19TH.JUNE 2011 TRINITY SUNDAY KNOCK, MAAM, ASOCIATES, "BIG NOVENA".
On Monday last, 95 year old Sister Brigid and I set off for Connemara! We travelled via Knock Shrine, where we had Mass and prayed for everybody. Then to Ballinrobe to visit her sister, Nora, and finally to Maam, in the heart of Connemara. I slept in a room that was used as a studio by none other than the artist, Paul Henry, who was famous for his scenes of the West of Ireland. I had a great view of the mountains and could see Sister Brigid's home too. We met her relatives on Tuesday evening as our hostess gave a dinner - eight of us had a very happy evening plus a marvellous meal! Sister Brigid and I again had a few hours at Knock Shrine on our way back to Belfast on Wednesday. Sister had amazing energy and enjoyed the journey as well as meeting with her friends.
Yesterday, we had a lively meeting of our Associates/Friends. This took most of the afternoon as we had much news to catch up with, due to the length of time since we had met. The Friends experience great support from these meetings - they are all people that have supported us over the years in our ministry. Just one man rang up to say he could not be with us.
The past four days have been dominated by visitors, and the "Big Novena" that began on Wednesday! We had Sisters Evelyn Fergus, Maria Minogue and Anna Landy. Ethna has been here a few times too and has gone off on holiday today. The Novena - www. clonard.com - has been amazing, with ten sessions each day. These attract about 15,000 people. We have traditionally gone to the early morning session, leaving here before 6.30a.m. to ensure we have a seat!! This year, Sister Elise Rasch has come with us each day as she is here for a Board Meeting of Sharing Fair. Most days we have met people we have got to know over the years and also, we have met many of the people living around our former house at Sussex Place. They tell us they make the Novena "their annual mission" and they "feel great when its over"!!! I have a little twinge of regret that today finished my attendance for this year. I go on holiday this afternoon!!
Enjoy this beautiful feast - I remember especially the Sisters in Albania as all here make enquiries about our mission there. Have a great week!
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