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1958
The Sisters primary activities in
Japan
focuses
on the mentally disabled, nursery school students and
their families and others who had difficulty within the
fast-paced Japanese society. In recent years the
Sisters joined other religious communities attending an
inter-religious anti-war protest in Tokyo.
1959
In
Brazil,
our Sisters seek to better the health and religious
education of women and children. They cultivate
Christian and Franciscan moral values, and provide
shelter to children whose mothers need childcare during
working hours. They also work with the very poor,
people with leprosy and women and children living with
HIV.
1960
Zambia
has been very receptive to our Sisters. As numbers
grew, they have cared for the sick and the disabled,
opened schools and been active in pastoral care.
1961
Near our community in
Croatia
are a hospital and a rest home for the elderly.
The Sisters bring communion to those who cannot attend
Mass. They try to give them the brotherly love
that they need in their loneliness.
1961
In the
United States
Sisters care for the elderly and those who are alone.
Pastoral ministry and religious education in parishes
have been priorities. Their Viceprovincial House
offers a place for groups to make spiritual retreats.
1975
Sisters reach
Australia
with the intention of serving Italian immigrants.
They opened a house to care for the elderly, a
preschool, and brought people back to participate in the
Church through catechism. In 1979, they left
Australia due to lack of vocations.
1980
Since the first Sisters formed a gathering in
Korea,
our Sisters have been able to expand to rural areas.
Recently they sent a group of four to
China
to care for lepers; there they can only witness to their
faith by their actions. Today the Sisters in the
province number over 100.
1990
Not only have the Sisters helped the poor families and
help to educate their children in
Kenya,
they have also provided guidance for small Third Order
groups.
1996
In the
Philippines
the Sisters approach the poor, the homeless, and
prostitutes, those who most need our help. They
provide food and religious assistance to children
in before and after school programs. They are
thankful for the experience of solidarity and faith
among the poor.
2002 Our
Korean Sisters staff the rehabilitation center for
lepers in
China,
alongside visiting Catholic volunteers and government
employees. Our center has the atmosphere of a
family home. Through our invisible presence and
ministry, we offer a positive experience of Christian
values to the people of China.
2003
In
Russia,
except along the main street of our city, everyone you
meet is poor. Our sisters staff a soup kitchen
three times a week at the OFM Conv friary. They
serve bread with warm tea and broth, and talk with the
140 people who come to eat. Men tell them that
they are devastated after being released from jail;
women tell them they are living alone after their
husbands left them; and young people say that they grew
up in orphanages and now are on their own. Many
have no steady jobs. In their suffering our
Sisters recognize Christ. They offer what they
can: encouragement, comfort, or simply the willingness
to listen. The occasions when they smile are very
beautiful.
2003
A small group of Sisters, near the Conventual Friars'
parish, live in
Indonesia
as witnesses to their faith among the Muslim population.
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