Sisters Receive Papal Medals


The Longford Leader of February 4th, 2011 carried an article entitled: Ballymahon Sisters Receive Papal Medals. The article had coloured photographs taken the previous Sunday, January 30th, 2011 following the eleven- thirty Mass in Ballymahon.

The article was written by journalist, Denise Canavan, former choir member and soloist with the Ballymahon Church choir directed by Sister Maura Fay accompanied by organist, Sister Agnes Murray.

The occasion was indeed worthy of note.

As written by Denise “After more than 45 years of dedicated service in Church, schools and parish Sister Maura Fay and Sister Agnes Murray quietly retired from their roles of choral director and organist in St. Matthew’s Church, Ballymahon back in 2006. However, last Sunday the parish and community of Ballymahon, under the guidance of Bishop Colm O’Reilly finally got the opportunity to specifically honour and acknowledge the two Sisters of Mercy for their achievements and enormous contributions to sacred and liturgical music over the years.”

Sisters Maura and Agnes had been honoured previously in the parish in different ways

and on different liturgical occasions. The Innyside Singers, which they also directed, had celebrated a This Is Your Life Programme featuring them and their work in the schools and community but to quote Denise “Sunday’s ceremony offered more of a special and solemn tone”.

Following a six-month-long process, Bishop Colm O’Reilly and Father Padraig McGowan P.P. Ballymahon, were delighted to be able to present the Benemerenti Medal and parchment scroll to each. The medal is a pontifical award, translating as “well deserved”, which the Bishop applied for on their behalf to the Papal Nuncio back in the summer of last year. The process is a formal one requiring plenty of detail and the end result was the presentation following Sunday Mass Celebration for their years spent in Ballymahon as students, teachers, musicians and choral directors at the 11.30 Masses in Saint Matthew’s Church. The award is based on the specific commitment they made to sacred and liturgical music over the years.

The ceremony began with past student, Hillary Claffey of the Parish Pastoral Council welcoming Sisters Agnes and Maura and explaining to the wider community about the meaning of the special occasion. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Colm O’Reilly with assisting priests, Rev Padraig McGowan P.P. and Sister Maura’s brother, Rev Sean Fay from Rathmoloyn, Co Meath.

The legacy of Maura and Agnes’ years of dedication was more than apparent on the day as the church choir, now directed by past student Mary Clancy and local organist, Padraig McGowan, sang some of the hymns and beautiful pieces which Agnes and Maura had taught them.

Mercy Secondary School Transition Year students and church choir members took part in the Prayers of the Faithful and Communion Reflection

Bishop Colm O’Reilly described Sisters Maura and Agnes as ‘truly deserving’ and referred to the countless occasions he had attended and celebrated in St. Matthew’s Church: occasions which were greatly enhanced by the time and talents of both Agnes and Maura and their inspiration to the choir members.

Father Padraig McGowan P.P. speaking at the ceremony offered his own tribute to the Sisters of Mercy order in general pointing out that their 139 years of service to the local community since they arrived in Ballymahon in1872 was a blessing to the parish.

He also mentioned how fitting it was to be celebrating former teachers Sister Agnes and Sister Maura in this way when it was also Catholic Schools Week.

He said, “I think I speak for all the people of the parish when I say that our spirits here have been lifted many, many times by the beautiful music and singing from the choir, Sunday after Sunday, as well as enhancing the liturgy on special occasions throughout the year and at Easter ceremonies and Christmas. Two major occasions to single out for special mention because of their contribution were the rededication of Saint Matthew’s Church in 1999 and its centenary celebration in 2006 not forgetting the visit to RTE studios for televised Mass”

Father Padraig went on to say ‘It was the present choir director Mary Clancy and organist Padraig McGowan who had made the original suggestion that this might be a suitable way to recognise and acknowledge Sisters Maura and Agnes for all their work over the years and from which we are still benefiting’ He referred to the church choir under their guidance as a key starting point for a number of successful talents in music, singing and performance that have emerged from both the school and church choirs over the years most notably opera singer, Regina Nathan.