WCP Mullingar celebrate life of Sr Finbarr
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Bernard Breslin, brother of the late Sr Finbarr, was delighted with the portrait by John McDermott which he said captured the essence of his late sister.Image 2 of 5
Mary Healy who worked with Sr Finbarr for many years, and Pearse Murphy, director of the Women’s Community Projects governing body, at the unveiling of a portrait of the late Sr Finbarr Breslin at the Mullingar Parish Community Centre last Tuesday.Image 3 of 5
Angela Frost and Liz O’Neill of the Mullingar Homecare Services at the unveiling of a portrait of the late Sr Finbarr by local artist John McDermott.Image 4 of 5
Mr McDermott donated the fee for his painting to TEAM, and Martin Marshall accepted it on their behalf.Image 5 of 5
It is hard to believe that it is the third anniversary of Sr Finbarr’s death; in fact, it is hard to refer to Sr Finbarr in the past tense at all; it’s as if we expect her to come around the corner any minute, remarked Liam Hughes, chairman of the Women’s Community Projects Mullingar.
He was speaking at the unveiling of a portrait of the late Sr Finbarr Breslin by local artist John McDermott at the Parish Community Centre last Tuesday.
The Women’s Community Projects Mullingar (WCPM) was founded by Sr Finbarr in 1985 and Mr Hughes said that since then it has thrived, organising private counselling, childcare, community employment and adult education of the highest standard. “That is down to the professionalism and dedication of our wonderful staff,” he said.
Mr Hughes said it was amazing the number of people that did not know about the WCPM, but it was equally amazing how many had found it life changing to avail of their services. “It has been hidden in plain sight in the Parish Community Centre for the last 38 years,” he said.
Mr Hughes called on Sr Finbarr’s brother Bernard Breslin to unveil a portrait of her by Mr McDermott, who spoke of his own family’s association with Sr Finbarr. Mr McDermott donated his fee for the painting to TEAM, the temporary emergency accommodation facility in Mullingar. Martin Marshall accepted the donation on behalf of TEAM.
Mr Breslin said he was delighted to be at the unveiling. He remarked that Sr Finbarr never talked much about her work, but whenever she was home in Laois, she was always eager to get back to Mullingar. He said the portrait was “very fitting, exactly as she would have wanted it, it epitomises her”. Bernard and his three sisters are the four remaining members of the Breslin family of 10.
Aisling Mortell-Beglan, training and education co-ordinator with the WCPM, said Sr Finbarr had been a pioneer in the area, setting up the childcare service, community education, counselling and the TEAM facility, Teach Fáilte. Her accomplishments were too numerous to remember, she said.
Aisling was delighted that Sr Finbarr’s brother and many members of the Sister of Mercy order were present, along with past and present staff members, representatives of TEAM, the Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board, and the Homecare services.
Prior to the unveiling, Mass was concelebrated in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, to mark Sr Finbarr’s third anniversary. The chief celebrant was Very Rev Fr Phil Gaffney.