The Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God are returning to the United Kingdom after 78 years of serving Pennybyrn. A heritage room was created in their honor and High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson presented them with keys to the city. (Photos by Troy C. Hull | Catholic News Herald)HIGH POINT — Tears flowed at a farewell reception where 200 Pennybyrn Retirement Home guests and residents said their goodbyes to their beloved Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God.
The celebration June 25 honored the sisters for almost eight decades spent living their mission of “demonstrating God’s love for the lives we touch.” The last remaining sisters – Sister Lucy Hennessey, Sister Mona Comaskey, Sister Gabriella Hogan and Sister Lorretta O’Connor – are returning to the United Kingdom.
United in gratitude
High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson, Jamestown Mayor Lynn Montgomery and Pennybyrn’s President Rich Newman expressed their gratitude to the sisters. SMG Superior General Sister Margaret Cashman came from London for the event.
Father Stephen Hoyt, Sister Lucy’s successor, kicked off the festivities with an Irish blessing and read a letter of appreciation from Charlotte Bishop Michael Martin.
“The sisters will be truly missed but not forgotten, and your excellent work will always be cherished,” the bishop wrote. “You have built a strong foundation and one that we are blessed to build upon for generations to come.”
Father Hoyt promised to continue their mission. “They have trusted in God, and we will do the same going forward,” he said.
‘May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.’
Warm tributes
Mayor Lynn Montgomery presented the sisters with Jamestown’s proclamation of gratitude, first warning, “I am going to try to get through this proclamation without emotion, but don’t count on it.” In less than a minute, her first tear escaped.
“I have had several relatives in transitional rehab here, and for them to be able to walk around at night and for me not to worry – that’s a big deal,” Montgomery later said. “The sisters are a huge part of Jamestown, and we all love them.”
Mayor Jefferson read a proclamation from the City of High Point promising that the sisters’ hospitality and love will always remain.
“For God so loved the world, He gave us the Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God,” Jefferson said with a smile. He also quoted St. Francis de Sales: “Never miss an opportunity to do good.”
“Quite frankly, I think you sisters cleared that bar,” he chuckled.
Jefferson then presented each sister with a key to the city.
Pennybyrn’s Newman said, “While we are sad to see the sisters depart, we are so grateful for all they have meant to our community.”
He then announced, “Sister Lucy will continue to serve on our board of directors. We hope to see her from time to time in person, in addition to her remote participation.”
He pledged that Pennybyrn will uphold the sisters’ legacy and announced that the Pennybyrn meeting room will become “The Poor Servants of the Mother of God Heritage Room.” He unveiled the new sign and thanked benefactor and resident Annette Benson for making the space a reality. The room will feature visual and digital storytelling demonstrating Pennybyrn’s mission, values and the history of the sisters’ journey. Although not officially confirmed, Sister Lucy may narrate that story.
Sisters say farewell
“On behalf of all the sisters, I can assure you of our mutual gratitude for the many years and the many ways you have shared your lives with us so generously, all these years – easy years practically,” Sister Lucy said.
“As we go forward, you can be reassured that we will be remembering each other as we allow God’s love to grow deeply, wherever we will be,” she said.
Lynn Johnson, master of ceremonies for the celebration, said, “Every one of us is better for having known you. You have made a difference in all of our lives. We would be here for a year if each one of us shared just exactly how you have touched us and how we have grown in our own lives because of you.”
She ended the celebration the way it began – with the final line from the Irish Blessing, except this time the entire room chanted, “Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hands.”
After the presentations, lines of residents wrapped along the inside of the Hennessy Dining Room, but it wasn’t just the food they craved. They waited for a last word, a hug or a kiss from the sisters, who greeted them with smiles and love.
— Lisa M. Geraci
Related: As sisters depart diocese, their legacy continues at Pennybyrn
Humble roots
Five Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God came to High Point from London in 1947 with some petty cash and a mission to build a hospital as homage to the U.S. involvement in World War II.
They felt compelled to spread the Catholic faith, and the Carolinas, with one of the nation’s lowest Catholic populations, fit their vision.
The sisters had no idea where they would rest their heads but were confident God would lead them. Meanwhile, Greensboro Sen. George T. Penny spent $126,000 constructing an Italianate mansion among the rural fields and dirt roads of High Point. After his daughter died in a horse incident on the grounds, his wife refused to live in the large yellow house on the hill.
Penny tried leasing the residence as a wedding hall, a furniture store and a nightclub, but nothing stuck. Finally, Penny offered the five sisters a very reasonable rent, and they became the newest tenants. They lived upstairs and created a 22-bed convalescent care unit on the first floor, determined to one day build a hospital.
Eventually, the sisters offered to buy the home, still holding steadfast to their vision of a hospital. When some patients were too weak to leave the convalescent care on the main floor, the sisters realized God was calling them to set up an assisted living center. Later, they converted the mansion into a convent and constructed a 125-bed skilled nursing center that forms the core of the retirement community today known as Pennybyrn.
