Our many and varied Ministries
Discerning the Signs of the Times ....
Blessed Marie Thérèse, our foundress, died in 1876 but her example of dynamic courage and joy-filled service still inspires the Daughters of the Cross throughout the world. Like her, we never separate the love of God from the love of God's people. Responding to the needs of the times, the Sisters undertake ministries in education, special education, health care in hospitals, hospices and dispensaries, in the care of the elderly, and of those suffering from epilepsy, in marriage counselling and in varied forms of parish work.
Since our foundation, the Daughters of the Cross have tried to discern the signs of the times and respond to immediate needs. In some cases Sisters are linked to the large institutions such as schools or hospitals which were founded in the past and which continue to flourish in various guises today. In other cases you will find new developments which have come about in response to the particular needs of today's society just as they did in the time of Blessed Marie Thérèse.
Many Sisters, on retirement from their professional roles, learn new skills to enable them to continue to fulfil their commitment in new ways and to bring individual care and warmth to those they are dedicated to help.
Our ministries in the English Province are many and varied. For example you will find us:
- visiting the sick and their relatives in hospital and in the community
- caring for the sick and infirm Sisters
- visiting and supporting prisoners
- taking Holy Communion to the sick and housebound
- with families
- helping to prepare children and adults for the sacraments
- participating in bible study and prayer groups
- assisting in local schools and hospitals
- counselling pupils, residents and staff
- working with bereavement services
- using our musical or other artistic talents
- doing voluntary work for organisations such as Amnesty International, Cafod or the Samaritans
- participating in medical ethics discussion groups
- joining in ecumenical and multi-faith groups
- organising activities and functions for residents
- offering services such as reflexology to residents
- working with a self-help group for people with severe physical disabilities
- co-ordinating Justice and Peace activities within the Province
- being chaplains for groups of married couples in the international group "Teams of Our Lady"
- facilitating the various ministries of the Congregation by undertaking all kinds of administrative tasks