ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCH OF THE 21ST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCH OF THE 21ST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE BROTHERS OF CHARITY
I am delighted to be with you today to launch the 21st Anniversary celebrations for the Brothers of Charity here at Bawnmore – and I’d particularly like to thank you Brother O’Shea – for your warm words of welcome. It is also a great pleasure for me to be with you – the staff – the families – and the clients of Bawnmore – to give recognition to all of you - for your tremendous work for and with those who have to face challenges such as those faced by the many people you avail of the services here – both as residents – and as Day Care clients.
It’s nearly thirty years since the Brothers of Charity were invited to Limerick – to develop a service for adults with a learning difficulty. While work on the Bawnmore complex started in earnest in 1974 – the first residents were admitted just over 21 years ago – on 12 April 1977. Since then the services have grown in the Mid-West region - with facilities in Limerick City, Ennis, Newcastle West, Foynes and Kilrush – in addition to the facilities here at Bawnmore – where there are 142 adults in Cedar Drive – Ashgrove – and Bart Ramsey House.
The changes that have come about in our society in this century – particularly over the last thirty years – changes which see smaller families – greater mobility of family members – and greater life expectancy rates – mean that for those with a disability – it is all the more important that they be given the opportunity to become more independent – that they be given the means to express themselves - and to play a more active role in their own families and environment. To enable that to happen families - and individuals themselves - require the services such as these here at Bawnmore - provided so adequately by the Brothers of Charity.
A great debt of gratitude is owed to the Brothers for what they have done for the people and families in the Limerick area – work which has enabled people to make progress with their own lives – and which has lightened the burden and worry of so many families – who have benefited from the services provided here. I know that the great work that is undertaken at Bawnmore is really a partnership of talent and energy – a combination of the leadership and support provided by the Brothers – the commitment of the staff and the volunteers – and the dedication of the Bawnmore clients and their families to the task of learning and character building.
Your work is very much in keeping with the Christian teaching of love and inclusion for all of mankind – by facilitating families and other members of the community - in sharing their work, recreation, development and prayer - with people who have to bear the burden of a disability. It is a very tangible manifestation of the Brothers’ mission to promote a sense of justice in society - by promoting a Christian environment in which the Brothers, the staff, the people in their care, their families and the other members of society form a caring community.
In congratulating you on your first 21 years – and on helping so many individuals and families to meet the changes and challenges they have had to meet in that time – I also want to wish you every success for the future years – especially as the coming millennium brings with it new horizons and opportunities – opportunities which you are very well placed to take. I hope that the celebrations we are starting today will be enjoyable for everyone associated with Bawnmore.
ENDS