On Saturday, 20th August 2011, two young Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, congregation made their first religious profession. These were Harriet Gomez, a native of Kasewa in the North Bank and Anna Kanfudy of Brikama. The day was a rainy day but that did not stop many people to join the sisters on this occasion.
The religious profession was integrated in a well sung and concelebrated mass. The beautiful choirs of St. Kizito and Star of the Sea, Bakau animated the mass that was held in
The mass was celebrated by Father David Jarju, Vicar General and nine other priests. During his homily, Father Jarjue explained what religious life entailed and its challenges in this world. He encouraged the new sisters to be selfless and dedicated in giving their lives to God and to their congregation. He stressed the need for the sisters to be encouraged to live their congregation’s rule of life and the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. This he said can be done through prayer and moral support of all Christians. After the new sisters, Harriet and Anna made their profession they were presented with a veil, a cross and a book of the rule of life of the sisters. These are symbols of attestation of the life of a religious sister.
The day’s celebration continued after mass with a reception at the Saints Peter and Paul hall at Bakau. At the reception, the sisters treated their guests and families of the new sisters to a delicious lunch and entertainment of drumming, singing and dancing. All who attended enjoyed the day and made it memorable.
The Presentation of Mary Sisters are of the Catholic Church and they established themselves in working for the Church in The Gambia in 1968. Since then, they had worked in various parts of the country. They served the Church in the areas of evangelization in the parishes, teaching and operating schools, training of young ladies so that they can build up their future as wives to their husbands and also to serve their communities. The sisters in addition run the Shalom retreat and spiritual center in Fajara. They also reach out to the poor whom they cater for in terms of feeding, clothing and giving medication. The charism of the Sisters is that of making Jesus Christ loved and known by all whom they meet.
Together with two new sisters who added to their numbers, the Presentation Sisters can add more labourers to the vineyard of the Lord to spread the
