Grateful for many graces and blessings
Sr Regina Flynn
I was born in Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland, the eldest of seven children. I have two brothers and four sisters. I was very fortunate to be born into a strong Catholic family. When I was about seven my parents bought a farm in Ballymacarbry, a beautiful part of the country also in County Waterford. We were all expected to help on the farm and had a great time in the Summer helping with the harvest etc. I have a great love for the countryside, the hills and the sea. I often think of how lucky we were to have devoted parents and a happy family life, something I always took for granted until I started teaching.
My early education was in the local country school where the two teachers were people of very strong faith and my secondary education was with the Presentation Sisters in Clonmel, County Tipperary, where I boarded for five years. I enjoyed life in the college and making new friends, some of them still keep in touch. The Presentation convent in Manchester was founded from Clonmel so at that time – over fifty years ago the sisters came over to Clonmel every year looking for new candidates and were always successful. I did my Leaving Certificate in June 1966 and joined the Presentation Sisters in Manchester in August 1966.
Having grown up with the Sisters I was very impressed with the life of their Foundress, Nano Nagle and her desire to help the poor. Then listening to the sisters from Manchester and the great need there, I felt called to join them. I always had the desire to teach people about Jesus and this was a teaching congregation so I was sent to Sedgley Park Training College which was run by the F.C.J Sisters to train as a teacher.
My first teaching job was in St. Malachy’s, an inner city Primary school in one of the most deprived areas in Manchester. I started there in September 1973 and finished in August 2006. I loved teaching the children. The school was threatened with closure twice because of falling numbers. These were all very painful experiences. When I became Head the school had a £56,500 deficit budget and it seemed an impossible situation to get out of but miracles do happen and it’s still going strong. Working for 33 years in an inner city school has brought many challenges but has been a most rewarding and enriching experience.
When I retired from school in 2006 I had a sabbatical during which I had the wonderful opportunity of making a 30 days Retreat at St. Bueno’s in Wales which was a very powerful experience. I also did the Ministry to Ministers course in San Antonia, Texas – another very enriching and exciting experience.
Since my sabbatical I enjoy working in the parish, taking Holy Communion to the sick and housebound and preparing children and adults for the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation.
On the 29th August 2022 it was 56 years since I entered the Presentation Convent, Livesey Street. I feel very grateful for the many graces and blessings I have received and for the many sisters and friends who have helped and inspired me on my journey.