what ministries are the presentation sisters involved in india

• NANO’S STORY
• DIGITAL COLLECTIONS
• NANO’S PLACES
• SPIRITUALITY
• Social and Pastoral
• Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
• Faith and Spirituality
• Healthcare and Healing
• PATHWAYS TO NANO

Education Projects and Ministries INDIA

South Province India

The following schools are in Tamil Nadu state

St. Ursula’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Chennai, ( www.stursulaschurchpark.com ) Nano Nagle Nursery School, Chennai Sacred Heart Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai, ( www.sacredheartchurchpark.com ) Sacred Heart Girls High School (Tamil medium), Chennai St. Williams Anglo Indian High School, Chennai ( www.stwilliamsaihs.com ) St. Joseph’s Nursery School, Chennai St. Anthony’s Anglo Indian High School, Chennai ( www.stanthonysegmore.org ) Nagle Nursery & Primary (Co-Ed) School Egmore, Chennai St. Aloysius Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Chennai ( www.aloysiusvepery.com ) St. Teresa Nursery and Primary School, Chennai St. Kevin’s Anglo Indian High School, Chennai ( www.stkevinsaihs.com ) St. Joseph’s Nursery & Primary School, Chennai St. Joseph Anglo Indian Indian Higher Secondary School, Chennai ( www.stjosephperambur.com ) Saint John’s Nursery & Primary School, Chennai ( www.saintjohnkindergarden.blogspot.in ) St. Columbian’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Chennai ( www.stcolumbansschool.org ) Presentation Convent Nursery & Primary School George Town, Chennai Nano Nagle Nursery & Primary School, Kanakammachatram, St. Xavier’s Girls Higher Secondary School (Tamil Medium), Kodaikannal St. Xavier’s Primary School (Tamil Medium), Kodaikannal Presentation Convent Matriculation School, Kodaikannal Presentation Convent Girls Higher Secondary School (Tamil medium), Theni

The following schools are in Goa

St. Pius X High School, Orlim ( www.stpiusxorlim.com ) St. Therese’s High School, Vasco da Gama, ( www.stresavasco.com )

The following school is Kerala state

Nagle Vidhya Bhavan, Kanjoor

Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin

Called to be the lovers of the world and preachers of hope.

A Community of the Third Order of St. Dominic for the service of the Parish, to educate the youth and care for the sick poor

Dominican sisters of presentation.

Dominican Sisters of the Presentation, a Community of the Third Order of St. Dominic for the service of the Parish, to educate the youth and care for the sick poor. An international community is responding creatively to human needs today and there are about 2000 sisters serving in 36 countries. We would invite you to join us to celebrate this day in gratitude to God for the marvelous ways He guides us to serve the poor and the needy of our time.

Province of India

In 1971 the seed of the Charism of Blessed Marie Poussepin was sown in the Indian Soil. It took root and branched out to 8 states through Education, health ministry, pastoral care and social services.

Provincial's Message

Blessed Marie PoussepinBlessed Marie Poussepin, the Foundress of the Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin was born in Dourdan, France, on October 14, 1653, as the eldest daughter of Claude Poussepin and Julienne Fourrier.  Although they were blessed with six more children, all except Claude, the youngest, died in their infancy.   Her Father, Claude was actively involved in all the parish activities and her mother, Julienne, was treasurer of the confrater...

News and Events

Animated by The Spirit of God

Blessed Marie Poussepin

Born in Dourdan, France on October 14th 1653 into a hard-working Christian Family that specified in making silk stockings, she soon developed a passion for active Charity by accompanying her mother to visit poor sick people with

St Dominic De Guzman

“God had given him a special grace towards sinners, the poor and the afflicted: he took their troubles into the intimate sanctuary of his compassion. One of the particular things he frequently asked God was to be given a real and effective charity for the salvation of all”

Presentation of Mary

In confidence and joy, Marie Poussepin turned toward Mary, the Mother of Christ and our Mother. Marie Poussepin wished her community would honour and imitate Mary in the mystery of the Presentation, mystery of call,

Only One Contemplative Aim ...

Marie Poussepin traced a new path for lay and religious women. With the tenacity of the Prophet she remained faithful this deep conviction:

Charity must be lived in the heart of

Love of God and love of others moved her to speak to God or of God with a charity full of mercy and compassion. Charity which knows the whole person and wants to respond to its hunger:

"Who will go for me?"

A question before the whole world which is thirsting for God experience… The Lord is asking: who will go for me with the peace of Christ and its good news to the world of restlessness, violence and lack of peace?. Who will give a life time radiating God’s Love, Enkindling Faith, and Inspiring Hope?

Blessed Marie Poussepin answered this question in 1696 with audacity by leaving her home to respond to the needs of her time. Her remarkable work – a life time of loving service has been an inspiration for thousands of Dominican sisters of the Presentation throughout the world in 36 countries.

Experience sharings

Indian sisters from international mission speaks.

"We live in a world that is more and more globalized, rapid, pluralistic and connected. Our internatinality makes us sensitive to the wealth of each culture. Our unity is based on respect and the recognition of each one's identity as well as our capacity to enter into relationship and build together. This is a great opportunity, and at the same time a real challenge." (54th General Chapter document Page.31).

Relishing the memories of the past

One of the best ways to make yourself happy in the present is to recall happy times from the past. Photos are a great memory-prompt, and because we tend to take photos of happy occasions, they weight our memories to the good". Gretchen Rubin.

Challenges faced courageously and joyfully

To learn, to continue learning, to learn again, is the task of our life time. We are not in total possession of knowledge, norms, ways of thinking or doing but rather be convinced that the Truth is discovered by the acceptance of challenges which question our certitudes. Remain open to what we do not know; not to know everything, but rather try to learn better in order to love better. (Ratio Formationis Page 53)

The Dominican Community

The Dominican Community that Marie Poussepin wanted was to have Charity as its soul. This love of God and neighbour was first of all expressed in the community where thee was no distinction of persons and where neither country nor birth gave way for differences. This did not mean egalitarianism, but full acknowledgement of each one with her values, her possibilities and also her limitations. In this community Word is welcomed, shared, studied and celebrated.

A Tree on Fire: A Symbol of Transformation

Tree is a dwelling place of God according to Indian thoughts. Sages go under a tree in contemplation to experience the power of God. Tree gives life, protection, shelter, food, and energy.

Renewal Moments

“To see what is right” is also to discover persons and things, events and situations beyond their appearances. For Marie Poussepin, in teriorization meant not only a manner of living with God and for God, but also a way to look at the others, to know and appreciate them....

Geography of the Province of India

Communities in india 2017.

Communities in Korea 2017

• Presentation Australia 
• Our founder, Nano Nagle
• Our spirituality 

The Presentation story in Australia and Papua New Guinea originated with several groups of Irish Presentation Sisters travelling to Australia, beginning in 1866. The Sisters came to Australia to ensure Catholic education continued at a time when it was at risk.  The generosity and daring of these first Sisters and those who followed saw them venture out across Australia and to Papua New Guinea to work with people most in need. They were inspired by Jesus and the example of their founder, Nano Nagle.  

Today, there are six independent Australian congregations of Presentation Sisters. Together, they are the Presentation Society of Australia whose mission is to speak and act for justice and respond with compassion in our world. 

From the beginning, Presentation Sisters in Australia have worked alongside others in their education, community development and justice endeavours, sharing a commitment to ‘fullness of life for all’ (John 10:10), especially those marginalised by society. 

The contemporary experience of being Presentation in Australia is shaped by an ongoing commitment to the Gospel, the Presentation tradition and by new understandings of how that tradition finds expression in the social, religious, cultural and ecological contexts of today.   

The aging demographic of Presentation congregations is inviting Presentation people to consider how we develop new relationships with one another. We are journeying forward with hope and gratitude towards a new reality and an evolving expression of Presentation into the future.   

Our History 

The history of the Presentation Sisters in Australia reveals the merging of two spiritual and social paths. One is the emergence and growth of the Spirit-inspired life and work of Nano Nagle among a people deprived of culture, religion, education and livelihood because of harsh penal laws in 18th century Ireland. The other is the action of the Spirit in developing the Catholic Church of Australia which struggled to provide its people with an education while at the same time nurturing their faith in a secular society. To follow these paths, we need to review the Irish foundations of the Presentation Sisters, the establishment and growth of the Presentation foundations in Australia and the contemporary expressions of Nano Nagle’s mission and ministry.

The Beginning

The story, like all spiritual quests, springs from a response to the Spirit, a transformation, a dream for justice, a perception of how this could be achieved and a life of prayer and action to make the dream a reality. The story begins with Nano Nagle (1718-1784), born in Ballygriffin, Ireland, during the persecution of Irish Catholics under the English penal laws. Having received her education on the Continent, and lived for a number of years in Paris, she returned to Cork, Ireland, only to be confronted by the squalor, ignorance and accompanying social ills which surrounded her.

Nano Nagle’s life of prayer, her concern for her people, her courage and perseverance inspired and enabled her to establish schools and support other works of charity for those who were poor and oppressed by unjust social structures. To give stability to her works, she sought the services of a religious community and arranged for the Ursuline Sisters to come to Ireland. When Nano realised that the Ursuline rule did not allow the sisters to leave the cloister and thus to seek out and serve those who were poor in their own environment, she established, in 1775 at the age of 57, a religious community, the Sisters of Charitable Instruction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This community was ultimately to become the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Nano’s vision

By 1800 five more foundations had been made. Nano Nagle’s vision of an uncloistered religious life met with much opposition within an Irish Church struggling to renew its life as the penal laws were being eased. Dr Moylan, the Bishop of Cork, sought canonical approval for the new congregation believing this would increase its prestige and its membership. He hoped to have solemn vows without the accompanying obligation of enclosure. In 1805, twenty-one years after the death of Nano Nagle, Pope Pius VII named the congregation as an Institute of Pontifical Right with solemn vows.

Instead of seeking the freedom of movement among those who were poor, as Nano had wanted, the sisters themselves chose enclosure and solemn vows believing they needed this security for their small, newly-founded group to continue. Enclosure and solemn vows were deemed essential by many authorities at the time for “real” religious life; Nano’s part in a fresh movement of the Spirit towards a new form of apostolic religious life was not yet recognised.

Growth of the congregation was slow but steady. The number of foundations in Ireland grew and foundations were also made in Newfoundland, England, India, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

The Australian Story

As the small community of Presentation Sisters was establishing itself in Ireland, the Catholic Church was emerging in the penal colony of Australia as a faith community of lay believers. By the 1840s education was recognised widely in the colony as a means of social reform which would help to change the moral and social life of the people, reduce crime and disorder, and develop culture and unity in the colonies. By the 1860s the provision of Catholic schools had become a concern of the Church at an official level, especially in countries of mixed religious adherence such as Australia.

Gradually in every colony in Australia education became the right and preserve of the State Government. Schooling became free, secular and compulsory.

Catholic schools provided a cause particularly for Irish sectarianism, and the Irish clergy and hierarchy led the battle for a separate Catholic school system in Australia. Irish Catholics were largely poor immigrants who did not have the capacity to pay for their schools. They had to be financed through fees and parental and church support. To make such a Catholic education system possible, the Australian bishops looked to Ireland for religious to teach in the schools they were establishing. Their calls for help from the ends of the earth met a generous response from many religious groups.

On Friday 20 July 1866 the first Presentation Sisters left their homeland, family and friends, and set out from Fermoy to make the long perilous journey to Tasmania. A group of four professed sisters and five postulants boarded The Empress at Queenstown, Ireland, and arrived at Hobart three months later to open, at Richmond, the first Presentation convent and school in the Southern Hemisphere. From Limerick six sisters and a postulant arrived in Melbourne on 21 December 1873 to found a convent and school at St Kilda, the summer resort for the growing capital of the newly established colony of Victoria.

Meanwhile, across the border in New South Wales in the flourishing but sparsely populated Riverina, the recently established town and district of Wagga Wagga was appealing for religious. Again the Presentation Sisters answered the call. Consequently, in May 1874, five sisters arrived from Kildare. In 1886 from the little village of Lucan, just out of Dublin, three sisters and seven postulants left for the Lismore mission. Coming through England, they were joined by another postulant and arrived in Lismore in August 1886. The party of four sisters and five postulants who arrived in Geraldton, Western Australia in July 1891 was made up of three sisters and and one postulant from Sneem, one sister from Mitchelstown, one postulant from Tipperary and three from Cork.

On their arrival in the Australian colonies the Presentation Sisters continued to answer the call of the needy throughout the continent. This sometimes involved making long, hazardous journeys to scattered outposts. Sisters from Wagga Wagga established new foundations in Elsternwick (1882), Hay (1883) and Longreach (1900). From Hay a group travelled in 1900 to the goldfields of Western Australia. This group formed a union with the Geraldton Congregation in 1969. Vast outback distances and intense heat were no barrier to these indomitable women. Foundations, both rural and urban, flourished in spite of extreme poverty and great hardship, largely because of the close collaboration between the sisters and the people they served. The sisters remained committed to the relief of suffering and injustice within an educational context.

The Presentation Society of Australia and Papua New Guinea

In 1946 the major superiors of the seven Presentation Congregations in Australia agreed on common Constitutions during a conference of only five days. The record of the decisions stated:

“Met [sic] together from foundations that date back over eighty years and that have developed apart from one another, it has been to us at this conference a source of joy to recognise Nano Nagle’s spirit so vigorous and unchanged, that we find ourselves met together in unity of spirit and the bond of peace” (as quoted in Raphael Consedine pbvm,  Listening Journey , p328).

In 1958 Pope Pius XII approved the formation of the Society of the Australian Congregations of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. One of the early concerns of the Society was to establish an overseas mission. This was realised in 1966, the centenary of the first Australian foundation, when five sisters arrived in the Aitape region of Papua New Guinea where there is now a group of Australian and Melanesian Presentation Sisters, with Wagga Wagga as the receiving congregation.

Evolution in Ministry

The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) challenged the Presentation Sisters, along with members of all religious congregations, to renew their constitutions in the light of Sacred Scripture and the founding charism.

Intense study and experimentation followed. Presentation communities around Australia realised that just as Nano Nagle was impelled to act in response to the plight of the poor and powerless people of her time, so sisters today are called to respond to the needs of those who are poor and oppressed by unjust structures of this time. Thus changes took place: many sisters moved from school-based ministries; emphasis was placed on both direct service to those in need to alleviate their suffering and on working to change the social conditions that cause their impoverishment. A constant throughout this history has been the recognition of the human dignity of each person and a determination to address the wrongs which oppress and deny the human spirit. Nano Nagle’s work in Ireland established a vision that education, in its myriad forms, is a means of empowering people for life. Her vision continues in the choice of Presentation Sisters to work with and on behalf of the many individuals, families and groups on the margins of society.

Our contemporary experience of being Presentation in Australia is shaped by an ongoing commitment to the Presentation tradition as well as by new understandings of how that tradition finds expression in social, religious, cultural and ecological contexts. We have become aware of the injustices perpetrated against the traditional owners of the land. We have begun to be involved in the Aboriginal Reconciliation process and to appreciate and learn from indigenous spirituality, culture and history.

At this time also we are experiencing a new cosmic consciousness, drawing us into deeper awareness of the elegance, complexity and mystery of our communion with the whole of life on our planet, within an ever evolving and expanding universe. Our response is one of gratitude, wonder and awe for we believe that at the heart of this mystery is a personal loving God revealed most clearly in Christ, “the first born of all creation … in whom the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Col 1:15-20). The urgency of this reality compels us to develop a new expression of being in relationship with God, with one another and with the sacredness of the whole of creation within the one earth community.

The Presentation Sisters in Papua New Guinea  

The first five Sisters in Papua New Guinea went to the village of Ningil in the Torricelli Mountains to teach in the village school and offer basic health care. Responding to need in subsequent years, Presentation Sisters established communities at Aitape, Arop, Wewak and in later years Pompabus (Western Highlands Province) always respectful of local culture, traditions and practices.  

Today, the Presentation community in Papua New Guinea is comprised of Melanesian Presentation Sisters whose work includes nursing, education, gender-based violence ministry in Aitape, formation, hospital chaplaincy, prison visitation, pastoral and parish ministry, music ministry, media ministry, and study. They are supported by an active group of local community members – the ‘Friends of Nano’.   

Presentation Sisters participating in the mission of Jesus in the United States

Inspired by venerable nano nagle, our foundress, we participate in the gospel call of liberation and social transformation., spreading god’s love through compassionate service., is god calling you to be a sister.

Union of Presentation Sisters

In addition to our Presentation Sisters and Friends of Nano living and ministering in various locations throughout the United States, we are also a Unit of the international Union of Presentation Sisters and are members of the International Presentation Association, linking us to Presentation people around the world in charism and mission.

Members of the Union live and minister not only in the United States but also in Canada, Chile, Dominica, Ecuador, England, Holy Land, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Slovakia, Thailand, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Sisters of the Sacred Heart established convents and schools in other towns and cities of Ireland. In 1791 Pope Pius VI granted papal approval. The sisters took simple vows and were not bound by enclosure ensuring that Nano Nagle’s desire to be wherever the poor were to be found lived on in the work of her sisters. At the core of the congregation’s mission was a passion for justice and a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

During the pandemic our sisters have held their meetings virtually. In this photo we have our Unit Leadership Team: Sr. Katherine, Sr. Jocelyn, Sr. Mary Margaret and Sr. Antonio. Click below to learn more about our sisters!

Our Spirituality

We, Presentation Sisters, commit ourselves to a Spirituality of being in Communion that seeks God in the inter-connectedness of the whole of creation and empowers active love for self, others and all of nature. Gathered in union with the Cosmic Christ, we experience our interconnectedness and the call to communion in our diversity. This interconnectedness draws us to nurture and reverence the Cosmos, Earth and its peoples, particularly those most wounded.

our ministries

Presentation prayer center, 5300 12th st. s, #110 fargo, nd 58104.

The Prayer Center collaborates with individuals and groups in nurturing mind, body and soul to discover ever-deepening relationships with God, self, and others.

Presentation Ministry Center

2003 ruiz street, san antonio, tx. 78207.

Presentation Ministry Center is a place of hospitality, primarily dedicated to meeting the needs of immigrant people. Programs offered are designed to educate participants and to provide opportunities for holistic development in a community building atmosphere.

Presentation Learning Center

2216 e. 108th street los angeles, california 90059.

An educational project, of the Presentation Sisters serving primarily Spanish-speaking women and men from the Watts area of Los Angeles.

Presentation Sisters Center

Shaw, mississippi.

In September 2009 the US Unit establishment a ministry in Shaw, Mississippi, where there was a critical need for remedial education due to an under-achieving school system. The ministry has grown to offer school tutoring, adult computer classes, computer availability for online courses, adult reading, and outreach to nursing homes and the home-bound. Our Sisters have recently left this area and have handed over the Ministry Center to the current community. 

Wisdom Initiatives

As a core dimension of our mission, our congregation respects and honors the presence of energy, the wisdom and experience of our older members and all elders in society. Everyone is invitied to participate and contribute to the best of his/her ability.

Presentation Music Studio

Sister Bernadette Trecker teaches over 25 students each year from her music studio, which she began in 2004 in Fargo, North Dakota.

Presentation Partners in Housing

219 7th street s. fargo, nd 58103.

Presentation Partners in Housing (PPiH) is a ministry sponsored by the Union of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, United States Province to assist people who are homeless or threatened by homelessness, and who, despite their personal efforts are struggling to meet basic needs.

" The Almighty makes use of the weakest means to bring about His works"

- Nano Nagle

News & Events

Sr. carol keehan award 2024, ywca grand opening, reopening of presentation ministry center, partner with us.

You can contribute to the mission of the US Province of the Sisters of the Presentation in a variety of ways including prayer, volunteering or financial contributions.

Request Prayer

Donate your time and talents, make a financial contribution.

• WHERE WE ARE
• HEALTH CARE
• SOCIAL WELFARE

We are the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, called to called to follow Christ in the spirit of Nano Nagle, bringing the good news to the poor by promoting God’s kingdom of truth and goodness, justice, love and peace.

In Theni, the Sisters started the Holy Redeemer Hospital in the year 1933 having the care of the poor and the needy of Theni District at heart. A school, catering to the educational needs of boys and girls too was started, which was later upgraded to serve the girl students only.

• In 1990 , We started the rural mission at Varusanadu 55 kmts. from Theni in the hill area. Health Care, women empowerment, irradiation of illiteracy and Female Infanticide.
• In 2003 , We began our ministry in Jeevan Jothi Hospice to provide a holistic, comprehensive and quality health care to the sick with a preferential option for the people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
• In 2006 , we moved over to Kanur in Cuddalore District to extend our service to the poor in that area through Education, Health Care and Women empowerment.

NEWS & EVENTS

• Lifetime Achievement Award
• The Song of the Jubiliairians
• Health Care
• NSS Camp, Care of the Earth, Children at Studies
• Social Welfare

We the Presentation family imbibed by the Spirit of Nano Nagle commit ourselves to be in communion with God, ourselves, others and cosmos. Following the Mission of Jesus we work towards systemic change in the society.

As Presentation sisters we dedicate ourselves to bring about social transformation, justice and right relationship by an integral and holistic approach in and through our life and ministries of education, health, social and other activities. In these endeavors we pledge to support one another.

To facilitate the creation of the ecosystem for children to flourish within their adoptive and birth families, by leveraging our experience in the areas of family preservation & strengthening.

Mission and Ministry

• Sr. Paula Cormier instructing RCIA

Sr. Elaine Hadzima and students

We the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, inspired by our foundress, Nano Nagle commit ourselves to the Gospel Values of hope, justice, freedom, and human dignity. In union with one another, we pledge ourselves to act for and with the poor and oppressed in our world, and to care for the Earth.

Mission and Ministry The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary are united in their Gospel mission, seeking to promote hope, justice, freedom, and human dignity to all they meet through their many and varied ministries. Like their foundress Nano Nagle, Presentation Sisters bring a unique energy and dedication to these ministries: education, pastoral work, health care, and social services. Education Presentation Sisters continue the very important work of Catholic education in elementary and high schools while becoming more involved in the growing field of parish religious education. As educators, Presentation Sisters follow in the footsteps of Nano Nagle, imparting Christian values not only by what they say but by how they live.

"The Almighty is all sufficient" - Nano Nagle

"It is a good sign of our future success that we should meet with crosses in the beginning" - Nano Nagle

"There is no greater happiness in the world than to be in Union" - Nano Nagle

"I am confident that the great God will direct you to what is most to His glory" - Nano Nagle

"We must leave it to the Almighty; He will do everything for the best in it" - Nano Nagle

"The Almighty makes use of the weakest means to bring about His works" - Nano Nagle

"I hope the increase of the charities you get, will enable you to daily add to the good you do" - Nano Nagle

"Love one another as you have hitherto done" - Nano Nagle

"The best works meet with the greatest crosses" - Nano Nagle

"God is all we need His divine hand will support us always" - Nano Nagle

"If I could be of any service in saving souls in any part of the globe I would willingly do all in my power" - Nano Nagle

"By degrees with the assistance of God we may do a great deal" - Nano Nagle

"You see it has pleased the Almighty to make me succeed" - Nano Nagle

"We do not know what is best for us, so we ought to accept what God sends us" - Nano Nagle

"Whoever we live with we must expect to have something to suffer as this world is not to be our paradise" - Nano Nagle

"Spend yourselves for the poor" - Nano Nagle

• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Latin America
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• United States of America

Presentation Sisters first arrived in Manchester, England in 1836 from Clonmel, Ireland. Over the years more houses were established from various communities in Ireland and from India.

The English Province was formed when the separate houses came together following the Union of a number of Presentation Congregations in 1976.

Read more below on the various Ministries in which our Sisters are involved in.

To learn more about Presentation Sisters in England, you can visit their website  https://www.pbvmengland.co.uk/

I have 2 meditation groups each week and they have been coming for about three years. They feel the need of it in their busy lives. The discipline of the group helps them to give that time each week

Sr Angela Murphy, Acocks Green, Birmingham.

A write up for my Golden Jubilee last year Sr Angela

The Associates are involved in various ministries in the parish. They are committed to Justice and Peace issues and Care for the Earth.

Meditation Group

In the Diocese of Nottingham, I provide pastoral care to the Gypsy and Travelling Community and am supported by a team of volunteers from around the Diocese who help with the pastoral and catechetical work in visiting families in their homes and preparing children and young people for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. The ministry is very much one of outreach going out to the peripheries to others in need.

I see my role as to respond to whatever requests and needs asked of me.   This often means helping others to read and reply to letters, forms, passports, preparing and accompanying on occasions such as Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, weddings, funerals and journeying through loss and grieving.  Any pastoral encounter for me is an invitation to be available to listen with a compassionate presence to others.

We have a Traveller Forum which is held four times a year at St Augustine’s Parish in Nottingham. It brings together members of the community to pray, to reflect and to organise events which benefit the whole community. It is also an opportunity to meet and share with the national chaplain.  Those present recognise that they want to be accountable and want support from their parishes.  They are also keen to have more leadership roles within parishes.  They have set up traveller bible study groups for both men and women using social media and whatsApp groups.  They are keen to have more retreats and prayer groups to help travellers to understand their faith better.  The group have organised men and women’s family retreats. Technology is enabling them to communicate, pray, evangelise and spread the word of God to one another and to the wider community.

During the past few years we have been having a Mass celebrated by the Bishop which is often in different places around the Diocese.  At this Mass it is an opportunity to meet the Bishop, celebrate the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation and being aware of traveller cultural experiences which they very much appreciate and to which they look forward to. Some decide they want their children to receive the sacraments with other settled children in parishes.  Some have private celebrations, others join celebrations in parishes, and we have some group celebrations mainly catering for those travelling who need to access the sacraments at short notice due to travelling abroad and who are not always able to receive them in European countries because of language differences. Some receive the sacrament of Confirmation in the local parishes where they are in residence.

Recently Bishop Patrick McKinney came on a pastoral visit to the Traveller’s site in Nottingham which was a visit very much appreciated by all the travelling community there. They felt very honoured by Bishop Patrick’s presence among them.

Whilst sacramental preparation is an important aspect of working with the Gypsy and Traveller community, other ministries, be that through prayer groups within local churches, in traveller sites and houses, established and often run by travellers, visiting the sick and elderly of this community, supporting the bereaved, providing preparation for baptism and marriage, providing practical support and direction to other services, attending conferences and working with the national chaplain and generally being a welcoming face or point of contact for Gypsy and Travellers within Parish communities.  Significantly the ability to provide presence, being available and listening is important, as travellers are often very isolated and lonely, they turn to the Church in need and feel supported.

Travellers have a deep faith and a desire to deepen their relationship with God. They are particularly drawn to the Catholic Renewal Praise and Adoration experience of prayer.  They travel to conventions around the Diocese and further afield on a regular basis and are welcomed in parishes. A Healing of Family Tree Mass in the West Midlands and in other parts of the country attracts big numbers from their community as this provides a spiritual and healing encounter and a social gathering where they meet one another. Pilgrimages to Medjugorje, Lourdes and the Youth Festival in Walsingham are important places of prayer for them.  In deepening their faith and because of the nature of their lifestyle they use social media, as it can provide national and international contact, this approach is a powerful way of evangelisation amongst them through bible study and prayer groups throughout the day.

Pilgrimages are important to Travellers to places near and far. Some of their most visited are Mount Saint Bernard’s Abbey in Leicestershire, Walsingham, Lourdes, Medjugorje, Rome, Fatima, The Holy Land and many local shrines a favourite is Holywell in Wales. A highlight pilgrimage they still talk about was when they met Pope Francis in Rome in 2015 at the Pilgrimage of Gypsies/Roma /Travellers in the Paul V1 Audience Hall when he spoke loud and clearly to them ‘’Here you find someone who loves you, esteems you, appreciates you and assists you.’’ These words still hold fond memories in their hearts to this day and encourage them in their weaker moments.

In the pastoral care of travellers, their moral and spiritual needs are important.  I am aware and see as I travel around that the Catholic faith of travellers is often confused, especially among teenagers and young adults. They are often confused by the Born-Again Christians who target travellers because very often of their lack of understanding of their Catholic religion and their limited understanding of the Bible.  Another area of need is difficulties with alcohol, drugs and domestic violence.  These are areas I see as important to support.

Travellers are now very much taking on their leadership roles in the Church through being Eucharistic ministers, catechists, leading prayer groups, retreats, sharing faith testimonies, supporting food banks and toys for children during the Christmas season.  They also reach out to the homeless in the cities taking sleeping bags, socks, gloves and hats for the cold weather to those who are less fortunate. They also use the opportunity as a moment to be still and encounter the Lord through prayer with the people they engage with and in the particular situation.

In our Diocese at present as we are encouraged to embrace encounter, I can personally say my faith journey has been enriched and strengthened in my ministry with the Travelling / Gypsy community in experiencing their deep faith through prayer and companionship.

Sister Bernadette Healy, Saint Augustine’s Nottingham.

The Union of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a registered Charity. Charity Registered Number: 20002190