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Mercy celebrates 40 years of ministry in Nigeria on 10th May 2010

The Ruby Jubilee Celebrations of the Mercy Sisters in Nigeria began on Sunday night 9th May with the Sisters welcoming Ambassador Kyle O Sullivan on the tarmac of Yola airport surrounded by six armed policemen, Secret Service Officers, and the protocol personnel from the Governor’s office! Father Aodan McCrystal, SMA also travelled on the plane from Abuja with the Ambassador, and he had the title of “Chaplain” to Mr O’Sullivan, while they were here with us !
The retinue whisked into the Cathedral compound to the Mercy house where the Sisters from the Region and some friends welcomed the Ambassador. After a tasty supper and a drop of Baileys all adjourned until the morning.

Sr. Kathleen Hannon speaking to Mr. Kyle O'Sullivan & Mr. Gerry McBarron P.W.

At quarter to nine the next morning Sr. Carmel Loye and Fr. Fives OSA accompanied Ambassador O’Sullivan to Government House where he was formally welcomed to Adamawa State. A number of television stations carried the event in their evening news. 

By 10 am all was ready for the Eucharistic Celebration of Thanksgiving. The Diocesan Administrator , Rev. Fr. Boniface Dadah welcomed the Congregation to the Cathedral and Sr. Maire McGann, Regional Leader welcomed the people on behalf of the Sisters of Mercy. 

As the choir sang “Enter rejoice and come in”, the entrance procession of 35 priests and Bishop Charles Hamawa of Jalingo entered St. Theresa’s Cathedral with Carmel carrying the Book of the Gospels. All the guests were people who worked with the Sisters since 1969 to the present time and those who live on our compound. Mr Dominic Dugeri who started the Charismatic Renewal Movement in the Diocese with Sr. Mary Jo Sheehy, read the first reading and Sr. Celsus Nealon FMDM who was in Yola to welcome the Mercies to Nigeria read the second reading. The homilist Fr.Colin Fives OSA gave an enlightening and perceptive insight into the ministry of the Mercy Sisters as he ministered beside them for many years. 

Sr. Agnes Crowley did the commentary on the Presentation of gifts at the Offertory. Each gift represented Mercy and mercy ministeries over the years. Sr. Goretti carried the Constitutions of the Sisters of Mercy, a first aid box carried by Maria Bonaventure a former worker in the clinic in Bare, encyclopedia carried by a CRI pupil from education sector, Noni plant from pastoral ministeries, the earth ball carried by Dauda from the Ecological Centre, Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech of 1994 was brought by Patrick Danboyi, as well as the bread and water and wine carried by David and Paddy and Maryamu, our allies for many years.  The Creation Eucharistic prayer was listened to with great reverence and gave a sense of the inclusion of all of life. 

Sr. Agnes Crowley explaining the Offertory Symbols

At the communion Sr. Juliana Yarkwan sang the Suscipe accompanied by the choir. The communion reflection, Mercy by Ruth Patterson, was read by Sr. Kathleen Hannon. 

Just before the final blessing the Ambassador addressed the Congregation briefly, bringing the greetings and congratulations of the Irish people to the Mercy Sisters in Nigeria and giving high praise to Irish missionaries who have given their country a great reputation for peace making and development. He also thanked the people of the State of Adamawa for welcoming and caring for the Sisters over the past 40 years. 

Bishop Charles Hamawa, who was our former cathedral Administrator paid a glowing tribute to the work of the Sisters in the Yola diocese for 40 years . He also thanked the Sisters for opening peoples’ minds to the need for caring for the earth and for living in a sustainable manner. 

As the choir sang the recessional song ,The Circle of Mercy, the Congregation filtered outside to the Cathedral compound where the second part of the festivities began. When all were seated under the colourful canopies. The MC for the occasion, Michael Eduka, welcomed all and called on Fr. Emmanuel Jimma to say the opening prayer. 

The first part of the entertainment began with the women of Rahama Centre dancing and singing “Up with People”. This was followed by a number of speeches: Francis Naji on behalf of the people of Yola diocese, Sr. Maire on behalf of the Mercy Sisters, and Grace Fidelis on behalf of the youth of Yola.
The blessing and the cutting of the cake was another highlight. Bishop Hamawa led the Ambassador , the Diocesan Administrator and the Mercy Sisters to the podium for this. The cake was made by Sr. Celsus Nealon FMDM. It was beautifully iced. In the centre was our Mercy Cross and it was surrounded by beautiful fruit and flowers and leaves, and by the sun moon and stars, a truly ecological cake that tasted like manna! 

Cutting the Cake

L-R: Srs. Goretti Kelleher, Kathleen Hannon, Agnes Crowley, Carmel Loye, Mr Kyle O'Sullivan, Sr. Maire McGann, Bishop Charles Hamawa Jalingo, Srs. Caroline Kinyua, Margaret Slattery & Juliana Yarkwan

The entertainment continued by the State Cultural Dancing troupe which all enjoyed. 

And then it was time to eat. Sr. Margaret Slattery and Sr. Caroline Kinyua had a very well organized team for the distribution of the food and beverages and all were well fed and satisfied. The cake was also distributed and all had a tasty bite.
A special wee calendar commemorating the event was also distributed as well as key rings and biros and handkerchiefs. All were delighted with their mementos.
The pupils of St. Teresa’s primary school and the Zumunta Mata continued to entertain us and then it was time for the vote of thanks by David Kikuyu and the closing prayer by Sr. Esther Shebi OLF Sister. 

Later on Fr. Boniface Dadah the Diocesan Administrator presented 40 trees to the Sisters of Mercy as a token of gratitude from the Diocese for their untiring zeal in the vineyard of the Lord. Some of the trees were fruit trees and some were endangered indigenous species and some were biomass trees suitable for green manure. These trees will be planted by the Sisters in various places where the Mercy Sisters have ministered. 

After the festivities Ambassador O’Sullivan and his entourage went with Sr. Marie to visit the Sabon Rayuwa Centre in Kofare. Later that evening a group went with the ambassador to the PW camp where the festivities continued.
On Tuesday morning we accompanied the Ambassador back to the airport with the same security entourage that had stayed with him throughout his visit. At the VIP lounge we met the Deputy Governor of the State and the Speaker of the House who were to travel on the same plane with Mr. O’Sullivan. 

We enjoyed a nice 'deoch' (drink) that evening as we recalled the events of the Ruby Jubilee and admired the gifts and good wishes we received from many friends.

Sr. Goretti Kelleher