The following was found on the SCN website: A prayer distributed after the Boston Marathon Bombing by Sister Maureen Taafe, SCN, Pastoral Associate at St. John Chrysosdom’s  Parish in West Roxbury, MA.

Related to the Boston Marathon Bombing, click here to read a heart-warming article which features the work of Hospital Chaplains in the area hospitals and includes a mention of S. Maryanne Ruzzo at Boston Medical Center.

Efforts to Bring Trafficking Awareness to Derby Participants

As we on the East Coast consider strategies to draw attention to the connection between SUPER BOWL XLVIII  being held in NJ  on February 2, 2014  and human trafficking, we find that our Sisters in Kentucky are educating people around the issue before the most exciting 2 minutes in sports, the  Kentucky Derby.

From Courier-Journal.com Julie Driscoll of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth led the group in a prayer for “the energy to continue trying to eliminate this horrible evil from our city and state and from the world.

Dozens of people, including many women in Roman Catholic religious orders, rallied at Jefferson Square Park on Tuesday afternoon to raise awareness of a potential spike in illegal human trafficking during Derby Week.

Activists seeking to combat trafficking say major national sporting events can attract tourists trolling for prostitutes, including cases in which women and underage girls are coerced into selling sex … from the Louisville Courier-Journal.com website.

Sisters of Charity Convent Station
First Lay President at the College of St. Elizabeth

The College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE) Board of Trustees is pleased to announce it has appointed Dr. Helen J. Streubert, as its seventh president. Dr. Streubert will succeed Sister Francis Raftery, S.C., Ed.D., who is completing her term and ministry at the College on June 30, 2013, after 38 years of service with 16 years of excellent and inspired leadership as the College’s president. Currently Dr. Streubert is Vice President of Academic Affairs for Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. She will be the first lay president in the 114-year history of the College of Saint Elizabeth.

Long Distance Associate Relationships

Mississippi Seton Associates, led by Carlos Ann Sanders, work as a group in serving those living in poverty. Member Christie Wilson of Amory sent the following email on February 8, 2013:

“A group of about 30 women from northeast Mississippi converged on the Sacred Heart Monastery in Cullman, AL, the first weekend of February for our annual women’s retreat. Led by Sisters of Charity Kathy Quigley and Marie Gilligan, the retreat’s theme was “Soul Light Shine Bright.” Most of the women who attended the retreat are Seton Associates who have forged a lasting and committed relationship with the Sisters of Charity.

“The Mississippi Setons live 1,068 miles away from the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse and it is not logistically possible for them to attend regular Seton Associate gatherings in New Jersey. That is why the annual women’s retreat is so vital to helping them keep their soul lights burning bright.

Go to their website for more details and to look at Just Love, Father Terry Moran’s Monthly Newsletter:

Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception-New Brunswick

Recognition by the YMCA-YWCA of St. John’s

Photo: Rod Stears

SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick – Sister Mary Beth McCurdy, Congregational Leader (left), accepted the 2013 Red Triangle award on behalf of all the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception (SCIC) in Canada, Peru and Ireland.  The YMCA-YWCA of Greater Saint John held a gala fund-raising dinner April 17 that drew about 500 people and raised more than $55,000 in support of its Strong Kids campaign, providing vital programs for children and youth.  Symbolizing health in body, mind and spirit, the Y’s Red Triangle award recognizes outstanding community service.  Presenting the award were New Brunswick Lieutenant- Governor Graydon Nicholas (centre) and retired Canadian senator Erminie Cohen (right).

Expressing gratitude, Sister Mary Beth recognized that both the local Y and the SCIC were established in Saint John in 1854 to focus on “the care and well-being of children, the vulnerable and the creation of strong, caring communities.”  The theme of the 2013 gala was “Connecting our Community since 1854.”  Two Sisters who once served at the Y with newcomers offered a blessing to all gathered.  Thirty Sisters who were present then sang a refrain of hope and goodwill for Earth and for all.

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal Goes to Spiritual Director and Aids Activist

Photo: David Nickerson

FREDERICTON, New Brunswick — Sister Margaret Rose Nickerson (centre) received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service at Government House here Feb. 15.  It was presented by New Brunswick Lieutenant-Governor Graydon Nicholas (left).  On right is Sister Mary Beth McCurdy, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception (SCIC).  Sister “Nicky” entered the SCIC in 1961.  She ministers as a spiritual director with Audite Centre for Spiritual Growth in Saint John, N.B.  For 20 years, she has served in an outreach position at AIDS Saint John.  A former educator and parish associate, Sister Nicky has also long served in volunteer parish outreach ministry.  Joining her for the medal ceremony and celebration were family members and friends, including Sister Rosemary Costley of Saint John.

Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati
Free Health Care Clinic Moves to a New Location

The Good Samaritan Free Health Center of Price Hill in Cincinnati Ohio opened in 2011 through a network of community agencies including Santa Maria Community Services and Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati. The center is a medical home for uninsured and non-Medicaid/Medicare eligible adults. In this area 43% of the residents are uninsured. S. Barbara Hagedorn serves as coordinator of client services. Click here to learn more about the center and how it promotes  prevention, treatment and wellness.

Daughters of Charity Province of the West

The Daughters of Charity, Province of the West, were among the recipients of the 2013 Loaves & Fishes Award for Faith in Action sponsored by Catholic Charities CYO. The 16th Annual Dinner and Gala was held at the St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco, and recognized 650 Women Religious from 48 congregations working in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.  The Daughters of Charity, who first arrived in San Francisco in 1852, were honored for their vital role in building hospitals, schools, orphanages, homes for the elderly, and other charity institutions. Sr. William Eileen Dunn, DC, (center of photo) accepted the award on behalf of her Community. The popular event welcomed a record-breaking crowd of 500 guests and raised $500,000 in donations, the largest amount in its history.

Company of Charity Formation Personnel Annual Meeting (CCFP)

The 2013 annual meeting of the Company of Charity Formation Personnel (CCFP) was hosted by the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill (Greensburg, Pa.) April 3-7. Associate directors and Vocation, Affiliate, Novice and Temporary Professed directors from SC Federation congregations heard and discussed presentations around the theme “Blessings of Vatican II: Moving Forward in Hope.”

Federation Grassroots-Vancouver

Some 20 sisters and 20 associates from Federation Congregations up and down the west coast – from California to Alaska, from Vancouver Island to Alberta – gathered at Rosemary Heights Retreat House in Surrey BC this past weekend (April 19-21, 2013).

Three presenters anchored the time together – Sr. Julie Cutter DC, the Executive Director of the Federation, Sr. Kieran Kneaves DC, and Regina Bechtle SC-NY.  With many coming confused or uninformed about who this Federation is that the sisters talk about, Julie gave an overview of how and why the Federation came to be, and its present members, structure and goals.  She visually laid out the extent – as wide as the world! – of the Federation member communities at the present time, and in another presentation highlighted the current projects and concerns that form the corporate work of the Federation today. .. Kieran, using the bell curve diagram of the life span of an organization – the same visual tool that she had used in other Grassroots Gatherings – refreshed the memory of many about the lifecycle of congregations and similiar entities. It proved to be a very useful new tool for associates and some sisters, enabling them to make sense of the happenings of present and past.

See more on SC Federation Website.

MacMillan , Sister

Sister Frances received her B.A. from Mount Saint Vincent University and later her M.Ed from St. Michael’s College.   Sister began her teaching career in Quebec and continued in Dorchester, MA before returning to Nova Scotia.  Sister taught in schools throughout Nova Scotia for 25 years before becoming a principal.  Sister held this position for 19 years before retiring in 1983.  Her remarkable career in education spanned over 40 years.  Sister continued to minister within her community of Mount Saint Vincent Motherhouse.  In 2005 she spent a brief time at Parkstone Enhanced Care before moving to Caritas Residence in 2008.  Sister moved back to Parkstone Enhanced Care in March of this year.

She was predeceased by sisters Elizabeth Frances and Sister Rita Gertrude, SC; and by brothers Thomas and Joseph.  She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

The body will be in Caritas Residence, with visitation Friday, May 3 from 3-7 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 4, at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Chapel of Caritas Residence.  Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville, NS.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Charity Ministry Fund.

Sister Rose Alma received a BA from Mount Saint Vincent University.  She began her teaching ministry in Roxbury, Mass. where she spent two years.  She then went to Hamilton, Bermuda where she ministered for a brief time.  This assignment was followed by six years in Quebec, QC.  The rest of her teaching career was spent in Nova Scotia with the exception of four years in New Jersey.

All of this time comprised a total of forty-one years.  Sister Rose Alma spent two years in California studying in preparation for Pastoral Ministry.  Besides her work in education, Sister also ministered to alcoholics for a short time, was a member of Family Life Local Board United Appeal in British Columbia, served as a librarian, was a hospital visitor, did volunteer pastoral care at Northwood, was a part- time assistant to the congregational provincial treasurer, and was engaged in several other volunteer works up until 1995, the date of her retirement and move to Mount Saint Vincent Motherhouse.  In 2003, she went to DePaul Hall at Parkstone Enhanced Care for a brief period before going to Caritas Residence in Halifax.  Sister Rose Alma is survived by many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her sisters Margaret and Sister Clare Margaret, SC; and by her brother, Michael.  The body will be in Caritas Residence with visitation from 3 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 24, at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Chapel of Caritas Residence.  Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville, NS.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Charity Ministry Fund.

Click here to download the text of the prayer service.

As you view the photos, scroll down to read the blessing of each space.

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S. Maureen began her career as a first grade teacher, and then switched to nursing in 1973, spending most of her time in Pediatrics. She officially retired from nursing in 2005 but says, “I wasn’t just going to sit down”, so the school nurse position was a good fit for her.

S. Maureen says these last seven years have been the happiest of her working life. “I enjoyed all the other things I did, but I really enjoy the kids in my elder years.”

Saint Francis of Assisi School has about 300 students from Mommy and Me to Grade 8. S. Maureen is responsible for them all. She does everything you’d expect a school nurse to do: she does charts, administers medication when required, keeps track of immunizations and the nutrition status of each child, conducts asthma management classes, teaches good hygiene and, finally, tries to quell the students’ fears of nurses and doctors.

“I was surprised at how little the children knew about certain things, when the started school,” she says. “Some parents really never taught them about the importance of washing hands or how to cough and sneeze into their elbow rather than into their hands.” She’s also surprised at the student’s innocence. “You can tell what’s going on with some; either they don’t want to be in the classroom for some reason or there is a test coming,” she says. “On Mondays, I get more patients because they’re so tired; they just want to sleep and they thing they’re sick.”

S. Maureen also talks about the students who come back all the time. “You’re ready to say ‘come on now’, and you take their temperature and it’s 102!”

S. Maureen keeps up to date on best practices. She attends conferences and there’s always a week of learning and review before the beginning of the year, for school nurses in the area. S. Maureen is impressed by the camaraderie that exists among nurses.

Her office reflects her personality and practice. It’s full of brightly-coloured posters about proper hand washing and nutrition with some inspirational quotes thrown in. She’s located next to Mommy and Me and Pre-school classrooms, so she gets to know them very well, an aspect she loves.

“The school is very family oriented. Everyone works as a team and I was really accepted right into the team from the very beginning,” she says.

The Answer to How Is Yes: Acting On What Matters (2003) is the title of a book by Peter Block. In the book’s introduction the author says that sometimes the question “how” is an obstacle to moving forward. He suggests putting a moratorium on that question and suspects that we will move into the change that is required without knowing the answer. The Federation Strategic Plan offers some powerful ideas about who we want to be together as a Charity Federation. In the Grassroots gatherings, attendees often say they know there is something that speaks of “family” when we gather.  Building relationships, renewing old ones, asking questions that come from a character shaped by the charism that’s why we want to keep connected. Perhaps this is what we need to build on to act as a whole. It might be the Vincentian Way to trust that God is already leading us to act as a whole. It remains for us to acknowledge and deepen the Spirit’s activity in our Charity family.

Sisters of Charity Leavenworth

Laurie Parker (left) is the newest candidate of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL). She is joined at the reception following her welcoming rite by Sister Jeanne Marie Zeugin who at 98 years has been an SCL for 80 years.

Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati- Violence Against Women Symposium

The Office of Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation hosted the Violence Against Women Symposium April 4, 2013, at the Xavier University Schiff Banquet and Conference Center. Over 600 Guests were inspired by the words of S. Joan Chittister, OSB, a best-selling author and well-known international lecturer on topics of justice, peace, human rights, women’s issues, and contemporary spirituality in the Church and in society. S. Joan told of women who had been or are currently victims of violence all over the world. To find out more go to http://www.srcharitycinti.org/

Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth-Partners in Mission Celebrated at Convent Station

On Friday, the 15th of March, Sisters of Charity employees serving at Convent Station gathered in Holy Family Chapel to celebrate being our Partners in Mission. It was good to see so many from every department gather and participate in the prayer. Sister Marilyn Thie welcomed everyone in the name of Sister Rosemary Moynihan and the Council. Sister Rosemary joined us with her welcome via DVD. Following the prayer, all gathered in the dining room for light refreshments and a time to relax and enjoy each other’s company. This concluded the Sister of Charity “Thank you” (symbolized by the bookmarks) to our faithful Partners in Mission here at Convent Station.

Sister Ellen Dauwer, Sister Elizabeth McLaughlin.

Sister Jean Stabile and partners in Mission.

Sister Rosemary Moynihan’s “Thank you, thank you, and thank you!” rang out in the dining room in the Sisters of Charity’s Motherhouse on the afternoon of Monday, March 11th. The Sisters of Charity were welcoming and showing their gratitude to the Sisters of Christian Charity of Mendham for their hospitality to them during Hurricane Sandy. When Sister Rosemary called Sister Joan Daniel Healy, the Provincial Superior of the Sisters of Christian Charity, to ask her if she would be willing to house some of our sisters until the power and heat was returned to the Motherhouse, her response was, “How fast can you get here?” Seventeen Sisters of Charity stayed in the Sisters of Christian Charity Motherhouse until the power at Convent was restored.

The dining room was filled with music and laughter as the sisters celebrated together and enjoyed each other’s company! Below are some photos from the celebration!

(L TO R) Sister Mary Edward Spohrer, Chancellor/Delegate for Religious; Sister Joan Daniel Healy, Provincial Superior of the Sisters of Christian Charity; Sister Rosemary Moynihan, General Superior of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth.  (Seated) Blessed Pauline and Mother Xavier.

DC Western Province-Systemic Change and the United Nations NGO Committee Questionnaire

The Daughters of Charity, Province of the West contributed to a recent follow up survey request from Sr. Evelyne Franc in regards to the 2009 UN NGO Committee on Social Development questionnaire. The purpose of the survey was to highlight a systemic change project that has proven successful. The Health Benefits Resource Centers (HBRC), located in all five Daughters of Charity Health System hospitals, was selected.  HBRCs are free, one-stop information and referral services linking patients to government-sponsored health benefits, social services and community programs. DCHS opened its first HBRC at St. Francis Medical opened its first HBRC at St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood in 1998, and has expanded the programs to St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles in 2008; Saint Louise Regional Hospital, Gilroy in 2009; O’Connor Hospital, San Jose in 2010; and to Seton Medical Center, Daly City in 2012. Highly-trained associates assist patients in a number of languages including English, Spanish and Tagalog. Services continue to expand to include nutritional programs, educational and social service program enrollment and referrals, retention and utilization assistance, case management and a revenue recovery program. A medical-legal partnership was initiated in 2010 in one HBRC to address the root causes of poor health outcomes, such as housing issues and denials or appeals of government benefits. Programs will expand to all hospitals as funding becomes available.

Sr. Marjory Ann Baez Named Recipient of the Archbishop Alemany Award

Sr. Marjory Ann Baez, Visitatrix, Daughters of Charity, Province of the West, has been named a recipient of the 2013 Archbishop Alemany Award sponsored by the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology. Along with four other local women religious, Sr. Marjory Ann will be recognized due to her dedicated service to the Church and community for which her congregation was founded. The award is given to men and women in memory of Joseph Sadoc Alemany, OP, the first Archbishop of San Francisco. On August 18, 1852, at the invitation of Archbishop Alemany, the Daughters of Charity arrived in San Francisco from New York. Immediately they opened an orphanage and school and, later, an infirmary and home for infants.

Federation Grassroots

NY Metro Grassroots Meeting - On Saturday March 23, 2013 the Charity Federation Grassroots in the NY metro area met  in Convent Station to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the council with a daylong seminar called Vatican II- Memory and Reform-Revisiting the Council, Revisiting our Charism. Over a hundred Sisters and Daughters of Charity, associates and friends gathered to be energized and challenged by Maureen Sullivan OP, a theology professor at St. Anselm’s in NH.(see FAM VIN for more)

Baltimore Grassroots Meeting. Sixteen Daughters gathered for input and conversation using dvd’s from the 2011 Federation Sponsored Grassroots Meeting. Talks included the history of the Federation by Mary Ann Daly,SCNY, one featuring Regina Bechtle SCNY and another with Kieran Kneaves DC.

United Nations and You

The United Nations Global Survey for a better world lists sixteen issues that could make a difference in the lives of people living in poverty if they were addressed.  They are all important and all connected. Cj Willie’s post offers each of us a chance to weigh in about what it important to us, so that our views can be taken into account in a global conversation. Speak up!

• The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have made a huge impact on the lives of billions, but there is still much more to be done to address extreme poverty, diseases and environmental crises.
• The global development agenda for the period after 2015 will build on the progress made on the MDGs while confronting persistent inequalities and new challenges facing people and the planet.
• The UN and the Secretary General’s High Level Panel on post-2015 want to hear directly from people across the world about what is important to them, so that their views can be taken into account in a global conversation.

What Is MY World?

• It is an options survey which allows people across the world to tell the United Nations, and in particular the Secretary General’s High Level Panel, the most important issues they would like the post-2015 agenda to address. MY World asks individuals which six of sixteen possible issues they think would make the most difference in their lives. The sixteen issues have been built up from the priorities expressed by people living in poverty in existing research and polling exercises, and from the ongoing technical and political discussions about possible future goals.
• The issues are:

100         Action taken on climate change

This means that governments should take on binding commitments to reduce carbon emissions to levels which can keep the global temperature rise below 2 degrees, and invest in adaptation measures particularly involving vulnerable communities

101         Better transport and roads

This means that transport and roads should be improved so that people can move freely and easily to visit their friends and families, find new economic opportunities and use the services they need

102     Support for people who can’t work

This means that every person should have enough money to live on, either through employment or government help. When people can’t work, or are affected by events like natural disasters or economic crises, governments should make sure that they and their families won’t go hungry, children won’t drop out of school, and they can get the healthcare and other essential services they need

103         Access to clean water and sanitation

This means that every person should have access to safe water for drinking, cooking and washing, and access to sanitation

104         Better healthcare

This means that good quality health services should be available to everyone when they need treatment. Efforts should be made to reduce the impact of infectious and other chronic diseases. Both the funding and the organization of health systems should suit the needs of the country and its citizens

105         A good education

This means that all children should have a high quality primary and secondary education that equips them for employment and an enjoyable life. Governments and the private sector should work together to provide opportunities for lifelong learning and skills development for adults

106         An honest and responsive government

This means that governments should be effective, transparent, accountable and not corrupt. People should have a say on what the government’s priorities should be, and confidence that they will implement those priorities competently. Governments should agree and implement standards for making information available to all people on how public money is spent

107         Phone and internet access

This means that governments and the private sector should make sure that everyone has access to a minimum level of communications technology to get online information and participate in social networks

108         Reliable energy at home

This means that all family members should have reliable and affordable electricity or other sources of energy at home for lighting, heating and cooking. More of that energy should be sustainably generated

109         Affordable and nutritious food

This means that everyone should get the food they need. No person in the world should be constantly hungry, and no person should become malnourished, especially pregnant women and children aged less than two

110         Protecting forests, rivers and oceans

This means that natural resources should be looked after, because people depend on them for food, fuel and other resources. Governments should agree on plans to reduce pollution in oceans and rivers, plant new forests and preserve existing ones, and move towards sustainable agriculture and food systems. Global agreements should protect biodiversity and fragile ecosystems

111         Protection against crime and violence

This means that all people should expect to live in a community that protects them from the threat of crime and violence. This should include domestic violence and sexual assault against women and girls. Every person should be able to get justice through a court or other system if they are victims of a crime

112         Political freedoms

This means that every person should be able to play a part in political processes in their own country, including through voting and forming or joining political parties. People should be able to exercise freedom of expression including through free media. People should be able to join and participate in trade unions and all aspects of civil society including diverse forms of civic engagement and voluntary action

113         Freedom from discrimination and persecution

This means that no person in the world should have their economic, social or political opportunities limited because of their race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual preference, or for any other reason, and that no person should fear for their personal safety for the same reasons

114         Equality between men and women

This means that men and women should have the same rights and opportunities. Boys and girls should have equal access to school and the same quality of education; men and women should stand the same chance of getting elected to parliaments, have the same chances to be involved in political and social life, and experience the same opportunities and rewards in the workplace

115         Better job opportunities

This means that governments and private sector companies should do more to make sure that everyone can find a job where they earn a decent wage, and can contribute and feel valued as a productive member of society

There is a space at the bottom by the + sign to record any issue you think is important and not listed.

The survey is designed so that we can track how many of our members have participated. Go to partner.myworld2015.org  Our ID is charity and our password is 1234. My name will appear but that is only because I registered the organization. Fill in the personal information requested and then click on the “my priority” tabs and list the numbers that are important to you. These are not rank ordered so it doesn’t matter in which order you place your numbers. If there is an issue you feel strongly about and do not see listed, add it under the + sign.

If you do not have access to a computer you are still urged to participate. Simply send me your name, date of birth, country, state or province, educational level and your priorities by “snail” mail and I will input the information for you or ask someone you know who has computer access to input it for you.