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CSFN in England, France and Italy |
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JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD PROVINCE |
Jesus the Good Shepherd leads the communities of the Western European Province and gathers its members in His strong arms. Over 90 sisters live, pray and work in Italy, France and England, and three of our sisters minister in Nazareth, Israel – one of the missions of the Congregation. The Province, unique in the Congregation’s geographical structure, in that it spreads across three countries in Western Europe, was erected by decision of the General Council in 2003. The official inauguration of the Province took place March 16, 2003. Although the Province itself has quite a short history, its houses and communities can boast chronicles that make the first pages of the history of the Congregation.
The majority of the sisters – around 90% of the total number – lives and work outside their country of origin. Therefore, we are often missionaries in "our own house”. This is an essential feature in our young Province. The sisters come from different provinces: Polish, American or English. There are, on the other hand, sisters for whom the Province of Jesus the Good Shepherd is their province of origin; they entered here, had their initial formation here, and professed vows here. There are many diverse life styles, cultural customs and generational differences among us. These differences enrich us, though it requires extraordinary commitment of heart and mind from all the members of the Province to live in four culturally diverse countries.
One of the names used for our province is the "Western European Province”. The name clearly shows the context in which we live and minister. In countries which formerly held Christianity as their basic religious belief, we now see an influx of people of different cultures, different beliefs and creeds, and the challenge to living the Gospel comes in our openness to, and acceptance of these people, and respect for these differences. |
Italy
The beginnings of the Motherhouse on via Machiavelli in Rome, go back to 1884. It is in this house that our Mother Foundress began to shape our Congregation; it is here where she breathed her last and returned to her heavenly Father's House. Every corner of the house speaks of her presence. It is this house which is presently the Provincialate of the Western European Province.
Sisters who live here work in a variety of ministries: hospital work, nursery/kindergarten, hospitality to guests, as well as pursuing professional education.
The fact that the Generalate of the Congregation is situated in the Province of Jesus the Good Shepherd is another unique feature of this Province. The Generalate community is involved in ministry to students of Duquesne University's "study abroad" program (two semesters of students per academic year), housing the General Administration of the Congregation, maintaining the Congregational archives and the archives of our Foundress, and the International Development Office.
The house in Loreto – so dear to our Foundress – is a Pilgrim house. The small community of Nazareth Sisters living there hosts many people who wish to stop at the Sanctuary of the Holy House of Nazareth.
The fourth house, the latest in the Province, is situated on the eastern coast of the Italian Peninsula in Ascoli Piceno. Since 2004, three sisters have been involved in the life of the local parish and are, in fact, its “stimulating core”.
In France we can meet Nazareth sisters in 3 locations:
Paris – where for several dozen years the sisters have been running an international foyer for young pursuing higher education.
Bagneux (Paris outskirts) – where, in more modest conditions, but with lots of apostolic enthusiasm, the sisters minister among young women who come to France to study or find work. The sisters are also actively involved in teaching religion in parishes and working together with a group of Associates of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Lourdes – The Polish Catholic Mission in 'France has a pilgrim house which is managed by our Sisters, who provide warm Nazareth hospitality for all pilgrims who come to pray at Our Lady's Grotto in Lourdes.
Within the last few years, the sisters have been ministering in a home in Lourdes, caring for the homeless of the area. This ministry receives strong support from both, ecclesial and civil authorities of the city, as well as from the Sisters of the Province.
Two houses in England – in Enfield (London), and in Northampton, are communities in which the sisters are involved in the life and the current needs of the local Church and community. Our English houses are also places where our sisters from non-English speaking countries come from time to time to study the English language.
Our ministries in Jesus the Good Shepherd Province are seen as a way of responding to the needs of the Church by giving common witness to a life lived according to the Gospel of Jesus, building communities of love and hope in our corner of the world in order to build up the family of God.
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