It was a couple of weeks putting it together but the turnout was great. We had two former parish priests, and lots of online messages from her family in Wicklow, and Fr Damien, who was in Clondalkin Village, but is now the army chaplain in Golan Heights.”

Fr Hugh Kavanagh, parish priest Rowlagh/Neilstown, was taken aback at the huge turnout for the celebration.

“There was a really good crowd of people, especially young kids, to celebrate with presents, bouquets of flowers, poems. Sr Carmel has had a hand in everything here, helping out in different ways, from the schools, to supporting Ronanstown youth centre, and any other initiatives. The event was a blessing. It gave people a lift, back together after a while, all very positive.”

Larry Moore, one of the oldest parishioners in the parish presented Sr Carmel with a special commemorative plaque.