At our General Chapter in Rome this year we explored our Wisdom Culture as the link that holds together what we most cherish . . . justice, reconciliation and our solidarity with one another.

The Daughters of Wisdom are women who hold lovingly our shared quest for Wisdom and the traditions from which we come.

Women, in collaboration with others who liberate the needs of hope already present in the world.

Women who are called to denounce what enslaves and to announce what frees. We believe that we as a Congregation need in the present time to live a new vision in the light of the Gospel.

Sophia Housing Association was initiated in 1998 when a group of laypersons and religious women came together to realise a dream.

The dream was about people on the margins having a better way of life, a life of greater equality. We believe that in the last number of years we have made that difference.

Sophia Housing has been providing space for families and single people to prepare for the transition from homelessness or life in hostels to more independent living for many years now.

We provide education and support, developing living skills and self-esteem whilst providing a safe warm environment in which both parents and children can address their issues. Most of our families are having their first Christmas in a new home having previously lived in temporary accommodation i. e. hostels or bed and breakfasts.

We believe that everyone deserves a second chance and this year we are dealing directly with over 100 children who are settling into their new homes and really looking forward to Christmas. We dream that the mystery and the magic of Christmas may come true for those discovering a safe lodging to begin again.

Sophia Housing supports persons on the fringes of society who are homeless, in a holistic manner that goes far beyond the provision of simple bricks and mortar;

addressing often painful personal needs ranging in certain cases from drug addiction to complete loss of self worth and esteem.

WISDOM CENTRE There will be Wisdom Centre in all our projects. This will be a quiet reflective space where people get in touch with their own creative energy which includes art, drama, music, sharing and quiet reflection. The purpose of developing a Wisdom Centre is to create an enabling environment for all our people to enjoy long and creative lives.

CREGG HOUSE The Daughters of Wisdom have been providing services to persons with intellectual disabilities in the North West of Ireland for over 50 years. The values that underpinned our approach to service provision have remained constant. Above all, we respect the dignity of individual service users. Our service aims to enable individuals to realise their potential and to meet their preferences in relation to how their service needs are met.

If ever there were a time when we as a Congregation were to live an alternative vision in the light of the Gospel . . . it is now! This is the time to celebrate our deepest Wisdom identity, for we are members of the whole earth community with Wisdom at its source.

We will need to experience and to live our sense of communion with the whole of life.

Knowing we are loved, grounded and connected with others, we commit ourselves to work with Wisdom in order to transform our world.