Babelfish
Translation

MULTICULTURAL PROVINCE

Four countries form the British Isles Province: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Each has its own culture and traditions. The British Isles Province also includes two communities in the Republic of Ireland.

PERSONNEL AND COMMUNITIES

Historically the Province has always had many Sisters working in other countries and at present there are still 22 Sisters working overseas. At home we have 171 Sisters in 32 communities. They are located in the following areas:

London Area - 4
North of England - 11
West of England - 2
South East England - 5
Scotland - 5
Northern Ireland - 2
Republic of Ireland - 2
Wales - 1

SOME IMPORTANT EVENTS

The Sisters arrived in Deal in 1870. In 1881 a community was opened in Sturry, near Canterbury. Our Foundress, Euphrasie Barbier died in 1893 in Sturry and is buried in the Sturry Chapel.

In 1901, during the war in France, the Mother House was moved from Lyon to Deal and later to Hastings. The Mother House remained in England until the opening of the new Generalate House in Rome in 1968.

In 1957 the opening of the Diocesan Process of Cause for Beatification of Euphrasie Barbier was begun and transferred to Rome in 1960 for the next step in the process.

In 1967 the Sisters from England opened their first mission in Kenya.

In the late sixties a change began to take place from Congregational traditional works e.g. education in schools to answer the present day needs of the marginalized, e.g. work with socially deprived, homeless, HIV/drug addicts, handicapped, etc.

In 1994 was the beginning of cooperation with the French Province in working with orphans and handicapped in Romania.

From 1992-94 purpose built carehomes for our sick and elderly sisters were established at Beech Court, Deal and Euphrasie Barbier House in Sturry.

MISSION AND MINISTRIES

The possibilities for mission here are limitless. At present our work includes teaching; retreat work; parish work; adult education; Social Work; work with immigrants and refugees; care of the elderly; hospitality for student RNDM's from overseas particularly Asian and African sisters who are furthering their training in leadership, Scripture, Theology and personal development; caring for young unmarried mothers in a unit in Kirkby and the running of a family caring centre in Antrim; prison chaplaincy; and a new project where we are living and working with a sister of another order in the Inner City of London, catering to the needs of intercultural/interfaith groups, asylum seekers and the very needy.

In all apostolates we are collaborating with others. In Chew Magna, where we have handed over the running of the preparatory school, we have a fine old manor house and a modern convent which together have potential as a place of retreat and renewal.

Sister working in Nursery

Associates and Volunteers

ASSOCIATES OF OUR LADY OF THE MISSIONS

In 1989 Associate membership of Our Lady of the Missions was launched in the British Isles Province. Sister Vera Burns RNDM was the first co-ordinator and the first reception of members was held on 7 May 1989. Since then members have been received in several areas of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Newsletters - three times each year - maintained communication.

At a General Gathering of Associates and RNDMs in 1997 Sister Vera resigned and a Core Team was elected. There were 2 RNDMs and 2 Associates on the new team.

"The aim and purpose was:

1. To be a point of reference for unifying the various area groups of Associates.

2. To develop on-going formation (i.e. understanding of what it is to be an Associate), and to provide support for groups and individuals.

3. To facilitate the mutual relationship and working together of Sisters and Associates.

4. To encourage recruitment, particularly of young people, and to provide guidelines about how to do this.

5. To liaise with the Provincial Team.”

Workshops were set up and guidelines were produced on the life and charism of Euphrasie Barbier.

In May 2000, at a General Gathering of the Associates and RNDMs at Chew Magna, the current Core Team was appointed - with the same balance of membership. We too aim to live out the charism of Euphrasie Barbier, to visit the various groups in this province, and to continue to produce a Newsletter at least twice a year. A General Gathering will be held every 3 years.

A Cheerful Core Team

L – R: Betty Moore, Mary Wallace, Sr Anna McDonagh,

Sr Veronica Kavanagh, Anne Graham.

At the present time we have about 150 Asspociate members and our Bursar takes care of donations for the mission works of the Sisters.

Member of Core Team <contributed by Anne Graham, member of the BI Associates Core Team>

Email address angel-graham@supanet.com

There are volunter opportunities to experience mission abroad as well as in the British Isles.

FOR MORE INFO ON ASSOCIATES OR VOLUNTEERS CONTACT:
Margaret Hocking
                  Bridge House
                 Chew Magna
                  Bath and N.East Somerset, BS40 8SP

Vocations

Anyone interested in finding out more info on the RNDM way of life and vocation contact:
Sister Anne Slevin                                                         Sr. U. Rutledge
                  Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions                            Convent of Our Lady of the Missions
                  13 Pier Road                                                                  Churchtown Road
                  Wapping                                                                         Dublin 14
                  London    E1 9PN                                                           Republic of Ireland
                  England

Babelfish Translation