Lest We Forget
Sister Pauline McDermott, CSJP (1927-2010)
Sr. Pauline (Kathleen McDermott) was born at Cornashinagh, Fourmile House, Co. Roscommon on the 21 March 1927. She was the fourth in a family of eight (five girls and three boys) born to Martin and Ellen McDermott. Many of her relatives had emigrated to America and Pauline commented ‘emigration must have been in my blood’ because she left Ireland and came to Nottingham on 26th August 1942. She was received into the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace on 15 August 1945. She made her First Profession in 1947 and Final Profession in 1950.
After her First Vows, Pauline went to Maria Assumpta College 1947 – 49 to train for teaching. She spent the next eighteen years teaching at Sacred Heart Convent School, Nottingham and St. Joseph Primary School Hanwell. Her life revolved around children and she thoroughly enjoyed her many years in the classroom. St. Joseph’s Parish, Hanwell became more cosmopolitan with the huge influx of families to the area and the school, which had been started by the Sisters in 1907 was unable to take all the Catholic children who sought places. So the Sisters held Religious education classes every Saturday morning to help prepare children, unable to attend the Catholic school, for the reception of the Sacraments. Sr. Pauline was involved in this work. She recounted a story that one Saturday morning, quite unexpectedly crowds of children from various ethnic backgrounds arrived to join the classes. They had heard that the Cardinal was coming the following week for Confirmation and they wished to receive the Sacrament. Pauline explained to them that they needed to provide their Baptismal Certificates and then they would be instructed. The following week when Cardinal Heenan arrived he was told of these children and he said that if the children were instructed he would return the following year and confirm them. He returned and confirmed all 105 of them.
In 1967 Pauline was appointed to the formation house and took responsibility for the Junior Professed Sisters. In preparation for this work Pauline took a course of studies at Notre Dame College, Indiana. Over the next few years she oversaw the young Sisters going through their various studies in preparation for teaching and nursing. The number of young women joining began to diminish in the late ‘60’s so that in the early 70’s there was no further need for the formation house and it was closed. Sr. Pauline was ready to resume her role as teacher and took a post at St. Osmond Primary School, Bolton where she taught until her retirement in ’87. She took a year’s sabbatical and went to the Franciscan Centre at Canterbury where she studied Liturgy, Theology and Scripture. On completion Pauline was appointed to our community in Glasgow and she became involved in the Parish and also volunteered at the Junior School. She also took responsibility for the Children’s Liturgy at Sunday Mass and encouraged the children to do the readings and prayers of intercession. Being a Gaelic speaker in her young days she found herself playing the role of St. Brigid on the annual celebration of the Saint’s Feast (February 1) in Glasgow.
Pauline had a very keen mind and was an avid reader. She was particularly interested in Scripture, history and politics. She pursued courses of study in Scripture during her years in London and availed of evening courses and lectures. She was a quiet, wise woman. During her years of teaching many a mother came to talk over their problems with her and sought her advice. She held people’s confidence and trust and they knew they could rely on her.
Sr. Pauline was very close to her family and kept in touch with them. She enjoyed many very happy holidays in Ireland with them. Often her brother John’s trip home from America coincided with Pauline’s home visit and a great family re-union took place.
Throughout her life, Sr Pauline was a quiet prayerful woman. She died as she lived, quietly and peacefully at Sacred Heart Convent, Rearsby, Leicestershire on August 13, 2010. May she now enjoy the love and care of God who was always at the centre of her life.