SALESIAN SISTERS IN IRELAND
In 1920 the Salesian Sisters who had been established in England for sometime were invited to Ireland by the Bishop of Limerick. Their first community project was a centre for the education of young girls who had little or no chance of education.
St. Ita's as it was known became a centre for learning -reading, writing, singing, dancing, cookery, housekeeping and Religious studies.
The seed sown in Mornese was growing and in 1947 the Sisters had their first Parish Primary School with 130 pupils in Fernbank, N. Circular Rd. (Celebrating their Golden Jubilee this year!!)
KILMACUD, STILLORGAN, CO. DUBLIN.
This is the Provincial House. The work is mainly administrative. However one Sister works as a Parish-sister in Kilmacud.
The resident Community in Morehampton Road is involved in a variety of apostolates: School, C.Y.C (Catholic Youth Council), APTS (Association of Primary Teaching Sisters), Mission Promotion, Hospital Visitation and Remedial Work. Besides, Morehampton Road being convenient to the city centre and a safe environment, is a house of hospitality for our Sisters who may need to stay in Dublin overnight of for a few days.
This community is situated on the outskirts of Dublin, where there are many social problems, e.g. high unemployment, crime, joyriding, substance abuse. Ministries include teaching in local schools and parish work in many different forms, mainly with young people but also with adults, particularly women.
The community endeavours-
- to help the young people of the area to value themselves and their education
- to empower the people of the area to help themselves
and adopts a holistic approach to material and spiritual poverty in Bawnogue.
Recently we have begun to focus more and more on the wide-ranging problems that arise out of drug abuse and with regard to this we hope to put more of our energy and resources into the area of prevention.
It was established in response to our vision of being more with the 'underprivileged'. Teaching and chaplaincy in the local school together with parish and community ministries are the main focus here.
This is a hostel for university students situated on the campus of St. Patrick's College. During the summer months when the students are on vacation retreats are run and also accommodation is provided for sisters accompanying students to the English Language School nearby. Some of the Sisters who live here go out to minister among the poor and marginalised each day.
The community in Fernbank are involved in many various ministries. The main focus is the long established primary and secondary schools.After school activities abound.There are a number of clubs, leadership groups development of skills like Arts and Crafts..Some work in the nearby Ballynanty Resource Centre.For those in retirement from the more active life there is the very worth while' apostolate of the pen'
This is one of the most recently established houses.Ministries here include school, clubs,adult literacy,chiropody,parish involvement mainly in the area of prayer with children and adults.
The Community of Cill Leala, Limerick has as its ministry a centre for alternative Education for Young People. A caring staff deals with the young preparing them to face life’s problems and to equip them with skills suited to their needs.
We also have houses in Finglas (Dublin), Cahercon (Co. Clare), and Limerick (Dun Ide and Caherdavin), where together with the young people we engage in Education both formal and informal.
