In Thies, Senegal $40 helps Sister Rosalind. Sister works in a small village there – a place she describes as “in the middle of nowhere – with no roads but many paths.” During the rainy season, the roads become pitted with deep holes which make walking or driving extremely dangerous.

“Weighed in” by SIster at the Mission Center in Thies, Senegal

Sister Rosalind, one of the Sisters of St. Joseph de Cluny, is a Missionary who provides medical care and a support program for expectant mothers and children. At this Mother and Child Center in Thies, no baby leaves without a visit to the “weighing station.” The Sisters make sure that every child receives at least one serving of yogurt or milk daily and gets weighed once a month, as over 14% of the young children in Senegal are malnourished.

The Sisters also run two medical clinics and a day care for the youngest in the village. They distribute vitamins and milk to those in need. At the medical clinic, adults and children are treated for illnesses ranging from malaria to diabetes to leprosy.

The Sisters offer children classes in reading, writing & teach catechism in Thies

The Sisters also run two medical clinics and a day care for the youngest in the village. They distribute vitamins and milk to those in need. At the medical clinic, adults and children are treated for illnesses ranging from malaria to diabetes to leprosy.

“Malaria and finding clean water are the greatest threats to the children who live here,” says Sister Maria Clare, who also works at the Center. However, Sister Maria notes that families do their best to take care of one another. “Families are united,” she explains. “Everyone shares the little that they have with their poor neighbors and the elderly.”

Lent is a time when we are profoundly reminded of our responsibility for sharing our faith by offering our prayers and personal sacrifices for others, just as Jesus offered His life as a ransom for the whole world. Lent is a time of renewal, a time to deepen our commitment to our Baptismal call to share our faith – to be Missionaries – while we reflect upon God’s many gifts to us.

But all year round, the Sisters and Missionaries like them, rely on your generosity to the Pontifical Mission Societies.  This support enables the Church to serve the poor by helping to provide food, clothing, shelter, medicines and most importantly, faith to those in need.

Respond to the words of Pope Francis during Lent, as he asks us to call upon the Lord to
“ . . . make our hearts like yours . . . In this way we will receive a heart which is firm and merciful, attentive and generous, a heart which is not closed, indifferent, or prey to the globalization of indifference.”  _{2015 Lenten Message}