Cecilia's father was an early Mission Partner of the Sisters, so she has known Good Shepherd since she was a child. An Immersion program The immersion program was designed to be holistic. Taylor, H., "The Magdalen refuge at Tempe". Religious Organization. The Sisters provided shelter, food, vocational training and an opportunity for these girls and women to turn their lives around. Since Singapore gained independence in 1965, its economy has been growing rapidly and the country now has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world. [38]:15:11 McCourt praised the government ministers' apologies; they had "sat and thought out and listened to what it was we said. The flower thrives in stagnant water. It was tough at first, helping foreign women, because of immigration laws. In her thank-you speech after the Mass, Sr Joan Lopez, the Province Leader, expressed gratitude and indebtedness to the pioneers. I have experienced how God has provided for me in my limitations, with the right people at the right time. Gift of Love Home, run by the Missionaries of Charity, Sisters of the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta, is opened to house the elderly without homes. ". In these 30 years, I have worked in various ministries of the Good Shepherd, including being a missionary in the Czech Republic for eight years. Copyright 2017. [15], In 1842 Mary Euphrasia sent the first five Sisters to Louisville, Kentucky, to establish houses in the United States. [19] On February 14, 2000 the four Provinces of Cincinnati, St. Louis, Washington and St. Paul merged to become the Province of Mid-North America. GSSM St Mary Euphrasia "You are the roots of the tree, be all goodness, all strength; for the noble mission is ours'." Our Beginnings Singapore December 1939 saw the arrival of two Irish Good Shepherd sisters from Colombo (today Sri Lanka). Young Adult Volunteers Putting Faith in Action! 55 Waterloo St #06-01, Catholic Centre Singapore 187954, For General Enquries: generalenquiries@catholicwelfare.org.sg, For Social Work Enquries: socialwork@catholicwelfare.org.sg, Emmanuel Second Chance Education Programme, We respect and protect the integrity of each and every staff member, We value the profession of each individual, We provide an ethical, safe and secure working environment, We support and promote work-life balance, and encourage personal development of staff so that they may live life fully, We provide pastoral care to families and care-givers, We strive to provide the conditions for the bonding of beneficiaries with their families, We provide education and training as care-givers, to families and their helpers, We recognize the value of every contribution from our donors and volunteers, who embody the spirit of gratitude through their giving, We build long-term relationships, founded on mutual trust developed through transparency, accountability and good stewardship, Our relationship with donors and volunteers is grounded on mutual trust and integrity. They were saying, Would you still love me, care for me even though I am difficult? Another group of residents were migrant domestic workers from various Asian countries. When we first started this ministry, we were helping mostly Singaporean women abused by their spouses. Sister Agnes-Claire: We can accommodate, at most, 40 women and children. We hope it will contribute towards greater awareness of the need for each one of us to take action to protect our home, Earth, Participants in this programme, organised by Good Shepherd Convent Restful Waters, Singapore learn English through a broad spectrum of experiences and learnings, This programme, aimed to equip participants with the skills to plan and write effective grant proposals and so much more, may be better described as a holistic Leadership Programme, Responding to an urgent plea, a team from Singapore planned and implemented the installation of a fresh water system in a Good Shepherd School in Ho Chi Minh city, The Good Shepherd Mission Team in Singapore describe the steep learning curve they travelled in enabling a community in Padaviya, Sri Lanka to have new healthy water systems, From 27 December 2015 to 9 February 2016 a group of 17 Good Shepherd sisters from Angola-Mozambique visited Singapore for an English language immersion experience - and more, Comprehensive overview from the GSAPP team - how Good Shepherd Partnership for Mission developed and became integrated within this region, From 7-11 November 2014, 18 Mission Partners from Singapore-Malaysia visited Myanmar - a Good Shepherd Beyond Borders experience, Interview by Catholic News Singapore 3 May 2015, Learning Journey on Climate Change, in Singapore, Learning English in an International Community, Grant Proposal Writing Workshop, in Singapore, Bringing life-giving water to Padaviya, Sri Lanka, Love Beyond Borders - from Angola to Singapore, Asia Pacific Partnership for Mission - the Journey. ), also called Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, a Roman Catholic order of religious devoted particularly to the care, rehabilitation, and education of girls and young women who have demonstrated delinquent behaviour. Two of the earliest local members of the Congregation, Sr Gerard Fernandez and Sr Therese Thong spoke of their joy at being present for the celebration. Jurong Town/JCW Workers Centre is launched, in collaboration with the Singapore Young Christian Workers Movement, and serves as a centre for the promotion of the integral development of young workers in Jurong Town. As of 2010[update] the Congregation of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd was an international order of religious women in the Roman Catholic Church with its some 4,000 nuns work in 70 countries across the world. The Gabrielite Centre for School Counselling and the Marine Parade Family Service Centre are launched. MacDonald, Sally. We do shift work, sleepover duties, take turns to work on weekends and public holidays. Executive Director, Villa Francis Home for the Aged. She constantly lived under this hypervigilant state because he was unpredictable. Can you talk about these women or the violence against them? They brought many other youngsters and elderly into our house to stay temporarily or have a meal. Manchester: Manchester University Press. Launch of the Breadline / Indigents Diner programme to distribute bread and milk drinks to the needy and destitute in the areas surrounding the CWS headquarters. Since they cook their own meals, they have their cooking schedule to observe social distancing. It is consistently ranked as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. This is my third term (2004 to 2009, 2012 to 2017, 2019 to present). I also thank them for the lessons they taught me. Singapore does not have a minimum wage, and has one of the highest income inequality levels among developed countries. The completed piece expresses their feelings in a non-verbal way.I would add that for me, art includes many various forms. She sent Mother Mary of St Ligouri Bourke Schools were closed, so children were doing home-based learning. With her two daughters, May is starting a new life with counseling to work through her trauma. He recommended state-backed compensation of 7,500 to 100,000 per person for victims of historic child abuse in Northern Ireland, with the maximum for those who had experienced severe abuse or been transported to Australia in the controversial Home Children migrant scheme. Each convent of the Order of Our Lady of Charity was independent and autonomous, with neither shared resources nor provisions for transferring personnel as needed. With COVID-19, we divided our team into two units to ensure continuity should we have a COVID-19 victim. Standing on the site of the former Braddell Primary School, the centre, called the Good Shepherd Place, will have a chapel, a multi-purpose hall, elderly friendly living arrangements for the. A lamb led to slaughter. She has particularly enjoyed being part of the evolving development of Partnership and Co-responsibility for Mission, Morene has been involved with the sisters in Singapore since the 1980s, and now she is Chairperson of both Restful Waters Committee and the Mission Link Committee, 41 students from Marymount Convent School joined us for this special day. All rights reserved. Throughout the years, the center has sheltered women and children fleeing from family violence, migrant domestic workers abused by their employers, and women who were trafficked for the sex trade in Singapore. Today Marymount Centre is a Good Shepherd social service organisation reaching out to children, women and families who are marginalized and facilitating reconciliation with their families. Father Philip is a Jesuit priest born on the Mediterranean Island of Malta. The Gift of Love Home moves from its old location in the Marymount area to its new premises at 35 Boon Lay Avenue on 8 February 8 2012. Sister Gerard Fernandez (left) and Sister Elizabeth Lim in the garden of the Marymount home of the Good Shepherd Sisters. The Republic of Singapore is a parliamentary republic and a sovereign city-state. Mar 24, 2014 SINGAPORE - For 64 years, the Good Shepherd Sisters have lived in a quaint hilltop haven where the the gates have always been open to devotees and those needing a break from. Retreat Director: Fr Philip Chircop, SJ. Facebook. The Congregation has a representative at the United Nations, and has spoken out against human trafficking. We chose to help those who are in the lower income group because they would have the least financial means to rent another safe place. 05 October 2020 - 13 November 2020 At first glance, you might not guess that Sister Elizabeth Lim is a nun. They challenged my call to love and serve the poor, care for the sick, reach out to the downtrodden. A few years ago, the Singapore government built a large complex for these abused workers. We know these women come from very difficult situations in their lives. The Galilee Centre is opened to replace the Jalan Kayu Centre, operated by the Infant Sisters. They came in the country on theDependants Passor Long Term Visit Pass, which might be valid for a year or more. The 'Death List of the Special Cemetery' of the asylum in Velp has 214 names. Singapore Heritage Society president Chua Ai Lin said the place has social and historical significance that connects generations. Born in Singapore to a traditional Chinese family, Agnes-Claire has been a Good Shepherd sister for 28 years. Her rich legacy to the Mission of Good Shepherd includes holistic training programmes for Formators, and her vision of Partnership, Melina has held many roles of responsibility during her 16 years of involvement with Good Shepherd sisters. This is the first time I came back for the [anniversary] celebrationIm very happy to see we have aspirants and collaborators, she said. CWS celebrates its 60th anniversary on 30 June 2019 with a Food and Fun Fair event at St. Theresas Home. All rights reserved. From 1893 to 1910 authorities in Davenport, Iowa placed 260 underage girls in Good Shepherd Homes in Omaha, Peoria, Dubuque, and elsewhere. The convent was established carry out the heart of the Good Shepherd mission, that of providing refuge for women deemed outcasts of society. I recall fondly, the memories of many of you whom I have the privilege to know and appreciate. I am called as a Religious for others, not for myself, with the aim of making a positive difference in the lives of all whom I have the opportunity to meet.I sometimes use art to express my prayer experiences. Executive Director, St. Theresa's Home, Dy. Are you for real? The Heartville Halfway House is launched, providing shelter for ex-prisoners, ex-drug users and men in crises. The Centre, named in memory of the late Sr Susan Chia, will provide literacy and skills training aimed at empowering local women with business start-up and employment opportunities. The nuns shared the conditions of the inmates, such as bland food, hard work, the confinement and the long periods of silence. I need to be awakened to the presence and love of God within me so as to listen more attentively to the . When she first met the man, he was well-dressed with long-sleeved shirt and buttoned-up collar. The staff had to repeat the same program two or three times, depending on the group size. Singapore is also an important financial center. "[20] They ran a laundry, washing the sheets and tablecloths used by the railroad. Their children would be Singapores citizens. I love working for these young ladies, and I am so proud of who they have become today. Ms Cecilia Ee has been a long-time partner of Marymount Convent School and has known MCS as a young child, as her father was an early mission partner of the Good Shepherd sisters. Year by year, foreign-born wives seeking shelter kept increasing, as they did not have the community to support them. Can you give a reflection on your ministry for abused women? The event brings together the residents from all of CWS three nursing homes and its sheltered home, as well as the beneficiaries from its social and financial welfare programmes, their family members and relatives, as well as the community at large. "It's quiet, tranquil and close to nature," said the 50-year-old. [29] An apology on behalf of the Sisters said "we regret that some of our former residents have painful memories of the time spent in our care. They opened their doors to women and girls who were troubled or abused, and they soon needed to secure larger premises. By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy. Over the years, you have walked beside the Good Shepherd Sisters especially in Singapore, expressing your commitment with us in the Good Shepherd ministries. Catholic Welfare Services is led by its Board of Governors who oversee the conduct of its activities and provide strategic direction for the organisation and its management. Looking back, I would say they trained me to be a good shepherd. From 1928 to 1975, the Sisters operated Villa Loretto in Peekskill, New York. Sr Therese, 77, has been on mission in Hong Kong and Taiwan for over 30 years. "There was no proper road then and I remember him trudging up a dirt track," she said. CWS officially launches the CWS Hub at its new and refurbished offices at the Catholic Centre, aimed at providing refuge and support for those in need. These contain a residential home for children, a convent, a chapel and a retreat centre open to people of all religions. For a full list of our milestones, please click here. Sister Mary Carol McClenon, who is a member of the leadership team for the Province of Mid-North America, presented at today's LCWR assembly. Cooking for me is also a form of art, as is the way we plate and present the food. The international event is a call for collective efforts towards combating issues of hunger, food insecurity and food wastage, 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the Global 16 Days Campaign. All rights reserved. I use clay moulding and drawing (with crayons and watercolours) in my counselling and prayer accompaniment sessions. In 2019 she received a significant acknowledgment, In an interview by Catholic News Singapore, Lucy shares her deep motivations as Good Shepherd sister for 30 years, and the meaning of art and sculpture in her life, Susan was a member of the Congregational Leadership Team from 2009-2015. These institutions were the subject of the two-week Module 12 of the Northern Ireland Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry into sexual and physical abuse of childrennot taking into account young women over the age of 18, the majority of residentsstarting on 7 March 2016. The programme would run till December 2014 before being exported to other locations. Sister Agnes-Claire, who is the resident manager of the Good Shepherd Centre, talked with Global Sisters Report about her ministry duringCOVID-19 lockdownand her reflection on how abused women have taught her to be true to her vocation. We were not rich, but we worked hard. At the request of the Melbourne bishop James Goold, four sisters, led by Mary of St Joseph Doyle, arrived in Australia in 1863. July 5, 2011 by goodshepherdlayassociates, Posted in EVENTS | Leave a Comment , June 22, 2011 by goodshepherdlayassociates, Fr. They never screamed at you when you did something wrong. [24] The asylums were initially established as refuges, with the residents free to leave. CWS runs the first ever Charities Week collections among members to expand its activities and services. Good Shepherd Sister, member of The Religious of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd (R.G.S. If the women escaped to their home country, their children became foreigners in their mothers homeland. Rejoicing over their 75 years here, the Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) of Singapore-Malaysia Province celebrated with a Mass in their spanking new hall. Some of these girls were taken from brothels or dangerous home environments. The CWS Counselling Centre is established, functioning as an expansion of the service of the Therapeutic Counselling & Family Therapy Unit in CWS HQ. Let us continue to turn towards each other as Good Shepherd partners to encourage, remind, and support one other and to uphold those who live on the margin. The Good Shepherd awaits us in those places. Over 200 family members, friends, collaborators, benefactors, currect and former students of Marymount Convent School joined the Sisters for the Mass and dinner on December 12, 2014 at Good Shepherd Place, Toa Payoh Lorong 8. In Singapore, Infobel has listed 531,198 registered companies. Good Shepherd Student Care provides after-school care for students of Marymount Convent School, while Good Shepherd Centre is a 24-hour crisis shelter for abused women and their children. Good Shepherd Convent. Sisters of the Good Shepherd - Province of Singapore/Malaysia Jan 2022 - Present 1 year 6 months. She has a younger brother who is a priest of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This programme received the New Volunteer Initiative Award (2002) from then Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Singapore's female managers are still fewer in number than male managers, despite their rising educational level and attainments. They remain positive in their outlook, even though they suffered greatly from the hands of their employers. The Sisters developed two distinct programs: the first, was the care of girls who came from failing homes. After seeking an exhumation order from the authorities to remove 133 bodies from the mass grave, it was found that the grave actually contained 155 bodies. Three years later, the centre cemented its place in Singapore history. The Good Shepherd Mission of empowering lives, restoring rights, upholding dignity embraces people who have experienced injustice, oppression and alienation, especially women and children; awakening in each person, a sense of uniqueness, worth and inestimable value. World Environment Day 2023 : GSC Singapore, Foundress Day Celebration @ Good Shepherd Centre. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads. The Redhill Project is kicked-off, with volunteers conducting monthly visits to poor and elderly female residents in the community, many of whom were Samsui sisters, providing them with love and care. The Roman Catholic Prison Ministry is formed to coordinate services provided for inmates of Changi Prison under the direction of the RC Prison Chaplain. But more recently he has been heavily involved in retreat work. They'd be just totally disappointed in you, and that would make you know what you needed to do. Said Sister Gerard: "It will be a new beginning for us and we look forward to reaching out to a new crowd.". This included having their first convent in Punggol destroyed and being exiled in Bahau, Malaysia during World War II. Good Shepherd Sr. Agnes-Claire Koh poses in front of the Good Shepherd Sisters main convent; public housing can be seen in the background. "[38]:14:34, The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd was a cloistered order in the past, but is now mostly apostolic. However, when I saw the needs of those in our ministries I felt compelled to grow out of my shell. We must endeavour on our side to form ourselves to the spirit of this adorable master and live His very life. "[5], The Sisters also ran residential institutions in Scotland, and were involved in transportation of children to Australia, as there was a Catholic presence there.
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