Society News | Medical Mission Sisters

Associates make their commitment

In a joyful liturgical celebration, Nine Medical Mission Associates in Unit North America made their commitment on Sunday, May 6, 2018. Associate Bonnie Templeton made her first commitment while associate Peg Pfaff made her life time commitment. Seven of the nine associates renewed their commitment for five years; Loretta Cody, Karol Feld, Fran Pelham, Phil Pryjma, Jane Jones, Ray Mattern and Rita Maute.

Medical Mission Sisters recognized for their pioneering spirit

In an analysis of the historic role of midwives in safeguarding healthy births, Global Sisters Report noted the contributions Medical Mission Sisters have made to the field. In 1944, MMS opened the Catholic Maternity Institute in Santa Fe, California, training nurse midwives and attending local indigenous birthing mothers for more than 20 years. Today, our sisters continue to heed the call, in some cases providing life-saving care to mothers in remote regions of the world.

Nurses--Committed to Healing

Several years ago, the Medical Mission Sisters Society Communicator Coordinator put out a request to MMS nurses for their reflections on being a nurse. The response was so voluminous the coordinator created two volumes of heartfelt stories and inspiration. Nursing hasn’t been simply a profession or set of skills, but it has been and is a way of life that takes Sisters to the core of others' life experiences. They have responded to evolving needs around them by becoming midwives, anesthetists, nursing educators, and social justice advocates. They expanded the

Responding to the Covid Crisis in India

Kurji Holy Family Hospital, one of the oldest hospitals in Patna, North India, was established in 1939 by MMS. It is now jointly managed by MMS and Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and has 300 beds, which have been increasingly filled with Covid-19 patients. Our Sisters there are reporting significant challenges in providing quality care; they are currently setting up a PSA oxygen plant which will take 6-8 weeks to be completed. In addition, the hospital is struggling to maintain full staffing due to the pandemic.

Laudato Si Initiatives in Africa

Facilitated by the Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM) Medical Mission Sisters in Umoja Kenya were privileged to host a workshop on Laudato Sí, the encyclical of Pope Francis on Care for our Common Home. The workshop focused on ecological conversion, partnering with those working for healing the Earth, making conscious personal choices, and being animators in inviting others to an ecological consciousness.

Re-opening borders

Sisters Judy MacDonell and Pat Gootee are delighted to be back to work in Tucson, Arizona! With the recent change in U.S. administration, the borders have been re-opened; migrants are crossing in large numbers. The travelers, who are supported by sponsors, stay at Casa Alitas for only a day or two and then board buses to move on to their next destination. There is a wing just for those who are Covid positive. Sister Judy and Sister Pat prepare breakfast and lunch; volunteers bring in hot meals, fruit and other provisions. Judy also works in the laundry.

Survival and Celebration

In Hajipur, India, as elsewhere, Covid 19 has disrupted the normal life of the people, especially children. Trafficking, child marriages, child labor are on the rise. Some children have to cook for the entire family as parents go out early in the mornings to search for food. As Medical Mission Sisters go about their lives and mission, they have been inspired by the generosity and creativity that ordinary people exhibit not only to survive but also to help others survive as well. Still Christmas was a day of joy.

MMS Stand With Hajipur Communities

For thousands of years, people in India considered to be in the lowest class in the caste system in India have suffered discrimination, persecution, poverty and many other forms of injustices. This is occurring even in modern India, especially in the rural areas. The Mahadalits (the untouchables) are still considered unworthy of all the benefits and favors accorded to the people in high castes.

Praying for Peace

MMS in Frankfurt, together with many other Christians, gathered in the Cathedral and remembered the implications of war on people, animals and creation. Together we prayed for peace and integrity of creation. Every year people design a logo for these peace candles. Then the beautifully decorated candles are presented in an ecumenical opening prayer service. The service takes place on September 1^st, the Antiwar day in Germany, which marks the beginning of World War II.

Empowering Women in Ghana

In Ghana, West Africa Medical Mission Sisters chose the empowerment of women from the Millennium Development goals (MDGs) to work on. The sisters wanted to increase the skills of local women with skills to enable them to have income generating projects. Sister Colette Beru invited a group of women to share their ideas and dreams of what they would like to learn. The women asked for talks about family life and to learn how to make soap, pomade, powder, pastries and other items for home use.

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