Sisters of St John in Derry

I recently found the following press release from the Diocese of Derry (thanks to Laus Crucis' very interesting post on the new movements in Ireland):

'Diocesan Mass welcoming new Religious Order
On 1 October, in St. Eugene's Cathedral, Bishop Hegarty celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving and Welcome for a new Religious Order to the Diocese of Derry: the Contemplative Sisters of St. John the Evangelist. The three Sisters now resident in the diocese were accompanied, to the Mass, by two Sisters representing the leadership of the Congregation world-wide.

Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Francis Lagan (Auxialiary Bishop of Derry), Mgr. Bryan McCanny (Vicar General) Fr. Colum Clerkin (Episcopal Vicar for Religious), Fr. Seamus Kelly (Vicar Forane for the Derry City Deanery) and other priests of the diocese.

On behalf of the diocese, Bishop Hegarty welcomed the Sisters of St. John. He spoke of the Sisters' contemplative vocation as "one of prayer, intercession, study and witness". He expressed the hope that the initial three Sisters would be "followed by additional Sisters and also Brothers". Bishop Hegarty expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Congregation and to its leadership, in particular, for their generosity in coming to Derry. The bishop noted that "a new seed is sown in the diocese", with the prayer: "May the Lord of the harvest promote and prosper its growth, so that it will yield much fruit for the local church and that through it God will be praised and glorified".

The Sisters live at 10 Belvoir Park, Culmore, Derry. The Sisters are contemplative, spending their lives in prayer, rather than having any pastoral work. They live by the providence of God, depending on the generosity of others. If anyone wishes to speak with a Sister, they welcome visitors from Monday to Friday, 2pm until 5pm.

MASS is celebrated in the convent on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8.30am.

EVENING PRAYER is celebrated in the convent from Monday to Friday at 5.45pm.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION is on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 6.15pm until 7.15pm, and Thursday 7pm until 9pm. All are welcome to Mass, Evening Prayer and Eucharistic Adoration

The Superior is Sister Mary Magdalen. For information on the Sisters' life and Order: www.stjean.com or contact the Sisters directly in Belvoir Park.'

A new seed is sown indeed! Thank God for the courage of Bishop Hegarty in taking this step.