Experiencing joy in teaching across Pakistan
Sr Teresa Horrigan:
I am from County Galway and joined the Sisters in Bailieboro, County Cavan, in 1959 at the age of seventeen. My family consisted of nine members: parents, grandparents and five children. We worked together and with the help of neighbours did the farming. There was always work to be done seeing to the animals, footing the turf, sowing and harvesting the crops. I am thankful that I had a busy childhood with my siblings. After my primary education I went to the technical School in Ballinasloe where I did a commercial course.
ATTRACTION TO THE RELIGIOUS LIFE:
Mother Gabriel was a jolly person and when she came to our technical school to talk about vocations to the religious life and told us about the life of Sisters in Pakistan and India, I felt called.
Each year a number of novices went to Pakistan. We had ten days holiday with our families before embarking on the long journey.
We were six in our group and after our farewell and singing: ‘Hail Thou Star of Ocean,’ we sailed for three weeks until we reached Karachi.
MINISTRY OVER THE YEARS:
After my study of the vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, I continued my secular studies privately and from the Punjab University. I taught in Peshawar where we had primary, middle, high, and college education. My first class comprised of forty girls and they were delightful to teach.
I put up a prayer for peace at the front of the class and in our geography lesson we would share about peace. The prayer was:
‘We pray that almighty God may have mercy on this world and cause hatred and misunderstanding to cease, truth and charity to prevail and that under his guiding mercy, the nations may soon enjoy the blessings of a lasting peace. Amen.’
Today when I say it, it strikes me that the world hasn't changed much.
I also taught religion to the Christian girls in the different sections in 8th class. Preparation of the lessons and listening to the girls was a great learning experience for me. Teaching in Presentation Convent Girls High School also stands out in my mind and was a joyful time.
I also worked in Saint Joseph's School Wah, Sargodha and Josephabad. We had wonderful teachers and bright students who did well in life. There was never any extra money but the children paid their few rupees fee and Red Cross money which went a long way in keeping those less well off in copies and pencils.
I joined the English Province in 2006 as a member of the Community in Nuneaton. In a certain sense, it was like coming back to my roots. I took up voluntary Chaplaincy in George Eliot Hospital. It was lovely being part of a group that cared and prayed in the hospital. It was also wonderful being near my family.
I thank God for my life and being a Presentation Sister with all the experiences it has offered me.