Discover what the Institute’s New Leadership hopes for in the coming years

Posted November 30, 2025

We spoke with the Sisters who make up the new Leadership of the Institute of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary about their hopes for the coming years and what excites them most about the mission in Rome.

Joy, trust, prayer, unity, collaboration, communion, creativity, listening, and synodality are among the most frequently mentioned words!

We invite everyone to read the interviews with Sisters Coltrida Mooya, Conceição Pereira, Madalena Manhiça, Maria Teresa Nogueira, Sipiwe Phiri, and Veronica Brand, who will form the Institute’s Leadership Team for the next six years (2025–2031).

Sister Coltrida Mulima Mooya RSHM, Institute Leader

–

What do I hope to bring to the leadership team?

Openness to teamwork. Embracing and appreciating each team member’s giftedness. A listening and reflective spirit. Seeing difference as a bridge to unity. An African perspective on living the RSHM charism.

What word or phrase expresses my hope for the years ahead?

Faith and Zeal to which each RSHM is called to embrace and live. This increases my hope, as St Paul says, ‘Hope does not disappoint…’

What excites you most about this new mission in Rome?

It is the diverse gifts and cultures that comprise the leadership team. The readiness of the sisters around the Institute to lend a hand in any way possible, to make God known and loved so That all may have life.

Sister Conceição Pereira RSHM, Counselor and General Treasurer

–

What do you hope to bring to this new Leadership team?

I hope to bring a sense of belonging, fraternal community life, creativity, enthusiasm, simplicity, joy, and a sense of humor, so that together we can listen, discern, and implement what God wants and dreams for our Institute today.

What word or phrase expresses your hope for the coming years?

My hope is that we may find the sacredness of itinerancy, closeness, and care in all areas of the Institute without forgetting the stark realities of our world. May we boldly risk the new, embracing our vulnerability and encouraging our dreams. Doc. Cap. 2025

What excites you most about this new mission in Rome?

Humanly speaking, I feel very small in the face of this new mission. What gives me strength and enthusiasm is the certainty that God does not ask anything of us without first giving us what we need for the mission entrusted to us, as our Founder, Fr. Jean Gailhac, reminds us. With this certainty and with the certainty of the support, prayers, and collaboration of all the sisters, collaborators, and friends of the Sacred Heart of Mary, I believe it will be a blessed and, at the same time, quite challenging time.

Sister Madalena Serafim Manhiça RSHM, Counselor

–

What do you hope to bring to this new leadership team?

I hope to bring an open heart to listening and communion, walking with faith and hope alongside my sisters, promoting leadership inspired by a culture of care and the joy of the Gospel.

What word or phrase expresses your hope for the coming years?

“To serve with joy and prophetic hope, doing everything in the name of Jesus.” (cf. Col 3:17)

What excites you most about this new mission in Rome?

I am excited to experience this leadership role as a space for communion and synodality, contributing to the human and spiritual growth of the Institute.

Sister Maria Teresa Nogueira RSHM, Counselor

–

What do you hope to bring to this new Leadership team?

I hope to share the joy of being RSHM, an appreciation for our spirituality, the experience of itinerant and collaborative leadership, and the dynamism to help implement the Vision and recommendations of the Chapter, so that all may have Life.

What word or phrase expresses your hope for the coming years?

My hope is that, driven by the love of Jesus Christ and our charism, we will live in compassion with our wounded world, commit ourselves to building communion, and boldly take risks for the new. (cf. Chapter Vision)

What excites you most about this new mission in Rome?

I feel very confident and clear-headed about joining the Institute’s Leadership Council. I am moved by my passion for Jesus Christ, the hope of new life, the call to walk with Sisters and lay people, strengthening bonds of belonging, collaboration, and unity as a Body for Mission.

Sister Sipiwe Phiri RSHM, Councilor

–

What do you hope to bring to this new leadership team?

A spirit of collaboration, attentive listening, and a commitment to inclusive discernment for the good of the whole body and mission as we implement the 2025 Chapter outcome.

What word or phrase expresses your hope for the years ahead?

“Walking together with prophetic hope, without leaving anyone behind.”

What excites you most about this new mission in Rome?

The second mandate offers an opportunity to serve the Institute more closely once again, to listen to the testimonies of our Sisters, and to accompany one another in our shared mission so that all may have life.

Sister Veronica Brand RSHM, Councilor

–

What do you hope to bring to this new leadership team?

I hope to bring a global perspective that has been enriched by diverse life and ministry experience in different contexts in Africa, Europe and the USA and a strong commitment to collaboration with others in leadership and work for justice.

What word or phrase expresses your hope for the years ahead?

“We risk the new with audacity, embracing our vulnerability…” (Chapter Vision) responding to the needs of the Institute and the world today, in creative fidelity to our RSHM heritage and mission.

What excites you most about this new mission in Rome?

I feel that it calls us to a new form of itinerancy and creativity in responding to the calls of our Chapter; – thinking and acting as a global body as we deepen our lived experience of being one Institute.

by Sr. Previladge Gunyere If you prefer, watch the recorded video by clicking here: https://youtube.com/shorts/gn-fnPsvZZg?feature=share Today is the first Sunday…

Learn More

by Sister Luisa Almendra If you prefer, watch the recorded video by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QznsB_2Pcro Today, Ash Wednesday, we are all…

Learn More