Photo: John Power Covid-19: The Faithful respond
A community of contemplative nuns, the Sisters of Mary Morning Star, who came to live in Waterford in January last year have set up a new prayer initiative called ‘Dial a Prayer’.
The sisters want to bring the intentions, thoughts and prayers of people in the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore to God in their adoration and daily Mass. This takes on new significance in the face of Covid-19. Other religious houses in the diocese will join in praying for these intentions. This initiative was launched on the feast day of St Joseph.
The sisters live a contemplative life in the heart of Waterford city, to be a visible presence of hope and joy. Their life is dedicated to prayer, fraternal charity and the search for truth. The community now has more than 250 sisters worldwide with Waterford as their only Irish community. In Waterford city the Franciscans have allowed the Friary on Lady Lane to be occupied by the sisters. There are six sisters living in the community, with one Irish person currently considering a vocation with the order.
In response to the Holy Father’s call for a New Evangelisation, the sisters proposed the initiative. This also fulfils the direction of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, ‘Go make Disciples’. Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Phonsie Cullinan, has praised the proposal stating: “It reminds people of the importance of prayer and how important it is to ask others to pray for us.”
The bishop also affirmed that, “the initiative shows that even though the sisters are contemplative and are not usually seen in the public yet, their role is right at the heart of the activity of the diocese; in the sense that they are bringing the prayers of the people before the Sacred Heart of Jesus”.
The sisters of Mary Morning Star are available on 085 7611822. They are available for phone call between 2-3pm to receive prayer intentions each day.