What is the connection between Mount Saint Vincent Motherhouse and Mount Saint Vincent University?
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Mount Saint Vincent University, at the foot of the hill in Rockingham (in Halifax, NS) was founded by the Sisters of Charity - Halifax as an Academy in 1873. In 1914 it introduced college courses leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1925, as Mount Saint Vincent College, it was empowered to grant its own degrees. In 1966, the College became Mount Saint Vincent University.
The Sisters of Charity operated this school until 1988 when the ownership of Mount Saint Vincent University was turned over to its board of governors.
The Sisters of Charity are now connected to the University only by their history and by the Sisters' current roles as University Chancellor, as members of the Board of Governors, and as professors.
Mount Saint Vincent Motherhouse is owned and occupied by the Sisters of Charity. It's not part of the university, but is located just next to the campus.
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Are all Sisters with "Charity" in their name related?
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All Sisters share the gift of a call by God to dedication and service, however there are many separate congregations (or orders) to which Sisters can belong. Each congregation has a unique official name, mission and governing structure. The official name of the "Sisters of Charity - Halifax" is Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Halifax.
The shorter, more informal, names are often similar but still signify separate congregations. e.g. Sisters of Charity or Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa's community) or Daughters of Charity.
In North America congregations with the word Charity in them often share a tie with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, who founded the first North American Sisters of Charity in Emmitsburg, MD in 1809.
More information...
Elizabeth Seton, Vincent de Paul, other Sisters of Charity, Our History
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Do all Sisters "work for the Catholic church"?
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The answer to this can be Yes or No. Read on....
If "the church" means "the People of God," then, indeed--we do work for the church, for God's people even beyond the faith traditions of Christianity.
But if "church" means the various jurisdictions and structures of the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic church (parishes, dioceses)--then, some of us do and many of us don't. It all depends on the structure of the Sisters' congregation.
As a "pontifical" or "papal" congregation, the Sisters of Charity - Halifax is guided by Canon (church) Law and the authority of the Pope rather than the local Bishop. This means we are independent with regard to finances and our operations.
"Diocesan" congregations do come under the wings of a diocese, and thus do report to the local Bishop.
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Are sisters "an endangered species?"
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Sisters have become "invisible" in recent years, but does that mean they're gone?
At least in North America, it seems, the number of Sisters is not what it once was in any congregation. Yes, fewer women are making a choice for a lifestyle that appears to be "out of sync" with many of today's social values. Yes, the stalwart Sisters of yesteryear are getting older and passing on. "Endangered species?"
Some form of religious life has been around from the second or third century--almost 2000 years. The way it started out wasn't the way it was known in the middle ages, or the way it appeared before the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. The heart of religious life hasn't changed--only the way it looks on the outside.
So will religious life cease to exist? We don't think so. Will it change its appearance? Probably. In fact, it already seems to be changing. It's becoming evident that the charism--that energy of the heart that is the catalyst for service--is found not only in the hearts of Vowed Religious but in the hearts of lay Associates as well. Perhaps a new form of "religious life or living" is developing?
What about Vowed Members--will they die out? Only when God ceases to call some people to an intense dedication and the kind of lifestyle necessary to support that dedication. The numbers may be smaller but we don't think that God will cease to call some to that way of life.
The God who loves the world will not leave those in need without individuals who will embody Love for them. Of that we are sure.
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How do you Become a Sister of Charity?
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If "making God's love visible" is important to you,
if you want to serve the poor,
if you have sufficient maturity and life experience,
if you think you are being "called" to become a Sister....
More information...
Call to Religious Life.
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What is "Associate of the Sisters of Charity - Halifax?"
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An Associate is a man or woman who journeys with the Sisters through prayer and fellowship without becoming a vowed member of the congregation. For more information, see the Associates web page on this site.
To speak with someone about becoming an Associate, contact a Sister of Charity you know, one of the contacts on the Associates page, or the congregational Director of Communications. They will assist you with information and contacts.
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Why are we called the Sisters of Charity - Halifax, when we minister in other places as well.
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The name, Sisters of Charity - Halifax, is actually a shortened version of the official name, Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Halifax. "Halifax" (a city in Nova Scotia) signifies where we are based--where our Motherhouse is. Even though many congregations have a membership who work all over, their official name usually includes the location of their Motherhouse or central offices.
Members of the Sisters of Charity - Halifax work across Canada, in the eastern United States, Bermuda, Peru and the Domincan Republic.
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