GENERAL CHAPTER 2025

PRAYER FOR THE GENERAL CHAPTER

We remember God’s presence within us, among us and around us as we pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit over our General Chapter, 2025.

Come, Holy Spirit prepare our hearts and minds as we journey towards our General Chapter that we will intentionally:

Listen with a synodal ear, speak your wisdom. Hear the heartbeat of the Divine, respond with selflessness, extend your love, serve you generously, respect our common journey, as disciples of hope - a hope for the world that will never disappoint.

HANDOVER CEREMONY FOR OUR CONGREGATION LEADERSHIP TEAM

 Srs Bernadette and Mary Christa visited Switzerland to represent House England for the occasion of the handover ceremony of our Congregational Leadership Team; the out-going team had served 6 years and the 4 new members were replacing them. The Congregational Leader, Sr Dorina, is to continue for the next 6 years.

 The days before we visited the Ingenbohl Motherhouse (our Founder, Fr Theodosius, also founded this Congregation), the Einsiedeln community and the Benedictine Abbey Church nearby. We also visited Franciscus in Menzingen which houses our sisters in need of nursing.

 The highlight was on 13th December 2025, the handover ceremony. It took place in the Motherhouse Church in Menzingen during the Eucharist. We were especially moved by the use of symbolism: 

Sr Bernadette present Sr Betty with the African Calabash, a water container, symbolising life to be shared, to sustain others, to build community, and to share Hope.  Both these Sisters represented Africa.

Srs Fatima and Rose Paul offered Srs Robina and Prisca an Asian Lamp as a symbol of the life of the Holy Spirit to live in the presence of God.  These Sisters represented India and Sri Lanka.

Sr Matilde offered Sr Orfilia a Copihue Flower, the national flower of Chile, symbolising the Mapuche people of Chile to walk with resilience and dignity.  These Sisters represented South America.

Sr Trudi of the Motherhouse offered soil from Menzingen, symbolising the deep roots of our Congregation where our Foundress Mother Bernarda lived her faith with courage and vision. Sr Dorina, as Congregational Leader, offered Bread as a sign of our ‘Yes’ to being nourished by the Word of God, and by listening to the needs of humanity. 

       The Liturgy then moved into a continuation of the celebration with sisters and guests sharing a wonderful meal together. Speeches and gifts were given by Co-workers and other guests, as well as by our Swiss, German, English and Italian sisters who had come as representatives. It was truly a memorable and inspiring week.

SISTERS
of the
HOLY
CROSS

Transcendence by Daniel Faivre SG (4th edition)

5th SEPTEMBER, 2023

A Book Launch of a volume containing sacred texts from many faith traditions is greatly helped if those who follow those traditions come together and make those prayers in person.

“Transcendence” was launched by doing this.

Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Zoroastrian faithful recited texts from their own Faith-traditions in prayerful respect before those gathered for this Launch.

My work on the publication of Transcendence was inspired by being given a Peace Award for my inter-faith work. It also served to mark 40 years of Westminster Interfaith and the Launch was a witness to all that a mutually respectful, supportive and collaborative relationship has been built-up between the faith-communities in Britain.

Sr Patricia McDermott, known as Sr Patsy, died on 7th December 2025. She was in her late 80’s, but continued to live life to the full as far as she was able. May she now rest in peace. You can read about her life by clicking on the link below.

https://www.holycrossengland.org.uk/s/Necrologue-for-Sr-Patsy-yc8f.docx