Teresa Kearney  Teresa Kearney (Mother Kevin) (1875-1957) was a teacher, Franciscan Sister, and missionary. She was born in Knockenrahan, Arklow, Ireland on April 28, 1875. At the age of 17, she became a Junior Assistant Mistress and taught in Essex, England. On December 2, 1902, she left to begin missionary work in Nsambya, Uganda. She worked as a Franciscan Sister of Saint Mary's Abbey, Mill Hill, London. In 1952 Kearney founded the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa. Kearney's work in East Africa resulted in the formation of multiple hospitals and training of nurses throughout the region. Her name serves as the root of the word "Kevina", meaning "hospital" or "charity institute" in Uganda. On November 6, 2016, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lugazi opened her formal beatification process earning her the title Servant of God. Teresa Kearney was born on April 28, 1875 as the third daughter to Michael Kearney, a farmer, and Teresa Kearney. Three months prior to Kearney's birth, her father died in an accident. Following his death, Kearney's mother remarried and had three more children. When Kearney was ten years old, her mother died. Her maternal grandmother, Grannie Grenell, then raised Kearney in Curranstown, County Wicklow. Grannie Grenell had a profound impact on Kearny's spiritual beliefs and deep faith. When Kearney was 17, Grannie Grenell died. Kearney attended local convent school in Arklow following her mother's death. In 1889, following her grandmother's death, Kearney went to convent of Mercy at Rathdrum, to train as an assistant teacher. She did not have the finances to pay for training, and became a Junior Assistant Mistress. A year later, she went to teach in a school run by the Sisters of Charity in Essex. In 1895, Kearney entered into the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Five Wounds at St Mary's Abbey, Mill Hill, London. On April 21, 1898 she took the name Sister Mary Kevin of the Sacred Passion. Her motto was "For Thee, Lord." Following the death of her grandmother, Kearney turned toward thoughts of religious life. She believed that God was calling her to be a sister, and she applied for admission to the Franciscan Sisters in St Mary's Abbey, Mill Hill, London.