Book description
Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, or Sister Stan as she is affectionately
known, has been described as a visionary and social innovator. Now, in
The Road Home she looks back on her life - from her early
years growing up on the family farm in the Dingle Peninsula, Co.
Kerry, to the day when, at the age of eighteen, she made the
life-changing decision to become a nun. Inspired by the work of Mother
Mary Aikenhead, who founded the Sisters of Charity in 1815, Stan went
on to dedicate her life to the service of the poor and to fighting for
a fairer, more equal society.
Here, as she reflects on the many challenges she has met, both
personal and political, she recalls how she was also inspired by her
mentor, Bishop Peter Birch and how, under his guidance she helped to
set up an innovative model of community care in Kilkenny - a model
that was to become a blueprint for the rest of Ireland.
Over the years Stan also developed into a formidable campaigner and
worked tirelessly - sometimes against severe opposition - to establish
other immensely influential human rights and social justice agencies,
includingFocus Ireland, now the biggest national voluntary
organisation for the homeless, Young Social Innovators, a national
social justice education programme for young people, and The Immigrant
Council of Ireland (ICI), which supports the rights of migrants and
their families and is a catalyst for public debate. In 2000, Stan also
founded The Sanctuary - a meditation and spirituality centre in Dublin
where, amidst the bustle of city life, people can experience peace,
quiet, and the space to explore and develop their inner world.
Inspiring and thought-provoking, this fascinating memoir provides a
unique insight into the life and work of one of the most influential
social activists of our day, the many political battles she has fought
and won, and how, with dogged determination and courage, she has
shaped the lives and the fortunes of thousands of people. Quite
simply, The Road Home is the remarkable story of a remarkable woman.
Sister Stanislaus Kennedy is an Irish Sister of Charity and founder
and life-president of Focus Ireland. She is also founder and director of
the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Young Social Innovators and The
Sanctuary. She holds Honorary Degrees in Law from Trinity College
Dublin, the National University of Ireland and The Open University, and
received the prestigious Meteor Humanitarian Award. She has written five
bestselling books. She lives in Dublin.
