Sr Ita passed away peacefully to Eternal Life on Wednesday 24th December 2025 in the loving care of the Sisters and staff at the Loughshinny Residential Home.
Removal of remains to Convent Chapel, Magheramore, Co Wicklow on Saturday 27th December 2025 at 5.30pm
Funeral mass on Sunday 28th December 2025 at 11.30am in the Convent Chapel followed by burial in the Convent cemetery
HOMILY
We are gathered here to celebrate the farewell liturgy of our beloved Sister Ita. The readings we have just heard were chosen by Ita herself and they tell us how God calls, forms, guides and supports the missionary. The response of the missionary is summed up in five words by Ita herself: ALL GLORY IS FOR GOD.
It is fitting that Ita’s farewell liturgy is taking place on the feast of the Holy Family. Ita’s formation into the outstanding missionary she became, began in her faith-filled family home. During the past year, she told me a number of times how grateful to God she was for having good parents and for the values they passed on of goodness, faith and prayer. She wrote about an indelible memory she had from her childhood, of her father despite severe rheumatism kneeling down and saying a quiet rosary while the rest of the family attended May devotions. Her lifelong love for creation was nourished by quiet walks with her sister Brighid in the fields near home. The wild flowers in spring became “wonder nourishers”, she wrote, and she was enthralled by the wait for transformation of the fledgling into finch, and the tadpole into frog. In her later years while very frail and weak, contemplating nature outside her window in our Nursing Home brought her great joy and peace. Thanks to Paddy for the bird box.
Slive Gullion was Ita’s home. How she loved this mountain, its history and the culture and people living around it, rich in storytelling and song, resilient in hardship, sensitive to injustice and discrimination and above all, true neighbors. She was one of them.
Ita was formed early in life by grief and loss. It was World War II and everything was scarce including jam. A local factory began to make jam and blackberries were needed. Ita and her siblings picked fruit from the hedges near home and with some of the money received from the sale, Ita’s mother bought her a new coat. She remembered the journey to Newry and her mother allowing her to choose the coat, her first not hand-me -down one, – it was blue and lovely. Six months later, she wore the coat to her mother’s funeral and the mourning diamond on the sleeve she wrote was the color of blackberries. She was eleven years old. Her beloved sister Brighid assumed her care. A few years later, her father died, and Brighid, assisted by her siblings, ensured that Ita continued her education.
She studied in St. Mary’s Training College in Belfast and graduated with distinction in 1952 as a primary school teacher. She taught in primary school for three years but the call to missionary life was strong and she entered Cahiracon in 1955. In 1958, immediately after first profession, she was assigned to Malate School in the Philippines. Back teaching again in a profession she loved, Ita grew to appreciate the culture and the people. And many of her pupils and teachers alike became life-long friends. Her musical gifts had ample scope and she recalled that it was during the preparation for a concert in 1964 that she was asked to return immediately to Ireland to take up the role of Socia. She gave her all to her new assignment placing her trust in God. She recognized potential in the Sisters and produced wonderful dramas such as Twelfth Night and Riders to the Sea. She fostered a love of poetry. In training the choir, she put all her heart and her skills of listening and directing into achieving harmony and beauty. All for God’s glory.
She was to spend eleven years in Ireland holding different roles in formation and administration after which she had the opportunity to study in Chicago. Having graduated with a Masters Degree in Religious Education and a Diploma in Campus Ministry, she returned to her beloved Philippines in 1977. In Immaculate Conception College in Ozamis, she helped coordinate religious education as well as being the campus minister. Here she accompanied three young Filipina sisters and each Christmas produced wonderful programs. After just four years, Ita had once more to leave her mission as in 1981 she was chosen to become Superior General. Along with her team, she oversaw changes from Vatican II and supported communities affected by political unrest. Joan Sawyer’s murder in Lima affected her deeply. Her greatest gift from these years she said was to be able to witness the wonderful dedication of Sisters in their missions.
In 1988 after completing her term as Congregational Leader, Ita was assigned back to the Philippines to Molave and two years later to Midsalip, where for a number of years the Sisters had been engaged in a Dialogue of Life and Faith with the Subanen people. There was a long drought that year, many children died of malnourishment and the people’s right to land, health and education were being ignored. Against this background, Ita studied their language and with her deep respect for the people and their culture, she very soon gained their trust. The cultural leaders shared their stories which they allowed her to tape and she returned the stories back to them in book form to be passed on to their children and grandchildren. They shared their history. And Ita wrote and produced a pageant. It was attended by over a thousand Subanens, many of whom had hiked long hours to be there. Watching the beauty and richness of their culture on stage and hearing their history of standing up to oppression, uplifted their hearts and gave them courage to continue the struggle to protect their ancestral lands. Ita wholeheartedly supported the struggle. At a rally against Rio Tinto, the largest mining company in the world who had applied to mine their lands, as Ita handed out posters against the company which she had helped to prepare, a Columban priest from Northern Ireland who was there to support the rally pointed to Ita and said to the parish priest “There’s South Armagh for you.”
Passionate about the rights of the Subanen to literacy, Ita trained staff to teach adults and children, and provided them with materials, all in the language of the people. She herself taught the cultural leaders to write their names. Having been invited to do this, she saw it as an incredible gift.
When Ita left Midsalip to return home, the Subanens were heartbroken. But in truth she didn’t really leave. She continued to help the mission in any way she could. When she wrote the book ‘Spirit is Alive’ the people’s response was “Our story is told. We can never be forgotten.” She rejoiced when all was going well. And when things were difficult, she asked the Sisters in the Nursing Home to pray with her.
Ita had a deep love for our congregation. She was very happy to respond to the leader’s request to write up the stories of our first Sisters. To our younger Sisters from Asia, she reached out in love and affirmation. Truly, all her mission was for the glory of God.
Her motto was “Ubi Caritas et Amor Deus ibi est.” She strived to live this to the full. Wherever Ita was, she reached out to people in love and friendship. And many will miss her today. But love always remains and we can be consoled that Ita has journeyed to the heart of God to the source of love.
In a few minutes we will listen to the Magnificat being sung in Filipino. As Ita gave her all that God be glorified, we will join with her and with Mary whom Ita loves so dearly in saying “My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Sr. Kathleen Melia