Several weeks ago, I said “God always calls our Sisters home in threes”. WRONG – the God of Surprises came to call again – Sr. Irene Connelly, at 2:20 pm on Easter Sunday. Immediately came to mind the old song “Irene Goodnight Irene…Irene Goodnight”. Better to sing “Irene come home Irene, Irene come home”. Alleluia.
Irene liked to call her own shots – even as death approached, Irene let her family and Sisters know that she was ready for the journey and looked to celebrating Easter with her Risen Lord. Our Chaplain commented during his homily that “If Irene had come to the empty tomb and seen the clothes scattered about, she would have asked “Who left this mess?” and she would go about folding the clothes.”
May 1st is the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, surely one of Irene’s favourite patrons. As a true Sister of St. Joseph, Irene took to heart the word “service”, she reached out in many ways, from direct service to her Sisters and Family to ushering at the theatre in Windsor and Detroit, singing in a choir and playing the harmonica. Like St. Joseph, she laboured with love. On Easter Sunday, I’m sure St. Joseph was in the welcoming party!
“Welcome home Irene, welcome home! Would you play us a little tune?” The celebration began and continues for eternity. Sr. Irene - pray for us!
Sr. Barbara Vaughan