'Woman of deep faith’: Former Limerick principal to lead global congregation

A FORMER Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ principal has been chosen as the new general superior of the Faithful Companions of Jesus, (FCJ) an international religious congregation with members serving around the world.

Sr Patricia Binchy FCJ, attended St Anne’s Primary School, Charleville with the Sisters of Mercy and came to Laurel Hill Coláiste for her secondary level education. She then entered the FCJ Society in 1973 and made her novitiate in Kent, England.

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Later, Sr Patricia studied French and Irish at University College Dublin where she also completed her Higher Diploma in Education. At Columbia University, New York, Sr Patricia studied for an MA in Educational Administration. She then completed a Master's degree in Pastoral Studies at Heythrop College, London.

Sr Patricia has lived and ministered in several of the countries in which FCJ sisters are present including Ireland, Bolivia, Argentina and the USA. She worked as a secondary school teacher in Bunclody FCJ in Wexford and before returning as school principal at Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ from 1989-1994.

UK based Sr Patricia has experience in leadership as a local leader in Argentina and France; province and area leader in the Americas and Europe; and most recently, as general assistant of the religious congregation.