Diocese: Essen
Pioneers: Sisters Leena Rodrigues and Lydia Baretto
Mareinheim is located in Essen Überruhr, which lies eight kilometres south of Essen Central Railway station. Mareinheim came into existence in 2004 when a diocesan administered home for the aged (with 80-100 sick-aged) that existed for thirty years was taken over by Theresia-Alberts-Stiftung (Trust). As the house was in a dilapidated condition, it was renovated; the renovation lasted for two years. The new structure consisting of 130 beds was inaugurated on November 8, 2010. An outstanding attribute of the structure is that each of its eighty-seven single rooms and seventeen double rooms are designed with the latest infrastructure which constitutes it a ‘home in great demand’. Its magnificence has not stifled its mission a bit; Auxiliary Bishop Franz Vorrath of Essen Diocese illustrated the mission at the inaugural Eucharistic celebration of the institute. Elucidating on the encounter of Simeon and Anna with Jesus he asserted that the aged have known and experienced different ways of God in their lives. This is because they have been encountering God in and through their inability and through people who serve them. Hence he appealed that the caregivers at the institute ought to be another Christ. Correlating this reflection with the first reading of the Eucharistic celebration he notified that the persuasive power of the Early Church did not come from the liturgy they celebrated but rather from a reality of care and concern they had for each other in each other’s need.
This was a surprising call for the Sisters and a better chance to extend their mission under the same management with known officials. God in his bountiful love had answered their prayers and so after much effort and toil to extend their mission, they were able to have this house as an added blessing for their presence in Europe. The reason they could rejoice was the appreciation the management had for all their services which resulted in giving them another house and chance to serve. During the visit to Germany of Sr Doreen D’Souza, the Superior General and Sr Leena Rodrigues, the Regional Superior, with her Council organized a meeting with the Officials of both the managements of Essen Überruhr and Essen Steele on September 29, 2010 to discuss and finalize the opening of two mission centres to render service for the senior citizens. It was such a heart-warming experience to hear from both the managements their appreciation of the committed service of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters in the centres they were already serving.
A house with such material heritage and spiritual legacy was selected by the Sisters for rendering their service. Sisters Leena Rodrigues and Lydia Baretto arrived at Marienheim on Novemeber 1, 2010. Official inauguration of their residence, Klausur (Convent) an apartment on the ground floor of the institute with five rooms and a spacious hall and kitchen took place with a Eucharistic celebration on the same day. Besides the Sisters from three existing communities in Germany – St Josef Hattingen, Haus Elisabeth Ennepetal and Marien Convent Erftstadt, Directress of the institute Ms Eva-Maria Rexhausen and her associate Ms Svetlana Faber and others were present at the occasion. Ms Eva-Maria welcomed Sisters Leena and Lydia with words, “I feel great to welcome such enthusiastic religious Sisters in our house; I welcome also the Sisters who will join in subsequent years”. A friendly meal brought the day to a blissful ending.
The Sisters commenced their task the same day. As it was a familiar management, they could foresee less hassles and more benevolence in their place of service. Their experience has been as they expected. Besides providing medical care for the sick- aged, the Sisters accompany them in the final hours of life on earth. They accompany them every fortnight for the Eucharistic celebration in the chapel of the institute. Marian devotions and Rosary, holy hours, Communion service and devotion of the passion of Christ are held regularly at Marienheim. They assist in the Sacrament of Anointing the Sick which is held annually. They distribute Communion to the inmates, during which they offer them solace and encouragement. Sisters Prathima Kujur and Sandana Mary joined the staff in February 2011 and Anju Kuwari in June 2013. Sr Sandana Mary pursues her studies in order to get her Indian Nursing Certificate recognized. Sr Prathima commences her three year Training of Nursing the Elderly from October 1, 2013. Marienheim served as the Regional House from 2010 to 2013 as the Regional Superior, Sr Leena Rodrigues, resided here. During this period, the house shouldered the responsibility of organizing various programmes such as Regional Council meetings, Mission-oriented meetings, German Union meetings, Zonal Recollections....
God seems to have another plan for Ursuline Franciscan Sisters to extend their service within the same Diocese of Essen. The Regional Officials (Sr Leena Rodrigues, Regional Superior and Sisters Monthi Mary Martis and Roshni Monis) along with Sr Doreen D’Souza, the Superior General and Sr Susheela Sequeira, the Asst. Superior General officially visited the management at Essen Mitte on May 24, 2013 to make the final decision on beginning another mission centre in July 2014. God continues to bless the Congregation as the Sisters joyfully serve the elderly people who are greatly in need of the loving and healing touch of Jesus through them. The Sisters carry on their challenging mission joyfully hoping that through their service, God’s blessings come down upon them as well as on the Congregation.
