Sunderland Sisters explore new forms of outreach after the acclaim of their Thursday NHS singalongs

Sisters of Mercy in Sunderland say they are “totally taken aback” at the international reaction to their weekly singalong for the NHS outside their convent – and are now actively investigating new forms of outreach to their local community, building on the links developed in recent months.

Outside St Anthony’s Convent

The Sisters witnessed a growing number of local people joining them with  every passing week. Their singing caught the attention of local journalists and was then picked up by global news outlets, featuring, for instance, on the main news website in Australia and also on CNN in the US.

The Sisters are well known in Sunderland for their role in education, but Sister Adrienne says the weekly community event has led them to forge links with  a much wider number of local people: “We’re getting so many calls from past pupils, parents and staff but there are now so many others who we’re able to reach out to, particularly the isolated. A lot of people were driving to the convent, parking up and winding down their windows to take part in the singing; there was a real community feeling. The response has been amazing, it really has snowballed!”

The Sisters are accustomed to being active in parish and voluntary work but during the pandemic have increasingly used the telephone to support people who are alone:

“A lot of people are feeling very isolated, and we have been able to reach out to so many more now. They are seeing us in a different way. They’ve known us as teachers but they haven’t seen a group of us standing in the street, singing and clapping!  It has really struck a chord and a number of people have contacted us, who wouldn’t have done otherwise,” adds Sr Adrienne, herself a former French teacher.

As a community they are now reflecting on the legacy of this experience which “came out of the blue!” “We want to build on these new links – we just think God must be opening new doors to us.”

The Sisters are also active in supporting the local school with the provision of a food bank  for those who are struggling in the current circumstances. “Some people are having a really hard time and parents know they can come and get a food parcel. Because of coronavirus we can’t get involved in the community in the way we normally would, but we feel we are reaching out through this means as well” reflects Sr Adrienne.

So what are the plans for the future?  Well  a recent initiative saw Sixth Formers compile a vocal compilation online, with students and Sisters singing together. “We’re reflecting on next steps and having conversations” says Sr Adrienne.  “So much has changed during lockdown. Even community life and our prayer life has taken on a new dimension. Not having Mass has meant each Sister has taken it in turn to prepare and lead services, which has been really enlightening and very creative;   we feel very blessed. We have bonded more in this time and the opportunity to reflect more on Scripture has led me to see things I’ve never seen before, despite having read the words many times in the past. It’s just a different way of seeing things. We’re finding a new way of living. Things won’t be exactly as they were……”