Paul O'Connor

Deceased Sisters

Paul O'Connor - United Kingdom
13/03/1926 - 03/02/2021

Catherine, the second child of four girls,

was born to Timothy O’Connor and Margaret (nee Foley)

at Ahaneboy, Glounsharoon, Castleisland, Co Kerry, Ireland.

In 1941 after attending Mein National School and the Presentation Convent School, Catherine entered the Marist Novitiate in Paignton, South Devon. This was during the 2^nd World War when German planes were flying over the land dropping their bombs, targeting large cities, towns, and other places of interest. Beautiful Paignton and Torquay did not escape. The often daily and nightly visits to air-raid shelters and the deafening sound of the siren must have been frightening experiences for Sr Paul, so different from her native peaceful Kerry. But she continued to persevere and follow the call to centre her life on Christ and the Gospel.

Sr Paul was received into the novitiate in Paignton, Devon on 14^th September 1942 and was professed on 16^th September 1943. After her First Profession, she stayed in Paignton for a year and, because of World War II, was evacuated with some Sisters from London to Stock in Essex. Her Final Profession was in St Prix, France on 26^th August 1949.

After finishing her teacher’s training course at Hopwood Hall, Teacher Training College in Liverpool, Sr Paul taught at St Augustine’s Parish School in Hythe, Kent. She was a very dedicated, inspiring teacher. Many of her past pupils, still living in Hythe remember her for her patience, thoughtfulness and sincerity. She resigned from St Augustine’s School in 1963 and from14^thJuly until 12^th September 1963 she made her Second Novitiate at the Marist Convent, Sunninghill, Berkshire.

Sr Paul was always very interested in Science and taught the subject in the Marist Convent Senior School, Sunninghill, Berkshire from 1963 until 1971. Sr Paul was then appointed as Community Leader in Hythe until 1974, after which she taught in the Senior School in Fulham for a year. In 1975 Sr Paul taught in St Dunstan’s Middle School, Woking, Surrey, until 1979, except for a few months – from January to July 1978 – when she was at home in Ireland caring for her mother.

From 1979 until 1980 Sr Paul taught in the Senior Schools in Sunninghill, Berkshire and then in Paignton until 1982. She was teaching in Barnstaple from then until 1984.

After following a Theology Course at Regina Mundi, Rome from 1984 to 1985, Sr Paul taught Religious studies in Fulham, South West London until 1989. Then she was appointed Community Leader in West Byfleet until 1995 when she returned to Hythe, having been appointed as Co-ordinator of Fatima House Retreat Centre and to the Pastoral Care of the Residents in Villa Maria until 2004. She continued the Pastoral Care in Villa Maria until 2010 when she retired from ministry. This she enjoyed for she was a very prayerful person and she loved sharing her faith with others.

She was also a member of the Christian Meditation group in Hythe. She said that it had helped her to have an open, compassionate attentiveness to whatever is going on and to realize that sitting “quiet and still” deepened one’s understanding of oneself.

Wherever Sr Paul was, she gave of her very best. She worked with total commitment and dedication. Possessing a warm, welcoming personality, she was always very approachable, caring and understanding. Her kindness, compassion and great humanity endeared her to people. She was a person of prayer, and the help she gave to others along this path was greatly appreciated. She had a deep love for Our Blessed Lady and her Marist Congregation. Above all, her spiritual life was her greatest concern. Her devotion to the Mass, Blessed Sacrament, Rosary and community prayer were the mainstay of her life.

Sr Paul received the Sacrament of the Sick for the last time on Tuesday, 2^nd February and from then it was obvious that her days were numbered. At 7.00am next day she surrendered her life to the Lord whom she had served so faithfully. May she now reap the reward of the good and faithful servant.

Sr Paul’s funeral took place on 1^st March 2021. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions her coffin was in the Funeral Car outside the chapel during the Mass.

When the celebration was completed, her niece, Anne, with her husband and the community of Villa Maria, assembled outside the chapel near the hearse to sprinkle Holy Water on the coffin. Fr Teeling asked the undertakers to stop outside the gates where her friends were gathered so they could pray for Sr Paul and bid her farewell. The funeral procession then made its way to Hawkinge Cemetery where the usual prayers were recited at the graveside and the Salve Regina was sung.

Deceased Sisters

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