On Sunday, May 1, Sister Bridie Lough said goodbye to Ica and to the “pueblo” of San Martín.

As we said goodbye to her after 19 years work in Parish Ministry, we felt sadness on the one hand at parting with Bridie but we also felt very proud of what she had achieved. She had over her years here won the people’s confidence and helped them in their journey of faith, awakening in them a great desire to build up the Christian Community.

The despedida Mass was celebrated by our Bishop, Mons Hector Vera Colona, assisted by the parish priest of the parish, Fr. Marco Antonio Martinez, and Fr. Victor Atuncar.

After the Mass we all gathered for some refreshments. There were many words of thanks, interspersed with song and dance, each group putting forward of their best.

In our Columban community we miss her but we are grateful for the life we shared together and we wish her many blessings as she returns to Ireland and continues her missionary journey there.

Bridie enjoyed every moment of the celebrations, well aware of the hours of preparation and practice that had gone into each presentation. It was surely a gesture that exemplified the esteem in which Bridie was held.