| Farewell to Sr. Martha On behalf of Sr. Maeve, (who unfortunately cannot be with us today) and our Cluny Community, I welcome Sr. Martha’s family who are with us. There are some, however, who for one reason or another cannot be here. We think of her brother Paddy and other relatives and friends in Knocknagoshel, her niece Sr. Maria in Ghana, her sister-in-law and family in Australia. We bring them all, into our liturgy today, knowing how much they would love to have been with us for this final gathering and celebration of Sr. Martha’s Life. And so it is with great praise and thanksgiving we offer Sr. Martha back into the loving arms of our beloved Father who choose to call her home. |
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How does one describe Martha? I was speaking last night to one of the Spiritan Community, who rang offering his condolencses. He described her well when he said “she was one mighty woman! And how right he was. There are quite a few here who know her history. Her family especially her nieces and nephews have their own special memories of Aunty Martha as they lovingly called her. Then we have the sisters here with us today who shared community with her during her 55 years of missionary experience in Sierra Leone and the Gambia. They too have special memories, of a woman of deep faith, a large heart, a tenacious spirit of keeping on keeping on, in very difficult situations, in those early days in West Africa, when coping with severe hardships and difficulties, was the norm. Still in all of that Martha never wavered. |
| Looking back on those 55years, we find Martha engaged most of all with children in the class room. The Lord alone knows the number of pupils she prepared for 1st confession, 1st communion and confirmation, not to talk about her choirs and her contribution to sports, two extra-curricular activities, that called for high achievement at inter school sports competitions. In all of this, Martha gave of her best and her schools were always up there with the best. In addition, her teaching skills and experience led her from being a class teacher to assuming the role of Head Teacher and when the time came for localisation she willingly supported handing over the school to a lay woman. In the community Martha was a generous and supportive companion always sensitive to the needs of others, going out of her way to be of service. In latter years when she was semi retired she readily gave of her time and energy to the role of hospitality. The number of times she welcomed visitors, and especially sisters tired and weary having had a long journey, with a welcome smile and a nice cup of tea has had to be registered somewhere ! Another gift Martha used to the full, was her ability to talk with her pen. She was a prolific writer and saw this as a special apostolate, which she took very seriously. Consequently, until very recently, one rarely entered her room, not to find Martha writing to someone. It could be a past pupil, a fellow teacher, a family member or another sister. Never, I would say did Martha leave a letter unanswered. So for all of this and much more, we join together, in giving thanks for a life well lived. To God be the glory for all that was achieved by Martha in extending God’s kingdom of love justice and peace, in various circumstances up to and during her retirement here in Mt. Sackville. Once again we remember to thank our Chaplain, Fr. Desmond for being present to Sr. Martha. He was always there when needed with spiritual sustenance and gave her the rite of passage as late as a few hours before her death. For all of this and much more we say gur a miela mait agut. We are honoured to have with us representatives of the Spiritan Community with whom we have had a long lasting relationship since the beginning of time! Meaning since both congregations started working in partnership in West Africa in 1866. Fr. Jim Corry enjoyed a special relationship with Sr. Martha, a very practical one around making Marmalade, Fr. Jim had his own unique recipe for a good product and he let Martha in on it, consequently we all enjoyed Fr. Jim’s marmalade as it was called. Fr. Wally was a great friend to all Clunys and supported Martha’s school pupils among others with Terres des Hommes funds, during his years as Director. To both of them and to all our Spartans we say a big thanks not just for the marmalade and the funds but more especially for their spiritual support at all times. |
