The word today is “collaboration”!

 Here in Rome we have been sharing Generalate space for almost a year and a half, yet some of you have not seen any photos of the place we are renting from the Good Shepherd Sisters. Actually there are three Generalate teams housed in the same building.  In one wing the MFICs are on the top floor and the Nôtre Dame de Namur Community is on the second floor. In the remainder of the house are the Good Shepherd general team, staff and local community. Photos of our three foundresses are in the front lobby – from left to right, Julie Billiard, snd, Elizabeth Hayes, mfic and Euphrasia Pelletier, rgs.

Together we share a large dining room for the main meal and chapel for daily Liturgy.  We also have our own prayer room, kitchen and dining area on the top floor.  Our dining room, as well as all the bedrooms, has a beautiful view of the back garden.  Another feature of our top floor apartment is a spacious veranda, a wonderful area for eating out on hot summer nights.  We each have an office and ensuite bedroom; the apartment has a small laundry, work room, community room and area for displaying mission artifacts and items from the time of the Foundress.

MFIC Entrance                                                                                                       Main Chapel  

Back Garden                                                                                 Back View

The benefits of sharing are countless.  When some of us are away, there is always a larger home community so no one is ever alone.  Dinner conversations are enjoyable and enriching, and sometimes also an opportunity to practice a bit of Spanish or French.  We share ideas about projects from around the world such as those with women in micromarketing and eco projects of planting and conservation.  Our different charisms are evident in the liturgies for our community feastdays; celebrations are in abundance for birthdays and all types of festivities with the sisters and staff members.  

                   Community Room                                                                        Office                                  

The MFIC community has lived in many different locations in Rome since the time of our Foundress. The last 50 years have seen manner changes to suit the requirements of the community. Our present location on Via Sardiello, is perfect for the General Team and the flexibility required of the travel schedule.

Verandah                                                                           Our Prayer Room

Display Cases                                                          Our dining room