Scottish Catholic Observer

Aberdeen Diocese will tomorrow officially welcome a new religious community from the US, the first of its kind in Europe, which has been called ‘a great gift’ by Bishop Hugh Gilbert.

Four Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia, more popularly known as the Nashville Dominicans, have arrived in Aberdeen to live out their community’s mission: Catholic education and Faith formation. The US sisters are staying in Elgin, at the former Sisters of Mercy Convent building, where a Mass of welcome will be celebrated tomorrow morning.

“This is truly moving for us to realise, and we thank Bishop Hugh for allowing us this opportunity to serve,” the sisters said in a message to Aberdeen Catholics prior to coming to the country.

Speaking ahead of the Mass, Bishop Gilbert said that the first Nashville Dominicans to serve in Aberdeen, Sr Anna Christi, Sr Imelda Ann, Sr Nicholas Marie and Sr Christiana would be ‘a great gift to our diocese.’

“I am most grateful to their Mother Prioress, Sr Ann Marie Karlovic, and to her council for accepting our invitation,” Bishop Gilbert said.

“This is the first European foundation of this dynamic congregation.

“We know they will be an inspiring presence and a powerful force in the work of the New Evangelisation.”

Prior to the establishment of the new community in Aberdeen, the Nashville Dominicans sent a message to the Catholic Faithful of the Scottish diocese.

“We are very mindful of the fact that our four sisters join other wonderful religious women already serving in the Diocese of Aberdeen, as well as countless religious communities who have worked and sacrificed in centuries past for the Church in Scotland,” the sisters said.

The order of the Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia, which was founded in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1860, has as its principle mission: Catholic education and the Christian formation of children, young people and adults.

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—This story ran in full in the August 23 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes