Today the activities undertaken that contribute to the achievement of our our charitable objects include:
Healthcare
We no longer run hospitals in Ireland but the Sisters continue to support the work of Milford Care Centre (MCC) in whatever way possible. The Sisters have provided significant financial contributions to MCC over the years plus the use of Milford Gate-Lodge to provide bereavement support services.
Some of the Sisters, now work in a voluntary capacity and this includes visiting residents. One of the sisters has been appointed as Mission Development Co-ordinator of MCC. She works with the MCC Management Team to ensure that the vision of Mary Potter, respect for the individual and care for the whole person (holistic care), lives on in MCC.
International Missionary Work
The South Africa and Zimbabwe Region was historically a Region of the Irish Region. There remains a very strong link between Africa and Ireland. The Congregation in South Africa and Zimbabwe minister to the sick, poor and needy. The Irish Sisters network with and provide financial support to ministries in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Missionvale Care Centre
Zimbabwe
Murambinda Hospital is situated to the South of Harare consists of 120 beds offering surgical, medical and maternity care to the poor and sick people.
Mashambanzou Care Trust Harare works with adults and children who are suffering from various illness and poverty, to improve their quality of life.
Mutare: The work at Mutare addresses many areas of need. Women and Children in Distress Programmes: to assist them with challenges from chronic illness, orphans, un-employment, education, special needs and food shortage.
We continue to support Mashambanzou and Murambinda through our involvement with Misean Cara. One of our Sisters is a liaison person for Misean Cara and each year she visits Africa for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
Networking and supporting other charities
The Sisters network with and provide significant financial support to other charities working with the most vulnerable members of society in Ireland and around the world. In the last 10 years we have donated in excess of €20,000,000 to other charities. In 2025 we supported up to 50 other charities, with contributions ranging from €344,000-€1,000 and totalling almost €1,900,000. Donations, to other charities included the following:
Milford Care Centre
€344,000
Healthcare
Focus Ireland
€240,000
Homeless
Simon Community
€205,000
Homeless
Unicef
€200,000
Humanitarian aid for children
St. Vincent de Paul
€170,000
People in need
€100,000
Support of the elderly
Capuchin Day Centre
€50,000
People in need
Fermoy Parish Church
€50,000
Promotion of religion
Irish Red Cross
€50,000
Humanitarian crises
€50,000
Food poverty relief
Redemptorists Ukraine
€50,000
Ukraine appeal
Alone
€40,000
Support of the elderly
In addition to cash donations we have also gifted property and leased properties, for no substantive consideration, to other charities.
Social and Pastoral Work
Social and pastoral work undertaken by individual Sisters includes:
Milford Care Centre
Assisting in parishes
Visiting prisoners and their families
Bereavement and family support
Supporting various justice and peace initiatives
Working as counsellors
Environment, Care for the Earth
Spirituality including prayer for the sick and dying
As the Little Company of Mary is a Religious Congregation, Spirituality and the Promotion of Religion is of prime importance to the Sisters. Work in this area is mainly carried out through the local parishes where the Sisters reside and participate and interact with the parish community.
Our Greater Company of Mary associates ‘come together’ regularly for faith sharing, spiritual development, and study of Venerable Mary Potter’s writings and prayer for the dying.
Support of members and their mission
The Sisters have devoted all of their adult years and their earnings to the furtherance of the Congregations charitable objectives. The Little Company of Mary continues to ensure that all members receive the level of care they require.