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.

Hand Sanitizer for Ghana

Holy Family Hospital Techiman, Ghana, where several Medical Mission Sisters work, has formed a COVID-19 Response Team which is leading the effort to prevent the spread of the virus in their area. Entrance to the hospital has been limited to the main entrance and all people coming in, including staff, are screened; their temperature is checked, and their hands sanitized. The Public Health Team is active with public education and raising awareness using all the means available.

Safe Passage for Vulnerable Children

Eighty-one years ago, the first of the Kindertransport trains arrived in the United Kingdom, bearing children fleeing conflict and persecution ahead of the outbreak of World War II. In total, the Kindertransport rescue effort ferried 10,000 child refugees to safety in Britain. But now, the government was threatening to turn its back on vulnerable children.

Sustainable farming techniques

When a local man learned that manure was the secret ingredient that MMS in Uganda’s Tororo community used to produce flourishing plants on their eco-farm, he decided to give it a try. The result was a substantial increase in yields on his banana plantation! He is one of many people in the region who are benefitting from MMS's workshops and other efforts to provide education about alternative, sustainable farming techniques that allow community members to support their families without depleting resources.

Human Trafficking Advocate

Tucked away in a back office of Medical Mission Sisters North American Headquarters in Philadelphia, Sister Teresita Hinnegan is hard at work on a documentary film project that is perhaps the culmination of her years of work to fight human trafficking. At 90 years old, she may not have as much of a spring in her step as she did in her younger days, but her "fire and flame" for gender equality burns as fiercely as ever. It is her passion that drives her to continue raising awareness about the plight of women around the world.

Thea Bowman Women's Center Reopens

Sister Maria Hornung, along with other Medical Mission Sisters, are thrilled to help facilitate the reopening of the Thea Bowman Women’s Center in Kensington, Philadelphia. The Center was originally opened by Franciscan Sisters in 1989 and serves as a "drop-in" outreach facility where women who are marginalized by poverty, homelessness, addiction, trauma and commercial sex work are invited to rest, shower and have a hot meal in a safe place. Please join us in praying for healing and well-being for the women who come to the Center.

25 years at the UN

Medical Mission Sisters and Associates all over the world celebrated 25 years of official NGO status with the United Nations on October 24. Since receiving official NGO status with the UN, several MMS including Janet Gottschalk, Jane Blewett, Philo Morris and now Celine Paramundayil have collaborated with Religious and other NGOS to pursue our mutual passion: social, economic, environmental and gender justice.

Women Religious Should Have Vote at Synod

Medical Mission Sister, Birgit Weiler, a theologian and member of the Peruvian bishops’ pastoral ministry for the care of creation, was invited by Pope Francis to be one the experts to participate in the Synod at the Vatican officially titled The Amazon: New Paths for the Church and for Integral Ecology. Along with other sisters Sr. Birgit voiced her concern that women should be included among synod voting members and in church leadership positions.

Building Resilient Infrastructure

For Medical Mission Sisters being a healing presence takes actual shape in many different ministries. In Rubanda, Uganda Sister Modester Kombe shares her knowledge and skills as a teacher of building and construction at the Rubanda Technical Training Institute. There she educates her students to build durable, friendly, quality buildings that can promote healthy living and reduce maintenance and repairs.

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