The Friends of Nano Movement is a worldwide
movement of contemplative service, linked with Presentation
Sisters.
We welcome people of various cultures and faith traditions who
• are inspired by the spirit of Nano Nagle, who founded
the Presentation Sisters
• wish to deepen their own inner life
• are drawn towards creating a more compassionate,
just and sustainable world and
• value the support and encouragement of like‐minded people
The Friends of Nano Movement shares a common vision and
charism with the Presentation Congregation.
We seek opportunities to pray, act and celebrate together.
The spirit and charism of Nano, her example, and that of her
Congregation, inspires us to go one step beyond.
We support and encourage each other to deepen our
awareness of the Divine life within. and to bring about a better
quality of life, and greater equality in life for all, especially for
those whom society has made poorest
movement of contemplative service, linked with Presentation
Sisters.
We welcome people of various cultures and faith traditions who
• are inspired by the spirit of Nano Nagle, who founded
the Presentation Sisters
• wish to deepen their own inner life
• are drawn towards creating a more compassionate,
just and sustainable world and
• value the support and encouragement of like‐minded people
The Friends of Nano Movement shares a common vision and
charism with the Presentation Congregation.
We seek opportunities to pray, act and celebrate together.
The spirit and charism of Nano, her example, and that of her
Congregation, inspires us to go one step beyond.
We support and encourage each other to deepen our
awareness of the Divine life within. and to bring about a better
quality of life, and greater equality in life for all, especially for
those whom society has made poorest
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How we began
Nano Nagle was a lay woman with a vision and passion for the poorest of society and a desire for a more compassionate world. She was joined by other lay companions who shared in her vision and worked tirelessly with her for more than 20 years before she founded the Presentation Congregation. In 1989 the Congregational Leadership called the sisters to ‘collaboration with laity in our mission’. Later Gatherings of the Congregation echoed this message encouraging the involvement of lay people as equal partners in initiatives for justice. Over subsequent years, in several countries and provinces, Associate Groups were formed. In 2009, the 225th anniversary of Nano’s death, the Congregational Leadership Team reflected on what it means to be associated with the Congregational. They wished to encourage the development of a framework linking Friends of Nano across the globe, a network which could enable all who are inspired by the charism of Nano to strengthen and expand their experience of being in communion. They concluded that an International Gathering involving lay people from all of the countries and provinces in the Union would be the best way to begin to explore how such a framework might be developed. The International Gathering took place in June 2011 and the Friends of Nano Movement was born. |
At the heart of our movement
lies a partnership with the Divine, a passion for the poorest & a covenant with creation. |
Maya's commitment and reflection
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Stars and glow worms
A friend recently discovered that the bush walk near our neighbourhood had glow worms. I wanted to see them, but the only time that was possible was when it was pitch dark. I wanted to see them badly, so we set out to go to the bush in the evening, in winter, after a strong storm. It could have been a bad idea, but it wasn't. The glitters from the worms lining the sides of the pathway were breathtaking. We have to turn off our flashlights to see them. I then looked up and saw the stars shining undisturbed by other lights. For a moment, the world stood still. I was in the womb of creation. I may be in the middle of a muddy road in a bush, but I feel I was precisely where I wanted to be. That adventure reminded me of our commitment ceremony last 25th of June. It was a day of many days—the Matariki and the Feast of the Sacred Heart. I flew to Mosgiel from Wellington to join Josh and Jeanette. We are like three kings of the Christmas gospel going on a pilgrimage to see the child, Jesus. The Commitment Ceremony came when I was going through many personal crossroads. It was hard to ‘commit’ to anything when you were in a liminal space. But commit I did, not because I know what I am doing or who Nano is, but guided by a gut feeling that tells me—this is the step forward. Nano had many liminal moments in her life. There was that time of discerning in France, deciding to build her schools, letting go of the Ursulines and setting up her congregation. I imagine her walking in the dark streets of Cork with her lamp and seeing the faces of the poor. What she saw in the dark was more magical than glow worms and stars I saw in the bush. She saw nothing less than the face of Jesus. And that point, I reckon, Nano felt as I did in the bush—she is exactly where she wants to be. Like the stars and glow worms, we can only see the face of Jesus if we take the courage to go forward and walk uncertain paths and be ready to turn off the lights of our knowledge and preconceived plans about our lives. To be able to stand still and let go. Almost a month after, I look back with gratefulness for the blessings of that day. For the gifts of the Presentation Mission, friendships and hospitality. I do not know where my ‘true Cork’ is or what life’s path I’ll be called to cross, but joining the Friends of Nano is undoubtedly my first step to finding it. I won't be going alone. I will walk alongside many people like myself, carrying little lamps in the alleys of the world, looking for the face of Jesus. |
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Jen has joined the Friends of Nano.
Listen to her make her commitment
Listen to her make her commitment
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Woman of the Poor
I asked my Year 10 students, what is God like for you? They said that God is someone watching us, that God is someone difficult to relate to and a few said that God is but an idea. I thought of Nano and wonder what she would say or how would she reply. This is the kind of poverty that I face every day with many young people in my school. My journey with Nano started with the Presentation Sisters Veronica and Noreen. Their warm welcome, care and kindness led me to knowing the courageous champion for the poor, Nano Nagle. The most things that draw me to her is her personal care for the poor and her commitment to unjust situations that marginalize vulnerable people. I have seen poverty in different forms and shapes in many places and at different times of my life. As a teacher, I have seen it evolved over time in the faces of young people who are hungry for the truth and searching for meaning and purpose in life. Knowing Nano is like finding an ally and an inspiration in my personal commitment to be with the poor and help them in any way I can. Nano’s courage, zeal, perseverance and faith in the Lord encourage me to keep on and to trust in God’s providence. Like Nano, I want to carry that light for others to seek God and find God in their lives. |
Josh makes his commitment
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Looking for the Flame As my life journey develops I am in constant longing for the flame of God: the same flame Nano Nagle carried in her lantern. Her mission and spirituality have inspired me since I was young and to finally have a formal commitment to her, to God and to my fellow Friends of Nano has given me a sense of fulfilment. This feeling of fulfilment closed one door and has opened another with lots more passion and zeal for the cries of the world. Just like Nano I am often drawn to the need of education and the need to focus on the care and love for our young people especially in these times we live in which could be considered as similar to what Nano would have witnessed too. So I look at them with Nano’s eyes and with God’s flame, to walk with them and to inspire just as Nano has done. I also think of my fellow Friends of Nano, especially Maya and Jeanette who all represent the charism of Nano and the love of God with such conviction and trust. Josh |
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INVITATION TO BE
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Contact us on the details below
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Mary-Ann Greaney Coordinator Noreen McGrath pbvm |
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+6445268368 +6434898120 |
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m.greaney@greaney.co.nz nora.c@xtra.co.nz |
Some reading to find out more
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| lantern_flame_4.pdf |