presentation sisters canada

"The Almighty is all sufficient" - Nano Nagle

"It is a good sign of our future success that we should meet with crosses in the beginning" - Nano Nagle

"There is no greater happiness in the world than to be in Union" - Nano Nagle

"I am confident that the great God will direct you to what is most to His glory" - Nano Nagle

"We must leave it to the Almighty; He will do everything for the best in it" - Nano Nagle

"The Almighty makes use of the weakest means to bring about His works" - Nano Nagle

"I hope the increase of the charities you get, will enable you to daily add to the good you do" - Nano Nagle

"Love one another as you have hitherto done" - Nano Nagle

"The best works meet with the greatest crosses" - Nano Nagle

"God is all we need His divine hand will support us always" - Nano Nagle

"If I could be of any service in saving souls in any part of the globe I would willingly do all in my power" - Nano Nagle

"By degrees with the assistance of God we may do a great deal" - Nano Nagle

"You see it has pleased the Almighty to make me succeed" - Nano Nagle

"We do not know what is best for us, so we ought to accept what God sends us" - Nano Nagle

"Whoever we live with we must expect to have something to suffer as this world is not to be our paradise" - Nano Nagle

"Spend yourselves for the poor" - Nano Nagle

• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Latin America
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• United States of America

We invite you to “come, relax and enjoy” as you get to know our Presentation Newfoundland and Labrador Sisters here in Canada a little more from across the miles. More of our story can be explored at your leisure by browsing our website  https://presentationsisters.ca/

We are delighted to introduce ourselves by sharing a video about  Who We Are  which was originally created for a virtual Gathering of Presentation People – Sisters, Associates and other collaborators – from all over North America in September 2020. Click this link to watch our NL Video which traces our evolving story…from the beginning of time, to our formal beginnings with Nano Nagle and her companions in late 1700s Ireland, the foundation in Newfoundland in 1833 as the first Presentation community outside Ireland, to today as we are now being beckoned into a yet-unknown future.

Celebration photo on our Motherhouse steps for the 175th Anniversary of the coming of our first four pioneering Sisters to our Newfoundland shores in 1833, the first Presentation mission outside of Ireland. Partnering with our Presentation Women from around the world as we keep nano’s Lantern bright! 

In 1833 four pioneering Sisters from Galway, Ireland – Sisters Bernard Kirwan, Xaverius Lynch, Xavier Mullowney and Magdalen O’Shaughnessy – carried Nano’s vision and spirit to our own Newfoundland shores. It would seem they were naturally following the path of so many Irish immigrants and keeping alive Nano’s vision of education as a path out of poverty for the powerless and vulnerable. Nano’s vision had birthed a response that was both broad and penetrating. Her spirit, the spirit of these first four women and those who followed them, continues to guide us as we give new expression to ministry for these ever-changing and increasingly challenging times.

Partnering…Presentation People All…attentive to God’s unfolding Dream…

The Associate Prison Puzzle Project further below is yet another story of our Associates initiating exactly that latter kind of outreach to those within our prison system who are surely among those made poor and kept poor.

Collaboration through partnering is a deep-seated value for us globally and as Presentation Sisters of Newfoundland & Labrador. One key expression of this partnering is our NL Presentation Associate Relationship. In their day-to-day lives wherever life finds them, our Associates witness to the spirit of hospitality, compassion, simplicity and the spirituality of being in communion with all of life, so integral to who we are as Presentation.

Since the September 2017 IPA Assembly in Sydney, Australia, there has been a global movement towards recognising ourselves in the broader and more fluid context of  Presentation People,  which includes all of us, Sisters, Associates and Collaborators. In fact, anyone who lives in Nano’s spirit is a Presentation person. It holds wonderful possibilities for us to deepen our connections and to participate in initiatives flowing from the charism and mission of our congregation and encompasses a broadening range of commitment and involvement. 

Come meet some of our NL ‘Presentation People’.

Associates Amazing Prison Outreach Ministry – Games and Puzzles Project #2

If I could be of service…I would gladly do all in my power…

Pre-Covid, a group of our East Coast Associates were looking to undertake a Justice Project. One of our Associates who worked in Corrections at our local Penitentiary at the time suggested a ‘Games and Puzzles Project’ for the inmates. It started small and became a wonderful success. Our Associates now felt new understanding of and sympathy with people who are ‘locked-in’. We shared their joy and delight! One inmate was so proud of his achievement that he waxed his finished puzzle, mounted it and hung it up for all to see…pictured here on his wall! Mission accomplished indeed!

In December 2021 the nudge came for another Justice Project. The inmates again became the focus, given their especially hard time ‘doing time’ during Covid, many without family or other outside supports. In phase one, nearly $1000 in donations was raised, providing ‘Canteen Credits’ for the most needy at the Prison for simple things like personal care products, snacks and greeting cards to connect with loved ones. Simple yet profound joys!

In the January lull after Christmas, it was decided to revive the ‘Games and Puzzles Project’ as a fresh venture, culminating in an amazing collection of over 400 gently-used items. We are grateful to the pastor who encouraged participation in the initiative of our Associates and we were touched by the wholehearted response of the parishioners. Such generosity provided more than enough for all three Correction Centres throughout Newfoundland & Labrador, as well as six other local social programs aimed at supporting women and youth in crisis.

Come meet our ‘Christmas elves’ and share our joy and excitement…

To quote one of our ‘elves’ in the midst of what felt so very much like Santa’s Workshop,  How awesome that we could put these into the hands of so many…it makes my heart smile! 

Associates Fundraising ~ School Breakfast Program ~ Refugees Outreach In Central NL our Associates and Sisters happily partnered with the wider community in support of a local School Breakfast Program, helping assure a healthy start to the children’s day for optimum learning outcomes. A second venture, a local concert, was also organised in support of their local Refugees Outreach Program. Both ventures were a huge success, attentive indeed to new and emerging needs.

Bowring Park Labyrinth Walk

…live contemplatively…walk lightly on the Earth…witness prophetically…  CG2018

In a spirit of Being in Communion with our world leaders and all those around the world praying as one for the COP26 Climate Change talks happening in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021, our Associates extended an open invitation to drip by, holding our Earth and all of life dear.

Virginia Water Contemplative Centre

A Sacred Space of welcome for celebrating our relationship with all of creation…rooted in fidelity to The New Universe Story. The Centre also welcomes individuals and groups to avail of this space and participate in the Centre’s vision through their own program offerings or other happenings. 

Nano Play for the 300th Anniversary of Nano’s Birth

Our Stephenville/Port au Port Area Associates wrote and presented their ‘Nano’ stage play for the whole area community in 2019. The script was written by Associate, Germaine White, inspired by our 300th Anniversary of Nano’s birth. You can download the script here  

Nano Nagle Spirituality Centre

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, Healthy Spirits

In tune with the New Universe Story

Repurposing Properties to Meet Emerging Community Needs

We hold in trust our resources, finances and in solidarity with the whole community of life. Er recognise our responsibility to live sustainably and to call forth the full potential of our resources for the furthering of life and mission.  (Our Way of Life. C63)

Another dimension of our community engagement has been the gifting and repurposing of some of our properties in response to emerging needs as our own need to continue to hold on to these properties gave way to the beckoning of new responses in furthering life and mission. Below are some of our stories.

From Convent to Emergency Children’s Shelter

From Convent and School to a Residence for Adults with Complex Mental Health Issues

From Convent and School to a Place of Welcome for the Cold, Hungry and Often Homeless

From Elementary/Primary School to Christian Life Centre to Community Life Centre

From Convent to Emergency Shelter for Women and Children

From Convent to Affordable, Comfortable, safe Housing for Seniors

From Convent and Renewal Centre to End-of-Life Hospice

The Union of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a registered Charity. Charity Registered Number: 20002190

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Conference of Presentations

The Conference was established to provide opportunities for greater collaboration, connection and communion among its members on matters of mutual interest, to promote unity, to strengthen the spirit of Nano Nagle, and to encourage the works of the sisters to fulfill the mission in the Church.

The mission of the Conference of Presentation Sisters, aware of their need for personal and communal conversion, call themselves and one another to be contemplative women in action, fired by the spirit of Nano Nagle, Presentation foundress. They commit themselves to act collectively and collaboratively for justice, to deepen their relationships among members, and to promote their Presentation spirituality, unity, mission and heritage, in solidarity with other Presentation woman and associates throughout the world.

Learn more about the Conference of Presentation Sisters: www.sistersofthepresentation.com

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Union of Presentation Sisters, NL Province, Canada First NL Provincial Gathering, June 27 - 30, 2016 St. John's, NL, Canada

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Presentation Convent and School (St. John's)

The Congregation of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary was founded in Cork in 1776, by Nano Nagle. Four members of the Congregation came to Newfoundland in 1833 at the urging of Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming to establish schools, first in St. John's, and then elsewhere in the colony.

The Congregation's first permanent headquarters was a convent-school on Long's Hill, completed in 1844, but destroyed in the fire of 1846. The nuns lived with the Mercy Sisters until the completion of their new Mother House and school. The corner stone was laid by Bishop John Thomas Mullock in 1850, and the Congregation formally took possession three years later. The building remains an active Presentation convent, and is a testament to the growth of institutional Roman Catholicism in the 19th century.

The Presentation Convent is a good example of an institutional building influenced by the Classical Revival style of architecture. It has a plain symmetrical façade, a large tetra style portico with ionic columns, and quoining . Presentation School, designed by the Hamburg architect C. Schmidt, who designed the Basilica, is also architecturally valuable for its Classical revival elements including a pediment, quoining and rounded arch windows.

Presentation Convent and School were designated as Registered Heritage Structures on September 25th, 1999.

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Sadness and joy at plans to turn St. John's convent into affordable housing

Presentation sisters have mixed emotions about saying goodbye to the building where many of them lived.

Social Sharing

An estimated $1.52-million gift from the Presentation Sisters is set to be transformed into affordable housing for St. John's seniors.

The Roman Catholic religious order said Thursday that it is giving the 160-year-old St. Patrick's Convent to the City of St. John's.

City officials said — with $1.8 million from St. John's and $2.4 Million from the province — the building will be transformed into 22 affordable housing units.

• 160-year-old St. Patrick's Convent closing in St. John's

Four members of the teaching order established the convent on Jan. 10, 1856 in the area then known as Riverhead, in the city's west end.

Since then more than 200 women, such as Sister Patricia Whittle, have called the convent behind St. Patrick's Church their home.

"I'm one of the last sisters to leave. It's a sad occasion but on the other hand this building is going to a very worthy cause so I'm glad of that as well," said Whittle.

She's one of a handful of nuns who lived at the convent until this fall when all of them moved to the Presentation Sisters' main convent, near the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

The sisters initially taught both boys and girls at St. Patrick's Convent School adjacent to the convent, later teaching only girls at the institution, before it closed in 1999.

Need growing 'by leaps and bounds'

"It is truly humbling to receive such a significant gift, we will be forever grateful and we commit to preserving the historical values of the building," said Coun. Jonathan Galgay, who was on hand for Thursday's announcement.

Galgay said that as a child he learned to play piano in the convent and ran amok in its halls.

"If this building survived Councillor Galgay, I'm sure it will stand for a long time for sure," joked Deputy Mayor Ron Ellsworth.

At present our population of seniors is around 20 percent which will  grow to 30 percent in the coming years. - Ron Ellsworth

Ribbing aside, Ellsworth said there is a great need for supportive housing.

"At present our population of seniors is around 20 percent which will  grow to 30 percent in the coming years so the demand for providing services is growing in leaps and bounds," he said.

"We are committed to providing affordable housing units for seniors in need of a safe and supportive place to call home."

It's expected the building will be ready to accept new residents in about a year.

Our History

Our story begins with a man called Edmund Rice…in the year 1802… in the city of Waterford in the south east of Ireland.

Edmund was a rich merchant in Waterford which, at that time, was one of the world’s busiest shipping ports. He lived in comfortable circumstances and was married to a young woman called Mary. Tragedy struck the couple however with Mary dying as the result of an accident. Just before her death she gave birth to a baby girl whom Edmund named Mary.

After the death of his wife, and having ensured that his daughter was cared for, Edmund gave up the comforts of wealth and established a school in a converted stable. He was especially conscious of the hardship suffered by poorer people.

A few companions joined him in the work living in the loft above their classroom.  They prayed together and shared their lives and possessions in mutual support as a community.

You can read about the life of Blessed Edmund Rice  here .

In 1808, following the example of Nano Nagle and the Presentation Sisters, Edmund and his companions took vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, and devoted themselves to the education of poor boys. At this time they were known as the Society of the Presentation.

Nano Nagle, a pioneer in the provision of free education to the youth of the city of Cork, had already founded the Presentation Sisters in 1775.

Edmund Rice’s founding charism gave birth to two congregations, the Congregation of Christian Brothers and the Congregation of Presentation Brothers.

In the early days, when Edmund first began to attract followers to his way of life, they formed themselves into a small group of companions. They lived together in community, and began to follow an adaptation of the Presentation Sisters’ Rule. The Holy See had already approved of this Rule when Edmund and his followers began to use their adaptation of it in 1809.

The granting of the Apostolic Brief in 1820, allowed the infant Congregation to become an Apostolic Institute – a defining moment for all of the early brothers. The majority accepted the Brief and went on to become the Congregation of Christian Brothers.

A few Brothers, notably  Michael Augustine Riordan , continued to live by the Presentation Rule. They continued as the Presentation Brothers and became an Apostolic Institute in 1889.

The Presentation Brothers have, since their origin, had a missionary impulse. Communities of brothers were founded over the years in the following countries:

U.S.A. 1843 England 1876 Canada 1910 West Indies 1946 Ghana 1968 Peru 1969 Geneva 2007 Nigeria 2007

Throughout the two hundred years since the Congregation was founded, membership has been predominantly Irish. The Brothers relied to a great extent on vocations from Ireland for the development of the Congregation overseas. There is now an increase in membership from other countries. At present there are Presentation Brothers from Canada, England, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Trinidad and the United States.

From very humble beginnings in Ireland at the end of the eighteenth century the vision of Nano Nagle and Edmund Rice has grown and is being lived throughout the world in new and dynamic ways at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

WE ARE A FULLY EQUIPPED

Community Life

“Gathered because of Jesus Christ, we form, in the Holy Spirit, a community of fraternal life, sign of the Father’s gratuitous love. “ Rule of life

Our rich community life is one of our distinguishing marks as Sisters of the Presentation of Mary. Our hope is to empower one another to live the Gospel in our common mission of making Jesus Christ known and loved.

Mission & Charism

Our primary mission is education of the faith and reaching out to the poor with compassion.

“To make Jesus Christ known and loved everywhere!” Marie Rivier

All for God, All through Holy love!

Consecrated Life

Our vocation to the consecrated life is a gift of our whole being to God. A vow is a solemn promise made freely as an individual gives his or her life to God. Sisters, brothers and religious community priests take vows to give their lives to God by living the gospel in chastity, poverty and obedience. This is a radical calling to belong totally to Christ.

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