Church of the Risen Christ

The Catholic News, March 2007

By Sister M. Gerard Fernandez, RGS

SINGAPORE - Sister Ita woke up to a beautiful Sunday morning, to celebrate 90 years of loving and giving, singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness, morning by morning, new mercies I see."

Sister Ita (seated beside Father Loiseau) had a 90th birthday party which brought Sisters from the province and a number of her friends to Marymount Convent. After a joyful celebration of the Eucharist, all shared lunch together.

Sister Ita, was born Johanna Cleere on Jan 29, 1917 to Edward and Mary Cleere, in Kilfinane in County Limerick, Ireland. The eldest of seven children, she enjoyed a happy childhood and was devoted to the Rosary and the Sacred Heart. While in her teens Sister Ita heard a Good Shepherd Sister speak about the children and girls in the Centre in Sri Lanka and was inspired to become a missionary.

From 1936 to 1961 Sister Ita was missioned to Sri Lanka where she embraced the Sri Lankan children and girls. She adapted to their culture and enjoyed every moment of serving the Good Shepherd in his people there. Till today, she remembers the language and treasures memories of lasting friendships.

In 1961 Sister Ita was transferred to the Good Shepherd Community in Kuala Lumpur. After a two-year recall to Ireland, she rejoined Marymount Community in Singapore in 1971 where she is the only remaining (and much-beloved) Irish Missionary with the Province of Singapore/Malaysia.

Her work in Singapore included looking after girls in the hostel and starting Bethany, a haven for women in crisis, as well as nurturing and supporting the Charismatic Renewal movement in Church of the Risen Christ, and pioneering the Intercessory Prayer group there.

Today, Sister Ita still keeps herself engaged with the needs of the province by listening to and praying daily for the needs of the Sisters in the various apostolates.

This is appreciated by the Sisters who feel blessed by her presence. Her 90th birthday party brought Sisters from the Province and a number of her friends to Marymount. After a joyful celebration of the Eucharist, all shared lunch together. Despite the excitement and pressure before the event, Sister Ita remains full of gratitude to God. At 90 she still asks the Good Shepherd to help her "to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with her God". (Micah 6:8)

(By kind permission of The Catholic News)