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2023-12-31-accounts

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO

Annual Report and Accounts

31 December 2023

Charity Registration Number 1189330

Contents

Reports

Reports
Reference and administrative details
of the charity, its trustees and advisers 1
Trustees’ report 3
Independent auditor’s report 49

Accounts

Accounts
Statement of financial activities 53
Balance sheet 54
Statement of cash flows 55
Principal accounting policies 56
Notes to the accounts 61

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers

Trustees Sister Catherine Corrigan
Sister Rose Mary Harbinson
Sister Margaret Doherty
Sister Pauline McDonald
Sister Margaret Murphy
Sister Mary Brigid Toner
Provincial Leader Sister Catherine Corrigan
Provincial Bursar Sister Brigid Quinn
Finance Officer Helen McLoughlin
Provincial House 108 Spencer Road
Wealdstone
Middlesex
HA3 7AR
Charity registration number 1189330
Auditor Buzzacott LLP
130 Wood Street
London
EC2V 6DL
Investment managers Rathbones Wealth Management Limited
8 Finsbury Circus
London
EC2M 6DL
UBS AG
5 Broadgate
London
EC2M 2AN
Evelyn Partners
45 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7BG

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 1

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers

Principal bankers HSBC Bank plc Level 6 London Commercial Banking Centre 71 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4AY Solicitors Hunters Law LLP 9 New Square London WC2A 3QN. Stone King LLP 13 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HJ McCarthy Denning 70 Mark Lane London EC3R 7NQ

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 2

Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

The trustees present their report together with the accounts of the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO (the “charity”) for the year ended 31 December 2023.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 56 to 60 of the attached accounts and comply with the charity’s Constitution, applicable laws and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

INTRODUCTION

The Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions (the “Congregation”) or the Religieuses de Notre Dame des Missions (RNDM) was founded in 1861 by Euphrasie Barbier, a young woman from Normandy, France. It is an International Religious Missionary Congregation whose members minister in Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, France, India, Italy, Kenya, Peru, Bolivia, Myanmar, New Zealand/Samoa, Philippines, Senegal, South Sudan, UK and Ireland, USA, Vietnam, Laos, Taiwan, and Thailand. The Sisters develop and run a wide range of activities in these countries. With a central focus on missionary work and evangelisation, the Congregation is heavily involved in the running of convents, schools, orphanages, hostels, maternity homes, and dispensaries. The Sisters have as their priority being present to and working with those who are vulnerable and neglected, those marginalised in our world today. This is with specific regard to women, children, youth, indigenous peoples, migrants, and victims of human trafficking. Project-based work is dictated by the needs of the local communities.

The Congregation is divided into geographical provinces, of which the UK and Ireland Province is one. The Congregation’s Generalate is in Rome.

The accounts accompanying this report are the accounts of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), through which the assets of the UK and Ireland Province, but excluding that part in the Republic of Ireland, are held and through which its finances operate.

The charity is governed by a Constitution dated 4 May 2020 and is registered with the Charity Commission, Charity Registration No. 1189330.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Principal aims

The object of the charity is the support of such charitable purposes as to advance the religious and other charitable work being carried on by, or under the direction of, the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO. Such purposes include the promotion of the Roman Catholic religion, seeking ways to foster interfaith dialogue. The Congregation takes a holistic approach to education, empowerment of women and the spread of Christian values, of caring for the needy and promoting justice, peace, and the integrity of creation.

When setting the objectives and planning the work of the charity for the year, and when encouraging the work of individual Sisters, the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (continued)

Principal activities

Throughout 2023, the UK and Ireland Province consists of 11 communities spread over Scotland and England. Its members engage in a variety of activities all of which benefit many members of the public. These activities can be classified as: all aspects of pastoral work in parishes which includes visiting the elderly and housebound, working with bereavement groups, justice and peace, journeying with young adults, liaison with and between schools and parishes, working with young mothers, caring for families with special needs, accompanying refugees and asylum seekers, and care of its own elderly and sick members.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Missionary work and donations

The Leadership Team in Rome continues to advise us as to the neediest areas of the Congregation’s work abroad, and the trustees’ policy is to consider that advice and give to the neediest areas.

During 2023, our objectives have remained the same in our planning of the works of the charity throughout the year. The Trustees have continued to give careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidelines on public benefit. In 2023 the following projects initiated and run by the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO were supported with funding:

During the year £40,653 was donated to support missionary work. (2022 £46,869 was donated).

The charity helps fund projects in:

The Christmas gifts received in December 2022 and January 2023 supported the following projects in Bangladesh, India, Kenya and Latin America as follows:-

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

Computers for St Teresa’s School, Bangladesh

The Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions of St Teresa’s School, Rangamati made a decision to support the students who are economically poor and are unable to pay the tuition fees as well as get access to IT learning facilities. It became more difficult for the families who have two or more children in the same family. To address these needs of the students at St Teresa’s School,

the Sisters requested funds for purchasing computers, printers, and to provide internet facilities and materials for the science lab.

After receiving the Christmas gift contribution, the school expressed thanks for the generous support received from the Christmas gift from our donors. They said that the new computers and printers will help the students to have access to modern technology and be able to learn better for their future careers. The Sisters said that the generous donations from the Christmas

gift helped to support the School and to keep it active and running smoothly. The new computers help the students to learn and become familiar with technology. With the donation from the UK the School was able to purchase a computer and printer for the School classroom.

The Sisters sent their thanks on behalf of the School for the generous contribution. They said that they were grateful to all the benefactors.

Education for tribal children, India Central

In 2019, the RNDM Sisters opened a pre-nursery class with 55 young children from Gwal Toli village, providing quality education to all the tribal children of the locality. Today, the school serves 200 plus children from nursery classes to class one.

The school building was built with the support of CEI and the Australian Province. Currently, the school needs a water-purifying plant as the drinking water has a high iron content. Also due to the increase in the number of students in the classroom, the school required more furniture. The Sisters also run tuition classes in the villages to support those who go to public school, providing good quality education, motivation, and confidence for a better future.

The money sent for this work in 2023 will give the children a chance to access good quality education as well as provide furniture and equipment for the tribal children.

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

Furniture and stationery for Euphrasie School, Kenya

The Sisters of Kenyan province started a school in Mbajone in 2020. A small structure was then built, and the school is still in the initial stage of construction. The objective of the school is to develop Euphrasie School into a pre-primary and primary school. It must be supplied with furniture, stationery, and other facilities, so that the disadvantaged students may get equal opportunity for quality education. The nearest school is far away

in relation to other public schools. Therefore, the Sisters want to provide basic supplies for a good learning environment for the little children who live in poverty at Mbajone and its neighbouring villages.

The Christmas gift money sent in 2023 will support the ethnic children and help provide a better future for them.

Solar energy for Hogar Belen, Latin America

The present reality calls us to be more creative in the use of resources of Mother Earth. At Hogar Belen, where the Sisters look after children and people who are severely disabled, they are doing their best to provide new ways to reduce pollution and protect the environment. Moquegua is called - “The land of the Sun and Friendship”, therefore it provides a great opportunity for solar energy. The Sisters’ goal is to move towards green energy, by installing solar panels and reduce the carbon footprint. The installation of solar power will also contribute to reduce the electricity bills. Having clean energy can also bring a change in people’s mindset and a new awareness of the need to protect our Common Home.

The Christmas gift money received from donors and transferred in 2023 will be a great support to the Hogar Belen Home. The targeted beneficiaries of this project are such vulnerable people who deserve to be helped and supported. Thank you.

The Solidarity Mission Fund

This fund has been set up to provide for those in need both at home and overseas. Many Sisters contribute their own handcrafts to these fundraising activities in their parishes and individual donors are big contributors to our Solidarity Mission Fund.

We supported the following Projects in our overseas missions during 2023:

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

The Solidarity Mission Fund (continued)

The children in Delesan Kailawan have been given adequate and nutritious food. Two children who were underweight were given food supplements and care. These children stayed in the dormitory to be able to attend formal schools in the town center. Aside from this, they were supported by the center with tutorial sessions and cultural enrichment.

The parents of the children have actively served in cooking food each week and maintained the garden which supplies the vegetables. Officers among the parents were elected to help in the administration of the dormitory.

As a result of the challenges experienced in food deficiency, there has been an increase in sickness in the Menubu communities. This is also similar in Delesan Kailawan. The most frequent are flu, UTI, coughs and colds. Aside from food, the children were also given vitamins and mineral supplements to increase their resistance. Their health has improved with these interventions. Safeguarding children’s health and wellbeing has always

been the priority of the center given that we serve a vulnerable population.

Thank you for the continued support for the Dulangan Menubu children in Kulaman.

----- Start of picture text -----
Regular meals during
weekdays
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Study and homework time after school

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

The Solidarity Mission Fund (continued)

India Central: Interactive Flat Panel for Healthier and Smarter Classroom at Gwal Toli School

The people who benefited from this project numbered around 500 and more, such as children, 10 teachers in the School, children from the tuition training centres and parents/guardians of the children also benefitted. Occasionally the mission held seminars, workshops and programmes on the premises. In the future more people will benefit from this project.

Installing the flat panels in the school and learning how to use them.

◊ The positive aspects of this project

The world of education is changing, and classroom technology is helping this progress. As the students become more accustomed to the digital world, the Interactive Flat Panels are one of the essential requirements and most valuable tools for the students today. An interactive education panel is an immensely useful tool for teachers and students. This display increases student engagement in various activities, creates active learning, and it is more resourceful in the classroom for teachers and administrators.

The Interactive Flat Panel systems include apps that allow teachers easy access to professional learning such as video demonstrations and best teaching practices from other classrooms. This type of education technology helps teachers to expand resources in all aspects and engage students to move freely in the classroom. Showing videos and slides helped students to become more involved, attentive, and energetic. This also helps children to increase the learning process of academic studies and extra-curricular activities as well.

Interactive Panels have simplified the preparation process of lessons for the teachers, which helps the students gain confidence in their work and take a greater interest in the learning. A smart class with Interactive Flat Panels in the School can shift students’ focus and encourage a sense of togetherness. Further, the smart class teaching approach fosters a unified environment within the classroom, where students can collectively engage in discussions, sharing and exchanging ideas among themselves.

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

The Solidarity Mission Fund (continued)

The School has access to a good internet facility that provides better learning opportunities. Parents as well as pupils are happy to see the development of the School.

Sincere thanks were expressed to our UK and Ireland province for the generous contribution to Gwal Toli School in Central India. There is a ray of hope to reach out to many more students through our help and support.

Project in India Central INC3.3 - "Education/Empowerment of Tribal Children, Girls and Women, Kuchinda"

The people who benefited directly from this project were 250 children from Supplementary Education Centers from different villages; 50 young girls and 180 women. The wider beneficiaries are their family members and villagers. Approximately 2,000 people have benefited from this project.

Since most families are poor subsistence farmers, who cannot afford better education for their children, the Sisters set up Supplementary Education Centers in the villages, for the poor tribal and Dalit children. Social work activities at Kuchinda consist of ten Supplementary Education Centers (SECs). Among these centers, eight are in Kuchinda block and two in Notified Area Council (NAC) block. Focusing on the objectives, the coordinator and teachers work towards strengthening the SECs in different villages through quality education to these children.

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

The Solidarity Mission Fund (continued)

A one-day orientation program was conducted for the teachers on safeguarding policy, teaching methods and learning skills. The monthly evaluation was a key aspect for the progress of the social work mission. It was a vital platform for the teachers to receive new ideas and suggestions for their work. Thus, it enabled them to prepare the lessons and use them efficiently.

Daily visits to

the Centers by the Coordinator, encouraged the children to learn and to focus on English classes provided. Regular meetings with parents motivated them to give importance to the children’s education. This resulted in the growth and development of the children, especially in the area of discipline and

regular attendance.

Two groups of 60 young girls were trained in Basic English to help in their academic studies. Also, we had a day seminar for girls on “Growth in Personality Development and Leadership”.

The girls who participated in the program gained knowledge on creative thinking and growth in personality development. Likewise, a day’s seminar was organized for the women on “Capacity Building on Leadership”. 160 women actively participated. The women were empowered, motivated, and gained information from the training to fight for their rights.

We celebrated every occasion with the children, young girls and women to mark the day in particular, Teachers’ Day, Children’s Day, Literacy Day, Women’s Day, and Christmas Day. This was a great opportunity to show the women, girls and children’s potential and affirm their courage and willingness to improve their overall development.

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

The Solidarity Mission Fund (continued)

Each village took full responsibility for organizing all aspects of the celebrations.

The parents were very happy to see their children performing well in academics as well as in extracurricular activities in their respective villages.

The project has made an impact on the lives of children, young girls, women, and other members of the family. They show an interest in studies and an overall development in their personalities, their interest in participation, their motivation and cooperation.

There is more involvement of the parents in our Supplementary Education Centres. The seminar for instructors, young girls and women on Growth in Personality Development and Leadership which was beneficial to all involved.

To align with Sustainable Development “Care for the Earth” Goal 15, the coordinator approached the forest department and received 200 trees and distributed them to the children and staff to help them in their care of the common home.

We gratefully acknowledge your generous contribution and support in funding our work in Kuchinda, Odisha. There is a ray of hope as we reach out to many more children, youth and women in the villages with your help and support.

The Mission expressed their gratitude to the UK and Ireland Province for the generous contribution dedicated to the "Empowerment of children, widows, and youth in Madurampattu Village." They appreciate the generosity of benefactors for their significant support, positively impacting the development of the deserving young children who need guidance and care.

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

The Solidarity Mission Fund (continued)

In recent months, the Sisters have conducted tuition classes every Saturday, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, benefiting 60 children from Madurampattu Village. This initiative not only offers essential academic support but also creates learning environment for children ranging from kindergarten to Standard 8 and representing diverse economic backgrounds.

The educational endeavors encompass a comprehensive curriculum, including Mathematics, Science, Social Science, English, and language studies. Beyond academics, they educate the children on health, hygiene, morality, discipline, games, and general knowledge. The conclusion of each class is marked by providing snacks and refreshments for them. Additionally, the Sisters have undertaken the initiative of planting saplings in the compound, contributing to a greener environment awareness.

The children have improved in their academic performance, behaviour, and hygiene and a healthier living environment. There has been excellent collaboration between the Sisters and children and the parents have played a crucial role by sending their children for tuition, which contributes to the program’s success. This has greatly enhanced the life of the village.

They extend a heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed to this project This mission remains confident that, with continued support, they will become responsible and confident individuals in the future.

India South: Science Lab at Maria Bhaven School, Amalapuram, Kerala We are pleased to present this report detailing the receipt and utilization of financial support for upgrading our science laboratory. Your generous contribution helping us to provide quality education and practical experience for our students.

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

The Solidarity Mission Fund (continued)

We are grateful to UK and Ireland province for the financial support that was specifically designated for the improvement of our science laboratory facilities.

The following purchases were made:

The impact of this financial support has been profound:

Once again, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous contribution towards the wellbeing of our students and trust in our educational mission. We are deeply appreciative of your commitment to fostering a future generation of scientists.

We remain committed to maintaining and maximizing the benefits of this support. Thank you!

Bangladesh: Financial Support for St Catherine's School, Jholjolia for Computer Laboratory Equipment

The school would like to say how very grateful they are for the donation which gave the children joy and happiness.

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

The Solidarity Mission Fund (continued)

Bangladesh: Financial Support for St Catherine's School, Jholjolia for Computer Laboratory Equipment (continued)

With the generous financial support, the School was able to purchase computers, printers, tables, chairs, and the necessary equipment for the computer’s laboratory. Since the School was newly built last year, it was necessary to create an attractive school environment and to give the children the opportunity

to learn technology and especially the children who are less privileged. The School managed to buy computer laboratory equipment.

At present the new two-story school building construction project has been completed.

Thanks was expressed for the continued support given to the poor tribal school children. The headteacher said that they greatly appreciated our support in their ministry.

Bangladesh: Financial Support for Science Laboratory for Mariam Junior High School Natore

This mission expressed their sincere gratitude to the Sisters and Benefactors for the financial support for the Mariam Niketon School for equipment for the Science Laboratory. This financial help made it possible for students to learn new technology in the use of computers and practical application in the Science Laboratory.

Mariam Niketon School has been established since 1993. As a missionary institute, the School had gained much popularity and fame among the other religious people. The Sisters have been dedicated in offering the best quality education along with moral, social, and spiritual values. They were so happy and excited that

after 30 years the students acquired a new Science Laboratory. At present the Sisters are actively running this school where the students learn and apply their practical studies in science.

Through the financial support received, they can offer good educational facilities for the students to use. The Science Laboratory equipment and computers are necessary for better quality education.

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

The Solidarity Mission Fund (continued)

Bangladesh: Financial Support for Science Laboratory for Mariam Junior High School Natore (continued)

Thanks, and gratitude to all the benefactors. Because of this kind and generous support, the school is developing their mission and ministry by helping the students to develop and mature. The generosity of donors is what gives these young people the educational resources needed to help build up their self-confidence.

“Firstly, we would like to express our deep gratitude to RNDM Sisters in UK and Ireland Province and all benefactors who supported us in this meaningful project.

Implementing the orientation of our Congregation Chapter: “Ecological conversion is a missionary imperative, requiring collective practical action at all levels of the congregation” (28[th] RNDM Congregation Chapter, 2020), we, RNDMs in Pleijut community responded to the need of the indigenous people, and have provided sanitary facilities for poor families in two villages.

The two villages are named Ngai Ngo and Me which are about 12-15 km from the Pleijut community. They belong to Jrai group and the population is about 200 people. There are only 2 families who have toilets. These Jrai indigenous people are poor, lack many things such as personal hygiene and health care. They lack access to improved sanitation. Instead of using toilets, they still practice going out into the fields, bushes, forests etc. for defecation. This is a leading cause of diarrheal death, other sickness, and environmental pollution.

We planned to build six toilets and bathrooms for them (for short, in this report we say “toilets” which means toilets & bathrooms). However, these families gave more hands to help the main workers in the preparation of the ground and with the building work to reduce the cost. Therefore, one more family benefited from this fund. With your financial support, seven simple toilets were built for seven families: four toilets for Ngai Ngo village and the other three for Me village.

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

The Solidarity Mission Fund (continued)

The beneficiaries were happy and really grateful for our support. They become more aware of the importance of protecting the environment such as surface water, groundwater, air and soil, as well as providing safety, security, and dignity for people. Hopefully, day by day, the villagers in this area will improve their knowledge of the natural resources to protect it and to build more facilities to improve their living conditions.

Once again, we thank you for your generous support and encouragement. May you be blessed abundantly.”

“On behalf of the RNDMs who are in the mission in Laos, and especially the young girl students who received your financial support in this year’s project, I would like to express my deep gratitude to you who have responded to our invitation to collaborate with us in our mission to reach out to the poorest children who need to continue their education.

With the amount of money that you generously donated, we have provided the students with the basic needs to attend school and helped them to understand the importance of education and personal development. It enlarged their perspective of social life and of their responsibilities.

We are very pleased to inform you that there are four students who recently graduated - two girls completed their high school and the other two graduated from college with a degree in Accounting and Hospitality. Four of them have returned to their families and are applying for jobs. Currently, we have 6 other students continuing their education in college, university, chef profession and 2 students are continuing their high school studies.

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The students who were supported in
2023
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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

The Solidarity Mission Fund (continued)

At the beginning of July 2023, we were delighted to welcome 4 new high school students to our community to continue their education. Therefore, the total number of students this year is still 12, this is a great hope for society and the church in this remote locality. We believe that with your generous help, these seeds will bear much fruit in the life of these young girls as well as in other aspects of society. We are proud of them. The outcomes of their studies proved their hard work and determination to strive for a better life. The girls thank you for your kindness, generosity, and collaboration with us in our ministry.”

We would like to share with you a letter from Noi, one of the students:

“YOUR GENEROSITY GAVE ME A BIG SMILE”

“Dear Sisters, friends, and benefactors,

My name is Noi Phet Narat. I am from Na Sai Kham Village, Pathum Phon District, Champasak Province. Today, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all of you for your generous support during my studies for the past 6 years.

Noi and Tukta receiving their diplomas

I am the tenth child in a family of ten children. My parents are farmers, and they are old in age. Most of my siblings are married and they have always had to work as hired labours because it is the best way for them to have extra income to support their family. When I was in junior high school, my parents told me to quit school and work to help my family, because my parents and siblings were all poor and couldn’t pay for my tuition. At that time, my joy of going to school seemed to have collapsed and I was very sad. Fortunately, I met the RNDM Sisters who brought me to live with them so that I could continue my studies.

Noi writing this thank you letter.

Right now, I’m so happy and I don’t know how to express my happiness. On behalf of three recent graduates, I write a letter to thank all who have helped us over the years. What makes me happier is that I just graduated from college with a major in accounting. Having my diploma in hand, I feel more confident, and full of hope that I will get a good job and there will be good opportunities for me in the future.

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

The Solidarity Mission Fund (continued)

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to complete my education not only in high school but also in college training. I also have the opportunity to meet many people, learning music, English and various skills such as cooking and dancing. I‘ve got the strength to strive and look forward to a better future. I have a desire to become good, helpful and compassionate person.

Once again, I wholeheartedly thank you, my dear Sisters, friends, and benefactors. I wish you good health, happiness, and success wherever you are.”

Background

The formation community in Machakos has been growing vegetables on a small scale for several years. These are used for community consumption and for selling to small scale traders in the neighbourhood. In 2023 the community planned to improve the farm and find ways of harvesting the water from the roof during the rainy season which would then be used to grow more vegetables. This would increase our vegetables production, to be sold later to traders who buy from us. Thus, many families are helped, because of receiving income from the sale of vegetables, as well as having nourishing food.

Beneficiaries

Our target is to improve the lives of 200 people in different families; those who buy from us for business and those who buy directly from us for family consumption and the ones who purchase from the businesswomen who get supplies from our farm. We also hope our farm becomes a source of healthy vegetables since we use organic manure, and some customers prefer to buy from us for this reason.

Also, the formation community will benefit financially thus reducing our deficit. The income will help us make steps towards self-sustainability, as a community, which in turn will improve the financial sustainability of the province and congregation at large. With this in mind, we requested financial assistance, through the IMDO (International Missionary Desk Office), and our proposal was approved.

The onset of rain is expected in the month of October, continuing to December, here in the Machakos area. However, according to the weather forecast, the country will experience El Niño during this season, so we are looking forward to having the dam full of water so that we can use it to grow vegetables when the rain ceases. Since this is our first attempt in harvesting water for irrigation, we hope to find new ways to harvest and store more, in every rainy season thus expanding our production and sale of vegetables.

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

The Solidarity Mission Fund (continued)

Beneficiaries (continued)

The hole is dug, 10 feet deep and then lined with black plastic, to ensure there is no leakage at any point.

The net covering the hole is for reducing the rate of evaporation, and to keep out leaves, dirt etc. There is also barbed wire and mesh surrounding the hole, for security, and to keep animals away.

The centre picture above shows our two postulants on the site before the tanks were placed. The finished product is on the right. The Sisters hope to turn this place into a beehive of activities once we install everything and we have the water.

We are happy to have this dam because the government is encouraging people to ensure they harvest water especially this time of El Niño.

Concrete actions to care for the environment

“Care for Our Common Home” has become part of the formation community’s programme. In addition, wherever we can, the community brings awareness to the wider community. Therefore, we see the possibility of creating tree and flower nurseries from which the produce can be shared, or sold, at a cheaper price than in big commercial centres.

As part of their weekly/monthly exercise, to care for the environment, the community will use the trees and flowers, instead of buying them elsewhere.

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Missionary work and donations (continued)

The Solidarity Mission Fund (continued)

Concrete actions to care for the environment (continued)

The remaining balance will be used to purchase the booster pump with its connections for the tanks and the dam. This is still in progress but hopes to be completed soon. Since the exchange rate was higher than our budget, we request permission to use the extra money, after the completion of the dam, to dig terraces to hold more water and retain moisture in the soil.

Gratitude was expressed for the support from benefactors, and Sisters from the UK and Ireland Province.

Kenya: Tei Wa Ngai - Assistance for payment of Eight Tei Wa Ngai health workers and one Sister

This activity is usually organized annually. During the evaluation, every worker shared their evaluations from all areas relating to the program’s plan and activities carried out in 2023, in their respective places.

The following were the strengths realised throughout the year: the programme had enough funds to support the following ongoing activities such as helping children with education, medical expenses, food for many poor families, special supplements for children who are malnourished, paying insurance for the poor clients who needed surgery and for organising training workshops for mothers. In order to achieve our goals and objectives, we committed ourselves to work as a team which is composed of: the Sister in charge of Tei Wa Ngai program, two physiotherapists, eight social health workers and a driver.

As a team we consider the role of each person unique and important for the smooth running of the program. Physiotherapists are mainly in charge of medical care, while the health workers are responsible for mobilisation on the ground as well as accompanying mothers, reminding them of the important clinics dates or any other assessments needed for their children. Our mothers need a lot of on-going support in knowledge about counselling which they use daily as they go on about their visits. Fieldwork is one of the most important activities where we experience the real-life situation of our clients, check on their condition and progress.

Besides the above strengths, we also experienced some challenges as we continued with implementing our year’s plan. The cost of living went up and many people could not afford to buy even the basic commodities. The price of fuel rocketed significantly thus affecting the movement of people who relied daily on public transport. Prolonged drought and famine hit Yatta area affecting the livestock and the people. This time round it was very severe because many people had to buy water for animals and domestic use as well. On our visits, we encountered many poverty-stricken families who had nothing at all to feed their children.

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Our first impression was that they seemed to think that we had come to save them from their harsh conditions. Some parents seemed uncooperative especially when we asked them to cost share. They appeared to expect to be provided with everything because they are so desperate. Sickness is another big challenge in most of the families we visited. Many of our clients especially children looked weak and very sick since their parents could not afford to pay their medical bills, let alone take them to the hospital for a checkup which is unfortunate and heart-breaking.

Despite the above challenges, we tried to offer support to our clients at different places in Yatta. As we go along with our mission here, we believe that when we serve the marginalised and the less fortunate, we are serving God. We, the Tei Wa Ngai staff commit ourselves to bringing quality service to the children with disabilities in Yatta, a semi-arid area in this part of Kenya.

Our vision is to see people with disabilities, accepted in our society and living fully independent and happy lives according to their potential. Our mission is to encourage and empower parents and the society to accept children with disabilities, to access health care and education, to provide protection and financial sustainability.

Below are some important events which took place in 2023 and we are happy for the services given to our children.

We organized a two days’ assessment exercise for registering digital Identity cards for all our children at Tei Wa Ngai Office. This was a fruitful though very long process. A group of physiotherapists and some APDK from Machakos came to help during this important exercise. They assessed each individual child according to their different disabilities. A total of 145

children and some adults came for this assessment. During the exercise, 127 children were approved by National Council Office in Machakos. These are now waiting to collect their new IDs.

Tei Wa Ngai workers were privileged to get a training session on Early Intervention by Cheshire Disability Services Kenya (CDSK), our partners for many years. This was a crucial training to gain new knowledge and skills. In addition, we also received new updates on how to identify new cases during our fieldwork. As a result of this training, workers are more confident in drawing plans of action in the field and are also able to train our mothers from different places. The training took two and a half days by Doctor Mbwire who was the facilitator.

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Training 45 mothers at Kitheuni

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Training 47 mothers at Mavoloni

The Special Education Profession (SEP) has been a great support to our mothers. They have come twice this year. In the month of March, Irene who is an occupational therapist, helped a group of mothers at Matuu on feeding programs for children who have eating problem and are underweight. At the same time, John, a physiotherapist went to Masinga and helped another group on positioning for cerebral children who have sitting, standing and walking problems. It was a fruitful day for our mothers at Matuu and Masinga. In August, SEP came to Kaewa, one of our outreach clinics for mothers. The group comprised of 8 professionals, i.e. physiotherapists, occupational therapist and speech therapist. These have always been a great support to us in terms of training mothers and our staff. They will soon be coming to Matuu as many mothers have been waiting for them Physiotherapist teaching a mother to since last November. do exercises with her child

We were happy to have the support of Kijabe Hospital who has been a great support too for our children for many years. On 31 August, a group of doctors, physiotherapists and orthopaedics came to Tei Wa Ngai for their outreach clinic. A total of 109 clients came for the treatment. It was an amazing day for us. Having been helped by the doctors, parents went home happy that their children received treatment. The Doctors were happy, too, with our staff who cooperated with them as they attended children on this nutrition and medical camp. As the year ends, we are happy that, through CDSK have been able to support 15 children who were underweight with a special supplement – Ensure Milk for 6 months.

KAWE has supported 12 epileptic persons with free drugs for the whole year. This started in July 2023. This was a big help for the clients. Apart from the medicine given, KAWE also considered giving a walking frame for Patience, a girl, who is 17 years old and a wheelchair for a small girl, two-year-old Ann.

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A Nutritionist counselling mothers

On 5th September, all Tei Wa Ngai staff were taken by a friend to visit Muli Children’s Family at Ndalani (MCF). This Orphanage Centre was founded and established by Doctor Charles and his wife Esther Muli in response to the desperate needs of street children, abandoned children, and HIV/AIDS orphans in Kenya in 1989. We were privileged to meet with the Director, Doctor Muli for an hour. Through his sharing, we admired his selfless love, sacrifice, and dedication.

The director of the Centre expressed his willingness to partner with Tei Wa Ngai. It has been an amazing and fruitful year since we started our journey in this service since January 2023. “TEI WA NGAI” our title, confirms what we strive to do in our endeavour is to transform the lives of the local people around Yatta through sharing God’s love without any discriminating.

On behalf of Tei Wa Ngai staff, the Sisters sincerely say a big thank you to our Congregation, for supporting this ministry through IMDO and UK province, for many years. Without this support, it would be almost impossible to continue caring for our children in this area; Yatta in Kenya.

Other donations

We also support the following charities:

They were founded by Catholic Religious Congregations in 2006, for the support of women and children, and continues to provide refuge and freedom to victims of modern-day slavery as well as to help them to rebuild their lives. Their specialist teams support clients 24/7 to restoration and independence. As well as offering safe houses and beds for 133 residents, they also provide opportunities for physical and psychological healing and rehabilitation from enslavement by the sex trade industry in the UK.

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2,086 people slept rough for the very first time in London, between July – September 2023. The Passage Housing Solutions Service (HSS) works in partnership with RMG (Residential Management Group) and Shelter to provide enhanced support to single people who have approached Westminster Council for housing assistance.

The Passage vision is: “ Our vision is of a society where street homelessness no longer exists, and everyone has a place to call home.”

The charity enables people to gain the skills they need to overcome poverty and homelessness. It also provides help and support with childcare, income, housing, employment support, education, and legal status. The Centre works with homeless vulnerable people, badly housed families, and others in need.

They work in partnership with local and church organisations, supporting communities who are forced to the fringes of society and deprived of opportunity across Africa, Asia and Latin America, to bring about lasting change. In 2023 they worked in partnership with local, civil and church organisations to support different communities. They put pressure on governments to care for the planet and create a fairer, more peaceful world.

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Youth homelessness in the UK affects hundreds of thousands of people each year. Young people become homeless for a number of reasons, but the common causes are family breakdown, bereavement, mental health issues and a history of abuse. Because of this they have complex needs which require a package of bespoke support. Hence our support contributes to this important mission.

The promise of a good meal attracts hungry children into the classroom, giving them the energy to learn and hope for a better future. Mary’s Meals feed 2.4 million children every school day and together, they hope to reach the next hungry child waiting for Mary’s Meals.

We made our annual donation to this project before Christmas 2023.

CAFOD worked through local experts in Ukraine and the surrounding countries, helping those whose lives have been destroyed by the conflict.

Since the first days of the invasion, CAFOD's local partner DePaul has been responding to support those along the hardest-hit frontline areas in eastern and southern Ukraine. They are providing shelter, food, water, generators, blankets, and medical assistance to those most in need. To support this need we sent CAFOD a donation during 2023.

During 2023 Pakistan saw homes, farms and infrastructure swept away.

Oxfam partners responded through the disaster, working with communities to get people emergency shelter, clean water, food, healthcare, cash payments and livelihood support.

They sent Emergency Hygiene Kits to support people to protect themselves from deadly diseases in flood water. They also sent Food and Shelter. People’s homes and farmland were swept away by the floods in Pakistan. Our donation helped support some of the many needs after this disaster.

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Turkey and Syria

In February 2023 an earthquake devastated most of eastern Turkey and across the border into Syria. We sent a donation to the Jesuits who have opened their mission station in Azizié and given accommodation to the displaced people of Syria, as the government has stopped any form of rehabilitation. Most of the donations that has been given from around the world possibly will not reach the people of Syria because of political

restrictions. Father Tony O’ Riordan, SJ the director of JRS (Jesuit Refugee Services) in Syria has promoted the care and shelter for those who have lost everything, amidst the unrest with a continued war and political violence. (Image: NPR)

Sister’s Individual Ministries

Throughout the province of England and Scotland, we have Sisters involved in various ministries. These include part time ministries and assisting school chaplaincies, tutoring in English, training SHEN therapists, personal accompaniment work with Refugees, helping in soup kitchens for the homeless and translating for asylum seekers. Some Sisters are still involved in various parish ministries, visiting the house bound, celebrating Eucharistic services, and engaged in various activities involving fundraising.

Province Ministries

Two Sisters volunteer in the Homeless Centre (soup kitchens) in Canterbury once a week. The Centre is called Catching Lives Trust. It prepares meals for the homeless where about 20-30 people come each day.

This year the Homeless Centre was launching a fundraising

appeal to extend its daytime services to the city’s homeless for winter night shelters. The centre has been providing hot food and warmth for the homeless and night shelters through different churches in the locality, but with some valid reasons, it is not possible this year. Consequently, the centre is trying to raise money to provide shelter, get the homeless off from the streets, provide beds for the night, and to protect and save a few

lives this winter. Earlier this year the ITV news channel filmed the centre and interviewed the homeless clients asking them to explain how they are going to be affected without hot food and shelter during the winter nights. The clients gave their sincere response on the situation and appreciated the kindness and tasty hot meals

that is being provided each day. Our two Sisters were busy cooking one day when Archbishop Justin Welby and his wife turned up after the Coronation of King Charles on 8 May to visit the work being done at the centre. He put on an apron and helped serve some food and chat to some of the homeless people who came that day. It too was televised on Kent ITV Local News.

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Euphrasie Barbier Community: Sturry (continued) During December Sisters in the Community contributed from their personal money towards the local foodbanks.

As Sturry is a Centre for our heritage the Sisters welcome many visitors including our own Sisters from overseas. During the summer of 2023, the Sisters welcomed the International RNDM Renewal Group from France. Unlike last year, many more Sisters were able to get visas so 11 Sisters including our Superior General and Assistant General Team member arrived to enjoy the time with our Sisters and to visit the Heritage House and tomb of our Foundress, Euphrasie Barbier, and to visit our elderly and former missionaries in St Anne’s Care Home. This year they stayed with the Benedictine Community in Minster,

Mrs Welby with one of our Sisters

to extend their pilgrimage to learn about our early relationship with the Benedictine community during the time of our Foundress.

As mentioned, Sturry is a place of pilgrimage and visits from people who wish to visit the tomb of our Foundress and our Heritage Centre. This year we have seen three major visits associated with our Foundress: International Renewal Group; Pilgrimage of Australian teachers from our former RNDM schools and colleges, and a visit from the Principal of Sacred Heart College, Oakley, Melbourne, with his family. The Principal has visited on many other occasions but this time brought his family as one daughter works in the UK and this was an opportunity to visit the Heritage Centre and revisit the Tomb of our Foundress and Sisters in Euphrasie Barbier Community.

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On the 30 April, after 3 months of online preparation for Marriage, a Sister who lives in Sturry, accompanied 34 applicants who received their certificates and with joy, 6 adults who had completed their RCIA program.

Sister also works regularly with the Vietnamese community in Birmingham, Newcastle, Sheffield and Chesterfield mostly online in preparation for Confirmation and for couples preparing for Marriage. Sister travels to Birmingham for weekends to join them for celebrations throughout their courses or specialised classes. As Sister says, these young people are thirsting for God and simply need someone to journey with them.

One of the Sisters in Sturry is the Religious Vicar for Women’s Congregations in the Diocese of Southwark, also an active member of the Team working for the Episcopal Vicar for Religious: Abbot Hugh Allan O’Praem, Southwark Diocese. She covers the Kent area, presently comprising of 10 small Communities, spread over a wide area. Communication is done largely by email, phone, letter and newsletters and visits only when possible or necessary by car.

The Team arranged four events during the year:

The National Conference for Vicars for Religious was held in Leeds on 9-11 October. This was arranged by Susan Richert, the Chairman of the National VRs. It is always an enriching experience: being together, sharing rituals, joys and challenges on deeper levels. Kelly Connors, the General Councillor for her Congregation SPM, gave an address on Vulnerability: how to support Religious Congregations with very few members, and shared her experience of what is needed to prepare/support Congregations moving towards closure.

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Vicar for Religious – Southwark Diocese (continued) As a member of NCV, Sister attended six funerals of Sisters from Kent Communities, giving help and comfort when possible, and attended the regular team meetings in both London and Kent Area. Father Jim Hurley known by many throughout the diocese, died this year but luckily he resigned in time to hand over to Abbot Hugh Allan O’Praem as Episcopal Vicar. He was assured that his legacy of

loving dedication to those consecrated

to God would continue through Hugh and his ‘A’ Team, as it was known. Father Jim was well known by our community in Euphrasie Barbier, and in Beech Court. He was also an official promoter of the Cause for Veneration of our Foundress. He will be sorely missed.

One of many retreats he led

A decision was made to close Beech Court early this year so the usual Heritage Day was short and earlier than usual as the Sisters were busy clearing out. Two Sisters left the community to join St Anne’s, Sturry, leaving three Sisters to do the final closure of the community. During the year, they welcomed the International Renewal Group as usual but couldn’t offer accommodation.

This was the last year of welcoming and accommodating our International Renewal Group to Deal, our first RNDM presence in the UK in 1870, as Beech Court closed its doors on 6 November 2023. Consequently, the visits to the graves of our pioneer Sisters and story of our early days in Deal were more emphasised for the final group.

Throughout the year many people came to visit Beech Court, those who had been part of the mission in various ways and those who came to wish our Sisters all the very best in their future mission and to thank them for their 153 years of service to the people of Deal.

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Beech Court, Deal, Kent (continued)

The final Mass and closure of our 153 year Mission was held in the local Parish, St John the Evangelist and celebrated by priests of the Dover Deanery, two Deacons and Abbot Hugh Allan, Sisters from our neighbouring community in Sturry and Sisters from Wealdstone, New Southgate, London, and a full parish church on 28 October 2023.

St Mary’s Primary School, Deal, Kent

As a result of many years of contact with RNDMs, the Head Teacher and Governors of St Mary’s Primary School Deal, arranged to have the farewell refreshments after the Final Mass in the School hall despite it being during Half Term. The School will have their own celebration later in the New Year for the Sisters when the children can be fully involved.

Associates Deal

For many months our four new associates had the desire to become an RNDM associate. With the closing of the house, the Sisters arranged a day when they could be received officially into the Congregation and it took place in September 2023.

There were already other associates, including the local Deacon, but three more who were with us have since died. One of the Sisters from Sturry was present when the four associates were received officially and she will keep in touch with them in union with the associates from Hastings.

As the Sister who works with our Associates in Deal has moved to EBC Community, she will arrange to have a gathering of the associates in Sturry in future. Also, she will keep in touch with the associates and the other people in Deal including the School, St Mary’s that is still associated with us. The Heritage Day in Deal will be continued, and the Heritage Committee in Deal has shown an interest to continue the legacy of the Sisters. The Sisters donated the Statue of Our Lady of the Missions from Beech Court and it will be kept in the Primary School, St. Mary’s.

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Manchester – Levenshulme

We are fortunate to have one Sister who is still very much involved in Chaplaincy and school ministry in the North in England, St Peter’s RC High School, Manchester. It is located in inner City Manchester with pupils from many areas which have historically experienced high levels of deprivation, crime, unemployment and

other socio-economic issues. In fact, according to the National Index of Multiple Deprivation (2020) most of the pupils live in the lowest 14% of socially deprived areas in England and most live in the bottom 10% or lower. Despite the variants of the pupil background, the school is vibrant, and a harmonious Catholic High School judged as outstanding by Ofsted and this is replicated by the Diocesan inspections.

Sister is well known by the Housing Caseworkers and Campaign Officers and, what is more, a familiar face among the Greater Manchester Law Centre. Her work with asylum seekers is endless. She herself is an advocate for justice and works when she can for asylum seekers and for the social

housing situation, not only of the students and their families but for locals who are calling out to be recognised and given some dignity and to find a voice in our social system.

The Sister who lives in Liverpool continues to work in pastoral ministry in Bootle Catholic Parish including helping the organist at weekends and for major feasts.

Her work with SHEN trainee therapists continues. This year a group of students came together for 30 minutes each day to meet including a mediation via Zoom. The annual meeting with the Founder of SHEN, Richard Pavek, continues and gatherings for the interns still take place.

Scotland Ministries

Paisley

We have one Sister who works between two parishes, St James and St Fergal’s in Paisley. They are situated in the more deprived areas of the Glasgow/Paisley district. She deals with church maintenance and oversees work around the churches. This brings her into contact with the workers and church assistants. Sister continues her link with the local primary school when help is needed, especially on a one-to-one assistance with pupils for English, reading or Maths.

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Bridge of Weir

The Sister who lives here is very much involved in parish ministry and on many occasions runs the parish when her Parish priest works in Glasgow on other committees or takes a break. More and more, Sister is involved with house bound parishioners, so her car is used for many such visits.

Along with this ministry, Sister is still promoting sales and fundraising for the annual Christmas Parish Craft Sale. This is always done with the help of a parishioner and associate of the RNDMs in Scotland.

In different ways she is engaged in Care of our Common Home by using nature’s gifts of flowers and shrubs for enhancing and giving an atmosphere of creation in the places of worship.

Three Communities in Wealdstone, Harrow, London

Even though many of the Sisters in Wealdstone are retired or in Provincial Leadership, there is an active ministry within the three communities! In one community, 192 High Street, there is much activity, e.g. volunteering with St Vincent De Paul and our Province Mission Office. One Sister teaches English and does some work online with our students doing studies overseas. One of our Vietnamese Sisters is engaged with the preparation for the sacraments in a London Parish in Mile End with the Vietnamese Community assisting with preparing young people for Confirmation and youth ministry. She also has ministries in the local parish, plus working with refugees (JRS). This involves a phone contact with refugees needing assistance with paperwork and translating requirements for applications for asylum. She is also working part-time with our Finance Officer in the Provincial office.

This year in March, Sister accompanied her Confirmation group to Wembley for FLAME – a Catholic Conference for the Youth of England and Wales, where over ten thousand young people gathered. The speakers included Cardinal Tagle from the Philippines, Archbishop Costello SDB, Australia and CAFOD representatives from the Columbian Amazon.

The Sisters in the other two communities are engaged in Spiritual direction, parish ministries, Coordinating the Missionary Sisters’ Committee and doing Mission Appeals, involved with Emotional Befriending of Refugees with JRS, weekly visits and an association with our former School, and various activities regarding the overall care of the Province.

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Three Communities in Wealdstone, Harrow, London (continued)

Mission Appeals still take place each year by us RNDMs in various dioceses assigned to us. The Catholic Missionary Union, CMU, still operates throughout England and Wales and we are active members. This year we had to face all the rail strikes hitting the weekends, making it difficult for all the congregations to reach their assigned parishes! The Sister who lives in London is still the coordinator for the Missionary Sisters under the umbrella of the Catholic Missionary Union for England and Wales. This year Sister visited parishes for Mission Appeals in her own deanery – Harrow, and enjoyed meeting former parishioners, former students and teachers at Sacred Heart Language College and St Joseph’s Primary School, our former places of education in Wealdstone.

A small group of twelve RNDM Sisters from across the Congregation arrived on 25 August to Euphrasie Barbier Convent, Sturry, to pay their respects at the Tomb of our Foundress and to spend some days learning more about our Foundress and Charism. Due to the large group and

the ageing community in EBC the Group resided in Minster Abbey, a Benedictine Convent which provides Bed and Breakfast, a new venture for us. This kept them all together since we were in the process of closing down Beech Court, Deal. The Sisters were very happy with the comfort and beauty of nature the Benedictine Sisters provided. A minibus was arranged to transport them every day. They enjoyed some time with our Sisters in St Anne’s.

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Three Communities in Wealdstone, Harrow, London (continued)

The four days were well planned by our Heritage Team to include visits to Deal, to see Beech Court for the last time, to visit the graves of our Pioneer Sisters there. They had time to go around the Heritage Room in Sturry and sit and pray at the Tomb of Euphrasie. The province archivist showed them the Archives and explained the importance of archiving materials, and they enjoyed seeing preserved items of the early days of each of their provinces held in our archives. One of the surprises was a visit to Canterbury Cathedral for Evensong.

Sacred Heart Language College - Wealdstone, London Sacred Heart Language College, Wealdstone, Harrow, organised a special day: Solidarity for Mission, in October to include their Autumn Term theme on Solidarity – both overseas and in the local community and city. We were invited to participate along with other religious and lay groups

who also work with the homeless and on Mission. Under the leadership of the deputy head and chaplain, and one of the Sisters who visits the College regularly, she was asked to invite various people to share their experiences with all the classes of Year 8.

We were welcomed by the Head Teacher, Miss Geraldine Higgins, the staff, and a group of Year 11 students escorted us to different groups and provided us with refreshments and lunch. We were thirteen in all from other congregations and some lay groups including JRS and members of our Mission Appeals committee. Three of us represented the RNDMs: a Sister came from Rome, who had spent many years in South Sudan, and the RNDM financer from the Central Office in Rome who was living with us perfecting her spoken English, one Sister from India living here and the Sister who works with the College. The team represented many cultures, faiths and experiences working in society, with refugees, the homeless and the Church.

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Three Communities in Wealdstone, Harrow, London (continued)

Sacred Heart Language College - Wealdstone, London (continued) The students had a number of queries and were very interested in our mission, especially to the marginalised women and children for whom we cater. We had a panel session where they could ask questions and share their opinions. There was a fascination about how many languages we all spoke as a team of visitors, there were nearly 20 languages between us all!

We hope that we made a difference to these young students – for them to appreciate their own comfort and security in life and the generosity to reach out to the less privileged and suffering in their local areas and in our world, so as to build a peaceloving universe.

St Joseph’s Parish, Wealdstone Visit to Sturry On Saturday 23 September, the parish travelled to Sturry, Kent to visit the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions’ Convent and Heritage Site. The weather was very good to us, and we had a great journey there and back. As the Sisters have their community for the elderly and those needing full time care the parish were able to see old friends: Sisters who

had once been here on mission, working in the parish and schools: Sacred Heart Language College and St Joseph’s, Belmont.

We received a great welcome and after some refreshments we were given a short history by the archivist about the Sisters arriving in Wealdstone in 1920, after taking over from the French community, the Sisters of St Chretienne of Metz who had started a small school here in Wealdstone in 1907. From that time onwards, the RNDM Sisters opened St Joseph’s Parish school in 1921 and in 1937, St Joseph’s Primary School as founded on the grounds of the convent until it moved to Belmont.

After that, we had a great tour of the Chapel of St Anne’s where the Foundress of the Sisters: Euphrasie Barbier is buried since 1893. This remains a special place as the Cause for Veneration and Beatification is in process so many visitors and pilgrims visit the tomb, which is situated in the sanctuary of the chapel. The Heritage House is the original building she lived in and holds her belongings to this very day in a delightful display for all to see. The ground floor has a display of the 21 countries where the Sisters work and pictures of the Sisters who do such great things around the world. We ended our day with the Eucharist celebrated by the parish priest and a seminarian who travelled with us.

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Davao, Philippines

This year was the first time since COVID that 21 Sisters were able to travel to Davao from Vietnam, Bangladesh, India North East, India South and Central, Myanmar and one Sister from the Philippines. It was also an opportunity for one of our Sisters from Wealdstone to travel to Davao to offer a course in Liturgy and RNDM Spirituality in person, rather than online, which has been the pattern for the past three years.

These Sisters are in Davao in preparation for their Final Vows. They completed their sessions on 20 October when they made a 30 day retreat before heading home to their respective provinces. This year Davao marked the special jubilees around the Congregation which included a few Sisters from our Province. So, they were interviewed online and each month they appeared for the whole Congregation to view with a short celebration session.

Development of our Heritage Centre, Sturry, Kent

Throughout 2023, we enjoyed many visits from various groups to include visitors from Australia, our International Group of RNDMs, two member of our Congregational Leadership Team from Rome and our Parish in Wealdstone to view changes that we have made over the year. We have now completed the top floor – the Euphrasie Room – and many find the information very intriguing.

On the bottom floor of the Heritage House the London Room is now nearly complete. It has proved to be essential as some of our visitors were not able to travel to London, so this was a great opportunity to show them aspects of the life of Euphrasie Barbier, when she lived and worked in London between the years 1851-1861, before founding our Congregation. She was then a member of the Sisters of Compassion. There is still more

work to be done over the next few years. This will now include creating a space to exhibit the early years from 1870 onwards when Euphrasie first came to Deal, Kent, as an RNDM. When all is complete, a video will be sent around the Congregation for all to view this precious site. This will be re-opened to the general public, pilgrims and interested people.

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St Anne’s Convent, Sturry, Kent, 2023

At the beginning of 2023, training of the carers was moved to “Florence Academy” who offered online training to the carers. All aspects of care are offered - health care, personal care, health and safety safeguarding and others. As it was online, it meant that carers could follow the training at home or come into St Anne’s to use the computers there. They could also access it on their phones. The training was monitored so it was possible to see the training that was being followed. Certificates are issued following success in the training programme and carers have been taking advantage of what is for them, a new form of training.

During this year, the carers began the use of Care Docs. These are individual care plans that electronically record the care of each individual Sister. It makes access to a Sister’s medical history readily available, even up to current treatments. These have abolished the daily writing up of Sisters’ conditions and are also environmentally friendly since large amounts of paper are no longer used.

The Sisters continue to benefit from the ongoing training of the carers. A variety of activities is offered – singing, games, Bingo and different forms of art. Our notice boards bear witness to that. A regular stream of visitors has contributed to a stimulating environment for the Sisters. Especially welcome have been the visits of 7 Golden Retriever puppies, some staff pets and even a miniature Shetland pony! They also benefit from regular visits from the Paramedic attached to the local surgery. Any concerns she may have regarding a Sister are fed back to the GP who then decides on the action and any appropriate further treatment. The Sisters continue to receive vaccinations as recommended by the NHS.

Safeguarding checks on all new staff have been carried out using UCheck and current staff undergo checks every three years. We have a Safeguarding Lead who is in regular contact with the Trustees who also participate in Safeguarding training offered by RLSS (Religious Life Safeguarding Service).

Ongoing maintenance this year has involved installation of new boilers, a new Sluice room and the telephone system/internet has been up graded to facilitate the use of the Care Docs as previously internet was intermittent and only available in certain parts of the building.

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DEATH OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II

On the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Provincial Leadership Team wrote a letter to King Charles III and family to offer condolences on behalf of the Sisters in the Province and indeed from around the Congregation. In his Christmas Day TV address, he thanked the many people who had written to him, and we thought that he was including our message among the thousands. But within a few days before the New Year, we received this special “thank you” addressed to us.

FUTURE PLANS

For the last two years the Trustees have been engaged in reflection and discussion of what our future might look like. There are a couple of areas that will need attention in the next few years and those are to do with leadership within the province and our future presence as a congregation. The Leadership Team, three of whom are Trustees, will journey with a facilitator to begin a process which will, at some point, be shared with the whole province. Other congregations have been approached to share their experience of restructuring though the models some have adopted would not fit in with our international congregation.

The Trustees agree that it would be helpful for our Congregation Leadership to have some participation in our discussions.

We continue to be aware of the need to have the support of professional lay staff to oversee the legal, civil governance of the charity and this person would work closely with the Trustees and the Province Leadership Team.

In January 2023, we put a large property on the market, and we were fortunate to be able to sell it by the end of October. The process of selling the property was overseen by Gerald Eve LLP on our behalf, a company that has experience of selling charity property. It had been our plan to either buy or rent a small property in Deal so that the presence of the Sisters might be continued in the area. However, this was not realised because of the lack of personnel.

Early in the year the trustees decided to terminate their contract with Field Lane who were supporting them in the management of their community care home at St Anne’s in Sturry.

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FUTURE PLANS (continued)

The trustees have engaged the services of Susan Thomas, who supports religious congregation with HR issues etc. She works closely with the manager of the home and regularly has meetings with the Leadership Team. A maintenance man has had his hours increased and he is responsible for any Health and Safety issues that need attention. St Anne’s is inspected by Peninsula and Kent Fire so that Health & Safety structures are in place in case there be cause for concern. Kent Fire assists with fire safety, ensuring that protocols in the event of any emergency.

Our care manager continues to provide excellent care for our elderly Sisters. She has high standards of care and works well with her staff.

It is in the plan to have someone come into St Anne’s to engage in Safeguarding Training with the staff. Having become a member of the Religious Life Safeguarding Service and Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, we are likely to be audited and we see this kind of training to be helpful not only to the staff but also to the vulnerable adults in their care.

When the time is right for us, we will register with CQC. For the present, this is occupied by our Sisters, and we would anticipate that, in the future, lay people will be invited to join us. Our registering with CQC will allow us to offer this to lay people for a fee agreed by them and us.

Our Foundress is buried in our Chapel in Sturry so it is vitally important that we maintain the Heritage Centre. The finance, personnel, and training of Sisters for this important ministry will, in the future, be overseen by the Congregation Leadership Team.

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR

Income and expenditure

In the year to 31 December 2023 total income amounted to £3,941,446 (2022 – £1,047,164), whereas expenditure was £1,569,887 (2022 – £1,506,879). The income in the year to 31 December 2023 included a surplus on disposal of fixed assets of £2,742,084 (2022 – £1,983), the majority of which related to the sale of the charity’s property at Beech Court.

The net income for the year before investment gains was £2,371,559 (2022 – net expenditure £459,715). Investment gains totalled £392,583 (2022 – net losses of £1,304,638). As a consequence of those gains, there was a net increase in funds (or net income) in the year of £2,764,142 (2022 – net expenditure of £1,764,353).

Reserves policy

Our charity carries out a diverse range of activities and is responsible for care and support of Sisters whose average age is increasing and whose needs are changing. The trustees of the charity have examined the need for free reserves i.e. those unrestricted funds not invested in tangible fixed assets, designated for specific purposes or otherwise committed.

The trustees consider that, given the nature of the charity’s work, the level of the charity’s free reserves should ideally be approximately a year’s expenditure to provide for contingencies and unevenness in future income.

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FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR (continued)

Financial position

At 31 December 2023, the balance sheet showed total funds of £15.82 million (2022 - £13.06 million). Of this, £6.27 million represented the net book value of the charity’s tangible fixed assets (2022 - £6.64 million). A decision was made to separate this fund from general funds in recognition of the fact that the assets are used in the day-to-day works of the charity and the fund value would not be easily realisable if needed to meet future contingencies.

£7.70 million has been designated by the trustees to provide for the Sisters in their retirement. The fund has been calculated using actuarial principles to provide for each of the Sisters who are the responsibility of the Province, but was constrained by the resources available. Given the increasing age profile of the Sisters and the lack of new vocations, this sum will provide only modest resources to look after the Sisters, many of whom will need increasing and increasingly expensive residential and nursing care.

Restricted funds of £0.79 million represent monies received specifically for the Congregation’s missions abroad (2022 – £0.77 million representing monies received for the Congregation’s missions abroad and for the renovation of the Congregation’s UK properties).

Therefore, the general funds which are available to support the work of the Sisters in the future amounted to £1.06 million (2022 – £0.94 million).

Although the level of free reserves is slightly below the target set out in the charity’s reserves policy above, the trustees understand that this has arisen due to the significant falls in the investment markets during the year and the consequent unrealised losses on listed investments. The charity has sufficient liquid funds to weather this in the short to medium term and as a long-term investor can wait for stock markets to stabilise and recover. As such, the trustees believe that the charity has sufficient reserves at the current time to enable the charity to pursue successfully its charitable objectives.

Investment policy and performance

There are no restrictions on the charity’s power to invest.

The Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO adheres to an ethical policy that seeks not to invest directly in equities that are mainly involved in the manufacture and/or supply of goods and services, which would not be in accordance with social teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and the teachings of the Gospel. The portfolio managers and our advisor understand our policy and give complete co-operation in regard to our ethical concerns.

The charity holds investments with Rathbones Wealth Management Limited and Evelyn Partners. The trustees meet with the investment managers regularly to review the performance of the portfolio and the investment strategy. The total market value of these holdings at 31 December 2023 amounted to £6,000,287 (2022 - £5,746,022). In addition, a further £64,436 (2022 - £51,454) was held as cash by the investment managers for reinvestment.

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FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR (continued)

Investment policy and performance (continued)

The income yield on listed investments was approximately 2.6% based on the average market value for the year, which is considered satisfactory in the light of recent interest rates. Net investment gains amounted to £392,583 for the year (2022 – net losses of £1,304,638). The trustees are satisfied that their investment policy is appropriate for the longer term.

GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is governed by a Constitution dated 4 May 2020 and is a registered charity, Charity Registration No. 1189330.

Member of the CIO

The Province Leader for the time being shall automatically, by virtue of holding that office, be ex-officio the sole member of the CIO for as long as she holds that office.

If the CIO is wound up, the member of the CIO has no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities.

Trustees

The Provincial Leader and the Provincial Leadership Team automatically serve as ex-officio trustees. The Constitution vests the power of appointing further trustees in the Provincial Leader of the UK and Ireland Province.

At any one time there must be a minimum of four and a maximum of seven trustees. The names of the trustees who were in office during the year are set out on page 1. As all trustees are members of the Congregation they have a detailed knowledge of its structures and of the work which the charity carries out.

Trustees’ responsibilities statement

The trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing these accounts the trustees are required to:

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GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT (continued)

Trustees’ responsibilities statement (continued)

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, applicable Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the CIO’s Constitutions They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and or other irregularities.

Structure and management reporting

The trustees are ultimately responsible for the policies, activities and assets of the charity. During 2023 they met regularly to review developments with regard to the charity or its activities and made any important decisions. When necessary, the trustees will seek advice and support from the charity’s professional advisers including investment managers, solicitors, and accountants.

Key management personnel

The trustees consider that they alone are the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day-to-day basis.

All trustees are members of the Congregation and whilst their living and personal expenses are borne by the charity, they receive no remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as trustees or members of key management.

Risk Management

The Trustees are aware of the specific areas where the charity may be exposed in areas in which they have particular involvement such as the investments and the finance related to them. By close monitoring of reserve levels, ensuring they have control over key financial systems and by examining the operational and business risks faced by the charity, they believe they have made adequate provision to reduce the risks.

The Trustees have identified five main areas where risks may occur: governance and management, operational, financial, reputational, and regulatory.

Each community is responsible for monitoring health and safety risks and for being accountable to the Province Leadership Team.

Where we have elderly and frail Sisters in our larger properties, we are registered with a company called Peninsula whose role is to advise us on Employment Law and health and Safety issues. Their contract covers regular inspection of our premises to ensure we are compliant with all regulations.

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GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT (continued)

Risk Management (continued)

On 31 December 2023, the median age in our UK Province was 86. Since none of our members has any private income or resources, the Trustees are aware of their responsibility to make provision for the needs of these Sisters as they grow older. We have an external financial advisor who assists us in managing our finances and investments and we see our meeting with him for regular reviews as part of our risk management.

As an International Congregation, we support our Missions worldwide, especially those in difficult situations. We receive receipts for any money transferred and any bank transfers to our overseas missions. These are monitored by our Generalate Leadership Team in Rome and our International Mission Desk. We receive accounts of how the funds were spent with photographs to accompany them at a later date. We also support local situations where there is a desperate need but only after we are fully aware of the nature of the charity.

The Charity’s assets consist mainly of properties and investments. We have a property advisor who advises us on the sale and acquisition of property. Our investments are managed by reputable managers who agree with our investment policy. We meet annually with these managers. We have an external investment manager who regularly monitors the performance of our investments. We meet more frequently with him to make sure that our investments will meet our needs now and into the future.

In Kent we have a community for our frail and elderly Sisters. A manager and employed carers staff the home, attending to the needs of the Sisters with members of the Congregation providing pastoral care. There is regular safeguarding training for the carers and the members of the Congregation who visit the Sisters. On occasions our Safeguarding Lead is also involved. Since we no longer employ Field Lane Management Group, we have employed an HR person whose role is to oversee aspects of the management of this community and this includes Safeguarding. Frequent meetings and discussions between the HR person, the manager of the community and our Safeguarding Lead aim to ensure the safety of the residents and staff. The Leadership Team forms part of the board who monitors the training and care of the Sisters.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is essential in the care of all our Sisters and those employed by us. We believe in the inherent dignity of each person and our duty to provide security for all is paramount. We continue to follow the “one Church” approach, continually familiarizing ourselves with what it means for us as a Congregation.

We are now aligned to two bodies CSSA (Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency) and RLSS (Religious Life Safeguarding Service) and as Trustees, we must be able to show the CSSA, as regulator, how we are meeting our obligations in safeguarding.

Being part of these two bodies gives us access to advice, support, and training. Our Sisters and staff have been able to avail of online training and regularly attend sessions on Zoom calls. The interactive nature of these sessions allows for the sharing of best practice and concerns. The RLSS have been invaluable in assisting with the process of UChecks which provide up- to-date information on prospective employees and is recognized as a replacement for the DBS.

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GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT (continued)

Safeguarding (continued)

Our Safeguarding Lead meets with the Trustees and the Leadership Team and offers advice and support. She meets with the Staff and Sisters who are involved in the community, listens to them, and encourages the building of a safe and trustworthy environment so as to protect them from any issues that could compromise safeguarding.

In Scotland we have two Sisters who reside in the Diocese of Paisley and who minister in different parishes. One of them is the Safeguarding Lead who attends the necessary training sessions so as to be aware of current decisions re safeguarding. We are audited annually and follow the revised instruction manual on Safeguarding in Scotland entitled “In God’s Image” Both work in a parish ministry and are aware of the recommendations and regulations of the document. They work under the jurisdiction of the parish priest and adhere to all the regulations of the parish.

The Province Advisory Board

Our Province Advisory Board members met in person during 2023. The Province Advisory Board is made up of the Province Leadership Team, Trustees and four lay advisors. The Board benefits from their specific, effective and supportive advice that can bring clarity to specific situations that affect the life of the Province. This enables the Leadership Team and Trustees to have greater clarity to make informed decisions for the greater good of all. We are grateful for their continued support.

Brief biographical details of each of the trustees in office at 31 December 2023 are given below.

Sister Catherine Corrigan , a member of the UK & Ireland Province, was born and brought up in Northern Ireland from where she entered the Congregation in 1966.

Since entering the Congregation Catherine has been involved in teaching, Initial Formation and parish ministry. She spent some years in a primary school in England and Ireland before being missioned to Kenya

where she taught in one of the local secondary schools at Matuu, a semi-desert area on the Yatta Plateau. Catherine was then asked to engage in the ministry of formation and completed her degree in Theology and English and participated in a personal development course at the Institute of St. Anselm, Canterbury. Having accompanied women in England who were interested in our Congregation, Catherine returned to Kenya where she continued in formation ministry as Novice Director. On finishing her term as Novice Director, Catherine went back to teaching in Ireland for a number of years and became involved in the local parish also. After the closure of the school, Catherine was then appointed to the leadership team. On finishing her term of office on the leadership team she spent nine years in parish ministry in Antrim, Northern Ireland. As a member of the parish team, she had a varied ministry in the parish where our Sisters ministered for many years. It seems that she came full circle for it was the first time she lived in Northern Ireland since entering the congregation.

In 2017 Catherine was appointed full-time member of the Province Leadership Team for three years after which she was appointed Province Leader beginning her term of office on

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GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT (continued)

The Province Advisory Board (continued)

1 August 2020. Catherine was reappointed Province Leader for a further three years in August 2023.

On-line training has been available for Trustees in some areas e.g. finance, investments, safeguarding and Catherine has availed of these opportunities when possible.

Sister Margaret Murphy was born in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland on 27 December 1944. Margo was educated there until 1959 when she moved to Hastings and continued her education there with the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions.

In 1961, she entered the Novitiate in Hastings and was there for her Novitiate training until 1966 when she was missioned to Sturry, Canterbury. In 1971, she was admitted to Notre Dame Training College, Bearsden, Glasgow, to study for a Teacher Training Diploma and her Certificate of Religious Education. Having successfully completed this, she went to Chew Magna in Bristol where she taught for a number of years. From here she went to Digby Stuart College, Roehampton where she did her BA degree in French/Religious Studies and obtained a Second Class Honours.

After a short period of time at Sacred Heart School, Wealdstone, Margo went to Kirkby, Liverpool to staff a Mother and Baby Unit there and also work in the local community. While there, she did a counselling course and was awarded a Counselling Diploma. She voluntarily worked in a local counselling service and was also involved in pastoral care of the young women in the Mother and Baby Unit. Since then as a Trustee she is very involved with safeguarding training and avails of any opportunity to update her awareness and skills in this regard.

In 1999, Margo was missioned to Papua New Guinea and on her return home worked in chaplaincy situations in Germany and England. As a school counsellor, she worked with Catholic Care in Leeds until she was asked to go as Pastoral Assistant to an inner-city parish in London. She left there in 2003 to become part of the Province Leadership Team after which she went to Rome as General Secretary for the Congregation. On her return to the Province, she was appointed to the Province Mission Desk and, as a member of the Sisters’ Mission Committee, was involved in mission appeals in different parts of England. In 2014 she was appointed Province Leader and carried out that responsibility until the beginning of August 2020.

Sister Margaret Doherty entered the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions in 1960. She was missioned to Western Australia in 1965, as assistant teacher in a class for infants, who were mostly from different cultures and language groups; it was certainly a new and very valuable experience for her! Having obtained her Primary Teachers’ Certification in Christ College, Melbourne, she taught for years in schools, where our sisters held the Principalship. Her life was further enriched, when she was

appointed to the Diocesan Motor Mission, Bunbury, and became involved in the Religious Education of children 6-12 years in State Schools, situated in remote farming areas. Margaret assisted parents in

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GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT (continued)

The Province Advisory Board (continued)

their own faith, by helping them with their children’s faith development. To keep her enthusiasm alive, she availed of different in-service courses and further training.

Another major transition in her life happened when she was missioned to Southern Highlands in Papua New Guinea. As Pastoral Assistant, she gained proficiency in Melanesian Pidgin and was responsible for the ongoing formation of Catechists and other lay leaders in the Church in Pangia, a parish in the Mendi diocese. She would often spend time in the villages where she helped the Catechists and listened to the women and their concerns as well as teach them to read, their deepest longing being to read the Bible. She was also Chairperson for the Conference of Women Religious in the Diocese, as and Coordinator of the Sisters in her own Congregation.

After ten years, Margaret trained for Spiritual Direction/ Accompaniment, at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago. She acquired a Masters in Pastoral Studies, which equipped her for her future work in the UK, where she joined the Chaplaincy team at St James’s Hospital in Leeds. She also accompanied women and men from different Christian denominations, on their faith journey. Margaret was missioned to Rome from 2000 to 2004 as one of the Secretaries at our Generalate. There, she became, with other Congregation representatives, a member of the Justice and Peace Group and a member of a team of Spiritual Directors at Regina Mundi, Rome. an International Formation Programme for Women Religious.

In 2004, Margaret was appointed to the Philippines, as Co-ordinator of the Student Sisters’ community in Manila. She spent four interesting years with the Student Sisters and formation groups from different congregations. In 2009, she returned to the UK and the following year, became one of the team members of St Anne’s community, Sturry, where she was responsible for the Pastoral Care of the elderly Sisters and a member of the Province Leadership Team. In 2014, she was elected again to the PLT for three years and in 2017, moved to New Southgate Community. Margaret went to Genesis in Massachusetts, USA, for a refresher course in Bio Spirituality. In August 2020, she was elected to the province Leadership Team. In August 2023 she was elected as team member until 2026. In this capacity she participates in webinars and zoom meetings to keep abreast of important issues that are integral to her role on the team and as a Trustee.

Sister Rose Mary Harbinson began her religious life by joining the Congregation in September 1969. Prior to that she was raised in the East End of London where she attained her primary and secondary education. She moved to South Wales where she went to a Sixth Form in Port Talbot. As a post Vatican II novice her formation studies were in Dublin, Ireland with a mixed group of missionary congregations. Her first mission was to Sturry, Canterbury serving the community in the kitchen and continuing her studies before going to a Teaching Training College, at Mary Ward, Nottingham. After being awarded a B.Ed. she was assigned to teach in Bexhill for some years until she was asked to become the Vocations’ Directress of the Province moving to Wealdstone, London. As a member of the Caring Church Movement she travelled around schools in England, Wales and Scotland.

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GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT (continued)

The Province Advisory Board (continued)

Sister was asked to be part of the Missionary Session in Rome in 1975 and from there she was missioned to Senegal, after spending a few months in France to learn French. After a year it was decided that Rose Mary should return to Rome and prepare for another mission to Papua New Guinea where she stayed for over twenty years. Her ministry ranged from pastoral worker in the Southern Highlands in a priestess parish, teacher in Madang Province and finally a lecturer in Liturgical Studies at the Catholic Theological Institute in Port Moresby – a major seminary for Diocesan and Missionary Priests and brothers and the Anglican seminarians from Poppendetta. During that time, she was asked by the Bishop’s Conference of Papua New Guinea to train in Liturgical and Sacramental Theology in Washington DC where she obtained a Masters in Theology/Liturgical Studies.

After a long missionary journey Rose Mary returned home in 2008 and shortly after that began a PhD which allowed her to return to PNG in 2009 for research and she graduated in 2014 from Nottingham Uni. Since then, her work now includes giving Mission Appeals in England and Wales, working as a volunteer with JRS (Jesuit Refugee Services) as an Emotional Befriender with refugees, and the coordinator of the Missionary Sisters of England and Wales involved in Mission Appeals. In 2016 Rose Mary returned to PNG to launch and promote her book to the seminarians, catechists and to the PNG/SI Bishops’ Conference. In 2017 she was first appointed to the Province Leadership Team and was reappointed in August, 2023. Her work still includes the above and since 2017, she offers Liturgical and Spirituality courses to the International Final Vows Group in Davao, in the Philippines. Since the beginning of RLSS and CSSA, training and following webinars is a regular feature of her work as a PLT Member for the wellbeing of the province.

Sister Pauline McDonald entered the congregation in 1959. She was trained initially as a Primary School teacher and taught for some years in Hastings as deputy and then acting head of Sacred Heart Primary School. In 1975 Sister was missioned to Kenya and taught for two years in Nairobi before taking up the position of Religious Adviser in the Archdiocese with responsibility for Christian Education development in over 150 schools. In 1980 Sister spent six months in Rome for theological and spiritual renewal. In 1985 on Sister’s return to the UK she attended university in Liverpool and Birmingham for further studies before taking up new work as a counsellor in the field of alcohol and drug misuse in Scotland. In 1996 Sister Pauline moved to Lancashire to take on pastoral work as well as providing support for her aged parents. During this time Pauline was also involved as a member of the Allocations Committee of SURVIVE/MIVA, a Catholic charity based in Liverpool which provides mission and missionaries with modes of transport specific to the needs of the people and area of mission. From 2011-2014 Sister was the Administrator in St Anne’s Convent care facility for our elderly and frail Sisters. Currently Sister is a member of the Pastoral Team in St. Anne’s Convent, Sturry.

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GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT (continued)

The Province Advisory Board (continued)

Sister Mary Brigid Toner was born in Northern Ireland and entered the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions in Hastings in1961. She was trained in Digby Stuart College, Roehampton, London, as a secondary school teacher and taught at the Sacred Heart High School, Wealdstone which is now the Sacred Heart Language College. In 1987 Mary spent three months studying with an international group from the Congregation in Rome and in France. In 1991 she became provincial bursar with the Province Leadership Team had overall responsibility for the finances of the province until 11[th] July 2016. Mary was also a member of the International Finance Commission in Rome which met twice a year with the Congregation’s investment and property advisors. In February 2009 she attended a two-week meeting in Davao, Philippines with Provincial and Congregational Leaders, and the Provincial and Regional Bursars for financial training and to ensure consistency in the reporting of our worldwide finances. In September 2015 Mary attended a gathering of the Provincial Leaders and Bursars in the Congregation for more training in Bangalore, South India. The Bursars spent time on Financial Systems to ensure uniformity throughout the Congregation. On 8[th] February 2017 Mary travelled to Australia for a six-month sabbatical at Marymount Mercy Centre in Castle Hills, Sydney, following a New Life Course for personal and spiritual renewal, reflection, and revitalization. Mary is also a member of the Province Advisory Board. She is now an advisor for Investments and Property in the Province. Mary regularly attends many seminars on topics such as finance, health and safety issues, data protection, investment management, trustees’ responsibilities and RLSS (Religious Life Safeguarding Service) Training for Trustees. During 2023 Mary availed herself of most of the trustee training that became available on webinars, training on zoom and attended some trustee training sessions in person.

Employees and members of the Congregation

The trustees wish to give special thanks to the members of the Congregation for their support and encouragement and to all who are employed by the Congregation for their loyalty and support for the overall mission of the Province.

Signed on behalf of the trustees

Trustee

Approved by the trustees on:

All photos acknowledged or used with permission.

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Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2023

Independent auditor’s report to the trustees of Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO

Opinion

We have audited the accounts of Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows, the principal accounting policies and notes to the accounts. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the accounts:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the accounts in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report and Accounts, other than the accounts and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the accounts does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

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Other information (continued)

In connection with our audit of the accounts, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the accounts or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the accounts or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the accounts, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the accounts as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these accounts.

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 50

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2023

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts (continued)

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extend to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below:

We assessed the susceptibility of the charity’s accounts to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 51

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2023

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements (continued) In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the accounts is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and with regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

22 May 2024

Buzzacott LLP Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL

Buzzacott LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 52

Statement of financial activities Year to 31 December 2023

Notes Unrestricted
funds
£


Restricted
funds
£		 2023
Total
funds
£		 Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 2022
Total
funds
£
Income:
Donations and legacies
1
Investment income and interest receivable
2
Other income
. Surplus on disposal of tangible fixed
assets
. Miscellaneous income
3
Total income
Expenditure:
Cost of raising funds
. Investment managers’ fees
Charitable activities
. Support of members of the
Congregation and their ministry
4
. Donations and support of overseas
missions
5
Total expenditure
Net income (expenditure) before gains
(losses) on investments
6
Net gains (losses) on investments
11
Net income (expenditure)
Gross transfers between funds
14
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances brought forward
at 1 January 2023
Fund balances carried forward
at 31 December 2023		 910,320
170,099
2,742,084
—


111,215

7,728

—

—		 1,021,535

177,827
2,742,084

—		 801,306
122,188
1,983
6,163
107,293

8,231

—

—
908,599

130,419

1,983

6,163
3,822,503
118,943		 3,941,446 931,640
115,524		 1,047,164
24,796
1,495,846
2,820
1,373

—

45,052
26,169
1,495,846

47,872		 22,761
1,423,090
1,800
4,066

—

55,162
26,827
1,423,090

56,962
1,523,462
46,425		 1,569,887 1,447,651
59,228		 1,506,879
2,299,041
363,497

72,518

29,086		 2,371,559
392,583		 (516,011)
(1,268,054)
56,296
(36,584)
(459,715)
(1,304,638)
2,662,538
88,762

101,604


**(88,762) **		 2,764,142
—		 (1,784,065)
641,032
19,712

(641,032)		 (1,764,353)
—
2,751,300
12,282,244
12,842




774,050		 2,764,142
13,056,294		 (1,143,033)
13,425,277
(621,320)
1,395,370		 (1,764,353)
14,820,647
15,033,544


786,892		 15,820,436 12,282,244
774,050		 13,056,294

The charity has no recognised gains and losses other than those shown above and therefore no separate statement of total recognised gains and losses has been prepared.

All of the CIO’s activities derived from continuing operations during the above two financial periods.

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 53

Balance sheet 31 December 2023

Notes
2023
£		 2023
£		 2022
£		 2022
£
Fixed assets:
Tangible assets
10
Investments
11
Current assets:
Debtors
12
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities:
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
13
Net current assets
Net assets
The funds of the charity:
Restricted funds
14
Unrestricted funds
. Tangible fixed assets fund
15
. Designated funds
16
. General fund
Total charity funds


48,187
2,998,416
743,550		 6,268,831
6,064,723		 14,354
—
945,023		 6,639,921
5,797,476
12,333,554
3,486,882		 12,437,397
618,897
3,790,153

(303,271)		 959,377
(340,480)


6,268,831

7,700,000
1,064,713		 6,639,921
4,700,000
942,323
15,820,436 13,056,294
786,892
15,033,544		 774,050
12,282,244
15,820,436 13,056,294

Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Trustee Approved by the trustees on:

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 54

Statement of cash flows Year to 31 December 2023

Notes
2023
£		 2022
£
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash used in operating activities
A
Cash flows from investing activities:
Income from listed investments
Interest received
Proceeds from the disposal of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Proceeds from the disposal of investments
Purchase of investments
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 2023
B
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2023
B

**(428,491) **		 (377,579)


152,229
25,598
3,037,089
(117,077)
998,073
**(857,496) **		 129,691
728
1,983
(615,930)
969,084
(1,509,400)
3,238,416 (1,023,844)

2,809,925


996,477
 (1,401,423)
2,397,900

3,806,402		 996,477

Notes to the statement of cash flows for the year to 31 December 2023.

A Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash used in operating activities

2023
£		 2022
£
Net movement in funds (as per the statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charge
(Gains) losses on investments
Income from listed investments
Interest receivable
Surplus on disposal of tangible fixed assets
Increase in debtors
(Decrease) increase in creditors
Net cash used in operating activities
2,764,142
191,124
(394,841)
(152,229)
(25,598)
(2,740,047)
(33,833)
(37,209)		 (1,764,353)
183,696
1,304,638
(129,691)
(728)
(1,983)
(10,051)
40,893
(428,491) (377,579)

B Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
2023
£		 2022
£
Cash at bank and in hand
Short term deposits
Cash held by investment managers
Total cash and cash equivalents		 743,550
2,998,416
64,436		 945,023
—
51,454
3,806,402 996,477

No separate statement of changes in net debt has been prepared as there is no difference between the movements in cash and cash equivalents and movement in net cash (debt).

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 55

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are laid out below.

Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared for the year to 31 December 2023 with comparative information given in respect to the year ended 31 December 2022.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these accounts.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The accounts are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Preparation of the accounts requires the trustees to make significant judgements and estimates.

The items in the accounts where these judgements and estimates have been made include:

Assessment of going concern

The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these accounts. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of at least one year from the date of approval of these accounts.

The trustees continue to communicate with their investment managers and, whilst there are concerns over the volatility in world stock markets arising from geopolitical events and the macroeconomic climate, they acknowledge also that the charity is a long-term investor. As such, the charity will be able to wait for markets to stabilise over time whilst the trustees keep a watching brief.

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 56

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023

Assessment of going concern (continued)

Over the next year, the charity’s income may continue to be affected due to the volatility in world stock markets noted above. In terms of expenditure, it is anticipated that grant making may need to increase as needs become more evident. The trustees will continue to keep both income and expenditure under review.

Undoubtedly there will be challenges ahead but the trustees do not expect material concerns to arise over the charity’s financial position or going concern. The trustees have concluded that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due.

Income recognition

Income is recognised in the period in which the charity has entitlement to the income, the amount of income can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

Income comprises donations, legacies, investment income, interest receivable and other income including the surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets.

Donations, including salaries and pensions of individual religious received under Gift Aid or deed of covenant, are recognised when the charity has confirmation of both the amount and settlement date. In the event of donations pledged but not received, the amount is accrued for where the receipt is considered probable. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

In accordance with the Charities SORP FRS 102 volunteer time is not recognised.

Legacies are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the legacy, the executors have established that there are sufficient surplus assets in the estate to pay the legacy, and any conditions attached to the legacy are within the control of the charity.

Entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, but the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title of the asset having being transferred to the charity.

Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 57

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023

Income recognition (continued)

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

Income from the Government’s Job Retention Scheme in respect to the Covid-19 pandemic, and other coronavirus related income, is accounted for when the charity has entitlement to the income, the amount of income can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

The surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets represents the difference between the disposal proceeds (net of the costs of disposal) and the net book value of the relevant asset immediately prior to disposal. The surplus is recognised at the point when legal title to the asset moves from the charity.

Expenditure recognition

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure comprises direct costs and support costs. All expenses, including support costs, are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings. The classification between activities is as follows:

Charitable grants and donations are made where the trustees consider there is real need following a review of the details of each particular case and comprise single year payments rather than multi-year grants. Grants and donations are included in the statement of financial activities when approved for payment. Provision is made for grants and donations approved but unpaid at the period end.

All expenditure is stated inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

Tangible fixed assets

All assets costing more than £1,000 and with any expected useful life exceeding one year are capitalised.

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 58

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023

Tangible fixed assets (continued)

Non-specialised buildings

Non-specialised buildings are those designed as, and used wholly or mainly for, private residential accommodation. Those held by the charity’s predecessor charity on 31 December 1995 are stated at a trustees’ valuation made on that date based on market value for existing use. Under the application of the transitional rules of FRS 102 this valuation is now deemed to be cost. Additions since 1 January 1996 are stated at cost. Such buildings are not depreciated. Their value and condition are reviewed annually by the trustees, who are satisfied that their residual value is not materially less than their book value.

Specialised buildings

Specialised buildings comprise the charity’s large residential convents. Those held by the charity’s predecessor charity on 31 December 1995 are stated at a trustees’ valuation made on that date based on replacement cost for existing use. Under the application of the transitional rules of FRS 102 this valuation is now deemed to be cost. Additions since 1 January 1996 are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided at 2% per annum on a straight-line basis to write the buildings off over their estimated useful economic life to the charity.

Motor vehicles are capitalised and depreciated over a four year period on a straight line basis.

Fixed asset investments

Listed investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price.

The charity does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.

As noted above the main form of financial risk faced by the charity is that of volatility in equity markets and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk, and changes in sentiment concerning equities and within particular sectors or sub sectors.

Realised gains (or losses) on investment assets are calculated as the difference between disposal proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value is acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value at that date. Realised and unrealised investment gains (or losses) are combined in the statement of financial activities and are credited (or debited) in the year in which they arise.

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 59

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023

Debtors

Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand. Short term deposits represent balances with a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition. Cash balances held by the investment manager as part of an investment portfolio and awaiting reinvestment are included as part of fixed asset investments.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash payment where such discounting is material.

Fund structure

The funds of the charity are, in the main, unrestricted and therefore available for use in furtherance of the charity’s objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Within the total unrestricted funds of the charity are funds representing the net book value of the charity’s tangible fixed assets and amounts which the trustees have designated for specific purposes. Details of these are provided in notes 15 and 16.

Details of funds raised for a specific purpose, or subject to donor imposed conditions, and therefore restricted, are given in note 14.

Services provided by members of the Congregation

For the purposes of these accounts, no monetary value has been placed on administrative and other services provided by the members of the Congregation.

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 60

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

1 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 2023
Total
funds
£
Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
2022
Total
funds
£
Salaries and Pensions
Contributions from the
Congregation in Ireland
General donations
Legacies		 642,342
253,912
14,066
—		 —
88,762
22,453
—		 642,342
342,674
36,519
—
614,933

167,146

12,684

6,543
—

83,234

24,059

—
614,933

250,380

36,743

6,543
910,320 111,215 1,021,535
801,306
107,293
908,599

2 Investment income and interest receivable

Unrestricted
funds
**£ **
Restricted
funds
£		 2023
Total
funds
£
Unrestricted
funds
£


Restricted
funds
£
2022
Total
funds
£
Income from listed
investments
. UK equities
. Overseas equities and
unitised funds
. UK Government stocks
. UK fixed interest
Interest receivable		 58,063
49,440
1,299
**35,763 **

3,506

2,427

1,731

—		 61,569

51,867
3,030
35,763
60,610

42,219

999

17,871
3,248

4,364

184

196
63,858

46,583

1,183

18,067
**144,565 **
7,664		 152,229
121,699
7,992
129,691
**25,534 **

64		 25,598
489
239
728
**170,099 **

7,728		 177,827
122,188
8,231
130,419

3 Miscellaneous income

Unrestricted
funds
**£ **
Restricted
funds
£
2023
Total
funds
£
Unrestricted
funds
£


Restricted
funds
£
2022
Total
funds
£
Miscellaneous income **— **
—
—
6,163
—
6,163
**— **
—
—
6,163
—
6,163

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 61

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

4 Support of members of the Congregation and their ministry

Support of members of the Congregation and their ministry
Unrestricted funds
2023
Total
funds
£		 2022
Total
funds
£
Premises
Education, training and spiritual renewal
Staff costs (note 7)
Sisters’ living and personal expenses
Governance		 492,102
13,430
634,544
337,170
18,600		 459,930
26,619
563,138
354,903
18,500
1,495,846 1,423,090

5 Donations and support of overseas missions

Unrestricted
funds
**£ **
Restricted
funds
£		 2023
Total
funds
£
Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
2022
Total
funds
£
Donations to Institutions
Donations in support of the
Congregation’s work
abroad
Philippines
Myanmar
Kenya
India
Bangladesh
Peru
Vietnam
Other donations
Medaille Trust
Mary’s Meals
De Paul UK
JRS
CAFOD
Christian Aid
Donations under £1,000
Total funds
—
—
—
—
—
—
**— **


2,060

—

9,098

14,709

6,862

923

7,001
2,060

—

9,098

14,709

6,862

923

7,001
—

—

—

—

—

—

—
818

3,365

9,061

7,464

13,097

7,172

5,892
818

3,365

9,061

7,464

13,097

7,172

5,892
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
**2,820 **
40,653

1,000

—

1,000

1,000

—

—

1,399
40,653

1,000

—

1,000

1,000

—

—
4,219
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,800
46,869

1,000

1,500

1,000

1,000

1,000

1,000

1,793
46,869

1,000

1,500

1,000

1,000

1,000

1,000

3,593
**2,820 **
45,052		 47,872
1,800
55,162
56,962

6 Net income (expenditure) before gains (losses) on investments

This is stated after charging (crediting):

2023
Total
funds
£		 2022
Total
funds
£
Staff costs (note 7)
Auditor’s remuneration (including VAT)
. Audit services
. Other services: payroll administration
Depreciation
Surplus on disposal of tangible fixed assets		 634,544
18,600
9,482
191,124
(2,742,084)		 563,138
18,500
9,420
183,696
(1,983)

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 62

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

7 Staff costs and remuneration of key management personnel

Staff costs during the year were as follows:

2023
£		 2022
£
Wages and salaries
Pension costs
Social security costs
Other staff related costs
Redundancy Costs		 579,001
7,599
27,029		 529,561
7,507
20,860
613,629
10,716
10,199		 557,928
5,210
—
634,544 563,138

The average number of employees during the period, analysed by function, was as follows:

2023
Number		 2022
Number
39
Charitable activities
. Support of members of the Congregation and their ministry		 41

There were no employees who earned £60,000 per annum or more (including taxable benefits) during the year (2022 – none).

The key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day-to-day basis comprise the trustees alone.

The key management personnel received no remuneration from the charity in respect of their duties in either of the above financial periods.

8 Trustees’ expenses, remuneration and transactions with trustees

As members of the Congregation, the trustees’ living and personal expenses during the year were borne by the charity, but they received no remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as trustees during the year (2022 - £nil).

As members of the Congregation, none of the trustees have resources of their own as all earnings, pensions and other income have been donated to the charity under a Gift Aid compliant Deed of Covenant. During the year, the total amount donated by the trustees to the charity was £53,531 (2022 - £46,525).

9 Taxation

The Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions Charitable Trust is a registered charity and, therefore, is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income or gains derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 63

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

10 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Freehold land and buildings Furniture
and
equipment
£		 Motor
vehicles
£		 Total
£
8,984,575
117,077
(588,837)
8,512,815
2,344,654
191,124
(291,794)
2,243,984
6,268,831
6,639,921
Non-
Specialised
£		 Specialised
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2023
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2023
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023
Charge for the year
On disposals
At 31 December 2023
Net book values
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022		 1,144,933
—
—		 7,614,485
—
(548,341)		 157,025
107,077
(27,592)		 68,132
10,000
(12,904)
1,144,933 7,066,144 236,510 65,228
—
—
—		 2,207,615
141,323
(251,300)		 68,917
47,300
(27,592)		 68,122
2,501
(12,902)
— 2,097,638 88,625 57,721
1,144,933 4,968,506 147,885 7,507
1,144,933 5,406,870 88,108 10

As permitted under FRS 102, the charity has adopted a policy of not revaluing tangible fixed assets held for the charity’s use. The deemed cost of non-specialised land and buildings is based on a trustees’ valuation made in 1995 based on market value for existing use.

It is likely that there are material differences between the open market values of the charity’s land and buildings and their book values. These arise from the specialised nature of some properties and the effects of inflation. The amount of such differences cannot be ascertained without incurring significant costs, which, in the opinion of trustees, is not justified in terms of the benefit to the users of the accounts.

11 Investments

Investments
2023
£
5,746,022
857,496
(962,159)
358,928
6,000,287
64,436
6,064,723
4,083,086		 2022
£
Investments listed on a recognised stock exchange
Fair (market) value at 1 January 2023
Additions at cost
Disposals at opening market value (proceeds: £998,073; gains:
£35,914)
Net unrealised investment gains (losses)
Fair (market) value at 31 December 2023
Cash held by investment managers for re-investment
Cost of listed investments at 31 December 2023		 6,510,344
1,509,400
(1,089,042)
(1,184,680)
5,746,022
51,454
5,797,476
4,088,928

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 64

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

11 Investments (continued)

Listed investments held at 31 December 2023 comprised the following:

2023
£		 2022
£
Equities
UK Government stocks
Corporate bonds
Alternatives/hedge funds		 4,059,223
303,520
892,784
744,760		 3,968,694
280,144
490,837
1,006,347
6,000,287 5,746,022

The total value of shares or investment schemes (including unit trusts) related to companies listed on a UK stock exchange or incorporated in the UK.

At 31 December 2023 the listed investments included no individual holdings which represented a material percentage of the total portfolio held at that date.

12 Debtors

Debtors
2023
£		 2022
£
Prepayments and accrued income 48,187 14,354
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2023
£		 2022
£
Amounts held on behalf of individual members of the Congregation
Additions to tangible fixed assets
Accruals		 217,135
—
86,136		 187,135
60,639
92,706
303,271 340,480

13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

14 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity included restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations received to be applied for specific purposes.

At 1
January
2023
£		 Income
£		 Expenditure,
gains and
transfers
£
(17,339)
(88,762)
(106,101)		 At 31
December
2023
£
786,892
—
786,892
Solidarity mission fund
Brooklyn House and Euphrasie Barbier Fund		 774,050
—		 30,181
88,762
774,050 118,943
At 1
January
2022
£		 Income
£		 Expenditure,
losses and
transfers
£
(95,812)
(641,032)
(736,844)		 At 31
December
2022
£
774,050
—
774,050
Solidarity mission fund
Brooklyn House and Euphrasie Barbier Fund		 837,572
557,798		 32,290
83,234
1,395,370 115,524

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 65

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

14 Restricted funds (continued)

Solidarity mission fund

This fund represents money donated to the charity for overseas missions.

Brooklyn House and Euphrasie Barbier fund

This fund represents money donated by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions CIO and the Congregation in Ireland towards the ongoing refurbishment of Brooklyn House and Euphrasie Barbier. Transfers from restricted to unrestricted funds represent the purchase of tangible fixed assets from the fund in line with the initial restriction, but subsequently available for use for general unrestricted purposes.

15 Tangible fixed assets fund

Tangible fixed assets fund
2023
Total
£		 2022
Total
£
At 1 January
Net movement in year
At 31 December		 6,639,921
(371,090)		 6,158,506
481,415
6,268,831 6,639,921

The tangible fixed assets fund represents the net book value of the charity’s tangible fixed assets. A decision was made to separate this fund from the general fund in recognition of the fact that the assets are used in the day-to-day work of the charity, and the fund value would not be easily realisable if needed to meet future contingencies.

16 Designated funds

The income funds of the charity includes the following designated fund, which has been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:

ElderlySisters’ retirement reserve 2023
Total
£		 2022
Total
£
At 1 January
New designations
At 31 December		 4,700,000
3,000,000		 4,700,000
—
4,700,000 4,700,000

The elderly Sisters’ retirement reserve represents monies set aside by the trustees to help provide for the Sisters in their retirement and had been calculated using actuarial principles.

17 Analysis of net assets between funds

General
fund
£		 Tangible
fixed assets
fund
£		 Designated
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2023
£
Fund balances at
31 December 2023
are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets
Total net assets		 —
861,551
203,162		 6,268,831
—
—		 —
4,700,000
3,000,000		 —
503,172
283,720		 6,268,831
6,064,723
3,486,882
1,064,713 6,268,831 7,700,000 786,892 15,820,436

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 66

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

17 Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)

General
fund
£		 Tangible
fixed assets
fund
£		 Designated
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2022
£
Fund balances at
31 December 2022
are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets
Total net assets		 —
637,332
304,991		 6,639,921
—
—		 —
4,700,000
—		 —
460,144
313,906		 6,639,921
5,797,476
618,897
942,323 6,639,921 4,700,000 774,050 13,056,294

The total unrealised gains as at 31 December 2023 constituted movements on revaluation of investments and were as follows:

2023
£		 2022
£
Reconciliation of movements in unrealised gains
Unrealised gains at 1 January
In respect to disposals in the year
Net gains (losses) arising on revaluation in the year
Total unrealisedgains at 31 December		 1,657,094
(98,821)
358,928		 2,763,569
78,205
(1,184,680)
1,917,201 1,657,094

18 Related party transactions

Four of the trustees of Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO are also trustees of Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions (Ireland) CLG. During the year donations totalling £342,674 were received by the CIO from Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions (Ireland) CLG (2022 - £250,380).

Sister Rose Mary Harbinson, a trustee of Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO, is also a trustee of The Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions CIO (Charity Registration Number: 1163766). During the year there were no donations or transactions between the charities (2022 - £nil).

Other than the transactions described above and in note 8, there were no other transactions that require disclosure in the year (2022 – none).

20 Member of the CIO and member’s liability

The Province Leader of the UK and Ireland Province of the Congregation for the time being shall automatically, by virtue of holding that office, be ex-officio the sole member of the CIO for as long as she holds that office.

If the CIO is wound up, the member of the CIO has no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities.

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions CIO 67