Getting to know our Sisters!

Posted December 6, 2021

We know from experience how true this metaphor of Fr. Gailhac is when referring to our formation as RSHM and, in a particular way, to the formation of the youngest members of our Institute. This is the reason why the Temporary Professed Sisters will soon begin a significant experience of our Sources, of deepening in themselves the spirit, charism and mission of our Institute. The whole formation programme will take place between December 2021 and early 2023, including a face-to-face meeting in Béziers from 28 December 2022 to 13 January 2023.

We invite you to get to know the Sisters participating in this formation programme and to keep each of them in your prayers!

Naomi Martha Muulu
Zambezi Area
First Profession: 23th of January, 2021 in Brazil Belo Horizonte

For me, being an RSHM sister has been a great experience. It has been the best way of life to realize the effectiveness of living the RHSM spirituality. I am proud and happy to be part of this big family.

I was missioned to Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe, but I am currently in Lusaka community, Zambia, trying to process my work permit to Zimbabwe. The process has been challenging because the system is slow. At the moment it is even slower than usual due to Covid 19 virus.  Currently in Lusaka there are four pre-novices, and I am assisting in their programme. What I like doing best during my spare time is reading, listening to music, visiting people and trying new artistic projects, such as sewing.

My hope for the Institute is that we will have more vocations in the congregation. My dream is that many people in Zambia and Zimbabwe, through the works we are doing, will know more about Padre Gailhac and the Institute.

 

Perpetual Muzivani
Zambezi Area
First Profession: 26th of January, 2019 in Brazil Belo Horizonte

Through focus, determination, encouragement from family, friends and my RSHM Sisters my dream of being a religious came true.

For me, being RSHM is taking part in God’s work of salvation through being present to all God’s people especially the marginalized and to be the voice of the voiceless.

I have been working with the learners with Special educational needs at St Mulumba Special School, I teach catechism at Mukasa Church and I help teach Catholic identity at Mukasa Minor Seminary in Choma, but at the moment I am currently studying at the University of Zambia. Wherever I am found I make God known and loved that all may have life and life to the fullest through responding fully to the needs of that particular society.

Currently the political atmosphere in my country has not been great due to non-tolerance of divergent views from the political players. The economy has been going down each day, making the cost of living too high for the less privileged.

During my spare time I enjoy reading, gardening and visiting. I was blessed with gifts of singing and making hand crafts.

My dream for the Institute is that the seed which was planted by our founding father and Sisters will continue flourishing and bearing much fruit, that we may have more vocations ready to serve God’s people.

Plynet Tachekwa
Zambezi Area
First Profession: 2019 in Brazil – Belo Horizonte

For me, being an RSHM Sister means I should totally surrender myself to God’s will and be open to reach out to all who are in most need. Also, do all this with the spirit of faith and zeal.

I am currently living in Chinhoyi community, serving as community and project bursar which I feel is very significant in the mission of the institute as it helps in better management of cash flow and keep us going with our mission as an institute. I am also working with the youth and as a vocation promoter, helping young people to grow in their relationship with God as well as prepare them to be open to God’s will in their life and to serve Him in all they do. That guidance and support will help to nurture their spiritual life which fulfil our mission and charism.

Currently our economic situation is not stable, because of that, we are now experiencing many cases of violence such as murder, robbery, which is a challenge as it really pose a threat and disturbs psychologically.

In my spare time I like reading, listening to music and walking around. My artistic gifts, are sewing and decorating. My hopes and dreams – to preach the gospel through the way I live as a Sister, to remain united, walk together and support each other in this journey as one family.

 

 

 

 

Aida Ganizane Fombe
Area of Mozambique
First Profession: 25th January 2020 in Belo Horizonte

For me, to be a religious of the “Sacred Heart of Mary” is to have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ alive in his Church, that is, in the Eucharist, in the Word of God, with Mary as our model. She received this gift of mission and has shared it with each one of us. It is our call and gift from God, we have to live and accept the church’s invitation to be missionaries of the whole world.

I am from Mozambique. Currently, I am working in Chivuna, Southern Part of Zambia. I live my Mission by collaborating and sharing my life at the local clinic. I do the following activities: I make regular visit to the patients in their homes, I am available to listen and be part of their problems.

I do this work with Passion, since our charism promotes life, dignity to the rejected, marginalized, voiceless and poor people.

On the political and social issues, due to COVID 19 pandemic many people have lost their Jobs, business is not doing well, borders have been closed, this has brought poverty.

Due to these poor conditions many people are living in poverty and prices of things have gone extremely high.

And we as Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, despite the difficulties that are bothering us, we are able to respond in simple ways that we can and trusting in God’s help.

My free time, I always have the opportunity to watch movies, listen to music, do physical exercises, taking care of plants.

So my desire/ hope for the future, is to see many contemporary sisters continue the mission of our Founder, under the protection of Mary Our Mother, so that we may be sentinels in the world and contemplating the true face of Jesus the Saviour, the one whom we celebrate at Easter. God is still calling us to renew our love with Him. We are all welcomed to continue evangelising as missionaries His word to the poor, within ourselves (know God and make Him known) and discover again the beauty and young face of the Church.

Lesley Amandah Mukonyora
Zambezi Area
First Profession: 23rd January, Belo Horizonte, Brazil in 2021.

Currently I am involved in the pastoral care for the sick, the elderly, and the homebound. The ministry provides spiritual nourishment as I bring Holy Communion to the people and assure them of the constant prayers of the church community. This ministry also has its significance in the mission of the Institute as it brings joy and life to the people who cannot attend Mass due to illness or confinement.

For me, being an RSHM is to share in the life-giving mission of Jesus Christ led by the spirit of faith and zeal, as well as responding to the needs of the time and in service of the neediest.

A current issue that challenges me is one of social inequality, so vivid in the social structure of a multicultural country like mine with differing social identities formed from varying cultural norms and many other elements. Social inequality conceptualized in terms of the lack of equality of access to opportunity. Inequality that occurs when factors such as gender, disability, race, religion, ethnicity, class and age may affect the way a person is treated. My greatest concerns are the barriers to qualitative education to children but most especially to the girl child, making them vulnerable to early marriages and many other elements. The other concern is mismanagement of resources leading to lack of health care availability to all.

During my spare time, I am fond of handcrafting using textiles (cross-stitching, crocheting and knitting), baking, socializing, team sports such as netball and tennis, reading and researching etc.

My hope for the institute is to have more newer members joining so as to continue the mission of Christ and that as RSHM Sisters, we remain united in our diversity.

Mary Lungu
Zambezi Area
First Profession: 2017, in Brazil.

BEING RSHM, has helped me to grow in faith and love of our Lord Jesus Christ in following the footsteps of Mary the first disciple of her son.

Current Ministry: Student

CURRENT ISSUES concerning politics, as we all know that we as Zambians are preparing to have a general election in August, so a lot has been happening, oppositional party leaders campaigning as well as the ruling party.

Religious men and women have been taking part in proclaiming peace to all nations  during elections, they also talk about creating an environment where peace and love is practiced.

As people of Zambia, we should continue to enjoy our freedom of ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION.

CHALLENGES faced by religious men and women is that, you cannot say anything concerning politics, because carders are all over the show such that any mistake, you are called upon. They say religious people are called to preach the word of God and not enter into political issues, which is true. But we can also say something concerning our government.

WHAT I LIKE DOING DURING MY SPARE TIME:  I spend my time doing school work, for example, preparing some teaching aids and lesson planning for the next class. As I mentioned earlier, I am a student and on teaching practice at St MULUMBA SPECIAL SCHOOL IN CHOMA.. So most of the time I spend doing that and on Wednesdays I help  teach Catholic identity  to the boys in MUKASA Minor Seminary School.

HOPE AND DREAM: We as an institute may continue to remain united as our father Gailhac preached.

Daniela de Jesus Santos
Brazil Area
First Profession: 2020 – Belo Horizonte-MG

For me, to be an RSHM… is to have my life centered in Jesus Christ, to have Mary as a model and to be able to create life in all the places where I am.

Currently, I am collaborating as Educator in one of our Social Projects and as Pastoral Assistant in one of our SHM Schools. In these places I always try to show Jesus for the children, teenagers and their families, through new ways of life. I also encourage them to increase their critical conscience awareness about personal values and help them to understand their role as active members of a society.

At the moment, what challenges me is the political crisis, especially in Brazil. This chaotic situation we live in has affected everyone, in general, in all senses, and this has worsened during pandemic time.

I love to read, listen to music, play instruments, (guitar and flute); I also enjoy making handicrafts in general, paintings, embroidery, cards, etc… I also enjoy getting in touch with friends and sharing with people who can help me on my journey.

My dream is that, as an Institute we go forward, continuing to deepen and grow in love for Jesus Christ and His Mission, and that we better understand deep-down in our hearts that we all are responsible for vocation promotion. That we continue trusting in the action of the Holy Spirit, who will awaken more young woman to join us and give continuity to the mission of Jesus that we assume as Institute.

Elizabeth Miti
Zambezi Area
First profession: the 23rd January, 2021 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.  

For me, being an RSHM gives me so much joy and a sense of fulfillment because my desire of serving God as a Religious is gradually coming to a realisation.

I am currently serving at Umoyo Day Center (a place where children who do not have the privilege to go to pre-school go to, in preparation for the 1st Grade). This ministry has a very big significance in the mission of the institute because it helps children to have a firm root and a sense of being cared for and loved.

The issue which challenges me is a social one because there seems to be the poor people in our society who are always in need of help and this usually makes me think of how we can help such people.

In my spare time I like to try out new things. My artistic gifts are writing inspirations, singing and making art out of some pieces of materials.

My dream for the institute is that it will always have members full of faith and zeal to continue in the mission of Christ.

Rosita Eugénio
Mozambique Area
First profession: January 26, 2019 at the Parish of Nossa Senhora da Conceição – Brazil.

For me, being RSHM is being a woman who centers her life on Jesus Christ, who seeks to live and follow the virtues that
Mary teaches, of apostolic dynamism and who knows how to live according to the signs of time.

Currently I am part of projects in the Mozambique Area, I work with the young people of the Parish and I am a Catechist; these ministries have an important meaning in the Institute. From these meetings I feel close to the people of God giving life, evangelizing and making God known and loved.

The current issue that challenges me is the challenge of diseases (Convid-19, Worldwide), attacks – in Mozambique. In the midst of these challenges it is difficult to carry out the Mission; Churches closed and without meetings.

In my free time I like reading, art, accompanied with music (mantras) and exercising.

My dream is to always see the entrance of new members to our Institute and with the hope of seeing all the Sisters living unity in diversity, all of them formed in all areas and levels.

 

 

Celine Bitega
Zambezi Area
First Profession: 21st of January, 2017 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

For me being an RSHM gives me so much joy and life knowing and loving God and making Him known and loved. I am currently studying in my 3rd year at university. My ministry is among my colleagues where I help the especially the Catholic students with catechism. When I am home in my community I am also involved in vocation promotion. The socio-economic challenges faced by a lot of people around us and the growing gap between those that have and those that do not have is the issue currently challenging me. In my spare time I like to read, sew, crotchet and try out new things. My dream for the institute is for it to have more sisters full of faith and zeal and that we continue giving life to others. Thank you.

 

Fernanda Marques de Oliveira
Area of Brazil
First Profession: January 2016 – Belo Horizonte – Brazil

For me, being an RSHM means to correspond, always with fidelity to God’s call; a constant process of growth in knowing Jesus and the willingness to be wherever there’s a need and wherever life is threatened.

Ministry: Currently, I work at our Provincial Center as a Social Projects’ Assistant at REAJE sector (Rede de Ação Junto aos Excluídos – Action Network with the Excluded) – a sector that articulates the work of the Social Assistance policy of the Brazilian Area. There are a several social assistance units that serve children, teenagers, women, homeless, and the elderly in situations of social vulnerability.

Current Issue: The world is still immersed in this pandemic situation. Thank God, some countries are overcoming this time of darkness and pain. In Brazil, the coronavirus is a great concern and in addition to the current government neglection, it is very difficult to see – health, education, environment, economy, etc. in chaos and the people suffering, particularly the most impoverished.

Free time: I like to spend time in the garden stirring the soil and taking care of the plants, I like to watch movies, listen to music, do embroidery and some other things.

Hope-Dream: For me, it is very important that we continue to grow in unity among all the Areas of the Institute, regardless of language, age or country. Therefore, as passionate women for Jesus and as a body for mission, we can make God known and loved so that all may have Life.

 

Izaura Paulino Invarua
Area of Mozambique
First Profession: January 23, 2016 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

For me, to be a RSHM is to always seek with fidelity to correspond freely to the call that God makes each day in my life, to seek to grow in personal knowledge and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, to allow myself to be transformed by Him.

My life as a RSHM is characterised by simplicity, love for one another, living in community, making God known and loved, assuming this commitment of our mission with much faith and zeal.

I feel very happy to be part of this religious family of the Sacred Heart of Mary that has struggled to bring to others the Word of God, and to try to be another Jesus Christ who gave his life for others. This is what motivates me on a daily basis: to be a consecrated woman who generates life, since so many need life and dignity.

Ministry – I am currently in Mozambique, where I have collaborated in community activities, in catechetical ministry in the parish, and I am continuing with my professional studies. At the moment I am doing a course in General Nursing and at the same time doing internships, sometimes in health centres, sometimes in the central hospital, learning and caring for the sick who need so much support.

Current issue – I am very concerned in recent years about the world situation we find ourselves in due to the covid-19 pandemic that has spread in the world, leaving everyone in a physical, emotional, psychological as well as spiritual wear and tear. It is only faith in God that can save us from this situation, keeping hope firm.

Free time – in my free time I have been enjoying sewing, gardening and going to the farm to stir up the mother earth; and recreation – fun within the community, chatting with people I miss. Personal reading is also always present.

Hopes and dreams – I hope that one day my congregation will increase in membership to continue to witness and give life to others as our founder Father Jean Gailhac always dreamed. I also hope that we will continue to be co-operators in the mission as was Mary, woman of faith and full of hope, who co-operated in the work of redemption by giving her “yes” to God. I dream of always living in union with all the Sisters of the Institute, as a Body for Mission, to know God and make God known, to love God and make God loved, and to proclaim that Jesus Christ has come so that all may have life and have it to the full (Jn 10,10).

 

Aelita Otavia Da Silva
Area that I belong at the moment: Zambezi Area.
First profession: 2017, Brazil

For me, being an RSHM is to be sister to all. Current ministry: Student (Primary Diploma), I also help at the school chapel, counseling and I give spiritual
direction to some student, ‘that they may all have life.’

A current social issue that challenges me is the social situation around the world whereby ‘things’ are more important than people, basic food nutrition, education, health care is neglected. In my free time I like cooking, watching moves based on real life, reading, chatting with my sisters, working on landscaping, swimming and listening to music.

My hope for the Institute is to have more Sisters from all Areas, passionate for Jesus and our mission, and to be open to what our life calls us to be.

 

 

Luísa Bernardo
Area of Mozambique
First Profession: January 21, 2017, in Brazil

For me, to be a Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary is to be a woman of prayer, a welcoming woman, a woman of faith who believes everything in God and trusts in divine providence. A humble and courageous woman, who knows how to live according to the signs of the times. A woman who has a sense of belonging to the Institute, a woman who has apostolic dynamism, a merciful woman, and who knows how to love.

My present ministry is: I collaborate in the area of communication in the Mozambique Area. I am a catechist and belong to the group of the catechetical commission and I collaborate in the Missionary Childhood in the Parish of Nossa Senhora de Esperança – Maputo. The meaning of these ministries in the mission of the Institute is to know God and to make God known, to love God and to make God loved to proclaim that Jesus Christ has come so that all may have life and have it to the full, according to the (Const. & 7). This is my focus of evangelization.

The current issue that challenges me is: religion and the Church in today’s world. Especially in my country the faith of the Lay faithful is shaken with the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. The situation has worsened: three months without Masses, only listening via radio. No pastoral care or catechesis in person. Much loneliness, the sick without visits, the elderly in total isolation. It is a time of despair for the people, and a challenge for me, but at the same time, a time of searching for faith and trust in God.

In my spare time I like to make embroidery, tend the vegetable garden, watch videos of the saints.

My hope is to see the Institute progress more and more with many Sisters.  And my dream is to look into the future of the Institute with faith and hope, that one day it may expand to all parts of the world and continents and our founder be recognised and proclaimed a Saint at the level of the Roman Catholic Church.

 

Previladge Rutendo Gunyere
Zambezi Area
First Profession: in Brazil in the year 2020

For me, being an RSHM is a dream come true of joining zealous women and partake in the life-giving mission of Christ through the spirit given to Fr Gailhac. I have recently just started my studies in Communication and Media which is vital to our life-giving mission, especially in this digital age.

A current social issue which is challenging me is the rise of mental health problems and abuse in homes because of the corona virus. Most people, particularly women, are not able to experience a healthy social life due to the lockdown.

In my spare time I enjoy doing crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, playing games, doing crotchet and cross-stitch.  My hope for our Institute is that there will be increase of personnel to continue the mission of knowing and loving God and to make God known and loved through the spirit of faith and zeal.

 

Joanita José Vasco
Mozambique Area
First Profession: 23rd of January, 2016 in Brazil Belo Horizonte

For me to be an RSHM is to be open to the new, to know how to live and live with the realities of our current world, give life to everyone without distinction.

I work with young people, teenagers, and children in Beira. Now I have been sent to a new mission in Manica. I am a Nurse by profession, and I work as a volunteer. I feel happy working with this age group, and I enjoy my work at the hospital, I find trust and openness in patients and colleagues.

The current issue that challenges me in the country is the case of insurgents in Cabo Delgado in Northern part of Mozambique. Children and women fleeing, and others being killed, is a noticeably big challenge.

In my free time I like to go out, go to the beach, contemplate the sea. My artistic gifts are embroidery and making vases. My hope or dream for the Institute, is that we remain united, without divisions of Areas or cultures.

Rhânella Altina de Oliveira
Brazilian Area
First Profession: January 2020, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

Being an RSHM means to cultivate Jesus’ compassion, therefore, be able to make him known and loved by all people, through my own way of being.

Currently, I work at our Provincial Center on CAEP (Centro Administrativo Educational da Provincia), which coordinates the RSHM network of schools in Brazil. I also work at Projeto Vida Padre Gailhac here in Belo Horizonte. These ministries focused on education, impels me to be more dedicated, loving, caring and committed to those entrusted to me.

At the moment, among other issues, I am particularly concerned about the political situation in the country, aggravated by the pandemic crisis and the lack of a respectful and committed government to life as a whole. Having said this, however, I feel comforted by faith and encouraged to assume with more enthusiasm the life-giving mission of Jesus, embraced by the Institute.

During my free time, I really enjoy reading and practicing ‘ukulele’, in addition to other activities. My greatest hope for our Institute is that it will always be a prophetic sign of charity and unity, wherever an RSHM is and that everyone who get to know us may also feel encouraged to commit themselves to these values.

Precious Pyeela kaluba Mbulo
Zambezi Area
First Profession: 21st of January, 2017 in Brazil Belo Horizonte

For me being an RSHM is a great gift which brings joy, love and peace in my life. I am always glad to know and love God and to make God known and loved that all may have life to the fullest. As an RSHMI I fully participate in the mission of Christ. Currently I am at school doing my bachelor’s degree. When I am in my community, I do parish work. I visit the sick, working with the youths and giving day of recollection to different groups in the parish. When I am at school I teach catechism to my colleagues who want to receive sacraments.

Our mission is to know and love God and to make God known and loved and this is more significant because I bring all people I encounter closer to God that they may have life and have it to the fullest. The current issue that challenges me the most is the political issue because the economy of the country has really gone down, the people of God are suffering. The other thing is that, there is no justice on how some matters are being handled. My artistic gift is crocheting and cooking. My hope for the institute is that it will continue growing in personnel for us to continue serving God where ever we are.

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