Ellie Collins and I had the wonderful privilege of being invited by the Provincial Leadership team to visit Presentation Sisters in their ministries in Mongu and Kaoma in the Western Province of Zambia. We also met the sisters in Lusaka and took the opportunity to visit Sister Josephine and her community in Livingstone. It was a life changing experience for me; deeply moving, disturbing and profoundly spiritual. I am still there in spirit!     On our arrival at Lusaka airport at 6:20am we were met by Sister Sheila Sheehy and taken to the novitiate where we received an overwhelming welcome from all the sisters in the capital city. We were treated like VIPs and given a celebratory lunch. Next day, we were put on a bus (only way to get there!) to begin our nine hour journey to Mongu the main town in the Western Province.  This was the most amazing experience. The bus picked up and dropped off passengers en route. At each stop Zambian women were quietly and anxiously trying to sell bundles of cassava and eggs through the window of the bus. The bus was always full to over-flowing with people and bundles! Five hours in to our journey we had the dubious joy of a comfort stop using a communal latrine/toilet! We had a free safari as we drove through Kaflue game park. After six hours we passed through the small town of Kaoma; a vital fuel stop for our driver.                
 At Mongu we again experienced ‘presentation hospitality’, from Sister Cathy Crawford at the Cheshire Home for disabled children .We were welcomed and invited to be part of their lives for a week. What an enormous privilege! I was totally overwhelmed by the love, joy and generosity of the disabled children. Their courage, determination and thanksgiving to God in prayers, songs and smiles of joy are always with me. Sister Cathy is a mother in every sense of the word to all these children, her warmth and love expressed so freely to all was so inspiring. She ministers to the local community too on an hourly basis: giving food, clothing, medication and money. Sustainability projects for the whole community are at the forefront of her ministry. She established a cement block-making factory giving employment to the local men. These blocks are used to build small houses to replace the straw huts. She has provided a vital water supply by sinking twelve wells.
 We met Sister Molly Maloney when she arrived to take us to Kaoma. She is the most amazing woman! The pandemic of Aids has left at least a million orphans in its wake. She runs not only an orphanage but a whole town/community to provide for them. Her enterprise knows no bounds. She cares for at least 140 children aged from birth to sixteen and upwards, there are few boundaries with Sister Molly! Like Sister Cathy she is a loving, even a doting mother to all. She can and does everything to support the local community. Boy’s town cares for 29 boys and they showed us their own gardens growing an abundance of vegetables and fruit, this is amazing as the terrain is deep sand. Sister also runs a farm, piggery, dairy, butchery and rental accommodation. She and the other two sisters in her community are fully involved with home-based programmes for people with AIDS, the hospital and the prison. All the sisters we met work from dawn to dusk. The day always starts with Mass and ends with the ‘Prayer of the Church’.      In Livingston I was so impressed by the work that Sister Josephine has pioneered with vulnerable teenagers. It is now a thriving training centre in vocational subjects: bricklaying, carpentry, farming, tailoring, gardening, ITC and catering. Approximately 80% of the trainees find work afterwards.          Sister Moira Creed states that “when the poor hear the word ‘presentation’ they can say we can still hope”. I certainly saw this clearly exemplified throughout Zambia in the way all the sisters I met ministered compassionately and lovingly to the poorest and most vulnerable in society. They are beacons of light and hope, inspired by and completely trusting in God. They, like Nano, are single-minded in their quest for God and in bringing others to Him. Through them I saw every day Nano’s dream being fulfilled…. “If I could be of service in saving souls in any part of the globe I would willingly do all in my power”. She is there with her lantern shining it into the darkness of Central Africa. Our sisters need our help. We can keep oil in their lamps by sending our donations through Sister Mary Collins in Swindon. Please help! I am so grateful to the Leadership Team and to the Missionary Sisters who ministered to us in Zambia. May God bless them!                                                    Nora Warnaby,  Associate (Nechells)
A Google map showing the route taken from Lusaka to Mongu via Kaoma is available by clicking on this link:

http://www.google.com/mapmaker?hl=en&saddr=-15.300046,23.150303&daddr=-15.411319,28.33374&dirflg=&gw=78&ll=-15.358356,25.740967&spn=5.771611,8.31665&z=7&p=1
following there are three photos that could be used to illustrate the piece:
Cement Brick making
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4612681/Cement%20Brick%20making.JPG
Children outside Kaoma
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4612681/Kaoma%20school.JPG
Children in the living room at Mongu
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4612681/Mongu%20-%20children%20in%20living%20room.JPG

The visit was sanctioned by the English Province Leadership Team with the purpose of the visit being to offer support for the Sisters' missionary work and to observe the difference the financial support given by the Associates makes to their work.

Nora and Ellie set off on the 22nd July 09...arriving in Lusaka 23rd and returned on 13th of August 2009. Nora took about 200 photos. They both put together Powerpoint presentations which obviously included lots of these photos and have given these presentations either together or individually to Associate groups and other support groups around the country. Nora has been to: Swindon, Buxton, Derby and Corsham. Ellie has been to Beaconsfield and a prayergroup in Acocks Green. They have given two joint presentations in Matlock and to the West Midland cluster. Nora was due to visit Ryde in Dec but it was cancelled because of the weather.

Pictures of Ellie and Nora in Zambian costumes can be seen on the home page.

 Presentation Sisters Archival and Heritage Centre, Matlock.
The new Archival and Heritage Centre was at one time the laundry area for the Convent High School in Matlock.

The building comprises of two floors
Downstairs the Archives are housed and an office for the Archivist
There is also a  Reading Room available for anyone wishing to use the Archives for study / research. Eventually these may be a resource
for college/university students

Upstairs
There is a display area / gathering room; - a tea-bar and a disabled toilet

This area will tell our story which will include:
• our beginnings in Cork, Ireland and
     the charism of Nano Nagle
• our going “one pace beyond”
– to our world  
• our foundation in England and the story of the Presentation Sisters in England in the various place in which we have live and ministered
• show our present ministries.

Display our Artefacts
All this will be set in the context of the cosmic story.

We also hold the story of the Presentation Convent High School for Girls and we welcome our past pupils contacting us.
We hope that the centre will be a place where people can gather and meet; renew friendships; learn about Nano and the Presentation Sisters; think about our Universe and its wonders – and the need to care for our earth....
If you would like to visit the centre – contact Sr.Susan
Via email: presarc.heritage@yahoo.co.uk    OR
on 01623 845091
The Centre has been created by the generosity of our benefactors and we are deeply grateful to anyone who has helped in anyway.
The museum service Renaissance East Midlands have been generous and supportive in setting up the Centre.
However, we do still need (financial) help to continue the development of the Centre.
Donations can be sent to Sr.Frederica or Sr.Susan at:
Presentation Sisters
Chesterfield Rd.,
Matlock,
Derbyshire
DE4 3FT

If you pay tax, please request a gift aid form as well....

Ryde Jubilee
On Saturday 4th October there was a Jubilee Mass at St Mary’s Church, Ryde to celebrate 60 years of Presentation Sisters in Ryde. It was a wonderful occasion which began with Mass concelebrated by 7 Priests. Fr John Catlin, who has recently moved from Ryde, returned as principle Celebrant and gave a heartfelt Homily. As the first reading was Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, he took the theme: ‘There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven’. In 1948 it was the time for the Sisters to come to Ryde – today it was a time for thanksgiving for all the good things the Sisters have achieved in Ryde during those 60 years. “A time to look back at what you have done and a time to look at what you are doing now.” “A time to look forward in Faith, Hope and in Courage; a time to look forward with the assurance that you have a future in which, whatever you do, you can be happy that God will not withhold his love from you.”
Sisters from Manchester, Matlock, Redditch, Leicester and London travelled across the Solent to help us celebrate this happy occasion. Many Parishioners joined us for the Mass and then accepted the invitation to continue the celebration in the Convent where the tables were laden with party food. It was a splendid day and enjoyed by all.
To mark the occasion, an Icon of Nano Nagle was given to the Parish in thanksgiving. This was reciprocated by Fr. Anthony Glaysher, the new Parish Priest, presenting the Sisters with a Papal Blessing in recognition of 60yrs work within the Parish of Ryde.

The property adjoining St Mary’s Church, Ryde, became a Convent in the latter years of the 19th century. Records show that in 1881 it had been a draper’s shop, with living accommodation above it but the Census Returns for 1891 reveal that the premises was then occupied by seven nuns, all in their early twenties, except for one aged thirty-two. Apparently these enterprising young women had come from the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy in Abingdon, to establish a school on the Isle of Wight. About the end of the century they left for ‘pastures new’ in Guernsey. The vacated property in Ryde was then taken over by the Sisters of the Cross, who undertook the care of the Parish Church and the headships of St Mary’s and the Independent School.
 After nearly fifty years that community decided to move to East Cowes - to a house with large grounds – with the intention of opening a Finishing School there.
Both these Orders have left pleasing reminders of their sojourn in Ryde. A beautiful outdoor statue of Our Lady surrounded by children is the legacy of the Mercy Nuns. The French influence of the house and the many crosses above the school remind us of the Sisters of the Cross.
 The year 1947 was one of political upheavals in India, where the Presentation Order had many large schools, an orphanage, a training college and two hospitals. Fearing that the dangerous situation would compel the nuns to leave the country, the Mother General was anxious to provide a suitable home for them, preferably in the south of England rather than the colder north, where the Order was well established.
 By a strange coincidence, or perhaps by God’s providence, one of the Sisters saw a request published in the ‘Universe’ asking for a community of nuns to come to Ryde to teach and care for the Church. Enquiries were soon underway and after much correspondence it transpired that the property at Ryde could be purchased by the Order. The transaction went ahead and in September 1948 five Sisters arrived from the north to take up residence in Ryde.

At that time St Mary’s was an all-age school and the Independent School was sadly depleted in numbers. However, undaunted, the Sisters entered wholeheartedly into this challenging enterprise. It is good to relate that since that time ten Sisters have taught in St Mary’s and an equal number have cared for the Church.
 St Thérèse Independent School began to flourish, a new science block was built and the school was recognised by the Ministry of Education in 1964.
The usual academic subjects were taught to ‘A’ Level, the Physical Education department hired a hockey pitch and the Meades Tennis club, and the Arts employed teachers who specialised in Music, Dancing, Speech and Drama. The girls were encouraged to play their part in the social life of the Island and competed very successfully in the Isle of Wight Festival, in the Rotary Club French-Speaking Competition and in the Tennyson Festival (in times past a yearly event).
 In 1969 the demolished of war-damaged cottages enabled another tennis court to be added to the grounds. In 1972 ‘Fiveways’ was purchased to provide for the ever-growing Kindergarten and Junior School, which by then were educating children from past-pupils.
 The 1980’s saw a big change in Religious Life. Vocations became practically non-existent and numerous convents and schools run by Religious Congregations began to close. St Thérèse School was one of them.
Almost immediately the buildings were leased by the Isle of Wight County Council for use as a ‘Teachers Centre’. When that lease expired in July 1996, the property was let to the Isle of Wight College for Further Education. It became known as ‘The Isle of Wight College Ryde Centre’ and was used to provide educational courses for mature students – particularly management courses. It was also an Adult Education Centre.
 In 1998 the Sisters celebrated 50 years in Ryde with a Concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving.
 When the Isle of Wight College discontinued using the school buildings the Sisters decided to sell the entire complex and buy a smaller house. The Diocese was approached and it was discovered that a covenant on part of the building prevented the sale. The resolution was to hand it back to the Diocese and rent the property to provide a home for the Sisters. The remainder of the school would then be put on the market in the hope that a property developer would bring it new life. Various plans to develop and refurbish the site have been discussed but to date none have come to fruition.
The Sisters still occupy the property on the High Street.
 As regards the future, we believe ‘It is all in the power of the Almighty; we do not know what is best for us and so ought to be resigned to the Divine Will’. These are the words of our foundress, Nano Nagle.

Creating New Hope for the Future

Saint Joseph’s Community Project Nechells.
In recent years the Government has emphasised the importance of working with Faith Communities to regenerate deprived communities, especially in inner city areas. The Government has acknowledged that Faith Communities play a significant role in accessing, through their members and location, sections of society that other agencies and programmes find hard to reach. They are prepared to fund Faith Communities who are engaging and collaborating with the wider community in their local area. In 2004 Birinus (a not-for-profit company), now registered as a Charity, was set up to work in partnership with the Archdiocese of Birmingham to develop activities of the Church that serve the wider community. Birinus can also draw down public, trust and charitable funding for Parish Projects and ensure accountability.

Mgr McHugh is the executive director of Birinus and,  having become aware of the   work we were involved with to create new hope in this under-resourced and socially isolated area of Saint Joseph’s Parish in Nechells, he decided to use our work as a pilot scheme for Birinus. We needed new and improved premises to develop the Saint Joseph’s Community Project - the aim of which is to address the high level of social deprivation in Nechells. Having written a Project Description, a Feasibility study of the area, a Business Plan and finally a Lottery Bid we succeeded in obtaining a grant from the National Lottery for £204.000. Most of this funding is to pay a Project Worker for four years and £50,000 is to improve the inadequate building by Saint Joseph’s Church.

Since June 1st this year the Project Worker has been in place and moving the project forward. On Saturday 20th September last it was with great joy and delight that the new premises was blessed by Bishop Pargeter and officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, who is also one of our local councillors. The sun shone down on the Parishioners, representatives of the wider community, representatives of different Faith communities, local business men and others connected with Birinus and Saint Joseph’s Church. The local people were really pleased that at last the long-awaited new premises are available for use. All of this could not have taken place without the co-operation of Fr Gerry our local parish priest, the Sisters, Birinus and the local people and the wider community.

Sister Catherine O’Neill
01/10/08

The Horizon Programme Has Begun

Congregation

Twelve Presentation Sisters from across the world have just begun a program of renewal. Called Horizon, the four-month programme begins in Ireland and ends in India with an immersion module in between.

Conference/Pilgrimage
The Ammerdown  Centre
7 - 11 July 2008

We, as Presentation Sisters, who minister in Corsham, have always been interested in the local family connections of our Foundress, Nano Nagle.
Over the years we have done a certain amount of research. The results became more and more fascinating as we discovered the strong Nagle impact on the growth of Catholicism in these areas. It was obvious that a deeper study was called for , this has led to the coming event in July. The increasing importance given to family roots and the values of interconnectedness underpin this initiative. Roots, branches, graftings and fruits all come into play during the three day conference/pilgrimage.

The following gives a flavour of the event. The opening address by Dom Aidan Bellenger, Abbot of
Downside Abbey, will give the historical and religious context for the event. The first day will concentrate on the Poyntz family of Acton Court, Iron Acton, South Gloucestershire. This is the seat of Nano Nagle’s
maternal ancestral roots. The participants will visit Acton Court which has been restored by English Heritage and savour its history as the home of Elizabeth Poyntz the great-great-grandmother of Nano Nagle on her mother Ann Mathew’s side. They will also visit the Church of St. James the Less at Iron Acton where many of the Poyntz family are buried as well as the Poyntz (or Jesus Chapel) in the Lord Mayor’s Chapel, Bristol.

Bath will be the next port of call. It was here that Nano’s brothers David and Joseph lived from 1762 until 1789 when they moved to Calverleigh in Devon. They were prominent members of the Catholic community in Bath as testified by the archives in St. John the Evangelist Church. They lived at various times in the
Paragon Buildings, Milsom St. and The Circus. Nano visited her brothers here mainly with the intention of getting their financial assistance for her schools for the poor of Cork City. She wrote to her friend, Miss
Fitzimons in July 1770 “As I heard you thought I had come here for my health...I beg to assure you that, thank God, I never was better and it was not to take the waters I came nor have I tasted them”!!
The participants will start the day with Mass at 11.15 at St, Johns. Canon Anthony Harding, Clifton Diocesan Archivist, will outline the picture of Bath, its people, the Catholic community and the Nagles in the late
18th century. They will visit Bath Abbey where Mary, wife of David and Frances, Joseph’s wife are buried and other places associated with the brothers e.g. the sites of former chapels  -  The Bell Tree and Corn St.—and the Pump Room in which they had shares!

The final visit will be to Calverleigh near Tiverton, Devon, stopping on the way for Mass in Our Lady’s Chapel in the crypt of Glastonbury Abbey. Joseph Nagle bought the Manor of Calverleigh, the Rectory of Bampton and the lands of Templeton  in July 1768. The historian, John Snell, in his history of Calverleigh writes of the tact and generosity of the Nagles “they were excellent neighbours who left a fragrant memory of kindly deeds and lavish hospitality”. The Nagles were able to maintain a priest as their private chaplain and he in turn provided “the comfort of religion” to local people. Bishop Walmesley reported “I confirmed at Calverleigh on Tuesday 20th July 1784 seven persons at the house of Joseph Nagle Esq. one of whom belonged to his family, two from Dulverton and four from Tiverton” Both David and Joseph Nagle are buried in the little Church of St. Mary the Virgin at Calverleigh where two tablets point to their last resting place. The words on Joseph’s tablet “He was a man truly religious, so conversant in goodness and bountifully charitable that his integrity and name deserve to be perpetuated” prompted the liturgy group dealing with the
pilgrimage to arrange a Service of Remembrance to be held in the Church at Calverleigh.

It is hoped that the Conference/Pilgrimage in July will prove an incentive to continue research into the
important part played by Nano Nagle’s family  and ancestors in shaping her for her life’s great work.
As is with the case of all of us Nano was “standing on the shoulders of the ones who went before her”
 

Sr Nuala Mottley was part of a large group of religious who recently campaigned outside the Houses of Parliament, calling on MPs to "Kick the Carbon Habit" and "Stop Climate Chaos".

 

A reception was held at South Pres, Cork to mark the publication of “We Made This”, an important new survey of local needs created by the community itself.

Messages to Anne Coffey

 

‘Any Service in Any Part of the Globe’- The Living Charism of Nano Nagle: The Presentation Ministry Centre in West-side San Antonio continues to reach out and address unmet needs in the spirit of Nano.

 

Rincon de Mellado is famous for its chicha. The chicha made here is from an old traditional recipe handed down from generation to generation.

To read this article in Spanish, click here.

 

In 2005 the Congregational Leadership Team invited Sisters from the three Irish Provinces and England, born since 1950, to come together to share something of their dreams, hopes, and concerns as they prepared for the Congregational Gathering of 2006. The meeting was such an uplifting experience that the group has continued to meet at least twice a year.