Returned Missionaries Advent Social Gathering at AMRI, Kimmage Manor
On Thursday, 4th December 2025 AMRI hosted an Advent gathering for returned missionaries. The focus was a social one – a place to gather together in one social space, to share mince pies and a hot drink and explore ways in which returned Irish missionaries can reintegrate into Ireland after many years overseas. For some it was to explore ways in which to continue their mission here in Ireland and how AMRI could support this. Many expressed the value in coming together and meeting. Some participants had recently returned after more than 5 decades on mission overseas. They noted the grief that they felt leaving after spending most of their lives in away from Ireland and feeling like their “past has gone”.
During the morning, Liam McGrath of Scratch Films who produced the RTÉ documentaries The Last Priests and Nuns in Ireland, and The Last Irish Missionaries gave an emotional input, expressing his awe and gratitude for the ‘trojan’ work of Irish missionaries overseas and their contribution to the identity and social fabric of Irish society. With Liam were Jenny Belle from Spirit Radio and Aileen O Reilly and who will be working with him in producing the modified RTÉ mass services that will no longer originate from the Donnybrook studios but will be broadcast/filmed from churches across Ireland. Members from Scratch Films asked for prayers as they begin this new process.
Sr Denise Boyle fmdm led a discussion about the future and the ways in which AMRI could facilitate supporting returned missionaries and their re-integration into life in Ireland. Click HERE to explore some of the suggestions for future action.
The morning concluded with a beautiful prayer reflection by Margaret Cartwright from Vocations Ireland.
