Dedicated teacher and church sacristan honoured with Papal Award

OBITUARY: Brigid Weir, Mornington

Brigid Weir, a woman who touched generations of lives across a number of east Meath communities, died suddenly but peacefully at the Mater Hospital, Dublin, on 5th March last, aged 81.

Through her role as a teacher in Donacarney and a sacristan in her home parish of Mornington, Brigid was remembered as the heart and soul of these communities for over 60 years. She was wholly dedicated to the church in Mornington, the schools and practically every aspect of community life in the parish. Her legacy will live on in the lives of so many people that she touched over the years. She enjoyed the company of so many people as they enjoyed hers, whether it was over a game of bridge or at the many parish meetings that take place each week.

In October 2023, Brigid was made a Dame of St Sylvester, a Papal Award from Pope Francis, presented by the Bishop of Meath, Tom Deenihan. The Order of Saint Sylvester, the principal Order into which the Pope knights those deserving, is an order intended to honor Catholic lay people who are actively involved in the life of the Church.

Bishop Deenihan, and his predecessor, Dr Michael Smith, were in attendance at her removal from the parish rooms in Mornington to the Star of the Sea Church on Sunday of last week, and her funeral on Monday was celebrated by Fr Ciprian Solomon, CC.

Fr Solomon said that for Brigie, the parish was not just a place of work but the heart of her life, in both public and private ways.

"Brigie was woven into the fabric of Mornington Parish, both as a teacher, principal, and sacristan in the church," he said. "But outside of these formal roles, her spirit was at the heart of the local community. The time that Brigie spent in the church – first in the old church – from the age of 16, when she took on the role of sacristan, brought her very close to the Lord. Brigie served as sacristan in Mornington for more than 60 years, always putting others before herself."

He said he believed that for a time, she wanted to be a nun, but she was advised that she could be an even greater help as a lay person. She worked for 40 years in Donacarney school, 20 as a teacher and 20 as principal. Thousands of children passed through her hands, and many may have gone on to become teachers themselves because of her example. She wasn’t just a teacher; she was a mentor, a guide, and for many, a quiet source of wisdom and support, the celebrant continued.

"Brigie had no fear when it came to fighting for people’s rights -be it a struggling child at school, or a family that was in need. She promoted faith in our schools and from the very start of her work as a teacher gave of herself locally and nationally."

One of the first lay graduates from the Mater Dei Institute, Clonliffe, in 1971, she later served on the Mater Dei Board of Governors. She served two terms on the governing body of St Patrick’s College of Education in Drumcondra and was a member of the Irish Bishop’s Catechetical Commission. She was for many years a diocesan delegate to the Catholic Primary School Management Association.

Even in retirement, she never slowed down. She was instrumental in getting the new school built in Donacarney. But she didn’t just send emails or make phone calls - she believed in the personal touch. She showed up at the Department of Education offices in Tullamore in person to make her case.

In some ways her contribution nationally was on the level of philosophy and theory but her contribution locally was theory put into practice, Fr Soloman stated. She was involved in so much in the community: St Colmcille’s, Tidy Towns, poker, bridge. The parish was smaller when Brigie first started, but there were many community activities - Community Week with walks and sports days, Christmas bazaars in the old school and in the Ozanam home. She was involved in all of these, and knew every person in the parish.

At the invitation of Bishop Smith, she became deeply involved in Trócaire missionary work, particularly in Myanmar (Burma), helping to build links between the diocese and the schools there. When she visited there, because of political unease, Brigie had to be disguised and hidden while she crossed the border from one country to another, wrapped in a cloak. She took part in many pilgrimages to Lourdes.

"And figuratively speaking, when a new church was needed for our growing parish, along with Fr Dillon, she spread out her cloak like St Brigid, marking the site on which this church stands. And thanks to Joe Connolly, our good friend who passed away just over three years ago, the vision became a reality. She did the same when new schools were needed." Mr Connolly donated the site for the church.

"She had that very persuasive way about her that could bring out the best in others that called us all into action. It made no difference who we were, politicians, project managers, priests, builders, bankers, bishops, businessmen, anyone. To all those who sat on parish committees with her, she was motivational and inspirational. But beyond all of these public works, it’s her private help and great generosity to so many people that will live on in the hearts of those who benefited from her.

Predeceased by her parents James and Jane, and her siblings Jimmy and Ann; Brigid is survived by her brother, Tommy; sister, Kathleen; sister-in-law, Bernadette; nephews, John, Colm and David; niece; Jenny, relatives and a wide circle of friends. Burial followed in Mornington cemetery.