De Land, Florida
St. Peter’s Parish
From Wexford
Ministries:
Education : Administration : Teaching
Pastoral : Visitation : Religious Education
After much prayer and reflection the Srs. of Mercy, Wexford answered Fr. Patrick Malone’s request for missionaries. Fr. Malone was pastor of Epiphany Parish in Lake City, Florida- a parish that covers 5000 square miles. Included in the vast area were five outlying missions. Fr. had recourse to a small plane to cover his parish. He envisioned the Sisters as being of great help in the school but also as being instrumental in breaking down deep religious prejudices and bigotry that was active in the area.
The late August of 1959 five Sisters arrived in Lake City where neither convent nor school building was ready! They lived in a small, cramped and unbearably hot rented home for six months and conducted classes in the Veteran’s Hall during that time. The dedication of a new church, convent and school in December of that first year was a truly joyful occasion. Gradually, bonds of friendship and good will replaced the former hostility.
During that first year, in addition to their regular school duties the Sisters travelled interminable distances to teach Christian doctrine in the outlying areas. They even travelled by plane once a week to reach the farthest mission.
In 1962 the withdrawal of the IHMs from St. Peter’s School in De Land and the transfer of Fr. Malone to that parish resulted in the establishment of a community in that city. Two ‘new’ Sisters and three from Lake City formed the new community. The new mission proved to be much more arduous than the original. The school buildings were sadly lacking in even the barest comforts. The building of a school was delayed and did not become a reality until four and one -half years later.
For almost 20 years the two schools grew and prospered. However, with the decline in vocations in Ireland the Motherhouse could not continue to staff both institutions. After much prayer and consultation, the decision was made to transfer the two Sisters still serving in Lake City to St. Peter’s convent in DeLand. This decision caused much grief to the entire Lake City parish.
In St. Peter’s Parish the Sisters have become active in the Parish Council and the Board of Education. They are also involved in ministry to the sick and the aged. They initiated an ‘Apostolate of Listening’ and telephone calls to the sick and those living alone. One of the Sisters serves as a full-time Director of Religious Education.
The direct involvement with youth and their parents is very dear to us and an apostolate of primary importance. An ever-looming shadow across the face of the future is the question of subjects to carry on the work. It will be important to stress the value of religious commitment to Christ so that girls from the US may come forward to dedicate themselves to his service.
After 23 years in the Florida mission we, The Srs. of Mercy from Wexford, very humbly thank the Lord for His untold blessings to us. Whatever good has been done is due to his working through us, His very weak human instruments. We place the future in His Omnipotent hands.
Written 1981
Foundation made to De Land Florida in September 1962 . Led by Sr. Dominic Sinnott. St. Peter’s Convent, De Land.
The Sisters went to De Land in September 1962 to teach children and teenagers up to 14/15 years old.
De Land like all American towns and cities had a large black population who lived in poor squalid conditions in a section of the town called ‘Colour Town’. Our school although compelled by the state to meet requirements, received no /state aid and teachers and all school expenses had to be met from tuition paid by the children’s parents. The teachers had very low salaries compared to public school teachers. The Sisters’ salaries were $75 per month so we just had enough to live on with nothing to put by at the time. The tuition placed a heavy burden on many parents. However, to bring God’s blessing on the school we took in some black students free of charge. We supplied them with books and uniform. This was our first important work for the poor and marginalized.
Just as here at home we had poor people come to the door every day for a meal, money and clothing. We always supplied the food and clothing donated by well-off parents. We rarely gave money as we worked with V de Paul they had a contract with a shop in town. They gave us tickets in duplicate. When we gave a ticket to needy people they took it to the shop and got the value of $15 worth of food or whatever they needed. The V de Paul paid the bill after checking the name etc. with us. We also had tickets in case a poor travelling family needed a night’s lodgings. We brought these people to a motel in our own car. The section for the poor was not elaborate, but they got a bed and food.
The Sisters gave of their time generously and stayed back after the dismissal each evening a to help children who had learning difficulties. The Senior students got a half-day help each Saturday.
The sisters took part in the C.C.D programme and taught in the school during the Mass on Sundays. Another very important work for the poor was the collection each year of Christmas hampers for needy families. Each class filled a large hamper. The older students helped in the organisation of the project.
In the classroom each row of children was responsible for certain things. One group brought canned vegetables, another canned fruit etc. while the last group brought 50 cents each. This was used to buy perishable items e.g. meat or maybe a turkey. It gave the children great joy to do this charitable work and it taught them to be grateful for all they themselves had. The hampers were all packed by the older pupils, but they did not know who received them the sisters delivered them in their car.
Another important work the sisters did was to foster missionary awareness. Books of Christmas seals were sold ad we often had 4 or 5 hundred dollars for the missions. They also sponsored a student for the priesthood. The work was all new to the American children, they used to get quite excited over all they could do for others.
Srs. Mary Keane, Joan Fanning and Ann Doyle.
Southern Province 