By Seamie Briscoe
What has become a special annual occasion for the retired Sisters of the Medical Missionaries of Mary took place once again at their Motherhouse in Beachgrove, Drogheda. The event is organised by the Drogheda Male Voice Choir, who arrange a memorial Mass in remembrance of deceased members of the order and members of the choir who have passed away during the previous year. This is followed by a concert for the Sisters and for family members of choir members who have died over the years.
This year’s event was held on Thursday, January 15, and was very well attended. The Sisters of the order ensured that their renowned hospitality was extended to the choir and their guests throughout the evening.
In welcoming the Drogheda Male Voice Choir to the Motherhouse, Sister Sheila Campbell said it was always an occasion the Sisters looked forward to with great anticipation. She praised the choir members for their continued charitable singing within the community and presented each member with a copy of Echoes of Life, a publication featuring stories and reflections from the Medical Missionaries of Mary.
The memorial Mass was celebrated by Father Ciprian Solomon, who is attached to the Drogheda Male Voice Choir. In his homily, he paid tribute to the Sisters of the Medical Missionaries of Mary and the humanitarian work they carry out in many parts of the world. He also told the congregation that celebrating this Mass and meeting with both the Sisters and his friends in the choir was a personal highlight for him.
There was a poignant sense of nostalgia during the evening. Among those present was Michael Kearns, who had a personal friendship with Mother Mary Martin and worked closely with her during the development of the new wing of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and the Medical Missionaries of Mary medical facilities at Beachgrove.
Those remembered and prayed for during the Mass included Sisters Monica Prendergast, Pauline Dean, Ursula Cott, Brigid Egbuna, Kathleen Crowley, Maura Magner and Veronica Cawley. Deceased members of the Drogheda Male Voice Choir remembered were Paddy Cassidy and Robert Kierans.
Following the Mass and concert, presentations were made to the family of Robert Kierans, including a framed extract from a Drogheda Independent tribute recognising his dedication to male choral singing in Drogheda. A framed memento marking the 50th anniversary of Mother Mary Martin’s televised Mass was also presented to the Sisters.
Musical Director of the Drogheda Male Voice Choir, David Leddy, said the choir greatly values the evening each year. He noted that their friendship with the Sisters has grown since the event began in 2014 and said the choir members are always inspired by the stories shared by the Sisters about their medical, spiritual and humanitarian work around the world.
