Seven nuns of the Order of St. Lucy Filippini, Rome, arrived quietly in Newport on Tuesday evening to take over a premises in which they will start a local industry.

Four trained nuns will remain at Newport including Sr. Bridget who will be the superioress of this the first Irish foundation of the Order which has a remarkable record of success in its mission of moving into underdeveloped areas and setting up local craft industries based on native material.

The Newport factory, which will be located in a former store on the Quays, will produce woollen garments, embroidery and soft toys and some of the machinery has already been installed, it is hoped to train a number of local girls in the knitting and other crafts.

The four nuns who will remain in Newport in a house beside, the factory until permanent accommodation is acquired are : Sister Bridget , Sister Concepta, Sister Marie and Sister Virginia.

The party which arrived at Newport on Tuesday was led by the Mother General of the Order, Mother Ninetta Ionata, M.P.F.. Rome, who was also accompanied by. Mother Carmelina, Mother Vicar of the English Foundation of the Order at Medstead; England, and-by sister Katherine.

The party was welcomed by Very Rev. T. Canon Killeen, P.P., Newport.

The Order has about ninety establishments in the U.S. and another ninety on the Continent, and specialises in developing local industry in areas of need.

The attention of the Order was first directed to Newport through tourists who spoke of the need for an industry in the area and negotiations for the establishment of an Irish foundation there have been going on for some time. Local co-operation has been very generous and enthusiastic and the young industry starts out with every good will for the future.

Western People, May 28, 1966