2024-12-31-accounts

MISSIONARY SISTERS

SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

31 DECEMBER 2024

(Charity Number: 233377)

MISSIONARY SISTERS - SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Trustees	Joan Quirke
	Carmen Lee
	Mary Patricia Hudson
	Joanna Kubisz
	Lizy Joseph
	Yudith Anu
Regional Superior	Joan Quirke
Regional Bursar	Joanna Kubisz
Principal Office	The Convent
	11 Kings Weston Lane
	Lawrence Weston
	Bristol
	BS11 0QU
Charity Registration Number	233377
Governing Instrument	Trust Deed dated 25 September 1965 (as amended by a scheme dated
	26 July 1967 and as amended on 14 May 2024)
Independent Examiner	Olayinka Tomori
& Charity Commission named correspondent	Longmeade Consult Ltd
	The Old Rectory
	Springhead Road
	Northfleet
	DA11 8HN
Solicitors	Stone King
	13 Queen Square
	Bath
	BA1 2HJ
Principal Bankers	Lloyds Bank
	Fleet
	P O Box 1000
	Andover
	BX1 1LT
Investment Managers	Charles Stanley Asset Management
	55 Bishopsgate
	London
	EC2N 3AS
Investment Powers	There are no restrictions on the trustees’ powers of investment

• 1 -

MISSIONARY SISTERS - SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

INTRODUCTION

The trustees present their report together with the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK. and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Second Edition effective 1 January 2019) and comply with the charity’s trust deed.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Objects

The objects of the charity are to advance the religious and other charitable work of the Missionary Sisters as the Trustees, with the approval of the Superior, shall from time to time think fit and for such other lawful charitable purposes connected with the advancement of the Roman Catholic religion as the Trustees shall determine.

Trustees and Governance

All trustees are members of the Congregation. The power of appointment and removal of trustees rests with the Superior General for the time being. The trustees meet as frequently as is required for the purposes of the charity’s activities and will meet at least twice per year. As members of the Congregation all trustees are well-versed in its charism, or ethos, and the objectives and activities of the charity.

When necessary, the trustees seek advice and support from the charity’s professional advisers and attend courses, conferences and training days as required in order to keep up-to-date with legal, regulatory and other such matters.

ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

The Missionary Sisters – Servants of the Holy Spirit is an international Roman Catholic Congregation with a Region in the UK. The charity exists to carry out the charitable aims of the Congregation and is the legal vehicle through which its UK assets are held. Throughout 2024, there were communities of Sisters in Bristol and in Birmingham.

The Sisters of the Congregation in England undertake a wide variety of activities in pursuit of the Congregation’s charitable aims.

Our charitable activities

• General

  • To support the Congregation’s missionaries and religious missionary activity in general.

  • o To support the work of the local parish.

  • To work towards overcoming barriers between denominations, faiths and cultures.

  • To relieve poverty and help those most in need

  • To promote the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing and growth of all people. To safeguard spiritual ‘spaces’.

• Education Training

  • Education and preparation of missionaries including language courses/degrees/diploma, extra tuition, providing opportunities for our sisters and others to study and become competent professionals.

  • Teaching English to speakers of other languages living in England

• Medical Health Sickness & Disabilities

• Providing assistance to the elderly, sick, or housebound

• Supporting staff and residents in supported accommodation, assisted living, nursing homes

• Communion ministry to people in hospital and at home

• Supporting people who are the sick or dying to experience dignity and respect and providing pastoral and spiritual care

• Supporting parents of children who are sick and dying

• 2 -

MISSIONARY SISTERS - SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS - Our charitable activities (continued)

• Relief of Poverty & Overseas Famine Relief

• Giving to charitable works, including CAFOD.

• Channelling donations received to aid projects in developing countries

• Providing basic necessities, emotional support and general assistance to refugees and asylum seekers and people experiencing hardship

• Supporting people with addictions ordinarily and in times of crisis

o Religious Activities

• Parish work

• Bible sharing, preparation for the Eucharist, Communion Services

• Inter religious collaboration

• Health care chaplaincy work

Work during the year

During the year our work included:

• Children & Young People

  • Volunteer work at a mother and toddler group

  • Supporting youth and young adults in prayer groups and religious activities

  • Children’s hospital chaplaincy work

  • Catechetical classes for First Holy Communion and Confirmation candidates

• Elderly/Old People

   - Hospital chaplaincy and spiritual and pastoral care of older people
  
   - Giving support and encouragement to elderly people in our parish community, in particular visiting and accompanying those who are lonely
  

• Minority Groups

   - Support of refugees and asylum seekers
  
   - Supporting the travelling community
  
   - Support of homeless people
  

o General Public/Humankind

• Interdenominational voluntary community work

• Help for distressed, sick, elderly, lonely, bereaved persons

• Work with and in support of the parishes in which we live

• Welcoming individuals and small groups in our houses/ opening our chapel to them for prayer

• Inter faith collaboration in our neighbourhoods

• Food Bank voluntary work

• o Spiritual accompaniment

The charity has guidance in place for the protection of children and vulnerable adults. There were no volunteers supporting the activities of the charity in 2024.

PUBLIC BENEFIT GUIDANCE OF THE CHARITY COMMISSION

The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing the charity’s aim and objectives and in planning future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

• 3 -

MISSIONARY SISTERS - SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The charity’s principal sources of income continue to be income donated by the sisters of the Congregation from pensions, salaries and stipends. There is also income from general donations and investment income. Another substantial donation of £195.5k (2023: £131.2k) was received from the Irish Region in the year which, as in the prior year, has been applied to property refurbishments in Bristol. Rental income is a constant source of income, which arises from the letting of a property, not required for the charity’s own charitable work. For the time being it is let to a third-party organisation (a registered charity assisting disabled people). The rent is set below the market rate, to enable the organisation to pursue its charitable purposes, which are parallel to those of the charity. Total income in the year was £314.9k (2023: £252.8k).

Expenditure to support charitable activities were £152.6k compared to £201.6k in 2023. The reduction in expenditure follows the substantial resources committed to preliminary building works in Bristol including temporary accommodation rented for the sisters pending completion of the renovation, and various repair work at the properties in Birmingham and Bristol. Costs were also incurred on retreats and for visa sponsorship licence for sisters to work or study in the UK in the prior year.

The major rise in expenses in 2024 was depreciation following the completion of the major refurbishment work at Bristol. £781k spent on the refurbishment work at Bristol have been capitalised. The building was completed in 2024 and is now fully occupied by the sisters.

The net movement in funds for the year was £176.9k (2023: £75.8k). At the end of the year, the net funds had increased to £2,095.7k from £1,917.8k in 2023.

Investment policy and performance

The trustees’ investment strategy is to maximise total return within acceptable levels of risk and within certain ethical constraints. The fund manager is instructed to avoid investment in companies whose main activities are considered to be in conflict with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. This includes tobacco and armaments, coal and unconventional fossil fuel resources and extraction techniques.

The year to 31 December 2024 continued with the trend of gains in 2023. Stock values rose but at an expected slower pace.

Withdrawals are made from the portfolio to fund management fees. The total return (income plus/minus capital gains/losses) on the portfolio was +6.52% (2023: +8.87%.), reflecting the continued rallying of the stock markets in 2024.

Trustees consider the returns in the year to satisfactory return especially as the global upward trend in the stock market has been reflected in the portfolio’s growth. The trustees will continue to monitor closely the performance of the portfolio and will meet with the charity’s investment manager at least once every six months.

Reserves Policy

The charity owns Fixed Assets in the form of properties in Farnham, Birmingham and Bristol. The Farnham property is now considered to be surplus to the needs of the sisters and currently generates rental income. As noted above, the trustees are furthering the charity’s objects by means of letting this property to a third-party charity. The trustees continue to keep the charity’s property requirements under review. The trustees are confident that the properties have a market value in excess of the net book value of £1,070k.

At the end of 2024, the total of cash and investments was £1,033.5k (2023: £917.5k), reflecting the surplus of income in the year. Accumulated cash and investment reserves have risen and income in the year exceeded expenses as refurbishment and repair costs in the year were minimal.

The trustees consider that the charity should hold approximately two years’ expenditure in general reserve; that is around £280k to £320k at current levels. The demographics of the Congregation’s membership also mean more planning is required to avert significant financial pressures in the longer term. The properties held by the charity are worth substantially more than the carrying value in the financial statements and these are seen as a reserve, to add to other resources as a form of Retirement Fund for the care of sisters in sickness and old age. Given that providing care in a nursing home for one sister could cost upwards of £60k per annum, the resources available is viewed by the trustees as very much a minimum sum required and they will continue to monitor this closely. Currently, there are 9 Sisters in the UK Region.

• 4 -

MISSIONARY SISTERS - SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

FUTURE PLANS

Practical completion of the refurbishment of the charity’s property in Bristol was reached in July 2024. The aim of the refurbishment was for the house to better serve the charity’s purpose by making the property more user friendly for parishioners, and for people from surrounding area wishing to use the house and chapel for meetings. The future requirements of the Sisters was also kept in mind. A large part of the work entailed improving the internal plumbing, heating and electrical services, which were ageing, inefficient and in part still original fittings. The plan for 2025 is to upgrade the garden area and create a quiet prayer space for individuals and small groups to use. The upgrade will mainly involve adding a number of pathways, hedges and seating areas.

The charity plans to renew the Farnham property lease agreement with Leonard Cheshire Disability for a further 3 years, after which the future use of the property will be reviewed.

Early in 2024, the trustees commissioned an external review of current and future cashflow requirements to ensure resources are available for the vital activities supported by the charity and to ensure sufficient resources are also available for the care of Sisters in old age or in sickness. The process is ongoing, and the trustees will review this periodically, to ensure the aims of the charity are met.

There are no immediate plans to change significantly the way that the charity operates.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the 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 the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period.

In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102);

• make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and

• prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

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 and the applicable Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the charity’s constitution. 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 other irregularities.

Approved by the Trustees on 26[th] March 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

……………………………….. Sister Joan Quirke Trustee

• 5 -

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF

MISSIONARY SISTERS - SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Missionary Sisters – Servants of the Holy Spirit Charitable Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and related notes.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed. The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

It is my responsibility to:

• examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,

• to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and

• to state whether particular matters have come to my attention

BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT

In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

• the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or

• the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or

• the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

………………………………… Olayinka Tomori ACA, DChA

Longmeade Consult Ltd The Old Rectory Springhead Road Northfleet DA11 8HN

26[th] March 2025

• 6 -

MISSIONARY SISTERS - SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

		Unrestricted	Unrestricted
		2024	2023
		Total	Total
	Notes	£	£
INCOME from
Donations and legacies:
Sisters’ salaries and pensions		54,033	46,098
Donation from Irish Region of the Congregation		195,475	131,164
Other donations		7,295	8,193
Investments:
Investment income and bank interest		23,401	27,272
Rental income		26,520	26,520
Other income		8,191	13,598
		----------------	----------------
Total Income		314,915	252,845
		----------------	----------------
EXPENDITURE on
Raising funds
Investment management costs		3,215	3,100
Charitable activities	3	149,380	198,509
		-------------------	-------------------
Total expenditure		152,595	201,609
		-------------------	-------------------
Net income before gains on investments		162,320	262,214
Net gains/(losses) on investments	6	14,590	24,561
		-------------------	-------------------
Net movement of funds		176,910	75,797
Fund balances brought forward
at beginning of year		1,917,822	1,842,025
		--------------------	--------------------
Fund balances carried forward
at end of year		2,094,732	1,917,822
		==========	==========

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

There are no other gains or losses other than those disclosed in the statement above.

• 7 -

MISSIONARY SISTERS - SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

	Notes		2024		2023
		£	£	£	£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible Fixed Assets	5		1,179,563		1,119,493
Investments	6		458,693		447,178
			--------------------		--------------------
			1,638,256		1,566,671
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors		12,003		14,709
Cash at bank and in hand		574,843		470,347
		------------------		------------------
		586,846		485,056
CURRENT LIABILITIES
CREDITORS:
Amounts due within one year	7	(130,370)		(133,905)
		-----------------		-----------------
NET CURRENT ASSETS
			456,476		351,151
			--------------------		--------------------
NET ASSETS			2,094,732		1,917,822
			==========		==========
	`
REPRESENTED BY:
Funds
- General			2,094,732		1,917,822
			--------------------		--------------------
			2,094,732		1,917,822
			==========		==========

Approved by the Trustees on 26[th] March 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

…………………………… Joan Quirke Trustee

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

• 8 -

MISSIONARY SISTERS - SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (Second edition effective 1 January 2019) – Charites SORP (FRS102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

Stipends and Pensions

Income from stipends and pensions are recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Income received in advance is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

Donations and Legacies

Donations and legacies are recognised when receivable or when the charity becomes legally entitled to them and the value can be estimated with reasonable certainty. Receipts of property, investments or other gifts in kind are included at market value.

Expenditure

Charitable expenditure consists of all expenditure relating to the objects of the Charity. All costs are directly attributable to the activities under which they have been analysed. Irrecoverable VAT is included with the category of expense to which it relates.

Governance costs which form part of support costs, include expenditure on the governance of the charity and its assets and are primarily associated with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Tangible Fixed Assets

Individual fixed assets costing £1,500 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated annually over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight-line basis as follows:

Freehold land	Nil
Freehold buildings	2%
Building improvements	10%
Motor vehicles	25%

Investments

Quoted investments are valued at their closing middle market price on the final day of the financial year for inclusion in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably.

Foreign currencies

Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the net movement in funds.

Statement of cash flows

The charity qualifies as a small charity, hence is exempt from the requirement to produce a Statement of Cash Flows.

• 9 -

MISSIONARY SISTERS - SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2. TRANSACTIONS WITH TRUSTEES

The trustees of the charity are members of the religious Congregation and as such have taken vows of poverty under which they renounce all personal rights to income and capital in favour of the charity. The living expenses of the trustees are therefore borne by the charity.

3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

3.	CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
		2024	2023
		£	£
	Supporting Sisters and their ministries:
	Community	33,552	47,888
	Formation	5,693	3,940
	Education	134	1,655
	Administration and Support costs	30,204	45,142
	Centralised expenses	824	1,625
	Operating expenses	17,314	48,892
	Ministry and Apostolate expenses	3,948	4,325
	Other Expenses (Student Sisters)	7,203	14,947
	Congregational support (Note 4)	2,000	2,000
	Depreciation	40,586	16,626
	Governance costs	7,922	11,469
		-------------------	-------------------
		149,380	198,509
		=========	=========
	Included in governance costs are:
	Independent examiner’s fees – examination	1,400	1,300
	Independent examiner’s fees - other	2,600	2,850
		========	========
4.	CHARITABLE SUPPORT OF THE CONGREGATION’S	2024	2023
	GENERALATE AND MISSIONS	£	£
	Payments to overseas branches of the Congregation comprise:
	Generalate in Italy	2,000	2,000
		=========	=========

• 10 -

MISSIONARY SISTERS - SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

	Freehold land	Furniture &	Motor
	& buildings	equipment	Vehicles	Total
	£	£	£	£
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2024	1,345,852	72,535	61,868	1,480,255
Additions	87,788	-	12,870	100,658
Disposals	-	-	(16,944)	(16,944)
	------------------	---------------	---------------	--------------------
At 31 December 2024	1,433,640	72,535	57,794	1,563,969
	------------------	---------------	---------------	--------------------
Depreciation
At 1 January 2024	260,058	72,532	28,172	360,762
Charge for year	26,137	-	14,449	40,586
Disposals	-	-	(16,942)	(16,942)
	---------------	--------------	------------	------------------
At 31 December 2024	286,195	72,532	25,679	384,406
	---------------	--------------	-------------	------------------
Net book value
At 31 December 2024	1,147,445	3	32,115	1,179,563
	=========	=========	========	=========
At 31 December 2023	1,085,794	3	33,696	1,119,493
	=========	=========	========	=========

All fixed assets are held entirely for use in the fulfilment of charitable purposes.

6. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

	2024	2023
	£	£
Market value at 1 January 2024	447,178	425,877
Additions at cost	7,950	10,756
Disposals (at opening market value)	(11,025)	(14,016)
Net Gains/(Losses)	14,590	24,561
	-------------------	-------------------
Market value at 31 December 2024	458,693	447,178
	=========	=========
Cost at 31 December 2024	338,574	340,651
	=========	=========
	2024	2023
The investment portfolio consists of:	£	£
Listed on a recognised stock exchange	315,136	308,787
Bank deposits	8,737	9,763
Overseas investments	134,820	128,628
	------------------	------------------
	458,693	447,178
	=========	=========

• 11 -

MISSIONARY SISTERS - SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

7.	CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year
		2024	2023
		£	£
	Other creditors and accruals	41,806	45,341
	Dowries and Patrimony – held on behalf of sisters	88,564	88,564
		----------------	----------------
		130,370	133,905
		========	========

• 12 -