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Working with the Roma People in Slovakia
In June 2007, three Presentation Brothers traveled to Spisske Podhradie in Eastern Slovakia to begin working with the Roma people of the town. The three Brothers are Seán Bonner, Vincent Costin and Michael McKeown.
The Presentation Sisters have worked with Roma people in Slovakia since 1993.
On November 21st, the Brothers celebrated their first Presentation Feastday with their new friends, neighbous, coworkers and fellow religious.
Brother Seán Bonner writes:
"Pres Day was a very special event on the calendar for us Presentation Brothers here in Slovakia. It was our first Pres day in Slovakia and together with our chapel being blessed made it even better. We called the chapel "Obetovania Panny Marie"- Presentation of Our Lady. It was a good event for us as it was an opportunity to invite people we have come to know and work with both from the Roma community and Slav communities.
Bishop Tondra was delighted that this was going to be another place of prayer, "homes among homes", in reference to the various houses of prayer in the "Kapitula" (various clerical homes and houses altogether in the one village). The people we invited really enjoyed being with us and appreciated our company and by their presence with us it challenges us to be better brothers by our being and presence with people."
Anglo-Irish Provincial, Brother Walter Hurley exchanges documents with Bishop Tondra.
Left to Right: Brother Vincent,
Brother Seán studying Slovak.