My short time as a team member at Loreto House was a privileged and blessed one – a life-giving experience! The participants came to the programme with their unique gifts and talents, all of which they shared so generously as they “trusted the process”. I look back on my days there with appreciation and gratitude to all who made this a memorable part of my journey.

Peter Roddy OSF (2015-2018)

I remember absolutely everything: the pure love, the genuine care, and the deep respect shown to us by every single member of the staff. Sometimes our formation classes were incredibly intense and stressful. Yet, whenever we would come downstairs carrying that heavy emotional weight, our Director, Deidre, always seemed to know us better than we knew ourselves. Waiting for us near the final step, there would always be candies or chocolates to cheer us up. I vividly remember asking her: “Deirdre, how do you know exactly when we are feeling like having something?” The truth is, you didn’t just teach us; you literally carried us on your wings, just as the Bible beautifully promises.

Over the past ten years, I received two separate emails inviting me to apply to join the RFMP as a staff member. At the time, the heavy responsibilities of my life and mission meant I simply could not do it. I had promised myself that I would finally do it this time, which makes the news of the program’s final closure sting with a special kind of grief. I also remember my companions Nico and Bambokela who are not with us in this world. May they rest in peace. I hope my other companions are doing well, I miss you very much my friends and those good old days, I hope you all are keeping well. Thank you, wonderful staff, for showing us a glimpse of heaven on earth. Thank you, Irish missionaries, for your boundless love and care for humanity. I will never, ever forget the year I was blessed to spend with you. You have shaped me for the rest of my journey. Long live Irish Missionaries! Long live RFMP Staff! With love, respect, and eternal gratitude,

Sr. Liza Niamat FC (2013-2014)

I was told that my class of 2009 was the largest. We had Anne, Maria Jo, and my confrère, Michael Brown, on the team. Brian Cowen was Taoiseach at the time. For me, it was a welcome break from ministry. I loved the style of the presentations, not overly academic, but rooted in lived experience.I am deeply grateful to my class for their companionship, generosity, and patience. Every morning, I cycled enthusiastically from Leeson Park through Donnybrook, along Rock Road, and eventually to Blackrock, all while listening to RTÉ Radio1. I learnt a great deal about myself and was grateful to have been given the space to grow, even if it sometimes came with some tough love.It is sad to think that the programme is closing. However, I have a strong feeling that it will return someday.God bless the Spiritan Fathers for hosting the programme on their grounds. God bless the pupils of Blackrock College and their parents.

Joe Archibong, SPS (2009-2010)

There were about nine participants from six different countries: Korea, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Cameroon, and Nigeria, with four participants coming from Nigeria. Despite our diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences, we lived and learned together as one family. The intercultural experience itself became an important lesson in unity, understanding, and mutual respect. The daily schedule was intense and disciplined. Classes ran from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Each participant travelled daily from where we lived, sometimes by bus or train, and returned home in the evening. Due to the cold weather in Ireland, many of us brought cooked meals from home to warm up at school during breaks. Adjusting to the weather and lifestyle was not always easy, especially for those of us coming from warmer countries, but with time we adapted and supported one another through the challenges.

One of the most meaningful parts of the programme for me was the training in spiritual direction. During practical sessions, one person would act as the spiritual director while another acted as the directee, after which we exchanged roles. These exercises helped us understand the true meaning of listening, accompaniment, discernment, empathy, and compassion in a very practical and human way.Another essential aspect of the formation was counselling and spiritual accompaniment. These were not optional elements of the programme; every participant was required to attend regular counselling and spiritual direction sessions in order to complete the course successfully.At first, I was uncertain about counselling and did not fully understand its value. My first session was mainly out of curiosity and observation. However, as time went on, I began to appreciate and embrace the experience more deeply. Counselling and spiritual direction gradually helped me to understand myself better and prepared me more profoundly for the ministry in which I am engaged today.During the course, I also requested a change of spiritual director, and this request was graciously accepted.

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I thank the good God for giving me the opportunity to participate in the Formation Course at Loreto House. I equally thank my beloved religious family, the Congregation of the Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM), for sending and sponsoring me for the course. Coming to the programme was a joyful experience for me because it also gave me the opportunity to visit the country and homeland of Mother Mary Martin, the founder of the Medical Missionaries of Mary. I arrived in Ireland in September, a few days after the programme had already begun, due to delays with my Irish visa. It was very interesting that our house was so close to the school, making daily travel easy and stress-free. The school itself was amazing: the environment, the trees, flowers, and beautiful buildings all around the compound created such a welcoming atmosphere. The primary school nearby

The primary school nearby was also life-giving. Seeing the children being brought to school by their parents, hearing their voices in the classrooms and during playtime, was truly delightful. They were angelic! The principal of the primary school was very kind and welcoming. His good neighbourliness, together with the friendliness of the staff, their greetings, and even the gifts they brought to us, touched me deeply. May God bless them all. The first day in class was very positive because we were warmly welcomed and introduced to the programme through different relaxing exercises. One of the most interesting and life-giving aspects of the experience was that our group was made up of people from eleven different nationalities: Australia, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Poland, Tonga, Uganda, and Zambia. We related to one another like brothers and sisters.

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The journey I made in Loreto House was a journey of deep self-discovery. Reflecting on the letter I wrote to myself, which finally arrived in my community in South Africa a few weeks ago, gave me deep insight into the journey I began during the formation programme, a movement from the known to the unknown. I came to the deep realization of allowing God to shine through my brokenness and woundedness.I am forever indebted to the leadership of my congregation, the Missionary Sisters of the Assumption, for giving me the opportunity to undertake this course. There was a profound shift and discovery within me that will continue to accompany me throughout my journey in life.The warmth, companionship, heartfelt listening, and challenges I experienced in Loreto House were second to none. I felt healing, I felt loved, and this could not have been achieved without the kind, tireless, and generous support of our dedicated team, together with all the facilitators who accompanied us on this long journey into self-discovery.

I discovered that I did not make a mistake in choosing the life I am living, and I came to accept and embrace many of the decisions I had made along the way.I wish to express my sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the Loreto House team: Jennifer, Donal Kirk, and Angèle; for their care, support, and encouragement. Likewise, I thank my companions, the participants of 2024-2025. The bond we shared was truly remarkable, and the support and understanding among us were deeply encouraging.The counselling and spiritual direction were truly an answer to a deep yearning within me to connect, and they were life-giving for me. Although the programme is coming to an end, the impact it has made on me will continue to accompany me throughout the rest of my life.Thank you all, and may many blessings be yours.

Francisca Chinenye Anyanwu (2024–2025)

I am grateful to my congregation for their support and encouragement to participate in theLoreto formation programme in the year 2024/2025. I am happy and all thanks to God forthe grace supplied to make the journey. The programme was enriching and helped mediscover more of myself, as well as better ways to relate to people with different personalitytypes.The news of the Loreto formation course’s closure came to me directly at the end of June 2025, when we were rounding up our course, and I was perturbed. I questioned to find out the reason for the closure. It took me some time to get over my confusion as I wondered why the course had to be closed, considering the lessons that others who had not taken it would have missed, and thought about the lessons those who have not participated in this course would miss. It took some time to come out of that perplexed moment.

But today, I feel challenged hearing Jesus saying to me “Go into the world and make disciples of all nations, also instructing me to teach the people to observe all He has commanded (Matthew 28: 19-20). Meanwhile, the Loreto programme is closing on-site, but the learnings remain with us, who are the bearers of Loreto’s good news and have benefited from the programme. Therefore, I am called to live the values I learnt from the Loreto in my daily encounters with others, bearing in mind to live humanely, love unconditionally, live prayer to align with my action, fight for justice, be humble, and listen attentively with much understanding, maturity, and compassion to the groaning world. In this way, Loreto will remain alive in the world wherever I find myself. To my fellow participants, I treasured the time we spent together and the impact your shared experiences made in my life. Thank you dearly for sharing your life with me; it was awesome collaborating with you all. Thanks to AMRI for instituting the programme. I express my gratitude to the team: Jennifer, Donal, and Angèle. Thank you for your commitment and help in creating an environment that nurtured my growth throughout the course. Remain blessed.

Chinenyenwa Cecilia Kanulor (2024 - 2025)

Mentioning Loreto House reminds me of a holistic program that helped me become grounded in my life as a religious woman. The experiential aspect of the program gave me the space to be myself without being judged. This led to growth and transformation.Thus, one of the sayings written on the wall of the house: “He who looks outside dreams, but he who looks inward awakens”, was, and remains, an awakening experience for me.

Sr Victoria Ayebome, MSHR (2017 -2018)

I am Sr. Sabina Anokwu of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary, and I belonged to the 1984 - 1985 group, which was over forty years ago.What I remember most vividly now is the international nature of the group. It was a beautiful and enriching experience.

May God bless us all.

Sabina Anokwu (1984 - 1985)

RFMP was a very important part of my life and personal growth. Even during the course, I could already see many changes happening within me, and now, a year later, they are even more visible. I am different. I am more self-confident and more willing to step into new and unfamiliar situations. I feel more grounded and secure in many areas of my life. RFMP was a milestone that taught me a lot. It also gave me friendships in places in the world that are far from my own culture, helping me see differences as something that connects rather than divides. It offered me the experience of being professionally supported in several areas of my humanity.

I experienced so much more than I can even describe. One of the things I struggled with during the program was my fear of speaking in public, especially in a foreign language. At one point it became overwhelming, and I realized I had to face this fear if I wanted to move forward. I was encouraged by my mentor (thank you, Jennifer), and because of that, I decided to do something I would have been afraid to do even in my native language. I suggested giving a preaching during our liturgy. The idea was accepted, so I had no choice but to do it. I did it. It was a small victory that many people may not have noticed, but for me it was very important moment. And more than that, I know it also encouraged others. I cannot express my gratitude enough.

Thank you to God and to all of you.

Štěpánka Šenkeříková (2024 – 2025)

Heartfelt greetings to one and all, participants and staff. Being from Dublin I affectionately refer to “Loreta”, certainly a very important year in my life. While most of the participants were preparing for a leadership role in formation, I was coming out of that role having been Director of Novices in a multi congregational novitiate in Argentina. It was great to have time in Ireland, back from Paraguay, I had time for myself, for contact with nature and with a large and varied group of people in 95 - 96. We interacted in ten different groupings over the year. The social life was fabulous with social nights and trips in Wicklow, in Northern Ireland and Inishmore, Aran Island are unforgettable and complemented the serious personal work. I told one visiting lecturer, Tom Hamill, I was too f***ed up to attend. My placement in Trinity House, where under aged boys were confined, was a real grounding for me; to see a fourteen-year-old handcuffed! or to be locked in a small room painting with a lad who had killed his father! Yes, "Loreta" has worked wonders!

Thanks to you all for making this experience possible – gracias - go raibh maith agaibh!

Eddie McArdle (1995-1996)

Greetings to all,I am deeply sorry to hear that the doors of Loreto House will be closing permanently.I would like to share a few words about my experience as part of the training program during 2017–2018, together with 26 participants from all over the world.I am truly grateful for the human, spiritual, psychological, and social formation I received,which has enabled me to live my ministry with greater confidence and freedom.

Soon after completing the program, I was appointed Provincial in Italy. As a Sri Lankan who had spent30 years in France, I had to begin anew in a completely different environment. However, my trust in the Living God sustained me through the challenges and difficulties. The formation I received helped me to become more open, more attentive to the signs of the times, and more responsive to the needs of society.I believe many others who benefited from Loreto can also testify to the fruits it has borne in their lives. I remain deeply grateful to all the professors who accompanied us on our journey,and for the place that offered us such rich and meaningful experiences.God bless you all. I look forward to seeing you at the Zoom celebration. Affectionately,

Sr. Maristella AROKIAM
Holy Family of Bordeaux (2017-2018)

Loreto House Experience

Attending an interview for the first time in my life, sitting before 5 other senior religious was indeed a scary moment even at the age of 34. I never had to do an interview for a teaching post as religious were automatically taken onto the staff as most schools were religious run. I had no idea what kind of questions were going to be asked. Among the many challenging questions posed to me were on theology, scripture, formation and doctrine. One that I was not expecting was in the area of relationships and sexuality. I was taken aback at the personal level at which the questions were asked. I guess I had never encountered conversation at this level before. Another area that surprised me was that the formation course I was about to begin was mainly about my own formation. It was only about 2 – 3 months to go when we really got into the practical application of the theory into the day to day running of a house of formation. As the year went by, this approach was making a lot of sense. As Brenè Brown would say ‘What you haven’t got, you cannot give’. We went to the Sisters of the Holy Rosary Retreat Centre in Killashandra for our 30-day Retreat. I truly enjoyed the experience in this beautiful rural wooded countryside. While we respected the great silence, we were very much united in spirit as we each made our personal spiritual journeys.

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Lots of memories are still strong inside of me about Loreto House. It was indeed a house where I was welcomed to just be ME and live with others as a family. A house that helped bring about a better version of me.The memories of sitting together in a group to engage in a task are strong. It was indeed a profound experience to encounter other personalities from across the globe and the giftedness each person brought to the group.The ‘HERE AND NOW’ meetings and the group process meetings are memories which I cherish. I learned how to BE in the moment and let things unfold.The laughter, gentleness, care, concern, lessons of Anne Harte Barry, Deidre, AnnConcannon and Paul have never left me.The memory of sitting before my mentor Ann Concannon is an experience that has strengthened me and given me a deeper understanding of mentoring today as I meet with people.The outing days were very beautiful too. Loreto was like a home away from home. I really do appreciate these memories and will never forget MY LORETO HOUSE.

Gertrude Nkwocha RSC (2013-2014)

My Loreto House Testimony:I received the news of Loreto House’s closure with a mixture of sadness and profound gratitude. Since 1982, this program has been a beacon of formation, and I feel privileged to be among those shaped by its vision. Before joining, I heard from someone: "At Loreto, you are turned inside out and outside in". Rather than fear, this stirred a joyful curiosity to find the "hidden treasure" within. Hanging on the corridor at Willow Park was a plaque that read, “The one who looks outside dreams, but the one who looks inside awakens.” C. Jung. I spent my year at Loreto looking inward to truly find myself. The "Ithaka" poem we prayed on day one was impactful. It taught me to value a long road full of discovery and to trust a process woven intentionally through the entire program. Today, the spirit and creativity freed at Loreto continue to unfold through my ministry as a Formator and a Process-oriented Facilitator. This foundation inspired the "Fighting the Status Quo Initiative" for empowerment of people in diverse vulnerabilities and the development of a compassionate model of care and accompaniment for transformational leadership. I am deeply thankful to the amazing team - Ann B, Anne C, Deidre, Michael Browne, and Tom Mc Namara and to my wonderful companions. While the doors may close, the spirit of this journey lives on in the gaps we bridge and the lives we touch. May we all continue to bloom where God plants us.

Selina Mbuli (2011-2012)

Truly sorry to hear that the RFM Programme is coming to an end. It was a very high point in my life. God bless all the wonderful facilitators and all the participants no matter where in the world they may be.

Erle Miranda (2011-2012)

Greetings from Lagos, Nigeria. I write with a grateful yet heavy heart on hearing of the final closure of the Loreto House Religious Formation Ministry Programme this June. It is truly the end of a remarkable chapter.I would like to express my deep appreciation for the invaluable learnings, formation, and experiences I was privileged to receive through the programme. Its impact over these past 43 years has been profound, and I remain sincerely thankful for the role it has played in shaping so many lives, including mine.While it is saddening to see it come to a close, I am also grateful for the legacy it leaves behind. I look forward to joining the upcoming Zoom gathering with fellow alumni to celebrate and honour this journey together.With heartfelt thanks and warm regards,

Jacinta Ugonma Mahakwe (2023-2024)

I can't remember too much of the content of all the courses but I do remember some of the very fine lecturers we had over the course of the year, people like, Peter McVerry, Bishop Cumiskey, Malachy Thomas come to mind straight away. One thing I do remember from Patricia, which often came to mind when I was a director of novices in Zambia, was that "you should remember that the cup of tea around the kitchen table at night with a young novice has more formation value possibly than all of the content you may have learned here in Loreto House." The celebration of the Easter Triduum together is something that comes to my mind as I try to recall that year in Loreto House. Another very rich experience for me was the thirty-day retreat which took place in the Holy Rosary Sisters centre in Killeshandra. The centre was quite isolated and was very suited for prayer and reflection. Also, if I remember rightly, we had some very enjoyable social nights throughout the year which were great for us bonding as a group. Some of us are still in touch from time to time. Sadly, some of the group members have passed away. There are other members of the group who went on to important leadership roles in their congregations. I am truly grateful for the experience I had in Loreto House over forty years ago. Take care and God bless.

John McCourt (1982-1983)