Brigidine Sister, Eileen Creagh
The amazing Sr Eileen was born in Ireland 14-10-1923
and is soon to be 101 years young.
My life was happy growing up. I lived on a farm in County Laois. We were very comfortable farmers, we had milk, butter, grew our own vegetables, and raised beef cattle. I was a boarder at Brigidine Convent in Tullow, Ireland. We were free to choose what we wanted to do with our lives in my family.
The Brigidine nuns were famous for accepting people and their friendliness. I was impressed by the Brigidine Sisters spirit and affection. I was happy to give my life to God. It was the Irish way at the time. Our life was charity. We loved life. I felt I had a vocation. I’ve never been unhappy. I left my country and everything. I've given my life to God and that's what I chose. I went out with boys, I had tasted both sides of life. I gave up my boyfriend in the middle of a dance hall. I wasn't a greenhorn. I've had a very good life, thank God.
The Brigidine Sisters made a fuss of us, we were very welcome. The convents were good homes, we were well looked after, well fed, well clothed and we had no worries. My mum died when I was 9 years old, she was a most beautiful mother. I remember everything she taught me. I still regret her death. I'm going to ask God, why did he take her?
In 1944 thousands of children were being sent to Australia, they had lost parents during the war. Myself and five other nuns volunteered to move to Australia. I taught for one year at Brigidine Convent in Randwick then I was sent to Brigidine Wembley in Western Australia to open a school. I had Years 1 & 2, there were 100 children in my class. After four years I came back to Randwick, and had 7 more years teaching here. Then I went to Cowra as Mother Superior. I taught English and Religion secondary classes in Cowra. I rarely saw my friends or family but I knew what was expected of me. I was excited. I never regretted it. I loved all my years.
I live by Daniel Delaney’s motto: 'Love God, and live together in peace and charity'.
We got up at 5:30am, went to the chapel for prayer at 6:00am, had breakfast and prepared for the day in school. We started classes at 8:30am. We had holidays during summer but we spent some time everyday preparing our teaching programs for the year ahead. We had an hour's recreation after school then prayer and dinner and more prayer then a bit more recreation. At 9:00pm the bell rang and we went to bed. It was a long day. We worked hard, but teaching was a pleasure. I had a sense of humour and I got on very well with the students. I enjoyed them. I even taught sports in a full habit.
“Charity is the keynote of our life”
Sister Eileen then quoted word for word, Morte d'Arthur by Lord Tennyson.
I have lived my life, and that which I have done
May He within Himself make pure! but thou,
If thou shouldst never see my face again,
Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?
For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.
But now farewell. I am going a long way
With these thou seëst—if indeed I go—
(For all my mind is clouded with a doubt)
To the island-valley of Avilion;
Where falls not hail, or rain, or any snow,
Nor ever wind blows loudly; but it lies
Deep-meadow'd, happy, fair with orchard-lawns
And bowery hollows crown'd with summer sea,
Where I will heal me of my grievous wound."
That is one quotation from the poem. I can say all of that poem. I have a very good memory. I learnt it for an examination at Trinity College when I was a young nun.
I have a lot of poetry in my head. I love poetry. It’s very good for you when you live alone. You can quote it yourself and feel good about the world in general. You have a positive aspect when you have very good thoughts. You're not thinking of the badness in the world. You can always go back to the beautiful things that really make you happy. We’re so lucky in Australia. We have a beautiful country, wonderful climate. We live very comfortably.
I came back here in 2009 to live at Brigidine House, I’ve been here for 15 years. I love shopping and admiring everything at the shops. I feel lucky, I walk unassisted, I make my bed, do my laundry, read and pray. I wear my silver Daniel Delany heart every day. The front it is inscribed with IHS - Greek for Jesus and on the back DD for Daniel Delany, our holy founder. It reminds us of where we are and what we're doing. I’m retired now, I work in the chapel and my garden. I read quite a bit, I pray a bit more than I used to. I make a holy hour everyday. I get up early at 6:00am and open all the windows and doors and bring in the newspapers. That's my contribution. I write to my sister every week. I’ve been home six times over the years. I’ve never had any sickness.
Written by
Justine Rogers