Religious Sisters of Charity

St. Joseph's, Hackney

The history page on the website gives all the information of the Religious Sisters of Charity from their arrival in 1900 to what is now St Joseph’s Hackney.
To-day we are the largest Community in the Province, sixteen in number. Many are in their retirement years, that is, if a religious ever retires given that one’s life of prayer and commitment continues till we draw our last breath!!!
The Community live life to the full within the constraints and diminishment of their advancing years and are very much aware that the emphasis is on being rather than doing. The age range of the older Sisters is from ninety five years to eighty. They are committed to their prayer life and to praying for the many prayer requests that are asked of us as a Community and for world issues that we hear of on a daily basis.
Birthdays are celebrated regularly with great joy while two mornings are given over to keeping their bodies as nimble as possible through exercise with the help of an expert on video tape. Weather permitting they enjoy the beauty of Victoria Park and trips to Herne Bay or shopping expeditions with the help of our devoted carers.
We look back with great regard for the dedication of our older Sisters. Petronilla Maher gave great service in the field of education.
John Fisher McSorley has used her talents in childcare and religious formation both at home and abroad before coming to her native east end for her retirement years.
Jane Frances Fleming worked in the Irish Centre as Social Worker, while Cyprian Cotter spent her life in Pastoral work in Parishes.
Mary O’Sullivan worked hard in the field of catering moving to sacristy work in St Joseph’s until a few years ago, while John Emmanuel Murphy did great work in the adoption service.
It’s a year since Joseph Brigid Sinnott returned to St Joseph’s. All her life was devoted to the sick both at home and abroad .
St Joseph’s is very much a place of hospitality and welcome and each one plays her part in welcoming visitors who come to stay with us. Hackney is situated within easy reach of central London.
Mary Brennan takes care of the Sacristy and is helped by Celine Corrigan. Celine was for many years a teacher in domestic science before retiring. Mary Brennan also has responsibility for the day to day running of the house and spoils us with some home baking, which we all enjoy.
Nuala Gaffney plays an important role in welcoming visitors who pop into the chapel for prayer. Nuala’s earlier life was spent in primary education.
Eithne Mary Breen used her teaching skills in a local school for a number of years as a volunteer having spent all her life in education.
Mary Wynne is the longest serving Sister of Charity in St Joseph’s. She has become very well known as a result of her great kindness to the local poor. She has been very much part of the organising team of the sales which are held regularly every few months. As well as helping to provide funds for the Hospice they have become a social event providing pleasure and interest for many people. Nuala McGinley teaches music in St Dominic’s primary school. The children are from many different ethnic groups from Vietnamese to West Indian.
Jacqueline Doherty co-ordinates the care of our elderly Sisters supported by a band of wonderful carers who provide high quality care over the 24 hours.
Anne Camillus is a volunteer in the Day Hospice and plays a vital role in patient contact providing a listening ear for those who attend. This presence is one of continuing the long history of the Sisters of Charity with hospice care.
Catherine Egan is a part-time chaplain to St. Joseph's Hospice. This allows for the opportunity to visit the patients daily, to administer the Eucharist, and meet with people of all denominations and none, thus providing support and sympathy to both families and patients. Being a presence for the staff is also an important aspect of her work. Catherine is also community leader.

June 2008 - Shepherd's Bush

Shepherd’s Bush, in West London is a community of two sisters (Srs. Jacinta Rankin and Maria Kenny). Sr. Frances Guiney, who lives in Bikenhead, is the non-resident leader.
Sr. Maria Kenny is in full time Pastoral Ministry with the Augustinian Fathers in Hammersmith. She visits families, the housebound and sick - care of older people and those in need of Nursing care increases daily. Many of these people share their sad and funny stories, the “Listening Ear” is so important, these are blessed moments and we are privileged to be part of them.
Maria also visits St. Vincent’s N.H.S. Care/Residential Home, people living in sheltered accommodation and local hospitals. She attends the Irish Centre club where many people gather to socialize.
A big celebration was shared in St. Augustines recently when the Parish Priest Fr. M. Campbell was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Lancaster.
Sr. Jacinta Rankin commutes to the Provincial House in Chiswick where she works as Provincial Secretary.

May 2008 - Canning Town

Canning Town is situated in the East End of London. The Sisters of Charity opened the house on Keir Hardie Estate almost eighteen years ago. The population is multi-cultural and the area has a high rate of deprivation.
The size and ministries of the community have changed down the years. At present Sr. Barbara Kenny works as a Parish Visitor in the local parish of St. Margaret of Cortona and All Saints. As such, she visits all the families of the children preparing for First Holy Communion. With the numbers of children preparing for the sacraments between 75 – 100 each year, this occupies much of her time in the months leading up to the big day. These visits offer the parents the opportunity to discuss other concerns and are valued by the majority.
Another area of Barbara’s ministry is that of supporting elderly, housebound parishioners as Eucharistic Minister. She sees her role with them as a ‘listening ear’ as they reminisce about family and past times. The house offers a welcome space for parishioners to relax and share their stories. During Advent and Lent there is an opportunity to reflect on the Sunday scriptures.
St. Margaret’s parish is very active in the work of TELCO – the East London Community Organising body which campaigns for change for the common good. This helps people from all backgrounds and ages to become active leaders who can help shape the public life of the city. Barbara regularly takes part in campaigns such as that of seeking affordable housing and a living wage. Such activity has brought her into contact with the wider community in this part of London as she recognises the worth of real commitment and the power of people who work together for a common goal.

April 2008 - Birkenhead, 139 Park Road North

Birkenhead is situated at the mouth of the River Mersey and in some parts is classed as one of the deprived areas of the North-West. The Sisters of Charity first came to the town in 1900 and have remained to the present day. Although addresses have changed in the intervening years a community has been living in 139 since 1980.
The present community of four sisters are Sisters Margaret, Frances, Teresa and Mary Teresa. Margaret is retired, Frances is in full-time Pastoral Ministry, Teresa is involved in a Luncheon Club for the Elderly and the Wirral Irish Club, and Mary Teresa works as a Prison Chaplain within a Multi-Faith Team for the pastoral and spiritual needs of Offenders and Staff.
The visitation of families in their own homes was dear to the heart of Mother Mary Aikenhead and this work is still evident in the number of visits made each week to homes, hospitals and residential homes. The Luncheon Club provides a three-course dinner every day and the Wirral Irish Club is a social afternoon every Wednesday where the members enjoy entertainment and a light lunch.

March 2008 - Acton

The Sisters of Charity first came to work in Hammersmith, West London in 1920, at the request of the Augustinian Fathers. At first they travelled from Hackney twice a week visiting the sick, the housebound and the elderly in their homes. After about six months a house was found at Chiswick Lane, Chiswick where they lived for five years, travelling each day to Hammersmith. Eventually in 1925 they moved to a house at Upper Mall, Hammersmith. This house was being sold by a lady who was moving to Dublin in order to join another Religious Congregation. At this stage our sisters worked in Hammersmith, Brook Green and six other surrounding parishes working full time in pastoral ministry. They were also anxious to provide accommodation for young working girls, and so a Hostel was built alongside the Convent. By 1973 the convent was in need of major repairs, and was now too big for the number of sisters living there. Also the number of girls using the hostel accommodation had diminished, and the need for this work was no longer considered a priority. After some searching they found a suitable house at Hammersmith Grove in 1974, which was still convenient to the parishes, and nearer to St Augustine’s Church.
Due to the changing needs of the community in 1998, the sisters moved once again, this time to Rosemont Road, Acton, which is in the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, served by the Sacred Heart Fathers. The sister’s ministries were quite varied at this stage, including one sister working as a Family Health Visitor, and another sister working at a local hospital as part of the chaplaincy team, another nursing in an Elderly Care Unit, a teacher in a school for children with special needs, another sister working with women caught up in sex trafficking trade.
Some of these sisters have now moved elsewhere, and we are now a community of three – Sisters Carmel Bernadette, Madeleine and Geraldine. Carmel still works at Hammersmith Hospital, as part of the Chaplaincy Team. Madeleine works as a volunteer at the Emmaus Centre in Acton, where meals and clothing are provided for the homeless and less fortunate of our society. Geraldine works in administration at the Provincial house in Chiswick.

February 2008 - Airdrie

Airdrie is a town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. This was predominantly a market town where travellers would stop off on their way to Glasgow or Edinburgh. As with much of Scotland, mining and weaving was prevalent, but the mines are long gone, although some can still be found filled in but apparent as hillocks around the town.
The Sisters of Charity arrived in Airdrie in 1957 and they opened Assumption House, a Nursing Home for 16 elderly people. The Sisters were involved in other parish activities as the need arose. In 1986 the Sisters moved from Assumption House to a new purpose built Convent and Hospice in Henderson Street with the new name of St. Andrew’s Hospice. On the 15th August the feast of the Assumption 1998 the Sisters moved into a new Convent separate from the Hospice but still very much part of it.
We are eight in Community at present: Agnes, Anne Carmel, Rose, May, Mary, Maria Porter, Marie Veronica and Maria Coates. We are involved in a variety of ministries.
Agnes is the link between the Sisters of Charity and St. Andrew’s Hospice. Her pastoral ministry involves many of the activities in the Hospice.
Anne Carmel’s pastoral ministry involves working with families and attending prayer groups.
Rose works in the Day Hospice and is involved in many of the activities taking place there.
May is an Associate Chaplain. She is a member of the Ecumenical Chaplaincy team in the Western Infirmary General Hospital and Beatson Oncology Unit, Glasgow.
Mary is the Pastoral Assistant in St. Margaret’s Parish, Airdrie. She is involved in the many Parish Ministries such as St. Vincent de Paul Society, Bereavement Group, home visiting and taking communion to the sick and housebound.
Maria Porter is part-time Chaplain, working alongside the RC Chaplain in Monksland Hospital, Airdrie. She visits people of all denominations. In her spare time she paints. Marie Veronica is retired due to ill health.
Maria Coates is part of the team in the Redemptorist Institute of Spirituality, St. Mary’s, Kinnoull, Perth.

January 2008 - Birkenhead, 137 Park Road North

In 1900, 42 years after Mother Mary Aikenhead’s death, the Sisters of Charity came to Birkenhead. On February 15th 1900 St. Elizabeth’s Convent, Claughton Road was opened by Bishop Allen. For nearly 70 years St. Elizabeth’s was the hub of a vibrant ministry in Birkenhead and beyond. Even today some of our elderly folk can remember with great affection being part of the many Groups associated with Claughton Road. From 1970-1980 Sisters lived in Eleanor Road and in 1980 they moved to 139 Park Road North, where another Community of 4 Sisters now live.
In the year 2000 No.137 was purchased by the Congregation and the present Community of 4 Sisters live there. Sisters Pauline, Frances and Brigid are all involved in full-time Pastoral Ministry while Sr. Josie is retired. The scope of Pastoral Ministry involves working with families, groups, Schools, caring for their needs through home visits, counselling, catechesis and Sacramental Ministry. Care of older people is an area of continuing growth and those in need of Nursing Home care is increasing.
Within the past year Brigid has been involved with the joint Youth Club of Bebington Methodists and St. Luke’s, which is in her area of Ministry. Both can be viewed on their web sites: St. Luke's Parish and Joint Youth Club.
The Birkenhead of today has changed considerably and Sisters work in partnership with other Groups both secular and Religious at local level, in order to provide the best possible service of which they are privileged to be engaged.

December 2007 - Clydebank, Scotland

In 1948, we opened our first convent in Scotland in a town called Clydebank. This was at the invitation of Father Michael Ward, Parish Priest of Our Holy Redeemer’s Church who worked hard with the people to build up their community after the ravages of the Blitz. So the Sisters were invited to help. From very small beginnings of Parish Work and teaching, we have now grown to be the largest Hospice in the country.
We are eight Sisters at present; Teresa Michael, Stephanie, Philomena, Monica, Gerard, Marie, Veronica and Rita. Marie and Philomena are involved with the local Parish and Community Prayer Groups.
Sr. Michael has been seriously ill but is now able to become more engaged in some Pastoral work, keeping very much in touch with some of the elderly who are housebound.
Stephanie is engaged as a Pastoral Assistant in a nearby Parish in Glasgow. This includes Adult Education. Stephanie has recently experienced some ill health and is at present, on sick leave.
Philomena works in St Kessog’s Parish, Balloch. She visits the sick and housebound at home, in hospital and nursing home, and brings them Holy Communion weekly. Shortly after coming to St Kessog’s in 1995, Philomena organised Eucharistic Adoration in the parish. Since then, there has been Eucharistic Adoration on Monday and Tuesday every week from 10am to 6pm. She is part of the RCIA team, a group instructing those who wish to learn about the Catholic Faith. She instructs parents who want to have their children baptised in the Rite, Benefits and Obligations of Infant Baptism. She leads a Scripture Group entitled “Scripture Inspired” which meets every month.
Monica’s background is in education and school chaplaincy work. She helps when asked about form filling, drafting of letters and advocacy, as well as non-directive counselling on occasion. Living next to the Hospice, she has the privilege of meeting “old” friends who are on the last lap of their final journey.. Monica also compiles the Annals of the Local Community, These are the historical records of the Sisters through the eyes of the Sisters themselves- their lived experience. As such these are valuable for posterity.
Marie - Just over 2 years ago, the Parishes of St Margaret and Our Holy Redeemer amalgamated whilst still keeping their own identity and having Mass in both Parishes. On 1 December 2006, Marie was missioned as full time Pastoral Assistant to both Parishes. This means taking Holy Communion to the Sick and Housebound, offering Bereavement Support, visiting the parents of children who are preparing for the Sacraments, bringing together various groups, e.g. church carers and supporting the local SVP group.
Gerard, Veronica and Rita work full time in the Hospice.
Monica and Gerard celebrated the joyous occasion of their Golden Jubilee during September/October. This allowed for great celebration with family, friends, colleagues and Sisters, with many friends and relatives travelling from Ireland and New Zealand to join the celebrations. Mass of Thanksgiving was led by Rev Monsignor James McShane.
The Hospice has recently undergone a major building project to provide a new unit for the 30 frail elderly patients within the Hospice. The new unit will be called the Mary Aikenhead Centre. The patients due to relocate in mid November 2007. It will provide patients with their own en-suite facilities, a small garden area and more private space. More information on the new build and the Hospice can be found at the Hospice Website.

November 2007 - Bristol, Knowle West

Knowle West is a Council House Estate in South Bristol consisting of five and a half thousand homes. It was built in the early nineteen thirties to re-house people from the slum areas of the City. There are approximately thirteen thousand three hundred people living on the Estate. Knowle West has suffered much neglect over the years, yet its people struggle on with a determination to see their area changed and regenerated, they are active and committed in doing this.
In 1935 the Sisters were invited by the Bishop of Clifton to build a Convent in Filwood Broadway which is the heart of Knowle West, he had already secured the site and also the site for a Parish School and Church. The Sisters accepted the invitation and the convent was completed in 1937 when a Community of Sisters moved in.
The Sisters worked as catechists giving religious instruction to adults and children, they organized various clubs for all age groups, planned social outings and events. They also visited families in their homes, supported the sick, elderly and housebound. Later on when the Parish School was built some of the Sisters taught in it.
It was several years later that the Parish Church of Christ the King was built, up until then it was to the Convent people came to seek advice and help.
Today, there are seven Sisters in our Community, Brigid, Florence, Joanna, Josie, Kathleen, Maeve and Maura, all of us are involved in the life of the Estate, in building Ecumenical relations and in our Parish of Christ the King. Three of us are involved in the Filwood Hope Project, an Advice and Drop-In Centre set up by the Christian Churches on the Estate in partnership with Network Christian Counselling. Brigid, Kathleen and Joanna minister to the sick, elderly and housebound in their own homes. Up until recently Josie has been the Parish Co-ordinator of the Catechetical Programme for children. Maeve serves on the Parish Pastoral Council; she also volunteers with a City Wide Project which offers support to Women working on the Street, and with The Alzheimer’s Society, and the Advocacy Service. Florence is a volunteer Assistant Chaplain in the Bristol Royal Infirmary. Maura volunteers in our Parish Primary School, working with disadvantaged children, many of whom have major difficulties with learning, speech, socializing, and play.
Our Convent is a centre for the Estate and Parish. As a Community we meet each evening to pray together, we dedicate one hour of prayer each week to praying for the Estate. We offer a regular safe space to a Prayer Group, to a Parent and Carers Support Group, to Counselling Sessions, and to other needs as they arise. Our chapel is available to anyone who may wish to drop in for a short visit and prayer.
We feel privileged to live and minister in Knowle West, and we receive much more than we ever give.

October 2007 - Birmingham, Leeds, Mytholmroyd and Rock Ferry

The community of the month is composed of nine sisters: Anne, Cecilia, Joanna, Mairéad, Marie, Pat, Patricia, Úna and Vivienne. We live and serve in several different places: Birmingham, Leeds, Mytholmroyd and Rock Ferry. We are engaged in a number of ministries. In Acocks Green one of the sisters is involved in the local parish with the Legion of Mary, the weekly prayer group and in voluntary support of the local hospice. She also supports Mother's Prayers. Another of the sisters works with asylum seekers through Restore, a charity which supports asylum seekers and refugees and the Solihull Churches Asylum Seekers Support Group which runs a drop-in for those attending the Home Office in Solihull. She is also involved in a working party raising awareness of the plight of women caught up in the sex trafficking trade through the Medaille Trust which provides safe houses for those who escape their captors. In Leeds we are involved in prison ministry and work with CROP and run a welcoming space where various support groups can meet. Three of us minister the Word and Eucharist, bring Communion to housebound, frail, ill, lonely or elderly people. We give a listening ear to neighbours and support local community projects. One sister is particularly concerned with persons bereaved through loss of a loved one because of age, illness, accident or suicide. Another guides an adult faith formation group in her parish and holds a weekly scripture-and-prayer meeting for some of the elderly residents in Father Joe Taaffe House.
We meet at regular intervals, to pray, share a meal and have a good chat about ourselves and our interests. Recently we arranged an overnight stay in Leeds and Mytholmroyd and went to York the following day where we visited the Bar Convent chapel, remembering our Foundress, Mary Aikenhead, and the roots from which we spring.

September 2007 - Macclesfield

Macclesfield is a town in the North of England where its people share a sense of community so common in this part of the world. The sisters work in two parishes, Sr. Carmel in St. Edward’s and Sr. Marie in St. Alban’s. The Convent is situated in an area accessible to both.
Sr. Carmel is involved in full-time pastoral ministry; Catechesis, Sacramental Preparation, Adult Spiritual Development, Bereavement Counselling and Eucharistic Ministry to the sick and housebound. Pastoral outreach to people in their own homes is also a vital part of the work.
Sr. Marie works in St. Alban’s parish as a Eucharistic minister, Spiritual Director to the Senior Citizens Club and as a team member of the R.C.I.A. Group which prepares adults, through study and prayer, for reception into the Church.
Sr. Marie is also an assistant Chaplain at H.M.P. Styal. This involves Sacramental Preparation, Counselling and visiting various houses and units in the Prison as well as preparation for the weekly Mass.
The Convent is a centre and outreach for both parishes. Each Monday a Prayer Group meets in the Chapel and when the R.C.I.A. programme is in session, the meetings are held weekly in the Convent. The CAFÉ Catechetical programme is also held there.