The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Sr Marcellina O’Sullivan - a Religious who cast a long shadow
SR Marcellina O’Sullivan was born on July 6 1930 and passed away in the loving care of the staff of Fatima Nursing Home, Tralee, on the April 22 2017. She was a native of Listowel. Her mother was a staunch Kerry woman while her father hailed from Co Cavan. She went to school in Presentation Convent, Listowel, and completed her Leaving Certificate in Mountmellick. Her call in life was to the Presentation Congregation. Following first profession, Marcellina was sent to Castleisland and went on to study for a BSc and HDip in University College, Cork. Following her return to Castleisland, she enjoyed teaching science for many years in the local secondary.
From her earlier years, Marcellina loved nature. In a sense, she was ahead of her time in highlighting the importance of caring for the Earth - a forerunner of what Pope Francis has tried to instil in the minds and hearts of his people today in his encyclical Laudate Si. In order to put her love and care for the earth into practice, Marcellina became one of the founder members of Ireland’s first Field Study Centre in Knockadoon, Co Cork. Here, many groups of secondary students from all over Ireland enjoyed the study of plant and animal life as they learned to walk the earth with seeing eyes and open hearts. Yes, as Pope Francis has written: “This Earth is our Home.” Sr Marcellina also ensured that her students were always well represented in the Young Scientists of the Year Exhibition at the R.D.S. Through these experiments and exhibitions young people honed their entrepreneurial skills in preparation for the more scientific and digital advances of our world to-day.
Marcellina graduated with a Master’s Degree in 1976 - a year which was going to change the course of her life. God had other plans. Another calling awaited her. Marcellina was asked to take up the Post of Lecturer in Mater Dei Institute of Education, Dublin. Faithful to her vow of obedience, she answered the call. The words of the great poet, Robert Frost, in his poem “Walking by Woods on a Snowy Evening” must have resonated with her on that challenging call:
Your woods are lovely, Dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.
True, Marcellina had many miles to go in the journey of life. Following further studies for a Doctorate in Education at Columbia University in America, she was then promoted to the post of Director of Studies in Mater Dei. Here she prepared young people for the position of teaching Religious Education and other subjects in our schools. Today, many of her past students continue the personal and spiritual development of pupils.
This is a fitting occasion where we salute our parents and teachers who lay a solid foundation in this wonderful ministry of Religious Education. As in the Old Testament passage read at Sr. Marcellina’s Requiem Mass: “Some directed people by the wise words of their teaching… ..Their inheritance lives on in their descendents, their glory will not fade (Sirach 44: 1-15)
Marcellina made a tremendous contribution to society. Teaching colleagues have described her in terms of being a gracious woman, an outstanding educationalist and a dedicated religious. Former students are eloquent in their praise of her for the care and concern shown to each of them as well as professional excellence in her work.
Yet, despite her great achievements in life, Marcellina was somebody who, in the words of the Gospel ‘walked humbly with her God’. Her Presentation Community in Castleisland speak of her as somebody who was lovely to live with, a woman always ready with a helping hand, a person of love, prayer and selfless dedication. It has been said of her by all who knew her that “she was somebody driven by what was good for those around her, her family, her community, her students and what was always best for education.”
No doubt, Marcellina will be missed by all those whose lives she touched. Of course, she will be missed most of all by her community and family.
Deepest sympathy to the Presentation Congregation, to her own beloved Sisters, Mona and Therese, brotherin-law, Stephen, and their extended families. All who knew Marcellina can be happy in the knowledge that the world is a better place because of her love, the beauty she shared and the song she sang.May her noble soul rest in peace to rise in the glory of the Ressurection.