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From our General Chapter Statements 2005:
Margaret Aylward was a wealthy Waterford woman who devoted her considerable talents to improving the lot of poor families in Dublin. Her profound appreciation for the gift of faith found expression in active compassion for the poor, especially for children in danger of losing their faith. She pioneered a sophisticated 'family rearing' system of care for destitute children, and built a network of schools.
We are involved in a variety of work including education at all levels, counselling, pastoral work, retreat and parish work and environmental conservation.
At present the congregation numbers 207 Sisters in Ireland, Trinidad, United States, New Zealand, Australia. Ireland There are approx 150 sisters living in 21 houses in the Irish Region, where the congregation was founded 139 years ago. The houses are now mainly situated in Dublin city as well as one each in Skerries, Celbridge, Kilcoole and Greystones. Initially the main ministry of the Congregation was to provide primary and post-primary education in school with a strong outreach to the poor. A key ministry, the fostering of children, begun by Margaret Aylward herself, continued until recently. Over the years these ministries have become more diversified, and the following are some of the works the Holy Faith Sisters are now engaged in.
Among new expressions of our charism are the following:* The New Life Centre in Pearse Square, a joint venture with the Christian Brothers which provides a second chance for early school leavers. * St. John's Centre, Glasnevin which provides a programme for potential school drop-outs. * Faith House in Tallaght which is a place of prayer and quiet for the people of West Tallaght. * The Vincentian Partnership for Justice in Mountjoy Square which works for social change. TrinidadThe Holy Faith Sisters came to Trinidad in 1947. At present we live in four communities in Couva, Siparia, Valencia and Port of Spain, the capital city. Our ministries include education, catechetics, pastoral work, prison ministry, and retreats. We also work with street children, and we organise micro-banking to enable people to set up their own businesses. Our lives and ministries are greatly enriched by the participation of our Associates and members of our Prayer Network. United StatesThe U.S. Region was begun in 1953 by seven Holy Faith Sisters who came from Dublin, Ireland, to staff a school in Norwalk, a rapidly growing suburb of Los Angeles. Holy Faith Sisters in the Region currently number 45, and their ministries in California and Louisiana embrace all areas of education including both elementary and high schools, pastoral care, parish ministry, counselling, and hospital ministry. New Zealand and AustraliaThe Holy Faith Sisters opened primary schools in New Zealand in 1955, and in Australia in 1961. At present we have communities in Christchurch and Auckland in New Zealand and two communities in Sydney, Australia. The sisters are engaged in various ministries including working with migrants, teaching and administration in education at primary and third levels, and parish and diocesan ministry.
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