Worthing Community
The Sisters of Sion have been in Worthing for over 140 years. It is the only house where a Sion School still exists next door to the Convent. There are no sisters teaching there now, but the Provincial and some sisters are on the Governing body of the school. The Avila House community are often invited to various school functions and sometimes the students visit the sisters to share something of interest with them. For example two sixth formers shared a DVD they made of their visit to Auschwitz and the Junior School choir comes to sing at Christmas time. One sister assists in the Junior School twice a week.
There are ten sisters living in Worthing. They are all retired and although most of them are in their eighties and nineties, they are still very active and full of life. They are a very Sionion group and lead a wonderful prayerful life. They are a great support to all the sisters who are involved in a more active apostolic life in the province. They are a very welcoming community and are always appreciative of visits from younger sisters and interested in what they are doing. Some of the highlights in Worthing are Jubilees and festive celebrations, to which events, all the province often get invited.
Attached to this community, there are two sisters in nursing homes because they need specialist nursing care. Two of the sisters are more directly responsible to see to their needs. One of the sisters visits the Worthing hospital and St. Barnabas Hospice on regular basis and some sisters take Holy Communion to the sick. Various activities take place at Avila House, a group of Associates meet on regular basis to discuss various Congregational documents and for Scripture spirituality studies.
There are various other prayer groups which take place at the convent. Mass is celebrated only once a week in Avila House to which the parishioners are invited, but the sisters attend daily Mass in the Church next door.
All in all, the sisters at Avila House, are a wonderful presence and witness to the people in Worthing and make a great contribution to the province by their prayerful life and good example.