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The Clare Champion

The Flying Nun
THIS May, if you look to the sky, it is possible that you just might see the hand of God guiding one of his servants to ground as Presentation nun Sister Patricia Wall, 75, completes her sky dive.

The reasons for her taking such a brave step are close to her heart as she is hoping to raise €150,000 for the charity Aware along with a number of local projects she is involved with.
Sister Patricia, who turns 75 on Saturday, joined the Presentation Sisters in Thurles when she was 17. She traveled the world with her vocation, bringing her to places such as Zimbabwe and New Zealand.

In fact, it was while Sister Patricia was in New Zealand that she experienced a deep depression.  She was in her late twenties and very far from home.

In those days, she said, “if you went that far away it usually meant you may not come back.”

However, she sought help from a doctor and through counseling along with a leave of absence from the convent, Sister Patricia returned to full health and was soon back in her habit and religious way of life.

Along with her own experience of depression, Sister Patricia has seen first hand how this illness can affect those living in rural Ireland and that is why she wants to help Aware. 

She retired from teaching in 1997 and since then has been very much involved in a number of community projects around Tipperary.

Now with her strong fundraising committee in place, Sister Patricia can focus on preparing herself for the sky dive. She is fit and well as she has always been involved in sports.

When asked what prayer she will be saying as she jumps out she is unsure, but as they switch off the engine for a few minutes to capture the sound of the skydiver’s reaction, Sister Patricia is “hoping a prayer will come out!”

Tipperary Star
 

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Nster.com