The word new is not the best word to describe this community since our sisters lived in Orta di Atella in the past. As you are about to read here, the sisters are very much loved by the people of this town and for many years the people remembered them with affection and were so grateful to them for the mission they had carried out in the past that they asked them to return.
In a letter to the Council of the Network, the parish priest of the town asked if the sisters could return. He wrote: “ This place is mission territory. Your sisters during their short stay here began an important mission and were witnesses to the Gospel through their simple but effective lifestyle. The people remember their kindness, their ability to listen, their commitment to accompany individuals and families, their excellent preparation, and their deep spirituality. The people ask again and again for the sisters’ return.”
Our sisters are in the parish of San Massimo, which has about 22.000 inhabitants. According to recent predictions, growth of between 9 and 15 thousand inhabitants is expected, judging by the houses that are being built. Among the inhabitants there is a notable percentage (10%) of Evangelicals, Pentecostals, Jehovah witnesses and Muslims.
This community is poor in every sense of the word, morally as well as economically. Social welfare is available but this has not helped to promote people or restore their dignity to them.
There is a lot of unhappiness in families because of the tension caused by alcoholism and drug addiction.
There are different possibilities for the sisters’ apostolate: accompanying families, especially in the new housing estates, working in counselling centres and work with the youth.
The parish priest ends his letter by saying:
“The people here with their priest desire the presence of the sisters. They remember them with nostalgia and need them. They wish the sisters to come and they are prepared to do everything necessary to ensure their evangelising presence among them
On the arrival of the sisters, there was a Mass followed by a feast to celebrate their arrival.
Later, we hope to bring you more news of the beginnings of this community.
