There has been widespread sadness expressed following the death of Sister Bridie Rogers.

Bridie’s birth came with the spring in early April 1930, the gift of a daughter to Catherine and Terence Rogers, Derrygonnelly, Co Fermanagh. Here she would be part of a happy family – Eddie, John, Denis, Kathleen and Frank. Theirs was a carefree childhood, close to nature, playing in the fields, wending their way to Cornahilta School, Roscor.

In 1944, Bridie went to Mount Lourdes and here she came to know the Sisters of Mercy very well. Some years later, she decided to join their way of life, entering the Convent in Enniskillen in February 1954. In 1955, she was received into the Congregation and given the name, Sr. Laboure.

As Sr. Laboure she set off for Teacher Training in Sedgley Park Training College, Manchester, and later to Belfast College of Technology for a Teaching Certificate in Commercial Subjects. Thus she was prepared for her life work in Education, first in the Convent Primary, Enniskillen, then for a year in Dungannon Convent Secondary School, and then as part of the pioneering team which opened St. Fanchea’s Secondary School in Enniskillen in 1961. Here her up-to-date qualifications and cheery, positive personality enabled her to give the young students a good start in life.

After ten years at St. Fanchea’s was well-established, and Sr Laboure, thanks to Vatican II, had returned to her early baptismal name, Bridie.

As Sr. Bridie, she took up her new appointment as Principal of St. Macartan’s Primary School in Clogher and was also a member of the new Mercy Community in the Convent Clogher.

She loved the beauty of the Clogher countryside, appreciated its ancient history, and passed these loves on to her young students.

She gave them a broad education, entering them for various competitions and delighting in their many successes.

Her relationship with the teachers, pupils and parents was warm and caring, and she was a frequent visitor to the parish homes. She worked hard for the local parish, typing the weekly parish bulletin and supporting all parish initiatives.

While very busy in school, Sr. Bridie always gave generously to her Religious Congregation, holding roles of local and diocesan leadership, formation, financial administration and even a missionary stint in Zambia.

In 1988, after 17 years in Clogher, she retired from school and took a well-earned sabbatical in Spokane USA.

Re-invigorated, she returned to Ireland and after some time spent a year in St. Thomas’s Parish, Oakham, England joining Srs. Angela Donnelly and Olive MacRory in their educational and parish work.

This was followed by two years spent in the Aisling Centre carrying out book-keeping and secretarial duties in a pastoral context. Next step was helping in Irvinestown Parish where she immersed herself in the life, the people and various parish organisations. Sr. Bridie brought her joyous nature and enthusiasm to all these diverse places and ministries.

When she made her final retirement she settled in Enniskillen Convent, enjoying old friendships, family visits, and the luxury of leisure time to watch ‘The Chase’!

Always most helpful and obliging, she played an active part in community life, a fully committed Sister of Mercy, with a deep sense of God at the core of her life.

In recent weeks, Sr. Bridie’s health deteriorated and she was transferred to the South West Acute Hospital where she received great care and kindness.

God’s final call came for her on December 31. Surrounded by the love and prayers of her nephew, Rev. Brendan McManus, S.J., her nephew and godson, Dr. Terry McManus, his wife, Carol, and their children, Srs. Anastasia Maguire, Edel Bannon and Mary de Lacy, Sr. Bridie slipped peacefully away to join the Lord whom she had loved and served so well.

On January 1, she was welcomed home to to the Convent by her Sisters of Mercy, her family and the Convent staff.

On January 2, she was brought to St. Michael’s Parish Church for her Funeral Mass. V. Rev. Monsignor Peter O’Reilly, P.P., V.G. was main celebrant and homilist, assisted by Rev. Brendan

McManus, S.J., Rev. Tom Layden, S.J. , V. Rev. John Canon McKenna, and V. Rev. Michael Canon McGourty, and Rev. Colin Crossey, Rev. Piaras Jackson, S.J. and Rev. Gerry Clarke, S.J.

In attendance were Srs Rose Marie Conlan and Aine Campbell (Provincial Team), Sisters from the locality and the N. Province, members of Sr. Bridie’s family and many past pupils and friends.

After the final prayers, Sr. Bridie was laid to rest in the convent cemetery. May her good soul rest in peace.

Sr. Bridie was predeceased by her brothers Eddie (Judy) , John (Margaret) in Canada, and Frank (Kathleen) in Ballycastle and her nephew, Donal McManus in Lisnaskea.

She is survived by her sister, Kathleen McManus (Din), Lisnaskea, her brother, Dr. Denis Rogers (Agatha) in British Columbia, and her much-loved nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand- nephews.

Sr. Bridie’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated in St. Michael’s Parish Church, Enniskillen on February 18 at 6pm. It can be viewed via parish webcam.