The SS.CC. Sisters and Brothers and a few special friends celebrated Brigid Falahee’s 22 years of life in the Philippines and Asia on March 12th with the Eucharist and a festive dinner and entertainment as we bid Farewell before she returns to Ireland on March 20, 2018. Of Brigid’s 22 years, she served us as formator of novices in the ss.cc. collaborative Novitiate, superior of local communities, coordinator of the Sisters in the Philippines, Major Superior of Asia, Vicar General of the Congregation and Formator of Temporary Professed Sisters.
During the Eucharist, touching remembrances of her life-giving presence were shared by ss.cc. Sisters and Brothers who experienced her generosity, love and guidance, and God’s countless blessings were invoked in the measure of His wisdom and glory. A moving moment of the Eucharist was the sending of Brigid by each final professed Sister and Brother imposing the statue of Our Lady of Peace upon her to protect her on her journey and on-going adventure with God.
The festive dinner was punctuated with song and dance reflecting the international cultures we share: Filipino, Indian, Indonesian and Irish (the Irish Dance performed by our Sisters surprised and delighted everyone).
Throughout the evening, we expressed our profound thanks to Brigid for her loving presence and service in the Philippines and Asia. We celebrated that she is indeed an image of the heart of God in our world today, gentle and humble. If she is sometimes not easy to understand, she always touches our hearts. She cares and reaches out to others in need with great generosity, love and deep empathy. She is very respectful of others, easy to forgive and maintains communion among the Sisters. Each Sister loves her for no one can resist love. We will miss her very much, and we believe we will be united in prayer every single day as the Good Mother says: “to the Heart nothing is far away”.
The evening ended with the Irish Blessing, “May the Road Rise Up to Meet You…” and the priestly blessing of an Irish religious who blessed our community in many ways throughout the time we have known him. To Brigid we say, “Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand”.
03/20/2018