‘Words cannot express the debt of gratitude owed, by the people of Mayobridge, to this Community of Sisters of St Clare, and although they now reside in Newry since 12th February 2010, they are still very much part of Mayobridge.’ (Mayobridge Parish Website) What type of Ministry (work, activities etc) is/are the Community/Sisters involved in?

They have been working actively for 91 years and even though they sadly have moved physically into Newry, they are still Ministering in the Parish. The Sisters of St Clare have a long history within the Parish. The Sisters continue to help out in the school in various ways. Sr Attracta, Sr Elizabeth and Sr Josephine, some of our current Sisters, ministered in our school for many, many years. Many Sisters down the years taught in the school and shared the Franciscan Charism with the people of Mayobridge. Mother Mary Evangelista was appointed assistant teacher on the 1st February 1926 to replace Mother Mary Bonaventure, who was transferred to Newry as Novice Mistress. The new schools were opened on the 20th May 1927. It, along with two rooms in the Convent, was used to accommodate the pupils pending the completion of the new school. Due to legal technicalities, building work on a proposed new school was delayed and, with the existing school being considered unsafe, a temporary classroom, later called the Sodality Room, was built. They were also allocated duties as sacristan to the Church Mother Mary Josephine and Mother Mary Bonaventure were appointed assistant teachers in the boys’ school. The rules of the Order were relaxed allowing the Sisters to attend Mass publicly and to teach. They were installed on the 25th February 1924. By January 1924, the following Sisters were chosen for the foundation: Mother Mary Anthony Clune, Mother-in-Charge, Mothers Mary Josephine O’Hare, Mary Dominic Ryan, Mary Elizabeth Corr and Mary Gabriel Breen. The foundation stone was laid and blessed on the 3rd May 1923 by Most Reverend Dr Mulhern. The decision to found the Convent in Mayobridge was taken on the 3rd October 1922 and the building of the new convent proceeded very shortly after that. Her generosity has had a profoundly beneficial effect upon the spiritual and educational welfare of all the people in the district.

She donated her house and property to Most Reverend Dr Mulhern, Bishop of Dromore, with the express wish that a convent be established there. Clare’s Convent was founded in 1924 due to the inspirational benevolence of Elizabeth Barry. History of the Community in the Parish: St.

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