AFTER more than 150 years of being educated by them, supported by them, consoled by them and befriended by them, a community yesterday said goodbye to the last members of a congregation of sisters who made the town their home.The Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Heart yesterday moved out of Roscrea in north Tipperary due to the ongoing fall in vocations to religious orders.
It leaves the town without their presence for the first time since 1842, when the first Sacred Heart convent in Ireland was founded.
After a special Mass on Saturday in St Cronan's Church, Sr Madeleine Minogue and Sr Maria Brady yesterday said their last farewells as they retired to communities in Dublin.
Sr Madeleine grew up in Roscrea and attended the Sacred Heart Primary School but spent many years in Dublin, England and east Africa before returning in 1996.
"We've had 10 years here in this house and now we're closing it. I'll miss the wide open spaces and the people, who are very friendly and approachable. We're going to Dublin and each of us knows Dublin, but it will be very different," she said.
Sr Maria has been involved in organisations helping people with special needs in recent years, while Sr Madeleine has worked with the bereaved.
"I got to know the sad side of life, but the people of Roscrea were very appreciative and they are sad that we're going. I am sad too," Sr Maria said.
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SIC: II