RSCJ present at the celebration: Rose Harding, Marzena Kudlinska, Joanna Mos, Helen McLaughlin, Brygida Jalowa, Bernardette McArdle

Sunday, 18th November, Feast of St Philippine Duchesne, saw an historical event take place in Inverness: The launch of a new RSCJ Community!  During the Noon Mass, Bishop Peter Moran formally welcomed three RSCJ, Brygida Jalowa, Marzena Kudlinska and Joanna Mos, into the diocese of Aberdeen, to the joy of the Polish congregation and the Sacred Heart Sisters who had come for the occasion. 

The rain, falling steadily over Inverness, could not dampen the spirits of all present, firstly at the Mass during which Marzena led the singing and accompanied us on the guitar. During Mass, Sister Maria Stecka, Provincial of Poland, spoke to the parishioners about our Society and its spirit and mission.

After Mass, the RSCJ visitors from Aberdeen, Kilgraston and Edinburgh went to the hall for tea or coffee with the Polish parishioners. Many of them do not speak much English and, on our part, few of us had more than a phrase of Polish – unlike Bishop Moran who is learning the language and making good progress! However, there were enough English speakers for us to be able to communicate a little and the experience brought home to us the blessing it will be to these people to have the Polish Sisters with them.

We left Inverness feeling that a lovely new shoot of the Society was coming to bloom up there, full of promise for the future. We thank Brygida, Marzena and Joanna for continuing the spirit of St Rose Philippine Duchesne by leaving their native land to live among us in Scotland. May they, and their mission, be blessed a hundedfold.