Join Us In Prayer

• Dealing with illness or surgery
• Feeling low and struggling
• Grieving the loss of a loved one
• Caring for the needs of a loved one
• Stressed about the demands of life
• Feeling lonely or anxious
• Concerned about the wellbeing of the world

Lord, I may be well but many around me are sick.  I feel helpless to reach out and heal.  As each patient struggles to breathe, help them, Lord, through my breathing.  As I breathe in, may your love infuse me.  As I breathe out, let this love spread all around me.  In and out, in and out.  I breathe with and through you, Lord.

(Add image/graphic for each prayer) 

In Time of Stress

Lord, I can’t cope any more.  It is all just too much.  It is all coming on top of me.  Did you feel that way in the Garden of Gethsemani?  Help me, Lord, to step back.  Help me to take a deep breath and know that you are always with me.  I can rely on you, I trust in you.  Amen.

Facing Medical Tests

Lord, the future is unknown and uncertain.  I may have to face the fact that I am sick.  Give me the strength and courage to face the future, whatever it may bring.  Help those who are guiding me right now.  Help me and help my doctors make good choices.  I trust myself to your loving care.

When Feeling Lonely

Mary, my mother and my sister, when Jesus left Nazareth did you feel all alone?  That is how I feel today.   The loneliness weighs down my heart and leaves me fretting and a little bit anxious.  I know I can turn to you and tell you all my troubles.  You have carried so much more.  Be close to me and bring me close to your son, Jesus.

Fed Up

Lord, today I am just fed up.  I am restless and can’t settle to any small task.  Give me peace of mind so that I can think of others and not be self absorbed.  I want to do your work in this wide world of ours.  Give me serenity in body, mind and spirit.

Grieving

Lord, I can’t cry but there is a heaviness in my heart because of my loss.  I walk around in automatic pilot mode, smile and thank those who want to comfort me.  Inside I am screaming, “No, no, it is too much!”   Help me, Lord. Let me lean on you.  Give me strength just now when the pain is sharp. Let me put my hand in Yours.

The Open Door

Jesus, you are the open door. You stand there, between me and the outer world.  You invite me outside, to see and respond to the suffering of the world.  Help me see your face in the poor, the sick and the lonely.

Jesus, you are the open door.  You open up my inner world.  You invite me to let go of my worries and cares, my doubts and contradictions.  They escape into a wider space and gain perspective. Thank you, Jesus.

November

Lord, winter is coming.  It is cold and dark and all around me.  I see old, brown leaves and barren branches.  And yet – what is that?  New buds are forming already in the hedgerow.  Yes, I must face the death but you have given me already the promise of new life.  I thank you, Lord.

Advent

What was it like for you, Lord, growing in Mary’s womb?  Did you hear your mother’s heartbeat?  Did you hear your own?  Here I am, waiting for your birth, and yet you are already here.  Can you hear the heartbeat of the world?  Help me listen to you as I listen to others around me this day

To meet the needs of the people we serve, MMMs undergo professional training and development to attain or update skills. Ongoing organisational training and support is provided to the MMMs to assist them in facing challenges and enable them to deliver essential care to those most in need. Continuing professional development is essential to the delivery of our core mission.

In poor communities children and women are often targeted by human traffickers. Education and awareness workshops are offered to help keep people safe. In addition, counseling and rehabilitation services are offered to women who have been trafficked and need support in coping with trauma.

Economic inequality creates many social issues for women especially in single parent homes. Many programmes seek to address the issues of gender inequality in communities by creating empowerment opportunities and training.

Women are offered opportunities to learn vocational skills which can be income generating. Computer training, health services provider, hair dressing, tailoring, craft making and many more enterprising skills are being taught.

Overcoming gendered violence is also a major concern.

In today’s world people are ever more affected by violence. We have situation of refugees, civil unrest and urban violence. Working to support people affected by violence is important work conducted by MMMs. In countries like Brazil MMMs face situations of urban violence. Other countries in Africa, like South Sudan, are emerging from periods of civil unrest. As well as providing health services, MMMs also conduct outreach programmes. These include visits to the local communities and work in prisons.

Recently in Brazil MMM spearheaded a project, “Projeto Consolacao”. This was a support for families grieving from the loss of a loved one due to assassinations. Families received support in coping with the trauma caused by violent death. They were also offered human rights awareness. With this awareness they have the courage and resources to follow the legal process in seeking justice. This Project was successfully integrated into the local parish ministry.

In East and West Africa Capacitar training is offered. This is an international network of empowerment and solidarity. It helps people cope with trauma and empowers them to heal and overcome injustice to create a more peaceful world.

MMMs are involved in projects to improve and develop clean accessible water supplies. Water harvesting projects are in operation to help local communities along with education programmes on how to harvest rainwater safely. Community seminars are offered to help support the local people and educate them about the importance of water in preventing illness and the spread of disease.

Creating small gardens, seed sharing and learning about horticulture are ways of addressing food security issues. Skills and tools are provided to the community.

There are many social, economic and environmental factors negatively impacting people in the communities MMMs serve. As needed, MMMs help the local community address issues and improve quality of life.

These varied and integrated services provided in the hospitals/clinics and in outpatient delivery include but are not limited to:

• Immunisations/Vaccinations
• Antenatal & maternity care
• TB (Direct observation treatment)
• Laboratory services
• Nutrition clinics
• Rehabilitation and counseling clinics
• HIV/AIDS testing, referral and education
• Palliative care
• Counter Human trafficking services
• Pastoral care and home visits
• Hospital Chaplaincy
• Prison visits
• Counseling for Students
• Complementary Therapies
• Geriatric Care
• Gender and Race equality awareness
• Vesico Vaginal Fistula Rehabilition
• Youth Health

MMM serves in four geographic regions (East Africa, West Africa, the Americas and Europe). The Sisters own or manage various hospitals, health care clinics and primary care centres. The variety of health care services provided is based on the needs of the local community. Prevention of illness and disease is as important as treatment.

Specific programmes are developed to address the needs of the local people. For example, unfortunately in East and West Africa, there are many women who suffer from Obstetric Fistula (VVF and RVF). This happens with prolonged labour in childbirth. Usually these women have had no antenatal care.

Obstetric fistula causes involuntary and often painful discharge of urine or faeces into the vaginal vault. It is a preventable condition. Treatment and rehabilitation involves surgery. It also fuels efforts in antenatal and maternity services along with raising awareness.