Sr Bríd fcJ, Leader of the Area of Ireland, writes about the life and ministry of Sr Gerardine Curran fcJ, who died on 1 October 2026
Sr Gerardine was missioned to Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 2015 as a member of the FCJ Centre resource staff. She had been to Igloolik, in Western Canada for ministry experience during her FCJ Tertianship in 1997. So, there was some familiarity with the FCJ community and the country.
Ger was Local Leader for the FCJ Community in 2017 and while she was able to be involved in the wider community, she shared her experience and wisdom through counselling, teaching skills and facilitation. In November 2024, Ger was diagnosed with serious cancer. She bore the news bravely and accepted her situation with courage and faith.
Gerardine was born in Dublin on June 19, 1955, and grew up, with her parents and her younger brother, in Tralee, Co Kerry. Ger enjoyed her childhood spending time with family and friends. Her parents were originally from Galway and Ger loved to go to there during the holidays and spend time with her cousins there. A visit to Ireland was never complete without a trip to Galway.
Ger was a boarder in Laurel Hill and a student in Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ from 1967-1973. Here she formed many friendships, including a life-long one with Sr Patricia Binchy. In her final year in school, Ger discerned a call from God to consider religious life and travelled to Broadstairs, England, to make her postulancy and novitiate there. On June 6, 1976, Ger made her first vows as a Faithful Companion of Jesus, and in October, began her studies in University College Dublin in History and Irish, completing her Arts degree in 1979. She completed her teaching diploma (Higher Diploma in Education) in 1980.
Ger joined the teaching staff in the Secondary School FCJ in Laurel Hill from 1980 to 1986 and from 1986-1992 she was Principal of the school. Ger wrote of this time: “This was a very rewarding and enriching experience in my life. Being leader of a team working together to provide a learning environment which helped students to develop to their potential educationally, socially and spiritually in the different transitions from childhood to young adulthood was challenging and fulfilling. When asked if being a school Principal fulfilled her ambitions, Ger replied, ‘Well, I would love to go back teaching.’ (School Magazine Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ.)
This then was what Sr Ger did in 1992 having been missioned to FCJ Secondary School, Bunclody, Co Wexford. While teaching, she qualified in Counselling and Career Guidance. She loved working with young people and was an invaluable member of the school and the wider community. In 2007, after further study, she received accreditation from the Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Ireland. Ger ‘retired’ from school in 2015. A farewell greeting said: ‘we will continue to strive to be the best we can in companionship with Jesus and with each other… we will continue to recognize the dignity of each person and to promote justice throughout our school community – values which are so close to your heart. The FCJ spirit which you embodied will remain alive and vibrant as our school moves forward.’
Sr Gerardine has ‘given all’ in her years in Calgary from 2017 onwards. Here, on 1 October, surrounded by her FCJ Community, she returned home to God. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
May Sr Gerardine’s soul rest in love and peace with Jesus, her Faithful Companion.
Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a hanam dhílis agus suaimhneas síoraí di.
May the light of Heaven shine upon her faithful soul, and may she rest in eternal peace.
Read an article about Sr Ger fcJ in the Irish Independent: Wexford school community mourns beloved nun who fought for the rights of the marginalised.
