SR. TERESA
"I
was born Eibhlín O'Shea in 1923, the daughter of parents who were
both teachers. Politics, reading and football were the main topics of
interest at the time.
My father, Patrick O'Shea, played for Kerry in 1913/15. He was known as
"Aeroplane O'Shea, because of his ability to rise to field the ball.
On my 10th birthday, my mother gave me the biography of St. Thérèse
as a present. I love reading. I was more interested in the stories than
the religious aspect of the book.
As I grew up I felt an increasing sense of God and by the time I was 18
I had decided to join a contemplative order. I found 13 convents in an
old Catholic Directory, wrote them on slips of paper, went to Mass and
prayed to the Holy Spirit. At the end of Mass, I pulled out the slip holding
the "Ranelagh" name.
I joined the Carmelites in 1942, on the Feast of the Epiphany. The war
was on and food and fuel was scarce. Life was hard. I remember hearing
snippets of football matches drifting in from the radios of surrounding
houses. It was only in 1992, while recuperating in hospital, that I saw
a football match on TV. I miss football! However, the contemplative life
is a life of solitude and silence, totally dedicated to God. That's my
life. I accept the whole package - no more football!
The sisters and I moved to Seapark in 1975, a beautiful location. I love
reading and history. I spend some time researching the traditions and
life stories of former Carmelites".
"All people seek fulfillment in life. Nothing is more fulfilling than God."
Sr.
Teresa died on 3rd November 2000.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam.