There has been a community of three Marist Sisters in St Peter's parish since 1986. Cardinal Daly invited them to live and work in the parish when he was bishop of Down and Connor. For the first seven years the Sisters lived in Divis Flats until they were allocated their present house when the area was rebuilt. Srs Anne McCormack, Francis Cosgrove and Inez Kenny are the present community.
The Sisters collaborate with the parish clergy. The Sisters' work includes: visiting the primary schools and helping with the preparation of the sacraments, especially the new parish programme for First Holy Communion - Do this in memory; with music and singing and with the pastroal care of the teachers and pupils; preparing parents for the Baptism of their childrem; visting the sick, the housebound and the bereaved; helping with paraliturgies as requested and with the care of the cathedral and the altar linens; directing an adult choir at the weekly Vigil Mass; organising the Perpetual Adoration.
Since 1994, two Sisters have managed the Grosvenor Road Hostel for Homeless Familes. Sr Bernadette Healy is the present manager. Her companion, Sr Myra Niland, died in October 2009 and has not yet been replaced.
The Marist Sisters are an international congregation with communities in 18 counties. They form part of the Society of Mary which comprises priests, brothers, sisters and lay people. The Sisters' most recent foundations have been in the Ukraine, and in Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific
