Sister Maureen O’Neill

When Sister Maureen O’Neill was unable to fulfill a life-long dream of going to Ireland, the emerald isle came to Caritas Residence to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and to thank her for donating her trip money – $11,000 – to MSVU’s Indigenous Student Bursary.

Sister Maureen had been saving for years to take a trip to the “old country.” She’d never been before and seeing the land of her ancestors was at the top of her bucket list. But by the time she’d saved up enough to go, her battle with Paget’s disease left her unable to travel.

“I thought and thought and thought about what to do with this money,” says Sister Maureen. That’s when the memory of her best friend, Eva Joseph, came to her.

Eva was Indigenous, and had gone to residential school in Cranbrook, Alberta, before coming to Halifax to join the Sisters of Charity. Eva and Sister Maureen were both just 19 at the time, and were roommates – that’s when they became close. While Sister Maureen went on to take her final vows, Eva did not, but the two remained best friends until Eva was tragically killed in a car accident several years ago.

“In recent times, when reading about the Mount’s connection to residential schools, I thought of Eva,” continues Sister Maureen. “That’s when I came to the conclusion that this is what the money should be for. In Eva’s name. I haven’t thought twice about it. I knew that was what the money was for.”

“This incredible gift from Sister Maureen O’Neill to the MSVU Indigenous Student Bursary is most welcome and will continue to help Indigenous students in multiple ways,” said Patrick Small Legs-Nagge, Special Advisor to MSVU on Indigenous Affairs. The Indigenous Student Bursary was established by the Sisters of Charity – Halifax and awards $2,000 annually to an Indigenous student, with preference given to a woman returning to studies as a mature student.

As a thank you for the donation, MSVU sent Sister Maureen her own St. Patrick’s Day party, complete with a basket filled with Irish-themed goodies like cupcakes, cookies, and tea, and a book about Ireland. Due to COVID-19, it was a small celebration of gratitude, but the lifelong friendship that inspired it and the impact it will have on students’ lives will be celebrated for many years to come.

Above: Sister Maureen O’Neill Left: Eva and her sister “Bea”