Ireland
Where We Are
The Sisters of St John of God were founded in 1871 in Wexford, by Bishop Thomas Furlong, Bishop of Ferns, and Sr. Visitation Clancy and her companions. Their mission was to care for the people of the diocese of Ferns who were suffering extreme spiritual and material poverty following the Great Famine in 1847.
As the number of Sisters increased, they willingly responded to invitations to address identified needs in various places in Ireland, in Australia, England, Wales, Rome, Nigeria, Cameroon, Pakistan and South Africa. They ministered in Health Care, Education and Pastoral Care.
Today the Sisters are acutely aware of the spiritual hunger in the world and the struggle people experience in giving meaningful expression to their faith. As the lifestyle of the Sisters is gradually changing from more active ministry to a slower and more reflective pace, today priority is given to spiritual companioning and faith development.
We minister in several locations in Ireland as shown on the map.
What We Do
Healthcare
From their foundation the Sisters of St. John of God have been involved in healthcare in Ireland when the first Sisters began nursing in the Workhouses following the Great Famine.
Later many Sisters worked in various public and private hospitals, in Nurse Education, as community nurses and in hospice care.
Today, some Sisters care for the frail and elderly members of the Congregation.
Education
In 1875 the Sisters commenced teaching in Wexford, and until recently they have been involved in Primary, Secondary and Special Needs Education.
A number of Sisters continue their commitment to education through service on Boards of Management. The Retreat Centre at Ballyvaloo, Co. Wexford provides a variety of Adult Faith Development Programmes and Workshops.
Pastoral Ministry
The ministry of the Sisters has always included a pastoral dimension including home visitation and offering practical help to families in need.
Commitment to this ministry continues today through Sisters who work as Parish Sisters, Counsellors, Spiritual Directors, Pastoral Visitors to Retirement Homes and through involvement in Sheltered Accommodation.
Spirituality
“Our spirituality is contemplative in attitude and action” (Constitutions 53).
We are acutely aware of the deep desire of many people today to give authentic expression to their faith in God and to develop a spirituality which gives meaning and direction to their lives.
In responding to this spiritual hunger, the Sisters give priority to the ministry of retreats and faith development.
The Retreat Centre at Ballyvaloo in Co. Wexford is situated in an idyllic location by the sea. It offers a nurturing space for peace and quiet, for prayer and reflection. The Centre offers a full programme of retreats, workshops, days of prayer, various faith development programmes and spiritual accompaniment.
