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Sisters in Portland, Once Missioned to the Bahamas, Help Hurricane Victims There
Due to the special relationship between the sisters in Portland and the people of the Bahamas, where approximately 16 sisters previously served, the sisters are engaged in Hurricane Dorian relief efforts in the Caribbean country in a special way, says Sister Mary Miller, who ministered in the Bahamas intermittently for 26 years. “We are praying for the Bahamian people and collecting money among ourselves to send to the Nassau Diocese,” she says.
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Sister David Mary Duncan, who served in the Bahamas for 40 years, comforts a woman in Mangrove Cay (pronounced “key”) in the early 2000’s.
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Sister Mary Miller gives a lift to young friends in Cargill Creek, Andros Island, in the late 1990’s.
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(Front) Sisters Barbara Brennan and Elizabeth Desjardins; (Back) Sisters Mary Miller, M. Denis Schwartz (deceased), M. Garrett, Phyllis Martin. Mother Mary Denis and the five sisters in the Bahamas, September 1975 – July 1976
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Sister Mary Miller, Sister Teresa, S.C., Sister Doreen LaBrie, Sister Phyllis Martin. Photo taken in 1978, South Andros.
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Sister Mary Miller “Island Hopping” (Undated photo)
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– Sister Mary Miller and friend (Undated photo)
Srs M George O'Toole and M Garret Fitzpatrick
Louise Bullard and class, 1986
M Garret Fitzpatrick rsm and friend, 1986
Archbishop Patrick Pinder of the Nassau Diocese recently emailed Sister Mary the following note: “Do keep us in your prayers. This is immense. The church in Treasure Cay is flattened. St. Francis de Sales School in Marsh Harbor is destroyed. People rendered homeless by the hurricane are now living in the church in Marsh Harbor. We have a huge task ahead of us and we cannot do it alone. We need a lot of outside help. I am deeply grateful for the thoughtfulness and generosity of the faithful of Maine.”
A Portland Diocese website article notes that the Portland Diocese has had a special relationship with the Nassau Diocese ever since Vatican II called Catholics to be “missionary.” The article states, “This relationship included a mission in the Bahamas that was staffed by the Sisters of Mercy of Portland.”
Sisters in Portland ask that all Sisters, Associates and Companions hold the people of the Bahamas in their prayers.
Messages to: Catherine (Cathy) Walsh -Communications Specialist, Sisters of Mercy – Northeast Community