Babelfish Translation
‘
… into the world that we might live.’ 1
Jn 4:9
December
2004
RNDM Mission Solidarity
News is published four times each year – March, June, September and December.
RNDM Mission Solidarity is
the RNDM office that promotes mission solidarity in communications and in funding
For the missionary works of the 900 Sisters of Our Lady of
the Missions in 20 countries world wide.
As Advent draws to a close the “O” antiphons in the liturgy remind us of the historic lineage of Jesus– from the God of Wisdom, to the Lawgiver, the Root of Jesse, the Key of David, the Rising Dawn, the King of the Peoples, and to Emmanuel – God-with-us – and the antiphons also remind us of the many generations of people who longed for and prayed for a Saviour, and then rejoiced in His Coming.
In our world today, these antiphons remind us too
of the many generations of peoples who are still waiting for a Saviour. In its own small
way RNDM Solidarity is a promise to some of these people that, through us, God cares for
them.
The Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions really appreciate the on-going support that our Friends, Sponsors, Associates and Agencies have contributed so generously to our mission works during this year. With your contributions so much has been achieved and so many have benefitted. We pray for special blessings of Christ’s Love and Peace on each one of you during this Christmas Season.
We hope you have enjoyed reading about our
missionary works in this Newsletter series. ~~~HAPPY CHRISTMAS ~~~
Hogar Belen [Home of Bethlehem]
Moquegua,
The RNDMs have been in Moquegua since 1968
where they have been a presence among the poor. Hogar Belen is the main work of our
Sisters in Moquegua. It is a home for abandoned children, youth, women and men. It not
only offers food and shelter, but it provides a home environment where love and
understanding make possible the human and spiritual formation of those who live there.
The mission of this community reaches beyond Hogar
Belen – the Sisters and the residents of Hogar Belen participate in various works :
pastoral formation, preparation for the sacraments, formation of catechists, accompaniment
of families, youth formation, formation of Christian communities, participation in the
renewal programme of the diocese, social assistance and parish dispensary.
In 2001 the region around Moquegua suffered a very
severe earthquake. Hogar Belen was the centre for relief assistance at that time, even
though it too suffered considerable damage. These days most things are back on track again
and this ‘Home of Bethleham’ continues to bring peace and joy and new hope to
the hearts and lives of the poor.
Photo Above :
Front entrance at Hogar Belen
L – R:
Fabiola, Jiovanna, Fe [from
The first RNDMs went to
Since that time our Sisters have established works
in Ilo,
~~~FELIZ NAVIDAD~~~
Reports
from
1. Books for the new school at Salt Lake, near Kolkata
During 2001 and 2002 RNDM Solidarity funds were
sent to help set up the library of the new high school built for the senior students of
our college in Kolkata. There was no space to
build the senior college on the same site as the junior high school so the Board decided
to build for the senior students in the
The cupboards, the classroom furniture, and the books were all provided from these funds. The library is used constantly – for class research, and even on weekends and holidays for study, because few students have access to good books, or to a local library. Sister writes “it is a joy to see the students making use of the books provided [by the Solidarity funds]. We are very grateful for the contributions to this project.”
Photo –
above: ‘Just the book I need!”
2. Residential training for rural girls, Barasat.
Since 2000 the Sisters in Barasat have been
welcoming young women from outlying villages to continue their education and training in
their residential centre. The girls have been in school up to sixteen years of age, but
cannot complete their secondary education in their villages. They come to Barasat speaking
only Hindi or Oriya and they start immediately learning English so that if possible they
will be able to continue studying later on. But they are also trained in the skills of the
home – cooking, sewing, cleaning, marketing – and of the outdoors – care of
animals, growing vegetables and flowers. They also have some introduction to computers.
These young women are being prepared to face the challenges of a small family in a village setting with skill and confidence.
RNDM Solidarity
assisted this project in 2001, helping to provide computers, sewing machines and English
texts. During 2003 and 2004 some 16 – 22 young women have been given this chance to
further their education and to develop personal and leadership skills which will give them
a great start in adult life.
Photos: [above left] Preparing the meal and washing
dishes [right] Sewing class
Report
from Aotearoa-New
Challenge 2000 – a charitable organization founded by a past pupil of our Sisters
– works with at-risk children and those who live on the margins of society.
Sisters Connie Hurley [second from left in the back row] and Helen O’Sullivan [third from left in the front row] are both involved in the work of Challenge 2000. Based on the Gospel values of justice, compassion and inclusiveness, the programmes affirm and build self-esteem in those who feel rejected by school or life.
The social workers mentor the clients, and also provide leadership courses and retreats in secondary schools.
Other volunteers deliver food parcels, visit prisons and go to court with clients.
Challenge 2000 attracts support from the local community.
CHUC MUNG GIAN SINH
~~~ BIKPELA HAMAMAS BLONG DISPELA KRISMAS
IA MANUIA LE TAUSAGA FOU
For further
information contact:
COORDINATOR
RNDM MISSION SOLIDARITY, Sister Mary Rose Holderness RNDM, Via di Bravetta 628, 00164
Email: fundraiser@rndmgen.org
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