As part of the Voices of Change podcast series we chat with Sr. Prema Antony, one of the resident visiting Sisters at Nano Nagle Place.

Sr.Prema from Kerala in India spent her early years as a sister working in North India, away from her home city.

At the age of 35 she moved to a very small remote village in Zambia, where she remained for 30 happy years, teaching catechism, running a home crafts centre as well as teaching maths.

While the people were very poor and had very little, they offered an abundance of hospitality including small cups of tea with milk, sugar and salt (yes salt!!) to Sr. Prema and her fellow sisters.

Over five years ago, at the very peak of Covid, Sr. Prema came to Ireland and next year she will be returning to Zambia.

She chats about her love of Zambia, the guiding "light of Nano", the little Nano's who carry this light, her meditations with the Men's Group, and the butterflies who appear every now and then to guide her with big decisions!

Enjoy the show

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This podcast has been produced by Fuzion

As part of the Voices of Change podcast series we chat with Sr. Margaret Harte, one of the resident Sisters at Nano Nagle Place.

Sr.Margaret grew up in Cork city and she went to secondary school at South Pres, and joined the order in 1964.

After some years teaching in the city she was asked if she would like to take up a post abroad.

The song 'Sweet Home Alabama' would certainly resonate with Sr.Margaret who went there in 1980 to a small rural parish in a town called Robertsdale.

A one year plan turned into a 43 year plan, and in 2023 when she was the very last Presentation Sister in the state, it was time for the Principal of St.Patricks School to retire and reluctantly come home.

She chats about her life and career, her experience in Alabama and the changes she has witnessed in young people, in particular with the damaging effects of social media.

She started class each day with the simple mantra "Be God's Light in the World" and asked the children how they could do this.

What a great way to start each day!

Enjoy the show

For more information about Nano Nagle Place:

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This podcast has been produced by Fuzion

As part of the Voices of Change podcast series we chat with John Brady, Coordinator of the Men's Group at Nano Nagle Place.

As well as sharing some of his own personal story. John chats about his work at the Men's Group, and the approach that is taken with these vulnerable men.

When these men, who have been through various life circumstances. come to the Men's Group, they are provided with a safe non-judgemental place to express themselves and enjoy the company of other men.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays they can chat, participate in fun activities and enjoy the company of others.

The friendly and authentic environment creates opportunities for friendship, confidence building and empowerment.

As John says "all we need is love"...

Enjoy the show

For more information about Nano Nagle Place:

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This podcast has been produced by Fuzion

As part of the Voices of Change podcast series we chat with Sister MaryJohn Staunton who came through the gates of South Pres school as an infant at the age of 5 and is still there!

GAA fanatic, Sr. MaryJohn tells her colourful story of life as a student at South Pres, her training as a poultry instructor, her very special singing ability and why exactly each of the boys she was teaching used to take turns on the rocking horse in school.

Her story illuminates life as a young novice in a closed order, the harsh times for many people in Cork city, her career as a teacher and 35 years working at the Cope Foundation.

Enjoy the show

For more information about Nano Nagle Place:

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This podcast has been produced by Fuzion

As part of the Voices of Change podcast series we chat with Karina Healy, the Coordinator of the Lantern Community Project.

The Lantern Project is a place of welcome, learning and inclusion providing a safe place for people to learn and grow, develop new skills, meet others and make new friends.

Karina chats in detail about the work of the project, bringing communities together, providing useful skills to participants, and in particular the transformative effect that it has on their lives.

Community education and creativity are the cornerstones of the centre focussing particularly on self-development, well-being and improving self-awareness. Lantern courses use a range of holistic approaches that aim to promote and enhance self-esteem and personal development.

Enjoy the show

For more information about Nano Nagle Place:

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This podcast has been produced by Fuzion

As part of the Voices of Change podcast series we chat with Sr.Catherine O'Sullivan.

Sr.Catherine, a proud Kerry woman from Dingle, had a very challenging start to her life with the death of her father when she was just four years of age.

Her early school days were very challenging due to her undiagnosed dyslexia and the punishments followed the poor exam results.

A much better experience in secondary school eventually led to her making a decision to join the Presentation Order and embrace a career as a geography teacher, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

When she was forty everything came to a sudden stop as she "hit the wall" and she had to deal head on with what she describes as a "dark, empty pain".

Through prayer, meditation, counselling and work that didn't involve standing in front of a classroom Sr. Catherine figured out the root of her pain and she started to heal.

Sr.Catherine subsequently "emigrated" to Cork to do amazing work with the communities in Togher and The Glen.

Enjoy the show

For more information about Nano Nagle Place:

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This podcast has been produced by Fuzion

As part of the Voices of Change podcast series we chat with Sr.Lelia Kaar.

Sr.Lelia has a fascinating story that starts with the repair of a Russian ship that had been torpedoed, entering the Presentation Order in Bandon and teaching, visiting schools at the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Peru, and starting a family resource centre in Farranree, Cork City.

Sr.Lelia takes everything in her stride.

Enjoy the show

For more information about Nano Nagle Place:

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This podcast has been produced by Fuzion.

As part of the Voices of Change exhibition that is running at Nano Nagle Place we have recorded a mini series with some special guests.

On this episode we chatted with John Smith who has been CEO since 2023.

He speaks about the changes that have occurred at Nano Nagle Place including the many programmes and activities that he oversees with his team.

He also speaks about the criteria and values that guide the various activities, including the support of the three resident Presentation Sisters, the wider Presentation Sisters network and the Board of Directors.

Enjoy the show

For more information about Nano Nagle Place:

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This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

As part of the Voices of Change exhibition that is running at Nano Nagle Place we have recorded a mini series with some special guests.

On this episode we chatted with Naomi Masheti who is the programme coordinator of the Cork Migrant Centre.

She speaks about her approach to her work, the different programmes and activities and the changes these are making to people's lives.

She also speaks about how her work is inspired by Nano Nagle and the Presentation Sisters , who were founded 250 years ago.

Enjoy the show.

For more information about Nano Nagle Place:

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This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.

As part of the Voices of Change exhibition that is running at Nano Nagle Place we have recorded a mini series with some special guests.

On this episode we chatted with Sr.Mary Ivers who is one of three resident President Sisters at Nano Nagle Place.

She speaks about joining the order at the tender age of 18, teaching in Ireland for a number of years and then moving to Ecuador for 42 years.

"The people there taught me more than I could ever teach them" she says.

She also speaks about her role at Nano Nagle Place and how the work of Nano Nagle continues today.

Enjoy the show

For more information about Nano Nagle Place:

Website

Facebook

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Instagram

This podcast has been produced by Fuzion Communications.