Opening the Door of the Mercy Sisters House, Upper Main St., Ballymahon, Co Longford, Ireland

On Wednesday, 16 December 2015, a group of parishioners and a jovial group of Transition Year students from Mercy Secondary School with their Principal, Josephine Donohue and Deputy Principal, Micheál Walsh were gathered on the street awaiting our return from Mass to begin our ritual. We were delighted to see the assembled group who were joined by our Parish Priest, Fr. Liam Murray, teachers from Mercy Secondary School and the Transition Year Co-ordinator Kate Bohan.

L-r: Fr Liam Murray, Ms Josephine Donohue (Principal) and Sr. Mary Kerrane with  students from Mercy Secondary School after opening the Door of Mercy at Sisters of Mercy House in Ballymahon.

After a little warm up session with Úna Purcell to ensure we would be in full voice, Sr. Mary Kerrane welcomed us all. Maura Conlon was a very welcoming doorkeeper. We prayed and sang as we crossed the threshold that we would open the door of our hearts to God’s love and mercy and bring compassion and love to all. Led by our young people, parishioners and Sr. Vincent Keena we processed in song to the oratory where we continued our prayer for mercy for our world today. Even though Elizabeth Brady was unable to attend, some of our neighbours ensured that they visited her in her bedroom before they departed.

We chatted over a cup of tea and we thoroughly enjoyed the event. In fact we were enjoying the company so much we forgot to take photographs until all was over!

'May we continue to honour the flame of mercy that burns within us!'

Messages to: Una Purcell rsm