Ireland
Where We Are
The Sisters of St John of God were founded in 1871 in Wexford, by Bishop Thomas Furlong, Bishop of Ferns, and Sr. Visitation Clancy and her companions. Their mission was to care for the people of the diocese of Ferns who were suffering extreme spiritual and material poverty following the Great Famine in 1847.
As the number of Sisters increased, they willingly responded to invitations to address identified needs in various places in Ireland, in Australia, England, Wales, Rome, Nigeria, Cameroon, Pakistan and South Africa. They ministered in Health Care, Education and Pastoral Care.
Today the Sisters are acutely aware of the spiritual hunger in the world and the struggle people experience in giving meaningful expression to their faith. As the lifestyle of the Sisters is gradually changing from more active ministry to a slower and more reflective pace, today priority is given to spiritual companioning and faith development.
We minister in several locations in Ireland as shown on the map.
What We Do
Ministry Initiatives
A significant contribution of ours today is our Ministry Initiatives grants scheme. Working in partnership with other organisations, we sponsor and support a wide variety of charities. To be considered, projects must be consistent with the focus areas determined by the Sisters, these are: the alleviation of homelessness; support for family services, particularly focussing on vulnerable women and children at risk; faith development.
Healthcare
From their foundation the Sisters of St. John of God have been involved in healthcare in Ireland when the first Sisters began nursing in the Workhouses following the Great Famine.
Later many Sisters worked in various public and private hospitals, in Nurse Education, as community nurses and in hospice care.
Today, some Sisters care for the frail and elderly members of the Congregation.
Education
In 1875 the Sisters commenced teaching in Wexford, and over many years they were involved in Primary, Secondary and Special Needs Education in various locations.
Today, through our Annual Conference and follow-up discussion groups, we offer space for people to get input on and explore issues pertinent to faith and environmental concerns. Our Retreat Centre at Ballyvaloo, Co Wexford provides a variety of Adult Development Programmes and Workshops.
Pastoral Ministry
The ministry of the Sisters has always included a pastoral dimension including home visitation and offering practical help to families in need.
Commitment to this ministry continues today through Sisters who work as Parish Sisters, Spiritual Directors and Pastoral Visitors.
Spirituality
“Our spirituality is contemplative in attitude and action” (Constitutions 53).
We are acutely aware of the deep desire of many people today to give authentic expression to their faith in God and to develop a spirituality which gives meaning and direction to their lives.
In responding to this spiritual hunger, the Sisters give priority to the ministry of retreats and faith development.
The Retreat Centre at Ballyvaloo in Co. Wexford is situated in an idyllic location by the sea. It offers a nurturing space for peace and quiet, for prayer and reflection. The Centre offers a full programme of retreats, workshops, days of prayer, various faith development programmes.
