New nuns to give Waterford and Lismore diocese ‘new life’

The foundation of a religious community of sisters in Tipperary has been described as “new life” for the diocese of Waterford and Lismore according to the bishop.

The Sisters of the Home of the Mother began their foundation in Cahir at the beginning of this month with Mass in the parish church, St Mary’s.

Bishop Phonsie Cullinan said the two Irish and two American sisters have “energy and enthusiasm, which is always welcome”.

“They’re here to encourage and to help the Church here, why would I refuse such an offer of this new life? There are wonderful things happening in our Church, we probably don’t recognise them enough, but you know as St Paul says if one part of the Church is ailing – and the Church of course is the body of Christ – if we get help from another part of the body of Christ well surely we should accept it.”

“You know the Irish Church sent out missionaries all over the world to help the Church in foreign parts, and now we are the beneficiaries often of evangelical outreach,” he said.

The four sisters will take up residence in the old parochial house and will assist in pastoral work in Cahir and surrounding areas, helping to spread the Gospel and reach out to the marginalised.

The superior of the sisters will be Sr Therese.

Bishop Cullinan was the main celebrant and was joined by a number of priests including Fr Rafael Alonso Reymundo the founder of the congregation of the Home of the Mother.

Presence

Bishop Cullinan said: “The presence of many young people at the Mass gave testimony to the appeal which these young religious have for the young.”

“I think that these young religious are an inspiration, and an inspiration to me and to all. If you see a religious with a smile on his or her face, I suppose you begin to think. If you see a religious who is joyful, you begin to think about what inspires that person…these people make us reflect.”