The sisters of the Order of St Brigid have adopted a new model of working which better suits their diminishing numbers.
The new model allows for all sisters to take a leadership role depending on the particular need.
Instead of having a congregational leader and two assistants who have fulfilled all leadership duties in the past, the New Zealand region of the order has agreed on one leader and one assistant. All sisters are now encouraged to take a more active role and share responsibilities of leadership according to their talents.
New coordinator Sr Cyprian Wilson said this decision came after some months of prayerful reflection and discernment.
The Sisters of St Brigid (CSB) were founded in Ireland and came to Australia. The New Zealand Brigidines are centred in the lower north island with the founding house in Masterton.
They are also in Palmerston North, Foxton, Karori and Lower Hutt.
The Brigidines originally taught and ran the primary schools of St Brigids, Johnsonville and St Benedicts, Khandallah. More recently they have done pastoral work in parishes.