Meetings for women in Tanzania
Sister Helena began her work with women in Chikukwe in southern Tanzania. This is our new activity in the region. Sister Helena wants to help the women of the village in various ways with their life problems and difficulties. So far, she has sought out such women by visiting villagers. Now she and Sister Aloysia are organizing meetings for women at the sisters' convent. The group's meetings will be held on Thursdays, and on other days of the week the sisters will visit the women in their homes. At the meetings, the women will learn how to sew and cook, and with these chores they will be able to talk about their problems and daily life. The first meeting has already taken place and the participants enjoyed it very much. They promised to bring their girlfriends to the next meeting.
Sewing courses in the Philippines
Sewing courses in the Philippines In our home in Manila, the sisters organize sewing courses for women from the poor neighborhoods of the city. The courses last two weeks and are attended by about 8-9 women. The initiative is supported by the Polish Embassy in the Philippines. The first of the planned three courses has just finished. 8 women received certificates of completion of the course, and thus the skill, thanks to which they will be able to start work.
Introductory day for new employees
On September 20, 2022, the "Induction Day for New Employees" took place in the St. Augustinus Monastery in Berlin. This day has been held twice a year in Berlin since 2005 (there was an interruption only in times of Corona). The newly added employees in the Sisters of Mary facilities in and around Berlin are invited to this event, i.e. from the Marien Hospital in Berlin-Lankwitz and the senior citizens' facilities in Berlin-Kreuzberg, -Karlshorst and Luckenwalde. The day was led by the Vicar General, Sr. Petra, and the manager of our facilities, Mr. Thomas Wagner. After a round of introductions, the participants learned from Sr. Petra about the origins and history of the congregation. In a further step, Mr. Wagner explained the structure and working methods of our facilities using the organizational chart and addressed the current problems and challenges. The participants had the opportunity to ask questions and after initial reluctance, a lively exchange developed. This time it was also a special pleasure that the Superior General, Sr. M. Sybilla, took part in the meeting and was also happy to get involved in the discussions. The presentation of the mission statement of our institutions, in which the participants are familiarized with the principles and guidelines that guide the work in our institutions, was another important focus of this meeting. Here values and the Christian image of man, the self-understanding of pastoral care, dealing with dying and terminal care were informed and discussed. After a feedback session, where the participants could give their feedback and wishes, the meeting ended with an ecumenical service in our hospital chapel. Since we have been holding this day in the German Province for so long, I can say that it has a good tradition and is valued by the employees and they wish for more such meetings.
Lord, You send workers into Your harvest
After celebrating the 50th anniversary of our congregation in Tanzania in July of this year, we had a great joy on September 8, 2022 that 7 young girls started their novitiate in Chikukwe (Tanzania) and other 7, after completing their candidacy, have asked to be included in the postulancy of our congregation. Let us accompany these young girls with our prayers as we ask God to continue accompanying our congregation with His blessings so that the work and charism of our Founder may continue to spread and develop in Tanzania in the future.