My name is Bridget Mullahy and Sr Catherine is my great aunt. It is a real honour for me to speak today. A day where we come together to celebrate the 96 years of Sr Catherine's life - and on a day where we also get to celebrate the 75 years of religious life that Sr Catherine lead after being ordained at the age of 21. Born in the west of Ireland, this commitment saw her live in Algeria, Belguim, France, Kidderminster (UK), Corduff (Ireland) before spending spending three months in 2004 in the west of Ireland and moving here to Bromley. I am so grateful to have been able to spend the time with her in Ireland, in Australia when Sr Catherine visited in 1997 and here in England over the last nine years. Time where I listened attentively to all the stories. Oh she loved to tell stories! And sing songs and speak French too! But the stories is what kept me enthralled. She knew how to command your attention in a softly spoken way so that you would listen to her. Like the time she took the coin and her mother told her a story about how Jesus would feel so that she learnt it was wrong and gave it back. Or the time, as only a small child, she ran away from home. She made it as far as the haystack before the cold and hunger brought her back to her loving mother. Sr Catherine was very proud to be a Mullahy. She spoke of the characteristics shared by our family and those we welcomed into the fold – gentle, handsome, hard-working people with a great sense of humor. I would also add a little bit of stubbornness to this list! I absolutely adored Sr Catherine, as did everyone I met who knew her. Sr Catherine was quick-witted, cheeky at times and always knew far more than she let on. She also had a way with words that meant people remembered what she said and I'll share some of these with you shortly. Sr Catherine had a real eye for detail and always asked fondly for updates on any family I had been in contact with. I was always amazed at the detail Sr Catherine recalled of her extended family. It was very clear that her family meant everything to her - and she was loved dearly back by them all in return all over the world - here in England, in Ireland, Australia and America. So it's at this point that I'd like to acknowledge all those who could not be here today - without wanting to delve into a long list or leave anyone out. They so regret not being able to join us that I have been inundated with stories and photos to share! So many, that to give the wonderful contributions any justice I am creating a website where they can be shared amongst the family. Yes that's right, Sr Catherine's stories, which has been published in the past in her memoires, will now enter the digital age! I am now going to share some snippets of the stories that have been sent to me – and I can tell you that the art of storytelling certainly does not rest with Sr Catherine, as it apparent that all my relatives have it! (Please note the full full transcripts can be read in the story section of this website). Sean Mullahy, nephew in Australia: My first memory of Sr Catherine was with Sister Imelda when they arrived in to the railway station at Round Forth. In about 1950/51 they had come to Ireland on holiday from France, the holiday was usually for two weeks. We went to the station to collect them in the horse and trap. My dad drove the horse and mam, Liam and I went along for the trip. When the two sisters got off the train onto the platform they wore the usual, dark vale and white attire (magpiesuit). Well I remember thinking these are funny looking outfit these people are wearing. This was the first time I had ever met or seen the nuns. As we drove home, dad, mam, and the Sisters chatted and laughing. Liam and I were sitting there quietly just listening. Every so often they would use a funny word or two in the conversation. Words I had never heard before like “madame”, “monsieur”, “bonjour”. The nuns:- we always referred to them as the nuns everybody did in that time. The nuns would take us on day trips to visit all their religious connections in Roscommon, Castlereagh and French Park and all around Mayo. We would have the time of our life going gallivanting every day. Gallivanting was one of Sr Catherine’s favourite sayings. We were also very well looked after with chocolate, sweets and lollies. When the holidays came to an end and the nuns had to be returned to the station once again to return to France, I remember it was a very sad time and there would be lots of tears shed by young and old alike. Those early childhood years were great times to be a part of and most memorable. Sr Catherine, Sr Imelda and all our uncles and aunties had a big influence on us in our early formative years and made an everlasting impression on us right through our daily lives. For that to you Sr Catherine (Aunty Mary) and all who have passed, we are so deeply indebted. Rest in peace. Marian Mullahy (Sean’s wife): My Mum also wanted me to also share with you this short story. When my Mum, Marian, visited a few years ago Sr Catherine's hearing was starting to fade. My mum tried to convince Sr Catherine to get a hearing aid. She said with a smile: "What I don't know won't bother me" My Mum responded, "but maybe it will bother other people?" To which she responded: "Well you can just tell them to stop talking to me!" Padraic Mullahy, nephew from Ireland on holiday in Australia: On behalf of her only surviving sister in-law, Peggy and myself, we would like to share a few memories of times with Sr Catherine. Growing up as a 10/11 year old to hear a nun was coming on holidays was a big event in the west of Ireland but to hear four were coming was very big. Which is what happened in 1973 when all four sisters were home together since they had joined the nuns. It turned out to be the only time. How Sr Catherine enjoyed acting as chauffeur driving them and Bro Celba around for a month. Next big event was Pat’s wedding, again she had car home from the UK, a green mini, again she done some miles. Years later when she was in Dublin, callers from the west or overseas (US, Australia) always got a great welcome and never left without tea or a full meal. A major talking point for her and the other nuns, was when I pulled in one evening driving a 40 ton truck. They thought they were being invaded - they lived in a 3 ton limit zone but I hadn’t know that until I got there! On the occasion of her 90th birthday party, the excitement, delight, happiness when William and myself walked in, she was so delighted she kept calling us her two favourite nephews all evening. May she look down on us and guide us. May she rest in peace. Joan Riley from Boston, USA: Long before I met them in person, I had a long distance relationship with Sister Catherine, Sister Imelda, Sister Martina, and Brother Celba through the postal service. My father, Martin, was their older brother. It was a Mullahy ritual that each one of us (myself and 4 siblings) had to send each of them a letter for Christmas and for Easter. There would be a return letter from them to us and my father proudly read them to us wherein they explained their devotion to their missionary work. Years went by and we met Sister Catherine in a new way. In 1969, Sister Catherine wrote to all of us (the Watertown Mullahys) and asked us if we would help her fulfill a promise that she had made to a poor parish priest in Marseille, France. He wanted to come to the United States and she had raised the funds for him to fly to Boston and she now wanted to execute the trip. Her request was for us to host him and “show him a good time”. Of course, we said yes and he spent 6 weeks amongst all of us. From this experience, I began to understand not only that Sister Catherine dreamed big dreams, but also had the unique ability to carry out these dreams. In her own quiet yet strong way, she was a “mover and shaker”. More years went by. One day my mother called to tell me that Sister Catherine, Sister Imelda, and Brother Celba were coming to visit. It feels just like yesterday that the three of them came to our house, sat down at our dinner table with our 6 young rambunctious children and they held us all in rapture. The method, perfected by Sister Catherine, was storytelling. She told stories about the past and the present… about Bushfield, England, and Australia. By designed story, she introduced us to cousins that we had not met. In the late 80’s Sister Catherine wrote a letter to my brother Bill. She told him that he was one of her favorite nephews and she had a “dying wish”. She wanted to go to Australia to visit her nephews and their families and she had chosen Bill to take her. She also told him that if he could not do that, would he ask her other favorite, John Riley. We have laughed forever over that request. First, was the unanswered question, who was the favorite? Second, who was taking who? …Bill taking Sister Catherine or Sister Catherine taking Bill. Of course, we all knew the answer. Bill, who never took a vacation, took 3 weeks off and went with her. I wish he were here to relay the details of the story. She knew the bus drivers, pilots, taxi drivers, anyone who could contribute to the journey for her. They were treated like royalty in Australia. This story has a wonderful ending. A couple of weeks after Sister Catherine left, Bill met one of his business clients. The client told Bill an interesting story. He said he flew to Dublin recently and had met a Sister. She engaged him in conversation and in the midst of this, he shared with her that he had not been going to church. She urged him to go back to Sunday Mass and made him promise to do this. He then added that in midst of the conversation, she asked the hostess if they had “Hennessey” offered in this flight. Bill’s client was totally impressed with her and Bill said to him, “That’s my aunt and we have just returned from Australia”. He said, “how do you know this?” To which Bill replied, “It is too coincidental since my aunt, Sister Catherine, is a religious Sister is returning to Dublin and likes Hennessey!” Oh so many wonderful memories, we cannot roll back time. John and I are grateful for all that Sister gave to us: being generous, wise, caring, beautiful, funny, strategic, wry, prayerful, God centered… All of these attributes and more. Thank you Sister Catherine. We will meet again in heaven. We are counting on your being there to make sure the gates are open. Love, The Rileys (Joan, John and family) Eileen Riley Montague, Great Niece in the USA: I did want to share with you some thoughts and memories of Sister Catherine. I am so pleased you will be speaking at her funeral Mass, and it is so special for both of you that you had so much time with her. When Carter and I think of Sister Catherine, we mostly think of her presence and her laughter. And a long list of very funny stories – most of which she told. While our visits were often spread out over time, she is just someone who was always present in my life. Some specific memories I have include a particular visit to her in Dublin where she took me, Sheelah and our friend and asked us to come upstairs with her. When we were there, she told us she wanted to show us Sr. Martine’s room, so we could know we had seen the room of a Saint. I also have a clear memory of a fall drive to visit my sister Meg in college. I had come home to see Sr. Catherine in Boston from California and we headed out to see Meg play in a soccer game. I recall us on the sideline of the game, and the ball came out of bounds to her, and she touched it before the ball went back into the game. Shortly there after, Meg’s team scored, and she was the hero of the moment for of course her touch having changed the course of the game, which she enjoyed immensely. It still strikes me as such a special person and so telling of who Sister Catherine was that she could be as comfortable and natural sharing the peace of Sr Martine’s room and their small chapel as she was on in the midst of a group American college students. I will miss her. Sheelah Sullivan (Riley), Great Niece in the USA: I wanted to send you some short thoughts that my husband Dan and I have about Sister Catherine. If I could see her again, which I believe I will in heaven - I would tell her what a difference she made on one of the most important days of my life - my wedding. First of all - she came. No small feat, since she was 85 at the time. I have only realized her age having done the math as I was sitting here. You would not have known it to see her on the dance floor at the wedding! When she arrived to Boston before the wedding, of course all the day had been organized, down to the littlest thing. However, as only Sister Catherine could, she asked in her special way, "Now Sheelah, I have come all this way, picked a special outfit...when do you want me to speak in the Mass? I have written something for the occasion." I was, of course, touched that at 85 she was still willing (and happy! ) to take the effort to speak. Her words at the Mass were from her heart, and I cannot express how much they meant to Dan and me. Furthermore, the testimony of her impact was also felt by so many others at the Mass, who came up to both of us to say how Sister Catherine's words set the joyous tone for the day. So, while I have so many special memories of her - visiting her on the weekends when I lived in Ireland, bringing my college roommate to meet her so she could Irish dance for her and the other nuns, taking her out to dinner with my father, bringing my oldest daughter Joan Catherine to London to meet with great-great-aunt she was named after - my wedding day will always stand out in my mind. It brings out all that she was too me - kind, funny, and holy, with a little bit of flair for any occasion. Bridget continued: I'd also like to mention James Patrick who Sister Catherine was very find of and who visited from Manchester regularly. He unfortunately could not be here today and although I don't recall meeting him, I have certainly met the singing Elvis teddy that he gave to Sr Catherine and has brought her (and the rest of us) so much joy! There are so many stories that I couldn't possible go through them all but it is a real testament to Sr Catherine. With my family here - her nieces and nephews over from Ireland and Shannon Mullahy over from Australia - I am sure there will be plenty more stories afterwards! As for some of the conversations I've had with Sr Catherine, I do recall fondly that she used to like making a passing comment to me about being old. I used to pull her up on it every time and tell her "if I make it to your age and I am in half as good form as you I'll be a very happy woman!" And you know what, I meant it! Sr Catherine in my eyes had a vitality and quality of life that I greatly admire. I only wish I had been able to visit her more. I've travelled lots over the last 7 years while I've been based in London and now that I'm in my 30s Sr Catherine did advise that I should find a nice man and settle down but that I needed to "find a man you like better than yourself". One day while I recounted my recent trip to the Balkans she said with a quip: "you've travelled to all those countries and you still haven't found a husband." This has me giggling even to this day and I'm hoping Sr Catherine and Sr John Patrick RIP are still working on it from where they are now and putting in a good word for me! While I speak today sad that Sr Catherine has moved on from this life, I am extremely proud of who she was and the life that she lived. I am also grateful that I had the opportunity to hold her hand and tell her this in her final days. I know that the time we have spent together means that she will always be with me and a part of my life. Additionally, I would like to extend a deeply sincere thank you on behalf of my family to the Trinitarian Sisters and the Holy Trinity Convent, especially Sr John Madeleine, and all those who have loved her, cared for her and gave her a warm home. A warm home that has always been shared with me (like last night) and my family whenever we visited. This has given us such fond memories that we will treasure always. I know that where Sr Catherine is right now she will be able to rest in peace knowing that she is loved and missed here and in all corners of the globe... now and forever.