OCEANIA/SOLOMON ISLANDS - Seek Christ and Serve the Needy

Honiara (Agenzia Fides) – The Congregation of Daughters of Mary Immaculate in the Solomon Islands is a prayerful community on the islands that has recently relaunched its effort in service to the needy. The religious sisters recently held a General Chapter in which each participant told their own experience and recognized the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are manifest in community life.
The Chapter, centered on the theme “Seek Christ and Serve the Needy,” was an occasion to evaluate their work, their pastoral activity, their presence among the people of the Solomon Islands, and evangelizing society. The sisters also elected their new Superior General, Sister Anna Ngosana who, in the presence of Archbishop Adrian Smith of Honiara, confirmed the congregation in the service to the local Church, especially in their service to needy women and young mothers.
In their assembly, the Daughters of Mary Immaculate discussed their desire to strengthen their bond of unity, starting from the Eucharist, and to gather strength from this communion, in order to carry out their mission as consecrated women with zeal and dedication, with testimony and with the complete gift of their lives for others.
The sisters have been on the Islands for 70 years, carrying out a work of primary evangelization, pastoral service, education, and help for the poor. The Congregation began in 1932. There are now about 80 sisters and several novices working on the Solomon Islands and on other Pacific Islands. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/2/2009)