In the end of December 1969 the first sisters came to Argentina – four Polish and two Italian sisters. They took up work in the capital Buenos Aires and its outskirts, in Merlo. In Buenos Aires the sisters’ work was a typical parish activity – catechization, managing the parish office and work in the sacristy. The sisters visited families, sick and needy, leaded family consultations, got in contact with the local Polish immigrants community. In Merlo the sisters were engaged with educational work in the San Jose Seminary. They also visited “barrio” – the poor district in the neighbourhood, giving material and spiritual help to the inhabitants.
In 1975, the first own house of the Congregation was opened in Merlo, just in the “barrio”. The sisters catechized at home and in the nearby primary school, they ran a kindergarten, community centre for school children, an infirmary and a first aid station. Here, the sisters also took up cooperation with Polish immigrants centres, Aquila Blanca and Macierz Szkolna, and taught in the Polish Saturday School in Merlo.
At the moment, we have four communities in Argentina: in Merlo, Parana, Las Hacheras and San Pedro de Jujuy.
In Merlo we run a kindergarten for 200 children from the poor district. Duties fulfilled by the sisters are administration, pedagogical and spiritual formation of the staff. Furthermore, they coordinate the catechization and catechize, also in the kindergarten, prepare for the sacraments, lead different pastoral groups, liturgical celebrations and retreats. In addition, the sisters are engaged in prison ministry.
The community in Parana takes up educational, catechetical and pastoral work in a poor district.
In Las Hacheras, in the north of Argentina, the sisters’ apostolate includes the formation of catechists, help in the organization of pastoral activities and leading groups, catechesis and preparation for the sacraments as well as liturgical animation. The sisters visit poor families, carrying different help and run two community centres. One of them is meant for children from Wichí Indians families.
Similar is the field of work of the community in San Pedro de Jujuy. Here, the sisters teach adults to read and write and take part in the work of Caritas, this is they run a canteen for the poor in the parish.
