Fighting for education, justice and equality for all peoples
Sister Ancilla O’Connell:
I am Nora O’Connell, born in Mallow Co. Cork. I did my primary and secondary education in the town with the Mercy Sisters. As a young person deep down in my heart I had a desire to become a Sister. I had an aunt, Sr. Paula O’Connell, who was a Presentation Sister in India and she relayed many stories in her letters and I was very inspired by her and how she lived her life. This helped me to make a decision to become a Sister.
In 1950 I joined the Presentation Novitiate in Castleconnell, Co Limerick. In 1953 I took my first vows and went to England where I taught for a few years in Penzance and then South Kirby. I acquired a great love for teaching and I found the children very responsive.
I did my teacher’s training in Matlock Training College after which I was missioned in 1957 to Zimbabwe (Southern Rhodesia as it was known then). My first appointment was at St. Michael’s Preparatory School in Salisbury (now, Harare) .
To my surprise it was an “all white” boys school and I wondered where the African children were. I very soon became aware and educated on the injustices and atrocities of apartheid. I must say the reality of it shocked me and I realised how easy it was to go with the status quo and fall into such an abhorrent system. On further reflection and information I was happy to see that the Presentation Sisters were working at all levels to change the system at great personal costs and sacrifice to themselves.
In 1960 I was pleased to be appointed to the mission stations in Inyanga, at Mount Melleray and Katerere where I taught. The children were eager to learn and were a joy to teach. Another Sister who was with me nursed in the clinic. This was a difficult place to work in, but with the struggles there was much joy and beauty. In spite of the isolation and loneliness these were years of happiness and growth for me as a person.
The war of Independence intensified. The trust and confidence the people had in us was evident as they cared for us and protected us and gave us a safe passage when we had to leave the mission for safety. Surprises often happened and this was a big one, we got word that we could go home to Ireland to see our family. There was great excitement. We were ecstatic as it was nine years since I had been home or seen any member of my family.
I was later asked to teach in an all-girls secondary school in Marondera. In spite of fines and threats of imprisonment from the then government, this was now a multiracial school much to the credit of the Presentation Sisters who fought for education, justice and equality for all peoples. Like our foundress Nano Nagle they dared to risk for what was right even at times risking their own lives.
There was a great need at the school to include a domestic science teacher for the girls so I was requested to go to train at Digby Stuart College in Roehampton in England. I later had great joy in preparing the girls for “O” level exams. They enjoyed the subject and many of them went on to do further training in the subject while others got good jobs or started their own businesses and had great success.
In 1970 I was asked to go to Dumbotombo on the outskirts of Marondera. This was a complicated move as white people were not allowed to enter the Township without permission from the District Commissioner, likewise there was a ‘bar’ against African people moving about outside the township. After much hassle the Presentation Sisters bought a house there and we formed a community where our first Zimbabwean Sisters did part of their formation. I did pastoral work and taught the women dressmaking from which they set up businesses for themselves.
In 2011 I returned to Swindon in England as my brother PJ was elderly and not well and I would be quite near to him to visit and care for him when needed. I thank God I was able to be there for him during those last years before he died. I am very happy to be in Swindon.
This year, 2023, I look forward to celebrating my 90th birthday and my Platinum Jubilee as a Sister.