A Tribute to the Sisters of St. Clare

Many of you will know of the long-standing patrons of NOAH, the Sisters of St. Clare. Both Sister Antoinette and Sister Kathleen are both retiring from religious life and moving back to Ireland this summer. Sister Antoinette was a huge part of the NOAH foundation, alongside our founder Sister Eileen.

In 1987, Sister Eileen O’Mahoney founded The Luton and Dunstable Irish Care and Advice Association, having witnessed the poverty and deprivation that the Irish community were experiencing. Sister Eileen soon joined forces with Sister Antoinette McGrath, and the two sisters co-managed the centre until Sr Eileen retired in 2000. Sister Antoinette continued to manage the centre, and after eventually stepping down, continued as a patron of the organization under its new name of NOAH Enterprise.

Sister Antoinette was always known for her care and compassion towards NOAH’s clientele. During Sr Antoinette’s time at NOAH, she supported an estimated 7,500 people. Sister Antoinette knew all of the clients by name, and to this day enjoys greeting people formerly in her care as she travels around Luton.

We recently had the pleasure of attending the Sisters leaving mass, which was filled with hundreds of adoring well-wishers . It’s clear that they are both very treasured in Luton and will be sorely missed.

They have both left an indelible mark of kindness within Luton and we will miss them dearly.
From all of us at NOAH, we wish them a very happy retirement.