" Our religious family expresses one particular aspect of the Mystical Body of Christ. This aspect shows a diversity of members who are continually growing into that unity of spirit which is brought about in them by love. This love is the answer to every one of the commandments and the bond of perfection [ Constitutions O.P.C ]

We have thirty minutes of recreation each day in addition to work and prayer time. This is increased to one hour on Sundays and also feast days. Recreation is where we all come together. We look forward to this period at the end of the day as we can chat away and any items of news we can pass onto the other Sisters. Every skill or talent a Sister may have is given plenty of opportunity to come into practice. Some have music, for others it is art or embroidery or knitting or simply to listen and sometimes these skills can be used to help others as well. We very much love to see the work of the other Sisters as it adds to community living and enjoyment. Community life is really a school and it is amazing what one learns about oneself when living with other people.

Everybody is Important

Everybody is important from the oldest to the youngest and physical exercise is also very much emphasised for health and recreation. Some sisters love looking after the plants in the garden. Should the weather not permit us to go outdoors then we have our recreation inside. The time is not long in passing if one has something interesting to tell.

For Saint Francis and Saint Clare work was a grace, as long as it " did not extinguish the spirit of holy prayer and devotion to which all temporal things should be subservient ". Thus, Poor Clares do not engage in external activity or work of too involved a nature which would require prolonged consentration. Our work in community is of set purporse, simple and not absorbing so that our minds are left free for God in all the activities of the day in an awareness that becomes second nature, thus carrying over the official time for prayer into every moment. We all take part in the ordinary work of the house. Some communities accept remunerative work such as the baking of altar-breads, vestment making, printing and artwork. In fact every God-given skill or talent is sure to be put to good use !

Saint Clare abhorred " idleness, the enemy of the soul ", and even though afflicted with a severe long ilness she insisted on being propped up in a sitting position so that she could spin and weave fine linen into corporals and other altar cloths for poor priests of the surrounding neighbourhood. Poor people must work, and so Poor Clares willingly work in solidarity with all those everywhere who bear the burden of hard work.

Letter writing and meeting people

Several Sisters answer letters throughout the day. At certain times it is possible to speak to the Sisters in the reception rooms. People constantly say how much it helps to have somebody to tell their troubles to and know they are being remembered in prayer.