Emotional farewell after seven decades of service

They taught thousands of children in Leyland and played an important part in the town's life for almost seven decades.
Nuns say goodbye to LeylandNuns say goodbye to Leyland
Nuns say goodbye to Leyland

But now the last two nuns of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission have said an emotional farewell following the closur of their Oaklands Convent in Moss Lane.

Sister Maria and Sister Margaret were joined by around 10 former sisters for a special Mass at St Mary’s RC Church to celebrate 68 years of service to the community.

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“We are sad to leave,” said Sister Maria. “But it is a big building, we are getting older and it is becoming harder to maintain.”

The Sisters of Our Lady the Mission arrived in Leyland in 1948 and helped set up St Catherine’s RC Primary School in Farington.

Over the years 135 nuns have taught generations of local children at the school - some of those early pupils are now grandparents.

The Mass was led by parish priest Fr Jonathan Cotton and children from St Catherine’s School sang during the service.

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The Oaklands building - a 19th century five-bedroom house - has been on the market for the past nine months.

But an offer is believed to have been made on the property and the sisters understand the potential purchaser is intending to keep it intact.

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