Our Commissions
Our Commissions were created in the year 2014. The main aim of the commissions is to foster relevance, effectiveness and growth of the Congregation in the particular ministry by capturing trends in the field and making recommendations to General Council through respective Leadership Team Representative. Together we seek new ways of incarnating our charism in today’s world. All commissions work in collaboration with the Leadership team.
Responsibilities of the Commissions:
- Work hand in hand with the General Council
- Seek permission from the General Council for all new activities
- Hold Commission meetings
- Giving annual (or more where necessary) reports to leadership Team
- Organize workshops for Sisters in the field
- Network with other committees
- Devise ways to further the Vision and Mission of the Congregation through the particular Commission and its Ministry
Commission / 01
SPIRITUALITY COMMISSION
Our Carmelite Spirituality finds deeper expression in meditating and pondering the Word of God, celebrating the Eucharist, praying together and fully participating in the liturgy, imitating the Carmelite Saints especially St. Therese of the Child Jesus, our Patron Saint.
This form of life, experienced in the Rule of St. Albert, prescribes a life of allegiance to Christ whom we serve with unwavering loyalty, a pure heart and an upright conscience. In humble obedience, we express this way of life today, by being another HAND OF MARY, serving the Lord in our communities, in the Church and society in the practice of diverse apostolates.
Our charism and spirituality encourage us to grow in holiness through silence and solitude, following the example of the humble and praying Christ, as we dedicate and commit ourselves to the needs of the Church and the suffering of today.
Our Formation Commission is made up of formation directresses of all stages of formation.
Initial formation
The team is responsible for:
- The in-service training, education and formation of new vocations.
- Guidingand directing the new sister to a genuine understanding and assimilation of our life and heritage
- Ensuringthat the human and spiritual development of an individual is taking place gradually
Ongoing Formation
The commission works hand in hand with the Prioress General in ensuring possible ways of cultivating the spiritual and human growth of the sisters.
Commission / 03
PASTORAL COMMISSION
This commission is responsible for warranting the involvement of all Sisters in bringing good news of salvation to all especially the poor and marginalized. It ensures that the founder’s desire is carried out through:
- Praying with the people
- Interacting with the people whom we serve though visiting, praying and following up their concerns.
- Constantly encouraging sisters to value pastoral activities (i.e. going out to meet the communities, identifying their needs and attending to them.
- Encouraging Sisters to bring Christ to the people that they meet daily
The founder referring to those in the teaching ministry said, “The Sisters must always remember that the religious and moral training of their pupils is the foundation of a Christian education. Therefore they shall strive not alone by their teaching but by their example, to make good Catholics out of their pupils (Const. 1962, 111). Thus the commission is responsible for:
- Ensuring that quality and relevant education is pursued by the sisters
- Doing environmental scanning to track developments, needs and changes of the times that we can incorporate into our ministries
The Commission also furthers the desire of the founder by constantly assuring that those assigned to the nursing of the sick shall practice, above all, patience and kindness. They shall never refuse a service, no matter how humble or troublesome. While mindful of their duty to nurse the body, they should not forget the care of the soul. They take every opportunity to speak to the sick about the faith, its consolations and happiness (Const. 1962, 113).
This commission in is responsible for:
- Engaging in activities that will make the Congregation grow towards self reliance and self-sustainability
- Managing Congregational projects
- Coming up with viable sustainable projects that generate income for the benefit of the sisters.
- Assessing the capacity and possibility of embarking on projects in specific areas and assist with information (needs assessment). This is aimed at fostering having our own assets that generate income
- Making applications for funding, Monitor and evaluate and make reports
- Doing a comprehensive consultation with stakeholders
- Using the opportunities we have for the benefit of the Congregation
- Drawing up project proposals and writing reports
The Commission is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals within and outside our communities and prevent them from harm and abuse.
The Commission is responsible for:
- Developing and ensuring implementation of the Congregation’s safeguarding policies
- Organising safeguarding training and development workshops for the Sisters and stakeholders
- Handling and reporting concerns of abuse, neglect and conflict
- Preventing abuse and neglect
- Managing allegations of abuse
- Promoting wellbeing of Sisters and various stakeholders
- Ensuring accountability within the Congregation and its Stakeholders
- Collaboration with other agencies and church authorities
- Reviewing Congregation safeguarding policies regularly