The Southern African Province

since 1883

 

The most striking aspect of the Province of Southern Africa is our diversity.

 

		We are present in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Ireland. Our Sisters are drawn from many different language and cultural groups in Africa, Europe and Mauritius. Our common language is English.

 

Assigned to twenty one Holy Cross Communities in four different countries, our Sisters engage in education, health, pastoral, catechetical, social work and development ministries.

 

As Province, we own seven schools and two frail-care centres.

We engage in various Diocesan, Parish and other Projects and also at the level of the Bishops’ Conference.

In recent years, on account of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa, we have a focus on caring for those living with HIV/AIDS and their families, and on assisting orphans and other vulnerable children. 

We help people, especially women, to set up and run income-generating projects.

 

In all that we do there is a strong element of lay collaboration and formation and of working together with other organizations and groups of people.

 

Although many Sisters are elderly, they like to stay in ministry as long as possible and while their health permits. 

We have a number of young Sisters training for teaching, nursing or social work.

 

Immediately after First Profession new Sisters are assigned to a Community where they engage in services which are useful and help develop their skills for ministry.

 

In this way they learn to integrate their own spiritual journey with community life and apostolic service.

 

Fully retired Sisters take a keen interest in the Province and support the more active members by their prayers and encouragement.

 

The Message of General Chapter 2007 has sharpened our awareness of human dignity and human rights in our ways of relating among ourselves and also to those with whom we work and those whom we serve.