One-hundred-and-thirty years later today’s congregation is embracing the Sisters of Mercy sill, turning out in force yesterday to celebrate the milestone of their continuing presence in the village.

A special liturgy was held at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Morpeth, followed by lunch, with 23 nuns from the order joining parishioners in the celebrations.

Sister Helen Owens, who is the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy’s Central B community leader, said the anniversary presented a wonderful opportunity to join together with the community and commemorate the occasion.

“It is something amazing and special to celebrate,” she said. “Being a ­community like it is here, a very ­close-knit congregation, it’s just good to take the opportunity to celebrate with the whole community.

“The Sisters of Mercy have been a significant and important part of the ­history of this parish. As well as teaching in and running a primary school and a select school, the sisters visited the sick and dying and entered into other activities of the parish and town. 

“In return the Morpeth people have always been very generous to the sisters and for this we are extremely grateful.”

The order of the Sisters of Mercy was founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin in 1831 to help those suffering from poverty, sickness and lack of ­education.