Presentation Sisters Union
News Update September 2013
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Feature Article – September 2013
African Sisters Celebrate New Unity
On a sunny morning on 11 August 2013 in Harare, Zimbabwe, Presentation Sisters from Zimbabwe and
Zambia assembled for the final step in joining the two Vice-Provinces together as One Africa Unit. click on
the more button below for a report from Sr Nora Broderick of the celebration.
Sisters travelled by road and air – some coming great distances – to celebrate the uniting of two countries
into a single Unit.
Presentation Sisters have been in Africa since 1949 when they made their first foundation at Nyanga in
Zimbabwe, the Sisters presence in Zambia began in Mongu in 1970. Discussions around becoming one Unit
have been ongoing for many years with the first steps being taken in 2004. The following year a Novitiate
team arrived in Livingstone, Zimbabwe, to begin a new venture with two Sisters from each Vice-Province.
In April 2009, the uniting process was embarked upon with Sr. Anne McDermot appointed as co-ordinator.
The Leadership Teams of both countries met regularly and various commissions involving all Sisters were
set up. The Congregational Leadership Team sent representatives to all joint assemblies to support the
process.
Sr. Anne O’Leary and Sr. Frances Murphy from the CLT were present at events in St Michael’s School Hall
on 11 August 2013. The brightly decorated tables reflected the raw beauty of the natural African landscape.
The opening ritual saw Sisters processing to the beating of drums to a spot where a tree would be planted to
mark the occasion. Burning coals were placed in the hole and a bowl of incense placed close by. This was
followed by a period of silence where each Sister wrote out what she was letting go of and what she was
letting in and then put the paper in the pot while proclaiming what was written. Sisters then danced back to
the hall to the beat of the Seed Song.
After gathering in the hall Srs. Frances and Anne addressed the assembly and read out the letter formalising
the new Unit. Together the group read the Vision Statement after which they celebrated by singing Imbirai
Mambo. This was followed by a period of reflection and discussion on the challenges of the new reality.
After lunch the group selected leader and team members by nomination and ballot. Following prayer,
reflection and discussion the team was chosen the following day. The new team is Srs. Bella Vethemuthu
(Leader), Bridget Gochera (Assistant), Clementina Simataa, Margaret Duggan and Sheila Sheehy. The team
will take up their positions on Presentation Day 2013.
The overall theme of the Assembly, which ran from 11-16 August, was Awakening To and Celebrating the
Mystery of Our Oneness for Mission. Each day began with Mass at 6.45 a.m. celebrated by Fr. Elias Gwena
CSsR.
Many events occurred during the momentous week and even the electricity outages, which are a feature of
African life, were not overly intrusive during the Assembly. The closing ceremony saw a symbolic handover
from the old team to the new and a Mango Tree was planted to mark the joining together as One Africa.
[Submitted by Sr Nora Broderick]
First Africa Unit Assembly
Awakening to and celebrating Oneness for mission at the First Africa Unit Assembly
Letting Go…Letting In
In August Presentation Sisters Units in Zambia and Zimbabwe united into a One Africa Unit in a historic
event that was first mooted almost a decade previously. The Assembly and celebration to mark the event was
a major one and Sr. Anne McDermott, the co-ordinator of the uniting process, shares moments and pictures
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from that unforgettable Assembly.
‘Each of us comes as a separate thread and we are being invited to be woven in and out, over and through
each other’s lives, into a fabric of some beautiful mysterious design for the sake of the mission of Jesus’. Sr. Frances Murphy, CLT.
On 12 August 2013 the threads we’d been weaving ‘in and through each other’s lives’ since 1990 finally
came together in the wonderful tapestry that is now the Africa Unit. We gathered in the hall at St. Michael’s
School, Harare, where a warm atmosphere had been created with round tables, decorated with lovely white
and blue clothes, small trees, the flags of both Zambia and Zimbabwe, candles and a table symbol taken from
the natural wonders and culture of both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
After being welcomed we moved outside and were invited to walk to the drum beat and to be aware that in
taking each step we were letting go of the previous steps. We were letting go, in order to let in something
new. At the place chosen to plant a tree later in the week, we gathered, while some people prepared the
ground, putting in soil and water from both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Then a pot of fire was placed in the hole
and we were invited to write something we needed to let go of in order to let in the new.
Before we started moving forward the Scripture passage, ‘Behold I make all things new’ was proclaimed in
English, then people moved forward and shared what they wanted to let go of and symbolically burnt the
paper they’d written on. As a symbol of the new entering they added incense to the fire as they said what
they wanted to invite into their hearts. For me there were two really poignant moments during this ritual,
when our eldest sister Nora Broderick stepped forward with tears in her eyes to say that after 60 years she
was letting go her identity as a member of the Zimbabwean Unit to become a member of the Africa Unit. I
was in awe of her generosity and trust in God’s Providence and in us! The other moment was when Anna
Manyonga stepped forward and also said she was letting go her identity as a member of the Zimbabwean
Unit to become a member of the Africa Unit. I was very conscious that in a few days Anna would be leaving
us to go to Jordan to learn Arabic, in preparation for going to our new mission in Palestine, a new thread
reaching out into the unknown from the Africa Unit Tapestry!
Back at the hall, Srs. Frances Murphy and Anne O’Leary, representing the Congregational Leadership Team,
read the official proclamation of the two units becoming the Africa Unit. We responded by reading aloud our
Vision Statement for the Africa Unit and ululating. We then sang ‘Imbirai Mambo’ and with tears, laughter
and much hugging we congratulated one another on having arrived at this moment in our history!
Sr. Frances took up the theme of ‘Letting Go…Letting In: “For life to evolve from the seed of new life, the
soil has to be dug up, turned and loosened before the seed is planted, then the seed has to germinate in the
darkness of that soil, letting go of itself to the unknown, before new life emerges. So too with each of us.”
Frances invited us to play a weaving game to demonstrate how our interactions with each other how we all
shape what is evolving, but none of us know that shape in advance.
Sr. Anne invited us into a Theological Reflection with her under three headings: Leadership in the way of
Jesus; Leadership through the lens of virtue/tradition and Leadership through the lens of the Presentation
Way. As a way into reflecting on Servant Leadership in the way of Jesus, we watched a DVD of Jesus
washing the feet of his disciples and following on the DVD, Sr. Anne reflected on the characteristics of
Servant Leadership.
During the Assembly Srs Frances and Anne presented us with a St Brigid’s Cross as a gift from the CLT to
mark the occasion of our becoming one Unit in Africa. They invited Aletha, the eldest African Sister from
Zimbabwe, and Clementina, the eldest African Sister from Zambia, to accept the gift on behalf of all of us.
Election of a new Leadership Team
Over the next two days we continued the prayerful discernment process our Election Process Workgroup had
initiated in the two units over the last few months, and by lunchtime on 14 August we had elected our new
team, Bella Vethemuthu, Bridget Gochera, Clementina Simataa, Margaret Duggan and Sheila Sheehy. No
words could express our deep gratitude to each of these sisters for their generosity and commitment in
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accepting to take on the mantle of leadership at this time as we grow into being the Africa Unit.
With the new team in place we were able to plan for our shared future.
On the evening of 14 August we gathered in the gym at Wadzanai, where we were treated to beautiful,
soulful, traditional music and song by Marcelin Mushare and her daughter Tinashe. Marcelin was the first
African girl to be admitted to Nagle House School. For me to witness the lovely connection between
Marcelin and her daughter and their connection with our Sisters in Zimbabwe was a real moment of grace
and gratitude.
Closing Ritual
We processed into the hall to the sound of the African drum to celebrate our Eucharist with Fr. Elias Gwene
CSSR, who was very happy to be with us for this historic occasion. After Communion the outgoing
leadership teams processed into the hall carrying a Lantern and in an African basket, they had placed a Bible,
our Africa Unit Vision Statement, the Congregational Direction Statement 2012, the IPA Direction
Statement 2012 and a map of Africa. They called the newly elected team to join them in a circle where they
handed over the lantern and the basket to them, as symbols of their letting go and handing on of the
responsibility of leadership to the new team. Immediately after this ritual we processed to the place in the
grounds where we had prepared a hole for tree planting on Monday. As we stood in a circle round the hole,
each one with their own community, Srs. Nora Broderick and Catherine Campion planted a mango tree with
the help of Peggy Mudonga (novice) and Annatollia (the youngest Zimbabwean Sister). Each community
was presented with a laminated version of our Vision for our new unit, along with the flag of each country.
We read together our Vision Statement and then processed back to the hall to conclude our Eucharist before
going to Wadzanai for our closing celebration dinner.
Though there was no electricity and the generator was out of order, the staff under the guidance of Sr.
Martina O’Callaghan, who had come out from the South-East Province to help during the assembly, had
prepared a delicious celebratory meal for us. Mary Lucey had made delicious plum puddings for the
occasion. Candlelight added to the atmosphere of celebration and joy! After the dinner Numba and her team
did a wonderful job of thanking all who had made the assembly the success it was.
Special Blessing for Sr. Anna Manyonga
Sr. Ena called us to bless Sr. Anna who was leaving for Jordan to learn Arabic before going to join our new
mission in Palestine. Anna is our first African Sister to go on mission out of Africa - the first seed of our new
emerging future!
[Submitted by Sr. Anne McDermott]
Presentation News
Letters of Nano Nagle
In this her second article, Sr. Una Burke looks closely at the the first of Nano Nagle's letters.
LETTER
To Miss Fitzsimons, 17th July 1769
“Be assured, you may command anything in my power”
1.1: At the time this letter was written Eleanor Fitzsimons had been alone in the Ursuline Novitiate at Rue St.
Jacques, Paris for one year and eight months. She would have been excused for wondering if the Irish
Foundation would ever be realized. Nano and Eleanor, Sister Angela, had obviously been corresponding for
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some time before July 1769 although they had never met in person. This letter was written in response to the
arrival in Cork of two ‘kind favours’, the first carrying a covering note. Nano had lodged money for the use
of Eleanor with her Bankers in Paris, George Waters and his nephew Jean, originally from Macroom, Co.
Cork. Perhaps Nano had asked for spiritual books, holy pictures or school materials and these were the
favours referred to by Nano. In an effort to reconstruct Eleanor’s ‘note’ it is clear that it contained the
following: (a) A request for information about the beginnings of Nano’s schools in Cork and the progress
made over the past fifteen years; (b) Eleanor had been thrilled with the earlier news that more volunteers had
been accepted for the Irish Foundation and was anxious at their non arrival in Paris. She may have been
under pressure from the Superior and Novice Mistress in Paris for an explanation. (c) Eleanor is full of praise
for the Sisters in Paris and gives some Community news. Eleanor’s style of writing must have reflected the
awe she felt at corresponding with her patroness who is twenty years her senior. Nano is at pains to put her at
her ease, asking her to write ‘in a more friendly manner’ and not to hesitate to ask for anything that was in
Nano’s power to grant. She is anxious to reassure Eleanor that they are partners in this venture.
1.2: Nano apologised at the unease caused by the delay in the departure from Cork of the two ‘young ladies’.
When Nano had last written to Eleanor she was confident that they would leave on the next vessel out of
Cork for Havre, France but this was not to be so. Nano, in spite of her disappointment, could see the hand of
God in the situation: ‘it has pleased God to order things otherwise’. The ladies in question were Elizabeth
Coppinger and Miss Shea. The former was awaiting the consent of the family matriarch, her great aunt, Lady
Mary Butler, although her parents were fully in support of her decision. Mr. Shea, a friend of Dr. Moylan,
was withholding his consent as he was under the impression that his daughter had not given sufficient
consideration to the matter; ‘all his objection is to her going to France’. Nano was confident that Elizabeth
Coppinger would leave for Paris soon and that Miss Shea ‘a person of incomparable sense and very sedate
and of an age to know her mind…will not change’. Nano was quite excited as there appeared to be two more
candidates under consideration. Perhaps Mr. Shea prevailed upon his daughter to give up the idea as nothing
is heard of her after this. Eventually two young ladies arrived in Paris in late summer. These were Elizabeth
Coppinger, of Rossmore, near Carrigtwoholl, Co. Cork and Margaret Nagle of Cork City, the 26 year old
cousin of Nano. While in Paris waiting to enter they met Mary Kavanagh, a cousin of Elizabeth Coppinger,
who intended entering a French Order. She became infected with the enthusiasm of the Cork ladies and
began to reconsider her position. Elizabeth and Margaret entered the Ursuline Convent in Rue St. Jacques on
5th September 1769, firstly as boarders to study, while Mary Kavanagh returned to Ireland to consult her
parents. Nano Nagle had hoped that her sister Nano Kavanagh would also join the group but she decided to
enter with the Carmelites in St. Denis, Paris. Mary eventually returns to Paris to become the fourth candidate
for the Cork Foundation. Her sister Lucy would enter the Novitiate in Cork in 1773.
1.3: Due to an outbreak of measles it was not possible for Elizabeth Coppinger to visit Cork City, and see the
wonderful work being achieved in the schools. Nano was sorry that this visit could not take place as she was
keen to assure Eleanor Fitzsimons of the spiritual and practical value of her future apostolate. However,
Margaret Nagle, a native of Cork City, would be able to give an enthusiastic account of the poor schools.
Nano proceeded at length to answer candidly another of Eleanor’s questions: How did she start her schools
and how are they organized? Nano had previously told Eleanor of her own entry into a French Convent,
where she had hoped to spend the remainder of her life in quiet and solitude. The Almighty directed
otherwise and Nano embraced the inspiration to return to Ireland to serve His poor. She gratefully accepted
an invitation to live with her brother Joseph and sister-in-law Frances in Cork. Nano had left home aged
about 10 years so her bonding with her younger brother David would have been slight. However Joseph, as a
young adult, had joined Nano and Ann in Paris where Joseph had fought in the French Army at the Battle of
Fontenoy in 1745. When Joseph and his wife Frances moved home from Cove Lane to Hollyhill, a suburb of
Cork City, Nano built herself a small cottage in Cove Lane.
1.4: Nano had been distressed at the level of religious ignorance of the workers on the family estate in
Ballygriffin and once again, on her travels through Cork City, had witnessed the hoards of ragged, hungry
children running wild in the streets. Remembering the good work achieved in Paris by les petites écoles the
innately timid Nano began to devise a scheme to circumvent the Penal Laws which forbade a Catholic to
teach Catholic children. She consulted her confessor and together they came to the conclusion that this
venture required very careful treatment. If discovered Nano knew it would be dead in the water. The civil
authorities would immediately close down any such establishment, she would be heavily fined and Nagle
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family members would be put at great risk, particularly Uncle Joseph ‘who is, I think, the most disliked by
the Protestants of any Catholic in the kingdom’. Consequently ‘I kept my design a profound secret’. About
the year 1752 a cabin, situated west of Joseph’s house on Cove Lane just beyond the Chapel (St. John’s Mass
House), was acquired for rent, Nano’s maid was sent to hire a teacher and to persuade the parents of thirty
poor girls to allow them to attend. The position was perfect. Nano could leave Joseph’s house each morning,
walking in the direction of the Chapel and after some time continue on to the school. All went well until an
innocent request was made to Joseph by a poor man to put in a good word with Nano for his daughter to be
admitted to her school. Realizing the implications of Nano’s actions for the Nagle Family Joseph ‘fell into a
violent passion and said a vast deal on the bad consequences which may follow’. Frances had a calming
effect on the situation, Joseph was soon reconciled to it and Uncle Joseph ‘was not at all angry at it’. The
family soon came to see the value of the schools and gave the project their total support.
Fifteen years later Nano employed the same strategy. At the very moment that Nano was writing to Eleanor
Fitzsimons in July 1769 her plan to bring the Ursuline nuns to Cork was once again a profound secret and for
the same reasons. Her family would not hear about it for another year.
1.5: Encouraged by her family and with clerical support Nano gradually increased the number of girls to 200
over the space of nine months in two schools in the South Parish, Cork. A request to set up schools in the
North Parish was received and Nano ‘readily complied’ and 200 more girls were enrolled. At this stage Nano
and the Nagle family were financing the project, paying rent and the salaries of the school-mistresses,
supplying teaching materials and most likely feeding the children.
1.6: Nano had never intended to take in boys. Perhaps this was because there was a small school for boys
near the Franciscans in Shears Street. However her sister-in-law, Frances, felt strongly that boys should be
given the same opportunities. There may have been a reason for this. Joseph and Frances did not have any
children but we know that David and his wife Mary had an only child, Garrett Joseph, who was baptised at
the South Parish Church, Cork on 14th July 1755 but died in infancy. This tragedy may have influenced
Frances. A house was found, and a master employed to teach 40 boys. This school is reputed to have been
located near the North Gate Bridge at the foot of Blarney Street where two of Nano’s schools for girls were
located.
1.7: Seventeen years into her apostolate and aged 51 years Nano was responsible for seven schools spread
across the city, two for boys and five for girls. The pupils attended from 8.00 a.m. until noon and again in the
afternoon until 5.00 p.m., six days a week. The primary focus was on their spiritual development using the
Douai Catechism as a text from which they also learned to read. Writing and basic arithmetic were included
in the curriculum. Three of the schools for girls extend the school day by one hour during which they learn to
work making them readily employable in the grand houses throughout the City. The pupils attended daily
Mass, said morning and night prayers, went to Confession monthly and Communion as appropriate and the
Rosary was said every Saturday. This was a demanding programme both for pupils and teachers.
1.8: Nano took personal responsibility for certain aspects. She gave instruction in the catechism in one of the
schools every day. In spite of feeling herself very incapable she prepared a group for First Confession and
First Communion twice a year. This necessitated speaking for up to four hours a day. Nano was in the early
stages of consumption at this time and the exertion caused her to spit blood which she was careful to hide
lest she be ‘prevented from instructing the poor’. While admitting that she had health issues Nano was quick
to reassure Eleanor that she there was no problem. In spite of the demands made on her energy Nano wrote
that ‘I often think my schools will never bring me to heaven, as I only take delight and pleasure in them’.
1.9: Nano explained everything that happened in her life in relation to her God. At times, when everything
and everyone was against her: family members, the civil authorities, disappointment over Margaret Butler’s
departure, and the loss of prospective candidates, the temptation to abandon her vision must have been
heartbreaking. At first Nano was prepared to spend every penny she possessed in a ‘poor, humble’ venture
which would enable her to educate about fifty or sixty girls in some rural place, perhaps Ballygriffin. Nano
never dreamt that she would have a school in Cork City. Then the Almighty came to her aid. Her family
were soon reconciled and were even ‘so good as to contribute largely to support’ her schools. She inherited a
considerable fortune from Uncle Joseph which enabled her to expand from one to seven schools, educating
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up to one thousand children. ‘You see it has pleased the Almighty to make me succeed…and though it
pleased the divine Will to give me severe trials in this foundation (the Ursulines), yet it is to show that it is
His work and has not been effected by human means.’ Nano was encouraging Eleanor to persevere in spite
of the personal difficulties she was experiencing: the loneliness of living among foreigners, the demands of
the Novitiate, the uncertainties regarding the success of the Cork foundation. God is in control and all will be
well, beyond our expectations, if we place our trust in Divine Providence.
1.10 Nano reverted to the initial problems outlined at the beginning of her letter. A renewed search has
begun for a professed nun to become Superior of the Cork Foundation. ‘Had I only a proper person to begin
it, I think it has the prospect of meeting with surprising success’. Nano was charmed with the account
Eleanor gave of the kindness shown to her by the Ursuline nuns and the level of training she was receiving in
Paris. However Nano has reservations about the degree of religious discipline (strict enclosure, solemn
vows) at Rue St. Jacques thinking it too strict for an Irish context and really ‘I should not rejoice to see it
kept up’. Nano is setting out her stall here. The Ursulines in Cork would need to be able to go out among the
people, walk to the schools, attend the sick in their homes and not be overburdened by an over regulated
prayer life that would prevent them from carrying out the works of charity. Nano’s vision of the active
Religious required a balance between prayer and good works. The Archbishop of Paris had allowed this
relaxation of the Ursuline Rule in the case of Margaret Butler so it did not appear to be a problem.
The search for candidates to join Eleanor in Paris was always a priority. Mary Moylan, half-sister of Dr.
Moylan, had gone abroad with the intention of joining a French Religious Order. Her family were
disappointed that she had decided against joining the Cork group but there were hopes that she was
beginning to change her mind. No doubt it made Nano recall her own struggle in the French Convent and
helped her to view the situation from Mary’s point of view. Nano made no secret of the fact that she dearly
hoped that Mary would eventually come to appreciate that there could be no better opportunity for exercising
her zeal in the service of God than in Cork. Mary eventually returns from Paris to become the second novice
received at the Ursuline Convent in Cork in 1771.
1.11: Afraid that Eleanor would detect a note of despondency in her letter Nano gave Eleanor some exciting
news. In addition to all obvious benefits gained by the poor children in Cork word of Nano’s schools were
spreading far a field. Shipping Merchants trading between Cork and many parts of the world were giving
employment to Nano’s boys and they in turn were bringing the Gospel message to children of other nations.
Nano was quite excited and surprised by this turn of events. Her mission was no longer restricted to one city
on the edge of Europe. Consequently, her vision is expanding to include the whole world. Eleanor must have
been greatly affirmed in her vocation with this assurance that it is God’s work and has not been effected by
human means.
1.12: Eleanor had told Nano in her previous letter that there had been a change of office holders in the
Community at Rue St. Jacques, Paris. Dr. Moylan appears to have negotiated with Mère de St. Cyprien as
Superior of the Community for the acceptance of Irish candidates for training and both she and the Novice
Mistress were very supportive and encouraging to the Irish ladies. Nano was disappointed that both have
been replaced but her trust in the Almighty is steadfast: ‘The Almighty is all-sufficient and will soon make
up this loss to us’. Nano sent greetings to the former Superior and Novice Mistress.
1.13: Dr. Moylan, the future Bishop of Cork, worked untiringly for the Ursuline Foundation, travelling back
and forth to Paris to keep contact with the Irish Novices. Nano was now financially secure and had lodged
money with her Bankers in Paris, George and Jean Waters, originally from Macroom, Co. Cork, for the use
of Eleanor Fitzsimons and the future Irish Ursuline novices. With firm confidence in the future of the Cork
Foundation, a Convent was being built in Cork in preparation for the arrival of the Ursuline nuns. There had
been a problem with securing the site. Since secrecy was paramount Nano had hoped to get a secluded plot
set back from the public thoroughfare but had to settle for a location fronting the street. This necessitated a
modification of the structure so that the building would not be recognized as a Convent. While Nano was
worrying about the future comfort of the nuns she herself was living in a small cottage ‘never intended for
ladies’. Dr. Moylan on one of his many trips to Paris had visited Eleanor and given her an account of the
progress being made on the building. Nano ends by expressing the hope that her next letter would be taken
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by hand to Paris by the young ladies, Eleanor’s future companions in the Novitiate.
-o0oThis paper was presented to Sisters and Associates at Presentation Convent, Matlock, England on 2nd and
3rd September 2013. There was enthusiastic participation in this study of an Introduction to Nano’s Letters
and Nano’s first letter to Eleanor Fitzsimons. The letters display a perfect balance between realism and
optimism, anxiety and trust, disappointment and joyful surprise.
The session concluded with a short Prayer Service with a final collect:
Nano, woman of faith and fortitude, of courage and compassion, lighting lamps of love across the
centuries, across the world: Help us to keep true to the Gospel message and to interpret it faithfully as
we try to address the problems of our time. We remember in prayer Presentation Sisters throughout
the world, their co-workers and all in their care.
The morning sessions were attended by the Staff of the Nursing Home and Convent and the theme was “The
Ethos of the Presentation Sisters”. The significance of the Presentation Badge, the life of Nano, the
symbolism of the lantern and the history of the Matlock Convent were discussed.
[Submitted by Sr. Una Burke]
Reception into the Novitiate in the US
On 8 September the U.S. Unit rejoiced in welcoming Judah Leggett into the Novitiate. We congratulate
Judah and pray God's blessing on her.
The Union – US Unit rejoices in welcoming Judah Leggett into the Novitiate. Judah began her Candidacy on
October 7, 2012 at the Callaghan Road Community in San Antonio. She has been accompanied by Sr.
Finbarr O’Driscoll during her Candidacy. Sr. Catherine Burke now journeys with Judah during her Novitiate.
Short Reflection by Judah
"On Sunday, September 8th, The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I was received as a Novice
into the U.S. Province. Many of our sisters from southern California and Sr. Julie Hurtado from San
Antonio, TX joined us for the ceremony which took place at San Miguel Church in Watts, Los Angeles.
The ceremony opened with the prayer service celebrating the integration of Fargo into the US Province, and
with an appropriate hymn, The Summons, a hymn that has been close to my heart throughout my journey of
discerning Religious Life. We listened to readings from our Constitutions and from the Book of Sirach that
reminded us that despite adversity and trials, which are a natural part of life, sincerity of heart, patience,
and trust in God will help us through (Ch 2:1-6). I know that the Notiviate will be a time of many blessings,
but also challenges and I pray for the grace to place my full trust in God who will help me through.
Following a homily by Sr. Antonio Heaphy, I was presented with a copy of our Constitutions and we closed
by singing the hymn, One Step Beyond. The reception ceremony was followed by “high tea” in the parish
hall.
I am deeply grateful to God for His invitation to follow Him and I’m thankful for all the people in my life
who have played a vital role in helping me to respond with a “yes” to His call."
[Submitted by Sr. Jocelyn Quijano]
Badjao Development in Alaska Mambaling
This news article chronicles the development of the Badjao from 1997 when Presentation Sisters discovered
them living on the fringes of the sea. Since then Presentation Sisters have walked with them in their struggle
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for survival.
In 1997 the Presentation Sisters “found” an abandoned group of people amid a Cebuano community on the
fringes of the sea in Alaska Mambaling, Cebu City. Since then the Sisters have ministered to them, worked
alongside them and walked with them, step by step, in their struggle for survival.
Along the way many people from all over the world visited this area where the Sisters work as it was an
interesting place finding Tribal group in the midst of a very commercial City.
For thousands of years this Tribe was neglected, discriminated against and pushed to the edge of society.
Why?
There are a number of reasons:
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They are Tribal with all their culture and practices intact
They are peace-loving
They are animist
They speak a language not understood by others
They are known as Badjao which means ‘of no value’ because they will not fight but simply get into
their little boats and row away.
These are the people who have captured the hearts of the Presentation Sisters!
In the beginning of the relationship, 97% of the tribe were totally illiterate. Now there are 13 college
graduates among them, one of them soon to finish MA Studies. She also was the first female to graduate and
is teaching in the Center run by the Sisters. She is a beacon for the other students who see a success story,
one who can work and interact among non-Badjao while maintaining her Badjao culture and origins and is
proud to say she is Badjao.
Over the years, many changes have taken place since the Panglima (Chieftain) asked the Sisters to
educate the children. A fire destroyed their houses, the little classroom, their boats and all their
meagre belongings. The search for a place to call ‘home’, was on!
After three years of searching and negotiating, the Government gave the Sisters a place to develop beside the black murky, sewage-laden sea but would not help in developing it. So the Sisters set
about reclaiming this terrible area and three years later, had a reclamation site and a Center with
three classrooms and a library cum tutorial room downstairs and in the upstairs area, a staff-room
with an IT area for the students and a meeting hall. All this was made possible through the efforts of
the Irish people donating out of their savings, their poverty, their widow’s mite or out of their
plenty. All that came to the Sisters was used to build a ‘home’ for the Badjao. The government
promised to help with housing, water, electricity, sewage and drainage. The only thing that resulted
from that promise was a set of 90 houses made of glorified cardboard - no water, electricity,
drainage or sewage area. The Sisters provided the drainage and communal water faucet but could do
no more at that time.
In 2010 a dream for housing with the basics, such as water, was hatched. A local foundation, set up
nearly forty years ago by a prominent business family known for their social awareness, offered to
partner with the Sisters to form an all inclusive project for the Tribe. A leading university in the city
was tapped to help in architectural planning and so the dream was born.
SERVE, the volunteer group formed by the Irish Redemptorists in 2003 come to the Philippines
each year to work with and share life with the people. Indeed the Philippines was the birth and
baptism place of SERVE! With SERVE helping financially with educational materials, further
studies of the teachers and general encouragement over the years, the Presentation Sisters presented
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a project proposal to Misean Cara through SERVE in 2012. This project set out to build a number
of houses, a clinic, formation work with the youth, leaders and whole tribe, and a feeding program
for malnourished children, a salary for both an engineer to oversee the construction and for a
community officer. Thirty-two houses (8 quads) were built with an equal number by the
Foundation, lots of formation work was done over two years and this year saw the building and
official opening of the Clinic.
On February 1, 2013, the foundations for the Badjao Clinic were laid. Why a clinic?
The Badjao Tribe continues to suffer discrimination and it is something that will take many years to
overcome. This discrimination takes place in the local clinic even though we meet with the medical
personnel from time to time. The Badjao are put to one side and left unattended or told to come back another
time. After many weeks of being treated in such a way they rarely returned which resulted in the
compounding of illness or even untimely death.
The German Doctors‘ Association offered us a medical clinic two years ago and after the three day
consultations, they recognized the need to have regular consultations among the Tribe. Hence, they
committed to coming twice monthly and the results are unbelievable among the Tribe. Illness is recognized
in its early stages. Tuberculosis, prevalent among the Tribe is now being treated. Leprosy among one family
was diagnosed in its early stage so preventing the loss of limbs and spread of the disease. The Doctors
worked in the Meeting Hall in the Center but it was felt that a clinic where they could have proper equipment
would greatly help. During their visits, they not only do consultations but train the leaders to treat simple
illness, diagnose early stage illness and they also teach the use of herbs that grow in the little gardens in the
area.
The building of the clinic, a truly Badjao Building, the bricks being made on site by the Tribe, the building
being constructed brick by brick by them. They were totally involved in its creation.
On August 13, a few days before the SERVE group finished their time here with us, the formal blessing and
opening took place. For many weeks we were wondering what title to give the clinic and then decided that
since the foundation was laid on February 1, the funding came from Ireland, Nano Nagle, the Presentation
Sisters’ Foundress is Irish, why not give it the name, St. Brigid, in honor of a priestess, healer, leader and
woman, more than likely related to the Druidic Race with Ritual very prominent at that time in history. We
followed the Badjao ritual in the blessing and opening. After the National Anthem, welcome address and
rationale of the clinic, the women blessed the outside of the clinic with dance, incense and symbols.
Then the story of St. Brigid was narrated in English by Annie, one of the teachers and in Binadjao by
Venerva, Teacher and Badjao. After the story, the ceremonial handing over of the key by the engineer to
Diane Duggan, SERVE leader and representative for Misean Cara, to Felicito Asamsa, Panglima (Tribal
Chieftain). The clinic was opened and the women entered and blessed each corner and the center. After that,
the Tribal dance took place and then all were invited to take part in the blessing dance, after which snacks
were served in the Center. It was a lovely day.
The following is the little story of Brigid we used in the ritual.
In ancient times, men and women enjoyed equal rights, and this is seen in the life of Brigid of Ireland.
She was a woman who gave advice, ruled wisely, healed, and was a lover of the poor. Her story gives
testimony to her care for people more than for wealth and possessions. She looked after the sick and made
sure that her followers did the same wherever they went. She set up schools especially for the poor in ancient
times. Her convents were places of learning for both male and female. She used the elements of nature, the
sun, and the moon, for fertility and to protect women in child birth. Hospitality was her focus of attention, so
there was no one ever turned away. Rich and poor were welcomed to her home and that tradition has lived on
in Ireland today. She considered spirit and body as one. As water, one of the elements she used, wells all
over Ireland are dedicated to her and people believe that certain wells were blessed by Brigid to heal and
cure illnesses and diseases especially illnesses of the eyes.
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As today, we have water that symbolizes life, and fire that symbolizes strength, life and struggle, these
represent the life of Brigid to whom we dedicate this clinic. May she continue her healing, her leadership and
her wisdom to all those who enter this clinic.
It was indeed a lovely day.
[Submitted by Sr. Analee]
Blessing of the New Facade at BCC
In this news article, Joe Michael Egca writes of the blessing on 14 August of the new facade at Binalbagan
Catholic College. Joe is a former pupil and is now a faculty member at BCC.
August 14, 2013 was another remarkable day for Binalbagan Catholic College as an institution. The morning
of that day was reserved for the blessing of the school’s newly renovated facade.
As I had been told to prepare for the blessing of the new facade, I feel so honored. It was a great privilege to
help in the preparation of such a notable event of this institution. A day before the event, I and the SSG
officers were busy preparing the candles, flowers and the ribbons and one thing that came to my mind was,
why we have this blessing? What is the purpose for doing such event? Well, honestly I didn't know until it
had been realized. I spent the night here in school for the preparation.
The next morning, I was very excited that it was now the time for main event, the blessing of the facade.
With the help of the student body we arranged everything we had prepared, the choir on the other hand was
busy practicing their songs and preparing the Religion area for the liturgy. Everything was now set.
One by one, the Presentation Sisters and other sponsors arrived seeing beautiful smiles upon their faces, most
of them are familiar to me, even I could have recognized them by their names. In time, Bishop Patricio
Buzon arrived to celebrate the blessing. The Mayor of Binalbagan, the Vice-Mayor, government officials and
other sponsors gathered there to witness this event.
The blessing started with a song, followed by the prayer of the Bishop, and a bible reading from 1
Corinthians 12:1-11. In his homily, Bishop Patricio Buzon, SDB, DD emphasized the value of the goodness
inside rather than outside. He expressed his appreciation to BCC for giving first emphasis to quality
education rather than the outside structure of the school. What is inside should also be reflected outside, and
this the right time to give way for the construction of a marker for BCC. The homily was followed by a
prayer from one of the faculty of the school. The ribbon cutting followed officiated by Bishop Buzon and Sr.
Nenita Robledo and the unveiling of the marker by the Presentation Sisters. Sr. Joy H. Puerta read the
content of the marker which reminds us how the school started and its development to now. The Bishop
blessed and sprinkled with holy water every corner of the facade together with Presentation Sisters while the
rest sang the “Blessing” song. This was to remind everybody of the Sacrament of Baptism and as a way of
offering this place to God. A final blessing to all and a song of thanksgiving concluded the ceremony.
After which, a simple snack was served. Everyone was happy witnessing the blessing of the new façade. I
was also happy that now I realized the meaning of this celebration, that this to give thanks to God for all His
blessings for the BCC community that this project has come to realization and to be reminded that everything
comes from God and should be offered to Him. Congratulations to all!
[Submitted by Joe Michael A. Egca, SSG Adviser. Joe Michael Egca was a former accountancy student of
BCC. He graduated in 2010 and now he is a full-time faculty member of BCC in Commerce,
Accountancy, Business and Information Technology Department (CABAIT Dept.) He is a Certified
Public Accountant and teaches accounting subjects.]
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USA Unit Marks Its Becoming One
On 8 September a Prayer Service and Ritual was celebrated in communities to mark the inclusion of the
former Fargo congregation into the Union U.S. Province.
A Prayer Service and Ritual was held on September 8, the feast of the Nativity of Mary, in local
communities, or in some cases, in clusters of communities. It marked the inclusion of the former Fargo
congregation into the Union U.S. Province. While different communities or clusters adapted the prepared
Prayer Service and Ritual according to local culture, there were common elements that were held such as the
pouring of water from two ewers into one bowl signifying that “like water poured out, Fargo and U.S.
Province flow together without boundaries or distinctions.”
The prayer began with a reminder that where two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name, there He is among
them and it was followed by a reverent silence in acknowledgment of the presence of the Triune God. After
singing ‘We Walk One’, everyone was invited to come forward to “immerse ourselves in the mystery of
Cosmic Oneness” by silently scooping up water from the bowl, holding it for a few moments and releasing it
back into the bowl. It continued with a joyful psalm, a commitment to “hear the call and journey as one”
towards the living out of the Congregational Gathering 2012 Direction Statement, and the singing of the
Magnificat. It ended with a blessing and the singing of the chorus of “We Walk One.”
It was a simple, beautiful and meaningful ritual. An Associate from Fargo, Brian Arett, who is presently
helping out at the Collaborative Ministry in New Orleans, joined the Sisters in prayer and was honored and
moved by the prayer.
A couple of cluster of communities, Southern California and Texas, took photos of the celebration.
[Submitted by Sr. Jocelyn Quijano]
Ireland's Newest Museum opens in Carlow
In this news article, Dermot Mulligan, Museum Curator, traces the history of the new Carlow County
Museum. The Museum is now housed in a landmark building which was formerly home to the Presentation
Sisters.
Carlow County Museum
On Thursday April 11th last the new Carlow County Museum on College Street in Carlow Town was opened
by Minister Phil Hogan, TD, Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government and Cllr. Tom
O’Neill, Cathaoirleach of Carlow Town Council. The Museum has been developed by Carlow Town Council
in partnership with the Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society (CHAS). The Museum is entered
through Carlow Tourist Office and admission to the Museum is free.
The building in which the Museum is now housed is a landmark building within the centre of Carlow town.
Until 1989 it was home to the Presentation Sisters. From here generations of Carlow girls were educated and
the Sisters legacy thrives in the town through both Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál primary school and Presentation
College secondary school. In January 2011 to mark the bicentenary of the Presentation Sisters arrival to
Carlow town they presented Carlow Town Council with their 1811 Carlow foundation chalice for display in
the new Museum. The new Museum occupies the College Street end of the former Convent. The front of the
building, facing Tullow Street, was renovated in 1998 to house the Carlow Library and Archive. In 2000 a
Fáilte Ireland Tourist Office was opened in the building. The Museum occupies the rest of the building
which has four exhibition rooms, the two largest house the Museum's permanent collection while the two
smaller rooms are used for temporary exhibitions. The Museum is accessed through the Tourist Office.
Saturday 29th January 2011 Presentation Sisters Anna, Annemarie and Peggy with Cllr. Walter Lacey,
Cathaoirleach of Carlow Town Council unveiling the bi-centenary plaque in honour of the arrival of the
Presentation Sisters to Carlow on 29th January 1811.
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The Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society (CHAS) founded and opened the Museum in 1973. In
1979 it was relocated to the former Theatre of the Town Hall, a space provided by Carlow Town Council.
The Society managed the Museum on a voluntary basis with employment assistance from FAS. In 2002
Carlow Town Council took over the operation of the Museum and has worked in partnership with CHAS to
undertake the redevelopment.
Externally the Tullow Street facade of the Convent has a number of architectural features to ensure the
building stands out on the town’s main street. Probably due to the narrowness of College Street coupled with
the height of the building its external appearance is quite plain. As a result a series of red banners have been
erected along College Street to lift the building and highlight its location to visitors. But what the building
may lack in features on the outside it more than makes up for it on the inside.
The Museum’s ground floor was used as the Convent’s primary school until 1960. Originally there were
three classrooms separated by partition walls with access provided by a corridor on the College Street side of
the building. Since 1989 these rooms had been used for a variety of community and voluntary organisational
purposes as a result alterations were made to a number of these internal spaces.
To provide the Museum with a flexible display gallery it was decided to open up the ground floor as one
large display space. An original fireplace backing onto the Tourist Office has been retained in its original
position.
Below the original north stairwell a window that was originally a door was reinstated as an opening for
access to the Museum’s extension. At the foot of the stairs an opening was punched through into the
Museum extension to provide a door into the new ladies toilets. The large north window above the stairs had
all its broken panes of glass replaced. Through this leaded window a framed view of the Cathedral steeple
can be enjoyed. To retain this view and yet prevent natural daylight from entering the building, which would
damage the artefacts, it was decided to build a new internal wall at the first floor landing all the way to the
first floor ceiling. This stairwell was previously used by pupils as well as the public to access the Convent’s
first floor Chapel to attend services. The half landing has a limestone holy water font which now displays the
Convent’s 1811 chalice and is surrounded by a collage of Convent photographs.
At the top of the stairs one enters into what was the Convent’s former Chapel. This is now arguably the most
impressive room within all of Carlow Local Authorities public buildings. Considering the many architectural
features in this room particular care and attention was given to the care and restoration of this room. Apart
from the exhibitions that have been installed here the former Chapel is an exhibit in its own right.
The main part of the Chapel ceiling has fifty panels and each panel was gilded during the nineteenth century.
Unfortunately sometime during the 1960s the ceiling was painted over. Over the years some of the panels
paint began to flake re-revealing parts of the original gild. The gild is so thin it is virtually impossible to strip
back the paint without also stripping off the gild. However, just enough flaking occurred to reveal the
impression of the patterns that were originally gilded onto the ceiling. When the main construction works
were completed and prior to the installation of the exhibitions all fifty panels were skillfully re-gilded.
Careful scrutiny of the ceiling by a curious visitor will reveal that the centre of one of the panels still
contains the hook from which the Chapel's sanctuary light once hung.
The altar, along with the stalls, organ, wall memorials and Stations of the Cross were removed in 1989 but
the two wooden and plaster blind archways along with the organ screen were retained along with the reardos
(back of the altar). The wooden reardos which is located in one of the blind archways contains Victorian
glass and along many of its edges contained gilding. This was extensively cleaned and re-gilded.
For some time mystery surrounded the dedication of the six stain glass windows. The dedication reads “Pray
for the repose of the soul of Mr. P. Hanlon, RIP”. Following the publication of an article in the Carlow
People newspaper requesting information about the stain glass windows, Mr. John Murphy of Killinure,
Tullow contacted the Museum suggesting that this might be Patrick Hanlon from Grange who died in 1928
and is buried in the graveyard adjoining St. Patrick’s Church in Rathoe, Co. Carlow.
According to Patrick Hanlon’s obituary, published in the Nationalist & Leinster Times on June 27th 1928, he
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died on October 17th and his death “removes a prominent figure in the public life of County Carlow … He
was closely identified with every movement for the welfare of the country. He was a staunch supporter of the
tenant farmers in their fight against Landlordism and was a loyal and enthuastic Nationalist of the old school
of Irish politics… For many years he was a most attentive and capable member of the old Carlow Board of
Guardians… Deceased was returned a member of the first County Council, and of the Rural District Council,
in 1899… The late Mr. Hanlon was a successful and progressive farmer, and his interest in agriculture was
shown at the meetings of the County Carlow Committee for Agriculture…”
These details were forwarded to Sister Marie Therese King, Presentation Sisters Provincial Archivist, who
manually searched the Carlow Convent’s Annals for this period. It has transpired that Patrick Hanlon of
Grange is indeed the P. Hanlon that the windows are dedicated to. His connection to the Convent was
through his sister, Mary Lucy, who according to Convent records entered the Carlow Convent in 1855 at
twenty-one years of age taking the name Sister Catherine. Unfortunately she died in 1870 aged just thirty-six
years and is interred in the Convent’s graveyard which adjoins Carlow Cathedral. In his last will and
testament he left ‘One thousand pounds to Reverend Mother Superior for the time being of the Presentation
Convent Carlow, in trust for the benefit of the Community of said Convent.’ It appears that all of this money
was used in the Convent’s Chapel as the Annals state in September 1931 that “the insetting of six stained
glass windows in our little Chapel was completed to-day. The gift of P. Hanlon, Grange Co. Carlow.” In
May 1933 the Annals further state “Today saw the completion in our little Chapel of the triple magnificent
gift of Mr. P Hanlon, Grange … in the form of six stained glass windows, set of stalls and Stations of the
Cross – all of which so enhance the beauty of our little sanctuary.”
The six windows in Carlow County Museum are Mary with St. Anne her Mother; the Sacred Heart of Jesus
with St. Margaret Mary; the birth of Jesus; the Fourth Station of the Cross; Our Lady with St. Bernadette at
Lourdes; the Annunciation. The beautiful windows were crafted by Earley & Company of Camden Street,
Dublin and their work is considered as good as Harry Clarke’s studio works. Two of the windows are on
view as part of the Museum’s religious display. The other four windows are covered with removable panels
to keep daylight out.
The Chapel houses the Museum’s largest object - the magnificent hand-carved nineteenth century pulpit
from the next door Cathedral of the Assumption. The pulpit, made in Burge in Belgium, was controversially
removed as part of the mid 1990s reordering of the Cathedral.
Directly behind the Chapel and at first and second floor levels directly above the Tourist Office are the
Museum’s two temporary exhibition galleries. This area was previously the Sacristy and the Sister’s cells. In
2000 as part of the Tourist Office fit out these two floors were developed into exhibition galleries. At the end
of the tour visitors egress the Museum and returns to the ground floor via the beautiful original main
Convent staircase.
To accommodate the ancillary facilities such as offices, toilets, onsite storage and canteen an extension was
built. The extension is located to the north and north east of the building. The first floor portion of the
extension is respectful of the Convent's leaded windows with the installation of a flat roof below the large
north window and a balcony in front of the first window on the east side. The extension is clad in cut Carlow
limestone to complement the existing convent building which was built of mainly limestone rubble. The
Museum building is fully accessible and this is something not always possible or easy to achieve in a
nineteenth century building.
The exhibition design and installation was led in house by the Museum staff.
New Displays
Among the new displays are exhibitions dealing with:
John Tyndall, Carlow’s prolific 19th century scientist whose discoveries still have an impact to this day, he
is arguably the Father of Fibre Optics, discovered the greenhouse effect and was a renowned mountaineer.
Captain Myles Keogh was in the 7th US Calvary and killed in the Battle of Little Big Horn along with
General Custer. Kevin Barry, a medical student from Co. Carlow was executed in 1920 in Mountjoy Gaol at
the age of 18 for his role in the War of Independence. For centuries during the Bronze Age Dinn Ríg was the
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seat of the Kings of the Province of Leinster and from where the name Leinster came from. Carlow Sugar
Factory, Ireland’s first and largest sugar factory, was in 1925 the first public private partnership in the
history of the State and an innovative agricultural business. The former convent Chapel exhibition gallery
houses the Museum’s largest object – the magnificently hand-carved 19th century pulpit from the Cathedral
of the Assumption. It is considered one of the finest pulpits in the Ireland. The Museum collection contains
rare archaeological specimens of axes, swords, Bronze Age food vessel and an exquisite eleventh century
piece of Irish silver which is part of the Jackson collection. The ground floor contains a display of trades and
commercial life such as the forge, shop, bar, Boot Factory, plumber, carpenter, barber and a kitchen. The law
and order section displays the original trap door from the gallows of Carlow Gaol, possibly the only one on
display in a Museum in Ireland. All of the exhibitions will be added to and enhanced over the coming years.
The majority of the project costs were met from within Carlow Town Council’s own resources but have
received grant assistance from the Heritage Council, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Carlow
County Development Partnership and Fáilte Ireland.
Nationally there are twelve official County/City Museums in Ireland. A County/City Museum is one that is
operated by a Local Authority. Carlow is now the second County/City Museum in Leinster, the other being
in Co. Louth. All the County/City Museums work closely with the National Museum of Ireland, particularly
in the area of Archaeological Finds. Carlow County Museum is designated by the National Museum to
collect and display archaeological artefacts from County Carlow.
The new Museum’s two temporary exhibition galleries will accommodate both travelling exhibitions and
those created in house. Making full use of these galleries and the designation status the Museum decided that
the first temporary exhibition would be ‘Journeys in Time – the Archaeology of the M9 Carlow By-pass’.
It has been developed by Carlow County Museum in association with the National Roads Authority (NRA),
the National Museum of Ireland and Rubicon Heritage Services, who carried out the excavation work.
All artefacts on display in this exhibition are on loan from the National Museum of Ireland. The importance
of these excavation results for Carlow is acknowledged by the fact that ‘Journeys in Time’ is the very first
temporary exhibition to be held in Carlow County Museum and it will run until April 2013.
Incidentally both Cllr. Tom O’Neill, Cathaoirleach of Carlow Town Council and Dermot Mulligan, Museum
Curator are past pupils of Presentation College Carlow.
Carlow County Museum would like to sincerely thank the Presentation Sisters for their invaluable
information, support and eternal encouragement to all associated with this project.
Check out www.carlowcountymusuem.ie or join in on www.facebook.com/carlowcountymuseum and
twitter.com/carlowcountymus
Carlow County Museum Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday
Monday - Saturday
Sundays & Banks Holidays
10.00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. September - May
10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. June - August
2.00 p.m. - 4.30 p.m. June – August
Admission to Carlow County Museum is free and is self guided. Guided tours can be provided for groups
(pre booked), schools can enjoy the special fun quiz while families can undertake their own investigations
with our junior detective quiz.
[Submitted by Dermot Mulligan, Museum Curator]
Pledge to Protect
On 19 August 2013, as part of the school's Green Drive, students at Presentation Convent Secondary School,
Delhi, added a new meaning to Raksha Bandhan.
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The students of Presentation Convent Senior Secondary School gave a new meaning and significance to the
solemn occasion of ‘Raksha Bandhan’ (Protective Bond) on 19th of August, 2013. According to the ritual,
a sister ties a sacred string on the wrist of her brother reminding him to be at her side during times of
adversity. The brother pledges to do so unconditionally presenting her with some return gift on this
auspicious festival. But the girls of PCS made big colourful eco-friendly rakhis and tied them on trunks of all
the trees adorning the beautiful lush green campus, pledging to commit to a lifelong obligation to protect the
trees and their environment! This was an endeavour on the part of students to discharge their duty as
responsible citizens (to Go Green), protect the rights of trees that are considered green gold and befriend
them as well.
In an effort to increase the green cover, spread awareness and sensitise the students, the ‘Green Drive’
initiative was undertaken by the school Principal, Sr. Regi, Vice–Principal, Sr. Hema and Headmistress Sr.
Maria. The morning assembly speech addressed the issue of global warming and urged the students to pay
heed to the clarion call of Mother Nature to respect and enhance the tree cover in school and society at large.
[Submitted by Ms Naseem Owaisy, Delhi, India]
Dramatics at St. Anthony's
Inter-house dramatics took place recently at St. Anthony's school, India.
Inter house dramatics was held in our school on 22 August 2013. Students belonging to four houses took part
in this dramatics and the prize was given for the best house. The theme was based on Shakespeare's Comedy
Plays. Each house selected a play.
The different plays were




The Merchant of Venice
The Taming of the Shrew
As you Like it
Mid Summer Night's Dream.
It was appreciated by the parents and the students enjoyed watching the performance of their friends in their
costumes.
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IPA News
A Reflection for International Day of Peace - 21 September 2013
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The United Nations
invites all nations and peoples to honour a cessation of hostilities during the day and to commemorate the
day.
The United Nations General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of
peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. Our unity in this prayer is especially urgent as we bear
witness to the ongoing and looming violence for the Syrian people.
This reflection finds its source in the cosmic dream of unity and connectedness for all of us. Each sister,
associate and friend of Nano is invited to stop their daily activities at noon on September 21, stand, and enter
into a place of silence and peace. The attached prayer calls for a contemplative and deliberate pace.
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Click here to access the Reflection for the International Day of Peace.
[Submitted by Sr. Elena Hoye, IPA Networker]
Friends of Nano News
Zambia Friends of Nano Nagle Gathering 2013
From 4th to 6th August the Zambia Friends of Nano assembled for their Annual Gathering which was hosted
by the Kaoma Friends of Nano.
The Zambia Friends of Nano Nagle Gathering took place from 4th to 6th August, 2013. The meeting was
hosted by Kaoma Friends of Nano Nagle. Fifty-four members attended this meeting together with four link
Presentation Sisters. The youth Friends of Nano entertained us with sketches and songs which we all
appreciated. Sr. Annmary, International Coordinator Link Sister, has returned back home to India. We will
all miss her. Sr. Inez has since take over. We welcome Sr. Inez.
Among the issues discussed at this very important gathering were: Co-Values, Sustainability, Accountability,
Vocation Promotion:
Co-Values - reflection on the co-values as a guiding wheel. We should bond ourselves with the divine and
let us listen to God all the time. Giving an example of growth through a plant which was depicted to
encourage covenant with creation as this is a natural order as all nature is important. Therefore, we should
take care of mother earth. Faith and commitment such as Nano had is still needed to continue doing justice in
the way of Jesus. These groups of Lay people inspired by spirit of Nano Nagle meet every month for prayer,
reflection and to do charitable works such as establishing young Friends of Nano groups, care of mother
earth, Hospital and Prison visitation, justice issues, work with the community group and encouraging
vocations.
Sustainability – Income Generating Projects are in place – such as Farming, Poultry, Piggery, buying and
selling of Rice. Funds raised from these projects help sustain the groups and enables us to help our less
fortunate brothers and sisters. We also encourage our neighbours to take up some of these projects in an
effort to become self-supporting.
Vocation Promotion – Has given us an opportunity to teach the youth about the life and work of Nano and
also to make them aware of the wonderful contribution the Presentation Sisters have made to the lives of the
people here in Zambia. With education and prayer, we hope they will be encouraged to follow the example
of the life of Nano either as friend of Nano or Presentation Sister.
Accountability – The importance of accountability and transparency in all our work was discussed and brief
lesson on book-keeping were talked over and done.
Commitment – We renewed our desire for commitment and encouraged those who were not so active to rethink why they joined in the first place.
During this gathering, we had very good input by Forestry Department on Care of the Earth. The issue of
deforestation was discussed at length and we got a very valuable lesson on tree planting. In an effort to
discourage charcoal burning we had a demonstration of an alternative means of cooking by using sawdust
and solar stove. We also had input on Beekeeping and the value of honey, both in the diet and as an income
generating project. Another input was a sensitization on human trafficking prostitution especially during the
UNWTO conference should be vigilant when such activities happen, that our family, relatives we should
enlighten them. This time humans have turned into business.
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There are some changes concerning Presentation Sisters uniting Zambia and Zimbabwe, so it will no longer
be Zambia but Africa.
In Zambia distances are long and transport is expensive. We were worried about the members who would
have to travel long distances for our annual general gathering. We discussed other possibilities but all felt
that meeting together was of too great a value for all as a learning and encouraging exercise. It is important
that it takes place every year.
In the evening, we sat around the outside fire and discussed our work, triumphs and failures and learned a lot
from each other’s experiences. We also bonded and got to know each other better. We thank God for having
such a fruitful meeting and look forward to next time in Kabanga.
Friends of Nano Nagle spread the message of peace
On 21 September, International Day of Peace, the Friends of Nano gathered together their neighbours and
the children to celebrate the day in Kaoma.
On the 21st of September the Friends of Nano at Kaoma gathered their neighbours and the children to
celebrate International Peace Day. The highlight of the gathering was that the people present were invited to
share what they understood by the word PEACE. The response were encouraging, to hear it from the mouths
of the youth. They understood peace as love, sharing, respect, care for the environment.
This was followed by reflection on the passages from the bible that also spoke of peace. The children
brought the celebration to a closure by drama which showed how peace is disturbed in our families, and how
important peace is for all of us to grow into responsible people in our community.
The mothers that were present thanked the Friends of Nano for inviting them to the gathering and said that
we all have a role to play in keeping peace, in our families, in our communities and with all people.
This same programme was conducted by the friends of Nano with the inmates in the prison. The inmates
greatly appreciated that some group thought of them and came to visit and share and listen to them.
[Submitted by Sr. Inez Fernadez]
Friends of Nano and Associates Day 2013
Glorious sunshine welcomed the forty-three Friends of Nano and Associates who arrived in Ballygriffin for
their Annual Gathering on 8 June 2013.
The Annual Gathering of the Friends of Nano/Associates was held in Ballygriffin on Sat 08 June, 2013. Most
areas where there are Associates were represented with people travelling from Clondalkin, Dungarvan,
Castlecomer, Hospital, Mayfield, Mooncoin, The Commons, Thurles and Waterford, 43 in all. We were
greeted with a welcoming smile, a most welcome ‘cuppa’ and glorious sunshine.
Sr. Paula Buckley welcomed us to Ballygriffin, introducing herself as the new co-ordinator. This was her
first meeting with the group, apart from her previous association with Ballygriffin. The meeting was held on
this day to facilitate a visit to the ‘Farmers Market’ and all were pleased to experience this aspect of
Ballygriffin and made organic purchases. Following this we were divided into two groups, one going to the
Icon room where there was a reflection on the icon of Nano Nagle, wonderfully facilitated by Sr. Anne
Lyons. Sr. Lisa Pires spoke movingly to the other group of Nano the Social Innovator. A new initiative in the
carpark and area around the Nano Nagle Centre is the strategic placing of various sayings of Nano Nagle
done on slate. Sr. Frances Crowe introduced us to these stations. Their location enabled everyone to engage
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with this aspect of Nano’s story.
We were well ready for lunch at this time and enjoyed the fruits of the organic farm and the labour of those
who work there. All enjoyed lunch and the opportunity provided to meet, chat and reflect together. We were
able to enjoy the sunshine also.
In the afternoon the groups changed and this was followed by a plenary session. This was a challenging
session, looking for answers to the questions "What would help you to respond to your call as
Associates/Friends of Nano?" and "How do we continue to carry the flame of Nano Nagle creatively into the
future?" The responses to both questions were both challenging and thought-provoking.
A member was nominated from each area to represent them on a core group of Associates/Friends of Nano
for the Province who will meet and plan for the future.
Visiting Ballygriffin is obviously a source of pleasure to all who attend these gatherings regularly. We are
enticed to this remote area year after year, to experience the peace, beauty and special spirit of this hallowed
spot. Here acquaintances are renewed and we enjoy the freedom and joy of being with ‘likeminded’ people.
We are nourished again at the ‘source’ and return home renewed and revitalised.
[Compiled by Sr. Teresa Walsh]
Spirituality
A New Harmony: the Spirit, the Earth and the Human Soul
This two-day workshop will be delivered by John Philip Newell at the Nano Nagle Centre Ballygriffin from
6 - 8 October.
‘As never before in the history of humanity, we are becoming aware of our interrelatedness. We are
beginning to comprehend that what we do to other species is what we do to ourselves. We are beginning to
perceive that what we do to other nations and peoples is what we do to our own soul. The question is
whether we will choose to translate this emerging consciousness into transformative action.’ (Excerpt
from A New Harmony by John P. Newell)
John Philip Newell uses a threefold approach to new harmony. One is to remember the essential harmony
deep within the matter of the universe and the depths of the human soul. Two is to face and confront the
magnitude of broken harmony within us and within the world. And three is to ask what is the cost of
transformation that will allow a new harmony to be born afresh in our lives and world?
The event will consist of presentations followed by meditative practice and shared reflection. Ancient
wisdom from the Celtic world and the emerging wisdom of new science will shape the presentations. Silence
and simple chant will be our tools of meditation. And small group sharing and full plenary conversation will
form our reflection times together. The focus throughout will be transformation.
The Revd Dr John Philip Newell is a poet, peacemaker, and scholar. In 2011 he received the Contemplative
Voices Award from the Shalem Institute in Washington DC. John Philip divides his time between Edinburgh
with his family where he does most of his writing and the United States of America where he teaches and
preaches across the nation. Formerly Warden of Iona Abbey in the Western Isles of Scotland, he is now
Companion Theologian for the American Spirituality Center of Casa del Sol at Ghost Ranch in the high
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desert of New Mexico where he and his wife spend their summers. John Philip, the co-founder of Salva
Terra: A Vision Towards Earth’s Healing, is an ordained Church of Scotland minister with a passion for
peace among the great wisdom traditions of humanity. His PhD is from the University of Edinburgh and he
is internationally acclaimed for his work in the field of Celtic spirituality, having authored over 15 books,
including Listening for the Heartbeat of God, Christ of the Celts, Praying with the Earth, and his most recent
visionary work A New Harmony: the Spirit, the Earth and the Human Soul.
Bible and Ecology
During this weekend workshop at Nano Nagle Centre Ballygriffin, 27 - 29 September, Sr. Celine Mangan
O.P. will explore the Bible and Ecology.
This weekend workshop at Nano Nagle Centre Ballygriffin, to be delivered by Sr. Celine Magan, will look at
the Bible through the lens of our new understanding of the world around us and in the light of the ecological
crisis facing that world.
Creation Time
Christians around the globe celebrate Creation Time from 1 September to 4 October.
Creation Time grew out of a resolution adopted by the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN)
in 1999.
This year's theme, Water Justice, ties in with the UN International Year of Water Co-operation. Resources
are available on the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website www.ctbi.org.uk/creationtime
Check out www.ecocongregation.org - click here
Who's under your carbon footprint?
View the Catholic Climate Convenant Video and take the St. Francis Pledge to care for creation and the poor
at http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/
Water is a human right
Water and sanitation are human rights. If you agree you might like to sign a petition
http://www.right2water.eu/ , inviting the European Commission to propose legislation implementing the
human right to water and sanitation as recognised by the United Nations, and promoting the provision of
water and sanitation as essential public services for all. The petition urges that the EU institutions and
member states be obliged to ensure that all inhabitants enjoy the right to water and sanitation and that the EU
increases its efforts to achieve universal access to water and sanitation.
Call to Prayer
In response to the call of Pope Francis, a silent vigil was held on Saturday last in Coventry to pray for peace
in Syria. It was organised by Pax Christi members and CAFOD supporters.
“I appeal strongly for peace, an appeal which arises from the deep within me.” (Pope Francis)
These words echoed through my heart as we gathered in the Cathedral ruins –
gathered to be still, to be silent, to go within, to find,
to find a place to remember,
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to remember the men, the women, the children of a stricken country,
stricken country, ruined country, devastated peoples, victims of war violence,
worse still of chemical weapons torture,
torture which deprives children of a future, torture bringing even death.
It is only from within that the answer comes,
where am I in all of this?
I am right in the middle of it, I must claim some responsibility,
responsibility - yes, if I do not dream peace, if I do not live peace,
cultivate peace within, radiate peace without,
then I cannot claim to be innocent.
So as the skateboarders travel the cobble stones and sightseers pass by,
the lighted candles flickering in the breeze on the Ruins’ steps
tell me yes, there is hope, there is a future,
hope and future and we search within to find them.
Once found we build a new world, a new future.
On leaving this sacred place I place my lighted candle at the feet of Alan
and with a spring in my step know deep within that as long as
there are people such as those on the Ruins’ steps
the light of the Gospel will be brought to those living in darkness,
the hope of the gospel will be brought to those living in despair,
the healing of the Gospel will be brought to the lonely,
the disadvantaged, the marginalised,
and the peace of the Gospel will be brought to a divided world.
“Blessed are the Peacemakers who give and give and give.”
September 7th 2013 Syrian conflict
[Written by Teresa Phelan and Ann Farr]
Coventry: Silent Vigil for Peace in Syria
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A silent vigil, for Peace in Syria, took place in Coventry on Saturday afternoon. It was organised by Pax
Christi members and CAFOD supporters.
Sr. Teresa Phelan said: "The Vigil today - it was a special experience of stillness and prayer and I'm sure our
presence reached out to Syria and to all men, women and children who are suffering."
<!--[endif]-->
Earlier in the day, Ann Farr, a member of the Board of Pax Christi International and CAFOD Coventry
Deanery Co-ordinator, in an interview with BBC Coventry and Warwickshire spoke of her visit to Jordan
during which she met Syrian refugee children being cared for in the Caritas school in Amman. Children
whose short lives had already been traumatised by the death and destruction they have witnessed and who
have little hope of returning to their home country, or what little is left of it.
What can we do to make peace in the world?
In his address on 1 September, Pope Francis asked this question, What can we do to make peace in the
world?
On the Plea for Peace
"I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church on 7 Sept. next, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen
of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world"
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Hello!
Today, dear brothers and sisters, I wish to add my voice to the cry which rises up with increasing anguish
from every part of the world, from every people, from the heart of each person, from the one great family
which is humanity: it is the cry for peace! It is a cry which declares with force: we want a peaceful world, we
want to be men and women of peace, and we want in our society, torn apart by divisions and conflict, that
peace break out! War never again! Never again war! Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and
protected.
There are so many conflicts in this world which cause me great suffering and worry, but in these days my
heart is deeply wounded in particular by what is happening in Syria and anguished by the dramatic
developments which are looming.
I appeal strongly for peace, an appeal which arises from deep within me. How much suffering, how much
devastation, how much pain has the use of arms carried in its wake in that martyred country, especially
among civilians and the unarmed! I think of many children who will not see the light of the future! With
utmost firmness I condemn the use of chemical weapons: I tell you that those terrible images from recent
days are burned into my mind and heart. There is a judgment of God and of history upon our actions which
are inescapable! Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake. War begets war, violence begets
violence.
With all my strength, I ask each party in this conflict to listen to the voice of their own conscience, not to
close themselves in solely on their own interests, but rather to look at each other as brothers and decisively
and courageously to follow the path of encounter and negotiation, and so overcome blind conflict. With
similar vigour I exhort the international community to make every effort to promote clear proposals for
peace in that country without further delay, a peace based on dialogue and negotiation, for the good of the
entire Syrian people.
May no effort be spared in guaranteeing humanitarian assistance to those wounded by this terrible conflict, in
particular those forced to flee and the many refugees in nearby countries. May humanitarian workers,
charged with the task of alleviating the sufferings of these people, be granted access so as to provide the
necessary aid.
What can we do to make peace in the world? As Pope John said, it pertains to each individual to establish
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new relationships in human society under the mastery and guidance of justice and love (cf. John XXIII,
Pacem in Terris, [11 April 1963]: AAS 55, [1963], 301-302).
All men and women of good will are bound by the task of pursuing peace. I make a forceful and urgent call
to the entire Catholic Church, and also to every Christian of other confessions, as well as to followers of
every religion and to those brothers and sisters who do not believe: peace is a good which overcomes every
barrier, because it belongs all of humanity!
I repeat forcefully: it is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture of conflict which builds harmony
within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue; this is the only way
to peace.
May the plea for peace rise up and touch the heart of everyone so that they may lay down their weapons and
let themselves be led by the desire for peace.
To this end, brothers and sisters, I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church on 7 September next, the
vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East,
and throughout the world, and I also invite each person, including our fellow Christians, followers of other
religions and all men of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this initiative.
On 7 September, in Saint Peter’s Square, here, from 19:00 until 24:00, we will gather in prayer and in a spirit
of penance, invoking God’s great gift of peace upon the beloved nation of Syria and upon each situation of
conflict and violence around the world. Humanity needs to see these gestures of peace and to hear words of
hope and peace! I ask all the local churches, in addition to fasting, that they gather to pray for this intention.
Let us ask Mary to help us to respond to violence, to conflict and to war, with the power of dialogue,
reconciliation and love. She is our mother: may she help us to find peace; all of us are her children! Help us,
Mary, to overcome this most difficult moment and to dedicate ourselves each day to building in every
situation an authentic culture of encounter and peace. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!
Living Justly
Facilitator Training Weekend
'Be the Change' facilitator training weekend will take place from 8 November to 10 November
In 1994, a small group of us Mercy Sisters in Clonfert Diocese came together to find new ways of expressing
their commitment to the Earth. And so An Gáirdín came into being!
An Gairdin are offering a ‘Be the Change’ facilitator training weekend for all interested people in November
this year. The course will take place from 6.00 a.m. Friday, 8 November to 4.00 p.m. Sunday, 10 November
at Teach Bhride, Tullow, Co. Carlow. Registration will be from 5.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. followed by opening
ritual at 6.00 p.m.
Cost per person (including manual + DVD): 100 euros (non-residential); 140 euros (residential); 150euros
(en-suite, only 7 available)
For those who may have difficulties in paying, concessions will be made.
For further information contact Roisin O’Brien roisinobrien@gmail.com Mobile 0861995837
Challenge to Change Project 2012-2013
Challenge to Change 2012-2013 marks the tenth anniversary of this development education project. Thirtyfour schools participated during the past school year. Schools are now invited to participate in Challenge to
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Change 2013-2014.
Challenge to Change project highlights issues of justice, human rights, interculturalism and sustainabililty.
Schools are now sending in their Outline Project Plans for 2013-2014. The Outline Project Plan can be
downloaded from the Resources section of the www.presentationsistersunion.org website, along with a
resource for ideas on what topic to choose.
The Challenge to Change 2012-2013 Book is also available in the resources section to download.
10 Years A' Growing
To celebrate ten years of the Challenge to Change Project a Conference will take place on Wednesday, 23
October 2013 at the Tullamore Court Hotel. It will be of interest to those who wish to learn more about
Development Education. A booking form is available to download in the Resources section of the
www.presentationsistersuion.org website
Reflection
RUAH 2013 Reflection
In her article, Sr. Helen Martinez reflects on her experiences while being on pilgrimage with RUAH 2013.
To journey from Talamh an Éisc to the land of Nano Nagle and Edmund Rice was a graced time for my
companions Agnes McCarthy, Associate, Sister Doris Walsh, and me. To be in touch with our Irish roots and
our Presentation heritage, we had to go to Galway- our founding community. Each experience was
inextricably bound together by the delights and demands of welcome and hospitality. The warmth of the
Galway sisters was incredible. We saw Galway Bay and stayed in the very convent where our four intrepid
foundresses left their homes for Talamh an Éisc. We loved the opportunity to be at the Shrine of Our Lady of
Knock, attending Mass on the Aran Island of Inisheer, supper in Tuam and connecting with the sisters of
Galway. Several times I was moved to tears by the immensity of the grace of being there and grateful for the
faith and courage of our four foundresses.
To be pilgrims on the Ruah 2013 experience starting in Dublin meant that we had to be open to encountering
so many who shared the vision and we had to accommodate to silence, solitude and sharing. In the two
weeks of the pilgrimage in Ireland we embraced our vulnerability. The team guided, encouraged and aided
us in a sustained experience that enabled us to have a conscious awareness of being supported.
We awakened to the journey of faith and grew in a deeper understanding of the depth of meaning of what it
meant to be Eucharist then and now. When we journeyed to the place of the Mass Rock, we appreciated the
faith that stirred the people as we rode the bus, climbed stairs and walked deep into the woods to celebrate a
memorable Eucharist. As Carl Jung said, “Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart.
Who looks outside, dreams, who looks inside, awakens.”
Our hearts journeyed as we pilgrims spent time together in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Callan, and
Ballygriffin, as meaningful sense of commonality developed among us. In being pilgrims, there was such an
expression of gratitude for all. There was such a variety of personalities on this pilgrimage and yet what I
experienced among us was simplicity, self-sacrifice and openness to encounter. It left me with the impression
that we had known each other all our lives and we walked one. In the sharing, talking, laughing, praying,
walking, dancing and singing there erupted such a contagious delight in each other’s company that overcame
any obstacles. In the process, we had undergone a transformation that will have a lasting resonance on our
lives.
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One of the highlights for me was spending four days in Glendalough on a journey with the Divine where
there was time to see the goodness of Creation being celebrated while life was being regarded as pilgrimage.
Fr. Michael Rodgers facilitated this time of renewal and new birth in the way of learning about the Gaelic
culture, language and Celtic spirituality that shaped Nano Nagle and Edmund Rice.
The story of the Universe awakened us anew. In the presentation we had an invitation to look deeply into the
universe story. By balancing the outer world with the inner and by looking into our hearts, for a brief
moment in time we became explorers and the boundaries of our perceptions leaped from Asia, Africa,
Australia, Europe, and the Americas to the galaxies.
“History says, Don’t hope on this side of the grave. But then, once in a lifetime the longed for tidal wave of
justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme.” (The Cure at Troy. Seamus Heaney). I believe that the
work, the dream and the vision of Nano Nagle and Edmund Rice brought that tidal wave of justice to the
people of Ireland in the education of the poor. We walk today as pilgrims and the miracle of Ruah 2013 is
that the tidal wave continues to flow as we continue on our journey to go one pace beyond.
[Submitted by Sr. Helen Martinez, PBVM, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada]
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