As Sr Clare Smith RSM, the last Sister of Mercy in Sheffield moves to Derby, we give thanks for 141 years of the “Walking Nuns” in Sheffield.
The Mercy story in Sheffield commenced on May 2nd 1883 when two Sisters arrived from Commercial Road Convent London. Fr Luke Burke, Parish Priest of St. Catherine’s appealed to the Community in Commercial Road as he needed Sisters to teach in his school.
The first Convent was a little house in Andover Place and Fr Burke provided the necessary furniture and was extremely kind to them. The Sisters made no delay in commencing the main Mercy Apostolates which were Education of poor children, Visitation of their families and the sick poor in their homes and hospitals.
They were known as the “Walking Nuns” and the sight of them initially aroused great interest especially among the younger generation for whom they were not only a novelty but legitimate targets for calling them “Sisters of Misery”. They were often booed by people, but the Sisters joyfully walked the area of Pitsmoor taking their charity to the needy of any denomination, with their small packets of food hidden in the big sleeves they wore at that time. Within two years of the Sisters’ arrival in Sheffield seven ladies had joined them; some were qualified teachers which was a Godsend for the school. The need arose for increased accommodation as more candidates arrived. In 1890 the Sisters moved to 152 Burngreave Road where they remained until September 30th 1982. This Convent was the Mother House.
Poverty was great in Sheffield at this time and the Sisters lived frugally. They had little direct income to provide a means of livelihood for the Community. A fee-paying Private School was attached to the Convent in 1908 for the middle-class families. Some of the Sisters had a talent for the teaching of Music which gave great pleasure to scores of people in Sheffield. The school was called “The Convent Academy” and once a week the Academy Orchestra could be heard playing classical and modern tunes. Many years later this School was known as “The Convent High School”.
Throughout the century as the membership of the Community expanded Sisters were available to teach in several Schools at different times and for varying lengths of service. In addition to St Catherine’s, Sisters were found to be in St Patrick’s, St Thomas More, St Joseph’s, St Theresa’s, St Peter’s Secondary Modern, St Paul’s Secondary Modern, St John Fisher Comprehensive and Notre Dame High School.
The sisters gave instruction to converts in the days before RCIA and led RCIA programmes in their own parishes. They were responsible for Sodalities, trained the Altar Servers and cared for the Sacristy and Church. They acted as Eucharistic Ministers in Churches and to the sick and housebound in the various parishes. They were engaged in Hospital Chaplaincy, School Chaplaincy and Parish Ministry. They took Sunday afternoon Services in Rest Homes and St Luke’s Hospice. They had charge of Brownies and Guides in their areas. A Sister worked in the Peruvian Mission for eight years, and another was Director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for ten years.
In the 1970’s the Sisters purchased a House on Scott Road to accommodate a homeless family, a generous elderly benefactor and their “handyman”, Harold from Latvia. This house was sold in 1982 when the Mother House was being sold and the occupants moved into a council house and a council flat.
The Sheffield Sisters had three Branch Houses, one in Wath-on-Dearne, Mylnhurst Convent in Eccelsall and Claremont Hospital. The Sisters in Claremont contributed financially to the establishment of St. Luke’s Hospice which opened in 1971 and they formed the nucleus of its nursing staff. The Matron of Claremont was a member of the Hospice Committee while voluntary nursing service was given by four Sisters over a period of seven years on a rota basis. The Sisters withdrew from Claremont in December 1996.
In 1982 the Sheffield Sisters joined the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy so were no longer an autonomous group. A year later many of the Sisters became “Mobile for Mercy”. The Sheffield Sisters moved in all directions taking their gifts and talents with them and enriching their own lives too. Even though parted they have always maintained close communication with each other.
Highbury Convent in St Francis Parish was the last Convent of Mercy to close in Sheffield. That Convent provided a welcome for groups who needed a venue for their work. Among such local and diocesan groups who used the Chapel, meeting rooms and spacious grounds were the Mercy Associates, the Hearing-impaired group, the Bereavement group, the Justice and Peace group, the Contact the Elderly group and the Parish Family. The Sisters were always available to lend a willing hand and a listening ear to those in need. Highbury Convent closed in October 2011.
Sr Clare Smith, Mylnhurst Lodge, is the last Sister of Mercy in Sheffield. For many years Sr Clare was the Safeguarding Officer for the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy. She combined this with the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy in the Ecclesall area. Her tireless efforts made a positive difference in the lives of many people. Her work gave her enormous fulfillment. After a recent spell in hospital Sr Clare is moving to Derby where she can receive the care and rest she now needs. With Sr Clare’s departure the Mercy Sisters finally leave Sheffield after 141 challenging, but happy and fruitful years. The Priests and people of Sheffield will always be held in love and gratitude by Sisters of Mercy for their unfailing love, support and welcome. We hold everyone in our hearts.
With thanks to Sr Brendan Murphy RSM for retelling the story of her Sisters in Sheffield.
