We are an international community of five sisters. Each of us is involved in the activities of our house in some way: through the different events and opportunities we offer (Spiritual Direction, Individually Guided Retreats, leading our day and evening programmes…) and/or in other tasks required to run our centre (admin, cleaning and gardening…).
We are also involved in activities outside our spiritual centre: counselling, work with homeless people, commitments within our local parishes and with Churches Together.
Below is a short introduction to each of our Sisters in Lewisham.
Sister Sigrun
Sister Sigrun was part of the community of the Sisters of Saint Andrew in Ameugny, France, from 1983 until 2002, taking part in the ministry of our sisters who collaborate with the Taizé Community and in the formation of young sisters. She then spent three years in the community in Lubumbashi, Congo, also working in the formation of young sisters. She spent two years in the community in Edenbridge, Kent, from 2006 to 2008, where she was involved in the sisters’ Retreat Centre. Following that, she was sent to Belgium, first to our (former) community in Charleroi and then to La Pairelle, where the sisters collaborate with the Jesuits at their Retreat Centre. There she was involved in spiritual direction, giving retreats, as well as in the catechumenate of the diocese of Tournai. Since her arrival in Lewisham in April 2018, she has been the local superior of the community and involved in retreat work and spiritual direction.
Sister Regula
Sr. Regula arrived in England from one of the communities of the Sisters of St Andrew in France in 1998. She was part of the community in London (Vauxhall and then Tooting) for 10 years until she moved to Edenbridge in September 2008. There she worked as a Prison Chaplain until 2004 and as a Mental Health Chaplain with the South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust until her retirement in September 2013. In Lewisham, she is involved in the administration and management of the retreat house, retreat work and spiritual accompaniment.
Sister Christiane
Sister Christiane was part of the London community in Vauxhall (1996 to 2004) and then in Tooting (2004 -2008). She worked on a volunteer basis in Trinity Hospice for 3 months and then as a nurse for 2 months in a nursing home. During that time, she did voluntary work with the Methodist Vauxhall Youth Club (5 to 11 years of age) and worked at the Day Centre of the Refugee Council. She worked at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust for 12 years as a Palliative and Supportive Care Senior Chaplain. She was part of the Edenbridge community from 2008 until 2013 when it closed. During this time she trained as a psychosynthesis counsellor. She now runs a small private counselling
Sister Fiona
I spent over 20 years in our communities in France and Belgium. During that time I worked with the Taize community in France as part of a chaplaincy team, working with young adult volunteers, giving retreats and spiritual accompaniment to visitors, and heading up biblical theatre workshops. I also spent several years working at the Ignatian Retreat Centre La Pairelle in Belgium. I moved to the community in Lewisham in 2020, where I now work as a spiritual director and as part of the welcome team. I also work in London as an English Language Teacher and as an Adult Literacy tutor. I love stories, theatre, music and art, and exploring biblical stories with the creative arts.
Sister Marie-Christine
Sister Marie-Christine lived in the community of Ameugny (France) taking part in the ministry of our sisters who collaborate with the Taizé Community. She then worked with Jesuits in Lyon (France) in walking alongside students studying medicine. Since 2010, she has been involved full time at St Andrew’s (Edenbridge and Lewisham), giving spiritual direction and supervision, leading retreats and quiet days. Currently, she is part of the administration team and welcomes guests in the house. She is also involved in Weeks of Accompanied Prayer and gives courses for spiritual directors.