Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sisters' Current Ministries
The Maryknoll Sisters made a decision not to own institutions but to move out and collaborate with the people of the countries where they are missioned. Here in China region, we have sisters working in parishes; journeying with the locals as they live their christian calling. Others are serving as pastoral care givers at Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital, Centers for the Elderly in Macau, Hospice,teaching and tutoring,youth ministry, spiritual direction and facilitating retreats,on going education for the Chinese Religious Women in the mainland,
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Maryknoll Sisters in China Region
China was the Maryknoll Sisters first love and the first country where they were missioned. Six Sisters arrived in Hong Kong on Feb. 15, 1921. After a second group arrived, six Sisters went to South China on Nov. 21, 1922. Over the years, more than two hundred Maryknoll Sisters have lived among the Chinese on the mainland (including Manchuria), Hong Kong and Macau. In South China, Maryknoll Bishop Francis X. Ford and their Foundress Mother Mary Joseph Rogers encouraged an innovation: the Sisters went two by two into the remote countryside and lived with the people, sharing friendships with the women, training women catechists, and fostering a Chinese church. They directed the formation of five Chinese novitiates.
Ministries through the years responded to the needs and the changes in Church and society. The lives and commitment of the alumnae of two primary/secondary schools started in Hong Kong in 1925 and 1927 attest to the value of that education. During WWII some Sisters were able to remain with the Chinese people in South China and Manchuria. When the Japanese bombed Hong Kong in 1941, the Sisters who were American or Canadian were sent to Stanley Prison, and finally repatriated by ship as exchange prisoners. Sisters born in Hong Kong or of other nationalities were free and went to Macau or Free China.
When the British recovered Hong Kong in 1945, Sisters returned as quickly as they could. When the Communists took over South China, Maryknollers remained until their presence was more a liability than a help. Twenty-seven Sisters received exit permits. Seven were imprisoned; eighteen were confined to a compound; thirteen to a locality. Six were deported in 1951, another in 1952 and the last one in 1953.
Work with the refugees in Hong Kong was a tremendous challenge to help in their needs for food and shelter. A fifty bed hospital aimed to serve both refugees and low income people. Sisters have been involved in education, medical works, social services, catechetical work, diocesan commitments, communications, etc.. Their motivation was expressed well by one Sister: “I lost my heart to the country Chinese, the Hakka people. Their homes, their food, their joys and sorrows, their tears and laughter were mine.”
Ministries through the years responded to the needs and the changes in Church and society. The lives and commitment of the alumnae of two primary/secondary schools started in Hong Kong in 1925 and 1927 attest to the value of that education. During WWII some Sisters were able to remain with the Chinese people in South China and Manchuria. When the Japanese bombed Hong Kong in 1941, the Sisters who were American or Canadian were sent to Stanley Prison, and finally repatriated by ship as exchange prisoners. Sisters born in Hong Kong or of other nationalities were free and went to Macau or Free China.
When the British recovered Hong Kong in 1945, Sisters returned as quickly as they could. When the Communists took over South China, Maryknollers remained until their presence was more a liability than a help. Twenty-seven Sisters received exit permits. Seven were imprisoned; eighteen were confined to a compound; thirteen to a locality. Six were deported in 1951, another in 1952 and the last one in 1953.
Work with the refugees in Hong Kong was a tremendous challenge to help in their needs for food and shelter. A fifty bed hospital aimed to serve both refugees and low income people. Sisters have been involved in education, medical works, social services, catechetical work, diocesan commitments, communications, etc.. Their motivation was expressed well by one Sister: “I lost my heart to the country Chinese, the Hakka people. Their homes, their food, their joys and sorrows, their tears and laughter were mine.”
Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic
The Maryknoll Sisters are a Congregation of Catholic women religious "committed to cross boundaries whether cultural, religious,social,geographic, or economic to proclaim the Good News of the Reign of God" (Maryknoll Sisters' consitutions: articles #22,40)
Founded in 1912 in Ossining New York by Mary Josephine Rogers, the community was officially recognized by the Vatican as a religious congregation in1920. It was the first American-founded congregation of women dedicated exclusively to foreign missions.
To date the Maryknoll sisters live and serve in about 30 countries.The sisters come from 29 countries of the world. They serve as catechists and pastoral workers,as doctors and nurses,social workers,agronomists, community development workers and peace builders. Every sister usess her gifts and talents, her training and knowledge, and more importantly, her compassionate love and care to promote the total well-being of all those whom she serves.
Founded in 1912 in Ossining New York by Mary Josephine Rogers, the community was officially recognized by the Vatican as a religious congregation in1920. It was the first American-founded congregation of women dedicated exclusively to foreign missions.
To date the Maryknoll sisters live and serve in about 30 countries.The sisters come from 29 countries of the world. They serve as catechists and pastoral workers,as doctors and nurses,social workers,agronomists, community development workers and peace builders. Every sister usess her gifts and talents, her training and knowledge, and more importantly, her compassionate love and care to promote the total well-being of all those whom she serves.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
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