Winter 2006, Volume 49, Number 4

In Union with All Peoples

We are Presentation women who share the charism of our foundress, Nano Nagle.
We reach out in faith, in a spirit of hospitality, compassion and simplicity to all of creation.
The cry of those made poor and the cry of Earth call us to continue the mission of Jesus
to bring forth a sustainable society founded on respect for Earth,
universal human rights, economic justice and a culture of peace.
International Presentation Association Identity Statement

At the end of the Millennium Summit held in 2000, The Millennium Declaration was endorsed by all 189 member states of the United Nations. The declaration listed eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that would combat hunger and poverty and improve education, health, the status of women and the environment by 2015. The MDGs are all interrelated and fulfilling one helps to fulfill the others. The first seven MDGs focus on development in poor countries. MDG 8 is applicable to rich countries who pledge financial support and policy changes to assist poor countries’ efforts to meet the first seven MDGs.

As members of the International Presentation Association (IPA), the Dubuque community has been given an opportunity to partner with Presentation sisters working in some of the world’s poorest countries toward the fulfillment of the MDGs. For instance, when the tsunami hit the coast of India where Presentation sisters live and minister, word went out to the international family of Presentations that help was needed for rebuilding efforts. Over $300,000 was collected for the sisters to share with those in need.

The celebration of the International Day to Eradicate Poverty in October 2006 provided another collaborative effort for the Presentation family. A request was sent to support the Bakhita women of Kalomo, Zambia, where Presentation sisters are ministering. In keeping with the MDG aimed at controlling HIV/AIDS and malaria, the sisters are participating in educating women. They have purchased and distributed mosquito nets for families to help reduce the occurrence of malaria. Since AIDS is so widespread in Zambia, the sisters are teaching healthcare practices that are vital for treating family members and preventing further advancement of the disease.

Another of the projects the sisters have developed involves working with local women to encourage sustainable agriculture. Sixty women who head sixty households have been laboring together to cultivate maize crops in a common farm. As is true for so many of the underdeveloped countries of the world, access to water is a great challenge. The women are currently working to construct a dam to harness rainwater. The future plan is to install a windmill and pumps to create canals for irrigation purposes for the fields and gardens. Families will use the produce, and the surplus will be sold at the market thus providing a bit of income to give families enough money to help send their children to school. Contributions from the members of IPA will insure that the dam is finished and money for essential farm tools such as ploughs is made available.

Our foundress, Nano Nagle, once wrote: “I think there is no greater happiness than to be in union.” The global effort of the Presentation family to reduce poverty, to confront injustices, to encourage sustainable communities is creating a sense of uniting brothers and sisters from Africa, to India, to South America, to the United States. Nano must be smiling from heaven as well as whispering in our ears that even deeper union can be achieved in connecting hearts and wills to continue the mission of Jesus who also prayed that “all may be one.”
Information taken from IPA newsletters