Sisters of Charity to Volunteer in New Orleans: Federation Project Combines Resources to Help with Recovery Efforts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Susan Isola – Director, Public Relations, Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill

GREENSBURG, PA – August 29, 2007, will mark the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s devastating path through New Orleans and, still, the city and its residents struggle to rebuild.

Sister Maureen O’Brien, SC, co-director of vocations for the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, will join vocation directors from seven congregations of the Sisters of Charity Federation and 23 young women and men in volunteering to clean, scrub, and paint apartments abandoned in the wake of Katrina. Two recent graduates of Greensburg Central Catholic High School, Susan Newman and Jillian Krupey, will travel to New Orleans with Sister Maureen.

This mission project, running from August 7 through August 12, is organized by the Sisters of Charity Federation in the Vincentian-Setonian Tradition, a group of 13 congregations of women religious who trace their roots to St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (see www.sisters-of-charity.org for more information). The Federation is working with Catholic Charities New Orleans, who will coordinate where the group works and what they do. A second trip is planned for January 2008.

“Young people, today, have a real desire to reach out and serve others,” said Sister Maureen. “They’re also interested in developing their own prayer life. I see this project as a way of integrating the concepts of prayer and service.”

Sister Maureen, Newman, and Krupey will extend their stay to August 13, allowing them to visit with the Sisters of the Holy Family. The Sisters of the Holy Family and the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill have a collaborative relationship that dates back to the 1920s when segregation prevented the Sisters of the Holy Family from attending local colleges and universities and the cost of traveling to northern colleges was prohibitive. Instead, the Sisters of Charity spent summers in New Orleans teaching college-level education classes to the Sisters of the Holy Family, enabling them to provide a quality education to the children in their care. Later, the Sisters of Charity provided scholarships that enabled Sisters of the Holy Family to attend Seton Hill University.

Newman and Krupey will be able to see first-hand how donations raised by Greensburg Central Catholic students during the past two years have been used by the Sisters of the Holy Family to rebuild their motherhouse and other facilities.

In addition to cleaning, scrubbing, and painting, the volunteers will use this trip to explore their own spirituality and the spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Each morning will begin with an appropriate Scripture or Psalm. Each evening will include time spent in group prayer and individual reflection on the lives of the three saints.

“I think that if St. Vincent and St. Louise were walking on earth today, they would be in New Orleans,” said Sister Nancy Gerth, SCN, vocation director for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, who will be making her second volunteer trip to the city. “It is our charism of charity to be among the poor, and New Orleans is place where people are forgotten and displaced. You only have to drive around the city to see the destruction and lack of rebuilding.

Most important to the sisters will be helping the young people to associate the work they do with the people who were affected by the storm’s devastation, essentially to put a human face on the disaster and their work.

Sister Nancy And Sister Luke Boiarski, SCN, co-vocation director for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, made their first mission trip to New Orleans in January 2007 with a group of approximately 26 young people. The trip was so well received that the Federation decided to replicate it, inviting other congregations to participate.

“Before we began cleaning an apartment, we’d gather in a circle for prayer, praying for the person who lived there,” said Sister Luke of the January 2007 trip.

“What was transformative, for some of these young people, was to see all of the belongings of these people—keepsakes, photographs, drawings on the refrigerator—and realize that these people left their whole lives behind. Our young volunteers really thought about materialism and being economically poor,” said Sister Nancy.

In contrast to this Spartan experience, the sisters have planned a visit to the French Quarter and dinner at one of the finest restaurants in New Orleans—appropriately called The Three Sisters. “We want them to experience all of New Orleans,” said Sister Luke, “the best and the worst. Anytime you visit a city or country, you have to see both parts—the good and the bad.”

Two Federation Congregations Merge
Contact:

Mary Kay Gilbert
Director of Communications
Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati (513) 347-5466  marykay.gilbert@srcharitycinti.org
  
 

Forty-nine Vincentian Sisters of Charity take vows as Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 28, 2004

Cincinnati – Two congregations who are members of the Sisters of Charity Federation in the Vincentian-Setonian Tradition, the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati and the Vincentian Sisters of Charity of Bedford, took the final and decisive step in a multi-year merger process at Villa San Bernardo in Bedford, Ohio, (near Cleveland) Sunday, June 27. During an afternoon ceremony the 49 Vincentian Sisters of Charity, who formally dissolved their congregation earlier that day, took vows as Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.

“Now the merger becomes reality!” said Sister Barbara Hagedorn, president of the Sisters of Charity. “As a new congregation we will be forever changed, but in the transition some essential things remain constant. Together we will be guided by the love of Christ; we will strengthen the bonds of Charity given to us from our founder and foundresses; we will support one another in mission; and we will be always grateful to our families and friends who continue to support us in our renewed life as women religious in today’s Church and world.”

With more than 500 people in attendance and the Most Rev. Bishop Anthony J. Pilla as celebrant, the Vincentian Sisters processed into the outdoor Shrine of Our Lady of Levocha on the Motherhouse grounds amid spontaneous applause. In his homily the Bishop said, “This action today is the fulfillment of what you’ve always been called to do. It is not an ending, but rather a fulfillment. … The same spirit is calling you to charity. … Your fidelity to that call is something we admire and for which we are most grateful.”

Each Vincentian was called forward by name. As a group they said their vows as Sisters of Charity. In accepting their vows, Sister Barbara Hagedorn said, “The future of our renewed community begins now. Together, let us do our best and leave the rest to God.”

The present and past members of the Sisters of Charity Leadership Council presented each new member of the congregation with a pin and the Constitution.

Vincentian Associate Joyce Yorkievitz also signed commitment papers as an Associate of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati during the ceremony.

The merger process began for the Vincentians of Bedford in 1991. They began serious discussion with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in 2001. Following several years of dialogue and interaction, both congregations voted unanimously in favor of the merger at their respective meetings in March 2003. The merger of the congregations, who share similar charism and mission, enhances their ability to minister in the areas of education, health care, pastoral and social services as they move into the future. 

Sister Christine Rody, who served as general superior of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity, said that the merger was motivated by a concern for ensuring a continuity of ministries that the Vincentians began 75 years ago. “Keenly aware of the pull of the mission of charity, we look forward to joining another religious community of women who are as committed to that mission as we are.” 

The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, whose Motherhouse is located in Delhi Township, a western suburb of Cincinnati, is an apostolic Catholic women’s religious community that exists to carry out the Gospel of Jesus Christ through service and prayer in the world. Sisters, using their professional talents as ministers of education, health care, pastoral and social services, currently live and minister in 18 U.S. states and in Guatemala. They also sponsor institutions to address education, health care and social service needs, with particular concern for direct service to the poor. The Sisters are joined in their mission by 131 lay Associates. Visit the Sisters of Charity website at www.srcharitycinti.org.
 

Mary Ellen Murphy, SC (center), pins the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati pin on Judith Ann Ansberry, VSC (left), during the vow ceremony. Mary Michele Fischer, SC, is at right.
 

Federation of Women Religious Speak with One Voice

Contacts:

Nancy Burkley
Communications Director
Sisters of Charity of New York
718-549-9200 ext. 245            nburkley@scny.org

Mary Ann Daly, SC                 Administrative Assistant
Sisters of Charity Federation
(914) 693-5983                    maryanndalysc@msc.com
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 15, 2004

Bronx, NY - One voice represents thousands.  Leaders of religious congregations from across North America met in New York this week to affirm the impact they can make if their approximately 5,000 members speak with one voice about issues they want to affect. 

Seventy leaders from 14 women religious congregations across North America met June 10 through 14 for their annual meeting of The Sisters of Charity Federation in the Vincentian-Setonian Tradition at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx.  These leaders represent about 5,000 women religious from around the world and met to examine ways they can commit to partnering in service to the poor, especially internationally.

The Federation voted to continue to make water their focus for advocacy, while integrating it into their efforts to address structures that keep people poor around the world. Water is common and vital to all, and particularly in developing countries water supply and access is an important key to reducing poverty.   The Federation’s NGO representative at the United Nations, Marie Elena Dio, SC-Halifax, will coordinate water, as well as other, initiatives to focus on education, advocacy and effecting systemic change globally.

“We chose resistance and transformation as this year’s annual meeting theme,” Sr. Elaine Owens, Federation president and regional coordinator of SC-New York says.  “It represents the place where so many of our congregations find themselves at this point in our history: growing through resistance to enable transformation.  Regularly coming together with our Federation colleagues gives us real hope and energy to pursue our vision.  The action steps we committed to this weekend will help us use our combined strengths to truly make a difference in people’s lives – especially the poor.”

During this year’s meeting, participants elected Federation officers for the year 2004- 2005.   Joan Verner, SC-Halifax, was elected president; Janet Lehmann, SC-NJ, vice president; Judith Fitzgerald, NDSC, treasurer and Elaine Owens, SC-NY, secretary.  Next year’s annual meeting will be held June 2 through 5 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

The NGO liaisons for each of the member congregations also held meetings in conjunction with the Federation annual meeting, and formation personnel - those in each congregation responsible for helping women discern whether they have a call to religious life, and for training new sisters – also held concurrent meetings on the Mount Saint Vincent campus.

The Sisters of Charity Federation was originally formed in 1947 to work for the canonization of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.   It since has collaborated on many joint projects through the years, including sponsoring the NGO representative, publishing the collected writings of Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton and partnering in vocation and formation areas.

The Sisters of Charity Federation in the Vincentian-Setonian Tradition is an association of women’s religious congregations in the United States and Canada that trace their roots to Mother Seton’s 1809 foundation of the Sisters of Charity in Emmitsburg, Maryland, or which follow the rule of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac.  The Federation is committed to the Gospel and serving as advocates for the poor, to collaborating and mutual support and to further their common heritage rooted in Saints Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac and Elizabeth Ann Seton.

Federation of Women Religious Congregations Meet To Effect Global Change 

Contacts:

Nancy Burkley
Communications Director
Sisters of Charity of New York
718-549-9200 ext. 245 S. Judith Fitzgerald, NDSC
Sisters de Notre-Dame-du-Sacre-Coeur
506-859-1810
 
Mary Kay Gilbert
Communications Director
Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati
513-347-5466 S. Imelda Guignard, NDSC
Sisters de Notre-Dame-du-Sacre-Coeur
506-382-2319 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 18, 2003 

Moncton, NB — More than 80 leaders from 14 women religious congregations across North America met in Moncton June 12 -15 for their annual meeting during which they committed to actions to improve world conditions, particularly poverty and oppression. These leaders represent more than 5,000 women religious from congregations that form the Sisters of Charity Federation in the Vincentian-Setonian tradition and in solidarity with the poor use their corporate power as a Federation for advocacy, witness and systemic change on a global level. The Sisters de Notre-Dame-du-Sacre-Coeur hosted the Federation meeting at their motherhouse in Moncton and welcomed in as the newest Federation members the Sisters of Saint Martha of Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

“We chose the lighthouse as the theme of this year’s annual meeting,” Sister Judith Fitzgerald, NDSC, president of the Federation executive committee said. “The lighthouse is very meaningful for maritimers. The light is a beacon and guide for those at sea. The same is true in our personal lives – an interior light is needed to guide and comfort us through the good and the difficult times. We come together annually to collectively discern the direction our Light calls us to so that we can make the world a more loving, peaceful and equitable place for all people.”

At this year’s meeting, the Federation committed its members to taking specific actions to work towards helping achieve the United Nations Millennium targets of halving the proportion of people who suffer from hunger and eradicating extreme poverty by 2015. One of the Federation’s major initiatives to eradicate poverty is its sponsorship of a non-governmental (NGO) representative to the United Nations. Sister Marie Elena Dio, SC-Halifax, who serves as the Federation’s NGO representative said: “Our UN-NGO experience has gradually awakened us to the reality of our potential and responsibility as a Federation to impact global poverty in a significant way. We have the skills, knowledge, networks and resources to do so.”

Federation officers for 2003 through 2004 were elected at this year’s meeting. Sister Elaine Owens, SC-New York, was elected president; Sister Joan Verner, SC-Halifax, vice president; Sister Judith Fitzgerald, NDSC, secretary; and Sister Maureen Heverin, SC-Cincinnati, was elected treasurer. Next year’s annual meeting will be held June 10 through 14 in New York City, hosted by the Sisters of Charity of New York.

The internationally acclaimed actress Madame Viola Leger (Canadian Senator) entertained the sisters the evening of June 14 in her role as La Sagouine, the poorly educated but worldly-wise Acadian scrubwoman. She has performed this part over 1,800 times for audiences throughout Canada and Europe. The Young Acadian Singers under the direction of Sister Lorette Gallant, NDSC, and the Notre-Dame du Sacre-Coeur Choir under the direction of Sr. Claudette Melanson, NDSC, also performed for the sisters.

The Federation, originally formed in 1947 to work for the canonization of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, has collaborated on many joint projects through the years including sponsoring the NGO representative and publishing the collected writings of Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton.

The Sisters of Charity Federation in the Vincentian-Setonian Tradition is an association of women’s religious congregations in the United States and Canada which trace their roots to Mother Seton’s 1809 foundation of the Sisters of Charity in Emmitsburg, Maryland, or which follow the rule of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac. The Federation is committed to the Gospel and serving as advocates for the poor, to collaborating and mutual support and to furthering their common heritage rooted in Saints Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac and Elizabeth Ann Seton.

Women Religious Congregations Commit to Joint Endeavors 

Contact: 
Mary Kay Gilbert 513-347-5466 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 16, 2002

Cincinnati — More than 60 leaders from women religious congregations that trace their roots to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac accepted a new vision statement at their annual meeting June 13-16 that emphasizes their commitment to making the world a better place. The leaders represent more than 5,000 women religious in 13 congregations in the United States and Canada that form the Sisters of Charity Federation in the Vincentian-Setonian Tradition. The meeting was hosted by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati and the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy, Charleston, S.C., and was held at Mount St. Joseph, the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.

The leadership members agreed to “embrace the reality of our lives both in the context of membership and mission. And, in solidarity with the poor, to intentionally use our corporate energy as a Federation for witness, advocacy and system change on a global and local level.” 

Originally formed in 1947 to work for the canonization of Elizabeth Seton, the Federation has continued through the years to sponsor joint projects. In conjunction with the acceptance of this vision statement, the Sisters took steps to facilitate their pursuit of the mission: 

• The members gave the Executive Committee the power to hire an administrative assistant to provide ongoing support and a central point of contact for the members. 
• The Sisters agreed to seek a part-time volunteer to assume fiscal responsibilities. Until now there was no centralized financial record keeping for the Federation. 
• Each congregation will assume the costs of the Federation projects according to the number of members in their North American congregations. 
  
  

“Each of the congregations is doing wonderful things to promote the Gospel imperative of love,” said Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Maureen Heverin, Federation president.  “By taking these steps to formalize our commitment to work together, we hope to maximize our efforts, energy and resources. Together we can do more than any one group alone to make the world a more loving, peaceful, equitable place for all people.”

One of the joint endeavors of the Federation has been sponsorship of a non-governmental organization (NGO) representative to the United Nations. Sister of Charity Marie Elena Dio (Halifax, Canada), who has been the NGO representative since 1997, now has an intern working with her in New York, and following last’s year’s approval of additional staff, is adding two associates this summer. Sister Marie Elena works with a committee of representatives from each of the Federation congregations. At the annual meeting the leadership agreed to accept the NGO committee’s recommendation to commit to working “toward the UN Millennium targets of: halving the proportion of people who suffer from hunger and eradicating extreme poverty by 2015.”

The annual meeting also provided the leaders an opportunity for sharing good news about their congregations and celebrating the charism of their founders. Each year the host congregation(s) brings local culture into the meeting. Since both the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati and the Sister of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy, Charleston, S.C., are river towns, water, sand, shells and lighthouses carried out the “Down by the Riverside” theme. A boat ride on the Ohio River Friday night was a perfect blend of celebration and relaxation, and was beautifully punctuated with a double rainbow following a sudden storm.

As the last order of business the members voted on officers for next year: Sister Judith Fitzgerald, NDSC (Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada), president; Sister of Charity of New York Elaine Owens, vice president; Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Maureen Heverin, secretary; and Sister of Charity of Leavenworth Barbara Aldrich, treasurer. The annual meeting for 2003 will be held in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, June 12-15.

The members of the Federation are committed:

• To working collaboratively, sharing their traditions and gifts for the good of the Gospel.
• To participating in social, spiritual and educational experiences that strengthen their identity.
• To further understanding and expression of their common heritage rooted in Vincent, Louise and Elizabeth as expressed in the traditions of the various member congregations.