OFFANENGO – The changes in the religious community of the Canossian Mothers continue, which have been operating in the country for almost a hundred years. The transfers are arranged by the higher authorities in application of the rules governing the movements from one location to another, also in relation to the tasks assigned. These are days more of departures than arrivals, unfortunately. About ten days ago, in an atmosphere of emotion, mother Claudina Cristiani left Offanengo, transferred after 22 years and destined to the retirement home of the Canossian Institute of Iseo.
Mother Angela Bassani, the superior, is leaving today after the six-year mandate provided for by the statute: will go to take on a new position at the San Gioacchino al Castello holiday and spirituality home in Ballabio, in the province of Lecco. He barely held back the emotion in front of the testimonies of affection of the citizens and priests of the parish, don Gian Battista Strada and Nicholas Sangiovanni. Don Strada, during the greeting to Mother Angela in the oratory, said: “We want to express our affection and our gratitude for his presence, for his work, for the good he has done in our parish and for having shared with us this years”.
The parish priest recognized that the transfers for the religious are the consequence of a free choice, but one cannot fail to recognize that “leaving and starting again, humanly, always involves difficulties for the change of roles, people, places, experiences”. Then, he added: “Comfort the thought that the love of the Lord never fails and that through the circumstances of life the Lord continues to call to follow him. This makes detachment less painful ».
In the face of two departures, only one arrival, that of mother Luigina Dellamaestra, who takes the place of mother Claudina. The role of Superior will remain partially uncovered, which is shared with another community. A little like what occurs with pastoral units for which, for example, the parish priest of Offanengo is also parish priest of Ricengo and Bottaiano. The new Superior of the Canossian Mothers of Offanengo will be mother Alessandra Tinti of the community of Bagnolo Mella, who spent a few months at the Offanengo House. In the locality of Brescia, mother Tinti is in charge of a Cfp professional school.
Following these movements, from five that were up to a few days ago, the Canossian Sisters of Offanengo drop to four: Paola Pietta, Rosanna Colombetti, Elisa Doldi andprecisely, Luigina Dellamaestra. Offanengo is the only religious community of the Canossian Institute present in the territory of the diocese of Crema.
It also “survived” that of Crema. The nuns who succeeded one another in the Offanengo House have been able to make themselves so popular with people, families and institutions that they constitute a fundamental reality. The main service carried out was that of the management and management of the kindergarten, then a nursery school, now of the Regina Elena childhood.alongside the management of thefemale oratory. Furthermore, the Canossians are animators of women’s groups and grest, as well as guides of the catechists and ministers of the Eucharist.