DSFS-UK

Accepting the invitation to open the religious community in the archdiocese of Birmingham we daughters of St. Francis de sales came to England in March 2003. Residing in the presbytery at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Oldbury we started our mission in this country with two sisters initially. By 2006 there were 5 members in the community of which 2 sisters working in the parish and 3 in the health care profession.

In the year 2009 we branched out and found a new pasture in the south west of the country - Dorchester in Plymouth diocese. Here too we render our service in the healthcare and pastoral areas. Eventually more sisters arrived. Currently there are 7 sisters in the country.

In 2010 the two communities together was made into an English Delegation and Sr Jossy Kochupurackal was appointed the first delegate superior.

The most recent development and expansion of our ministry here occurred when we found new pastures in south Yorkshire in January 2015. We accepted an invitation to establish a house in Bentley, Doncaster and serve Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and neighbouring parish of Blessed English Martyrs Askern in the Diocese of Hallam. This brought more sisters to these shores making a total of nine sisters in the English Delegation.

A Mass of Celebration on the Occasion of the Founding and Blessing of a Convent

The New Convent in Bentley

On Monday 26th January the Year Six children from Our Lady of Perpetual Help School alongside parishioners from different parishes celebrated Mass at Our Lady’s Church in Bentley to welcome Provincial Sister Phina, Sister Jossy and Sister Lily who will take possession of the Convent which is next to the church .The convent was blessed by Bishop Ralph before Mass.

We warmly welcome Mother Corrada Magnani, Provincial Sister Phina, Sister Jossy and Sister Lily. It is a happy coincidence that 2015 has been set aside by Pope Francis as a Year Dedicated to the Consecrated life.

Open day celebration at Bentley January 2016 to celebrate the first Anniversary

Joint celebration of Mother Phina's visit and the celebration of Mass by Bishop Joseph Srampical March 2017

Handing over the role as Delegate Superior to Sr Mary Jane March 2017

In November 2017 we were invited to a new parish in the Birmingham Diocese which is St Francis of Assisi in Bedworth. Sr Mary Jane and Sr Navya moved in to the new convent on the 14^th of November. Sisters from other communities, Fr Michael Gamban and a couple of parishioners joined them in celebration.

On the 24^th January 2018 on the Feast of St Francis De Sales with the celebration of Mass and the blessing of the house the sisters were officially residents at the convent. Sr Jessy Maria From Rome represented Rev Mother Phina. Fr Michael Gamban and Fr John Rice con celebrated the Mass and everyone gathered after for a buffet lunch and refreshments arranged by the parishioners.

Opening of the Convent in Plymouth (2018)

Our convent in the Plymouth Cathedral parish was inaugurated on 17^th September 2018 by Bishop Mark O’Tool, in the presence of Superior General Mother Phina. Bishop Mark presided the Holy mass. After the Holy mass the Blessed Sacrament was taken in procession to the convent chapel followed by benediction and followed by the blessing of the convent. All the sisters of E delegation witnessed this important moment. Srs.Jossy Kochupurackal and Navya Kozhimalayil formed the first community and Sr.Jossy was appointed Responsible of the community. This community was established in response to the invitation of the Bishop to support the Cathedral parish, specially to help in the sacristy, to prepare the altar for various liturgical celebrations, to have an active participation in the pastoral needs of the faithful. The sisterswere accorded with a warm welcome by Bishop Mark, the parish priest Rev.Canon Mark, Rev.Fr.Keith and the members of the parish around a shared table.

D.S.F.S. Convent