Sr Josephine goes to Nigeria
Posted by Sr Eleanor on November 20, 2008
We have a daughter-house in Nigeria: St Justina’s Monastery near Abakaliki. This community was founded in 1981, and has grown and flourished. However it is not yet completely self-sufficient, and we still have a responsibility towards its development.
So our Sister Josephine (Ryan), who spent some years at St Justina’s in the 1990s, has returned to spend some more time there, particularly to help with liturgy and music. She flew from Dublin last Monday. We will miss her here, but we know that she will do great work there, probably remaining there for a few years.
At the same time, we have welcomed Sr Mary Agnes from St Justina’s to spend some time here with us and, later, to study theology in college. She is adjusting to our Irish culture and climate!
(The photo, taken last year, shows Sr Jo with her sister and brother-in-law. Photo of Sr Mary Agnes to follow!)
Ann said
Dear Sr Eleanor, I was at a vigil last night to mark the year of St Paul and the Year of Vocations. Appropriately enough it took place in St Paul’s Church, Belfast and was very well attended.
CORI were represented by a group of 6 sisters and nuns each of whom contributed to the liturgy by reading a psalm, or other inspirational or motivational piece. One nun read a poem, The Gift, by Brendan Kennelly, and although it was vaguely familiar to me, it was as though I was hearing it for the first time.
Immediately I thought of those who, like yourself and Sr Josephine and Sr Mary Agnes, have ‘accepted it.’ ( I can’t find an online version of the poem but I do remember that’s how it ends!)
Ann said
I knew I had it somewhere:
The Gift
It came slowly,
Afraid of insufficient self-content
Or some inherent weakness in itself
Small and hesitant
Like children at the tops of stairs
It came through shops, rooms, temples,
Streets, places that were badly lit.
It was a gift that took me unawares
And I accepted it.
Brendan Kennelly 1960-2004