The Sisters of St Clare are leaving Mayobridge in County Down after 86 years in the village and are in the process of moving to their new convent in Newry city. The newly finished convent, based in Ashgrove Avenue, will also be the new base for the Sisters of St Clare who are based in High Street in the city after structural faults were discovered in their 80-year-old building in the city.
Despite the move to Newry, the Sisters will continue to do voluntary service in the Mayobridge church, although most of their ministry will now be centred in other parts of the diocese.
The parish of Mayobridge has accepted the care of St Anne's Shrine and will provide details of the opening hours.
Speaking to the Down Observer newspaper a spokesperson for the Sisters explained that, while there was some sadness at leaving the familiar surroundings of Mayobridge, as followers of St Clare the Sisters looked forward to new opportunities for ministry in Ashgrove.
“They are very appreciative of the generosity of the people in Mayobridge and hope to continue the links of friendship established over so many years,” the spokesperson said.
The move from the High Street convent in Newry was made necessary by the fact the internal structure of the building is not suitable for the older Sisters.
The convent was established in 1830 when the nuns arrived in Newry from Dublin.
They are also in the process of leaving their home, which is adjacent to St Clare's Primary School, in the course of the next two weeks.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to us or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that we agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
SIC: CNA