The very popular Medical Missionary Sister Ursula Sharpe, the current Community Leader of the Motherhouse in Drogheda, has been elected to the position of Congregational Leader of the Medical Missionaries of Mary worldwide.
After more than 12 years of service the current Congregational Leader, Sr. Siobhan Corkery has turned over the role to Sr. Ursula following a vote of delegates at the Congregational Chapter meeting held last week in Accra, Ghana.
The Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM) welcomed the new Congregational Leadership Team and Congregational Leader after challenging delays caused by COVID 19 Restrictions.
Delegates representing the four areas where MMM presently serve: Europe, the Americas, East and Central Africa and West Africa, came together for a transformative meeting to discuss the future directions of the MMMs and decide who the future leaders would be.
The Constitution of the MMMs requires them to come together in a Chapter Meeting, elect new leaders and set an agenda for the goals of the congregation. Due to COVID 19 travel restrictions the meeting was delayed from taking place.
The new Leadership team headed by Sr. Ursula and will include:
- Sr. Maria Gonzaga Namuyomba- Assistant Congregational Leader
- Sr. Clara Chikwana- Councillor
- Sr. Rose Mogun – Councillor
Sr. Ursula Sharpe is presently on the Area Leadership Team in Ireland and Community Leader of the Motherhouse community in Drogheda. She is a registered nurse and midwife and has further degrees in Pastoral Leadership, Counselling Psychology and Development. She has worked in Bangladesh, Uganda, Rwanda and Malawi and Ireland.
Sr. Maria Gonzaga Namuyomba from Uganda is currently serving as the East/Central Africa Area Leader of MMMs. She is qualified in Accountancy, Business Administration and Finance and has worked in four countries in Africa (Uganda, Malawi, Nigeria and Kenya) as well as in Honduras in Central America.
Sr. Clara Chikwana from Malawi is the current Formation Director in the international Novitiate in Nigeria. She is a registered nurse and midwife and has a degree in Theology. Sr. Clara has worked in Malawi, Kenya and Nigeria.
Sr. Rose Mogun from Nigeria has been on the Leadership Team some years ago and brings a wide range of experience to the team. Sr. Rose is a registered nurse and midwife with further degrees in Pastoral Ministry and Development Studies. She has worked in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda. Presently, she is a member of MMM Resource Team for the management of MMM ministries.
Since they were founded in 1937 by Mother Mary Martin, MMMs are actively engaged in the delivery of services to the world’s most needy populations in remote areas. This includes the prevention or relief of sickness, disease or human suffering in various ways.
The Sisters currently serve in over eleven countries. They assist with illness, diseases and social challenges unique to the specific location. They work with the local community to identify what most needs to be done. Then they build on the strengths of the existing resources. Objectives are set with goals to respond to the particular area and what impacts people there the most. In no two locations are services exactly alike. Change is always monitored and addressed.
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 counselling 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
For more information on the Medical Missionaries of Mary, please visit www.MMMworldwide.org
