This page explains more about the nature of the charity work and ministry undertaken by the Union of Presentation Sisters South West Province across Cork, Kerry and Limerick and in missions around the world.
The heart of Presentation is to live the Mission of Jesus as Nano did. She was a beacon and model for compassionate outreach to be of help in any part of the world.e cared for the most vulnerable in education and saw that it gave a voice, a status, a future and equality. She liberated people through education.
The purpose of the Charity has been shaped by fidelity to the charism and spirit of Nano Nagle, her search for union with God in prayer, her choice of education as a vehicle of liberation for the most vulnerable and powerless, and her compassionate love for those is any kind of need.
The ministry of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation is a core commitment of the Presentation Congregation with a long history.
To further develop and sustain this commitment, the two Irish Provinces with the English Province made a decision in 2016 to establish a Justice Desk, with a part time lay Director.
One Sister from each of the three Provinces works with the Desk Director.
The South West Province of the Union of Presentation Sisters also has a very active Justice Commission in place consisting of six Sisters with a link Sister from the Leadership team.
During the past year much of their effort was spent working on the Sustainable Development Goals and providing workshops, in conjunction with the Desk, on same for the Sisters.
They also focus on injustices and poverty throughout the world in an effort to raise awareness re same.
Many of our retired Sisters work in a voluntary capacity in a wide range of ministries including education, pastoral work, catechetical and faith formation, health care, peace, justice and integrity of creation. They concentrate their efforts on the most needy and vulnerable in accordance with the spirit of our foundress, Nano Nagle, and the objectives of the Charity.
They make a very valuable contribution to the life and mission of the South West Province in addition to making a considerable difference to the lives of innumerable people particularly those on the margins and the elderly i.e. prisoner, homeless people, migrants and refugees.
The closure of the schools and convent at South Presentation on Douglas Street, Cork prompted the Presentation Sisters to examine how this historic, extensive, city-centre site might serve unmet needs of people who struggle today. After an innovative process of consultation a space came into being where people feel welcome and not just tolerated. Learning programmes develop according to the felt needs of the various participants and groups.
People learn ways of helping themselves and each other, which led to renaming the project, the Lantern. The story of Nano Nagle travelling the winding lanes of Cork guided by a lantern light, inspires this resilient band. “The Lantern” aims to be a safe place or inclusion and learning.
iScoil is an online educational initiative that was set up by the Presentation sisters in 2006 when it was identified that an alternative path to education was required for young people who were falling outside the mainstream method. Today early school leavers aged between 13 & 16 are referred to iScoil and accepted students work online on a personalised education plan and with mentors to achieve recognised certification. (www.iscoil.ie)