Greg DalyAn iconic Limerick church is to remain open with American help.
Four apostolic sisters from the Nashville, Tennessee-based Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia will move into the priory at St Saviour’s Church on Glentworth Street in August 2016, keeping alive the Dominican order’s almost 800-year association with Limerick.
St Saviour’s was one of five Dominican communities identified for closure after the order’s Master General, Fr Bruno Cadoré, asked the Irish Dominicans to withdraw from some priories in order to better its mission in fewer places.
Ordained
Although eight student brothers are expected to be ordained this year and the province has been receiving regular vocations, it is overstretched following several decades when vocations were not so plentiful.
St Dominic’s Church in Athy, Ireland’s first post-Vatican II church, closed on November 22.
Fr Bernard Treacy OP, spokesman for the Irish province, told The Irish Catholic that the decision to invite the American Dominican sisters to Limerick had wholly originated with Limerick’s Bishop Brendan Leahy.
Dr Leahy told The Limerick Leader he was surprised that the Nashville sisters were so eager to help him. “I got an immediate reply as the sisters came back to say they were interested in exploring the possibility,” he said, explaining that two sisters visited the city last summer.
“I think this is a wonderful development,” he said, describing it as “a sign of hope for us all”.
The order’s Prioress General, Mother Ann Marie, told the Limerick newspaper that the “entire community is very excited about being part of the life of the Church in the Diocese of Limerick”, continuing, “this is a gift and privilege for us”.
Idea
Although the idea of inviting the sisters originated with the Bishop of Limerick rather than with the Irish Dominican province, Fr Treacy said the province is pleased the landmark church would continue to serve the people of Limerick.
“Of course we are glad that the ministry will continue,” he said.