January - June 2009 Events
Visitors from Livorno: On June 26th, the Sisters hosted several distinguished visitors from Livorno, the NW Italian town that played such an important role in Mother Seton’s life. Don Gino Franchi, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Livorno and a good friend of the Sisters/Daughters of Charity, visited Mount Saint Vincent with Bishop Simone Giusti, Father Casetta, and Deacon Rossi, all from Livorno. After touring the Congregation’s Museum in Boyle Hall, they celebrated Mass in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, and then lunched with the Sisters.
Sister Honored: Sr. Teresita Duque received the Founders’ Award from Saint Vincent’s Hospital for her role in founding the Community Health Program at the hospital. This program ministers to the elderly in their homes and in shelters.
Degree Received: Sr. A. Jean Iannone graduated summa cum laude from Monroe College in New Rochelle with an AAS degree (Associate in Applied Science) in culinary arts, specializing in Baking & Pastry Arts. Sister is a woman of many interests and talents, which she generously shares with others. She has also pursued studies in Media, Photography, Computer Engineering and Web Design.
Seton Spirituality Series: The June 10th reflection by Sr. Ellen Rose O’Connell on the theme “Elizabeth Seton and Eucharistic Presence” anticipated the feast of Corpus Christi and marked the end of this series which began last October. These programs were held after the 12:15pm mass at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary on State Street in lower Manhattan. Sr. Ellen Rose is Director of Mission and Pastoral Care at the John A. Coleman School in White Plains, a branch of the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center.
Old Cathedral Bicentennial: Many Sisters of Charity were on hand to celebrate a milestone in the history of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, NYC’s first cathedral church. A daylong series of events took place on Sunday, June 7th to commemorate the laying of the cornerstone on June 8, 1809. Displays at the School and Convent on Prince Street emphasized the growth of the Church in the 19th century and the role of the Sisters of Charity. The first mission of the Sisters in New York was to care for the children in the parish orphanage. Over the next six years, the Cathedral Church will celebrate other historic milestones of its ministry of worship and service to the community. Learn more about their bicentennial schedule »
Bicentennial Assembly: Sr. Regina Bechtle offered the keynote address at the Daughters of Charity Assembly in Paris, France on June 3rd. Her theme was “Community as a Sign of Prophecy and Hope.” A total of 182 Daughters of Charity representing 78 Provinces and 91 countries gathered at the Motherhouse in Paris for this convocation, which ran May 18 – June 13. The Daughters hold their General Assembly every six years.
Degree Received: Sr. Kathleen Aucoin received her MA in Pastoral Counseling on May 16th from Fordham University. Sister is the Director of Pastoral Care at the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center.
Alumnae Excel: Two one-time students of the Sisters of Charity have achieved great things lately.
• Sonia Sotomayor was taught by the Sisters from grades 1 – 12. She received her elementary education at Blessed Sacrament and her secondary education at Cardinal Spellman HS, both in the east Bronx. Judge Sotomayor was nominated by President Obama to serve as a Justice of the United States Supreme Court on May 26th. • Ursula M. Burns, a graduate of Cathedral HS, was named chief executive officer of Xerox Corp. She has been president of Xerox and a member of the company’s Board of Directors since April 2007. Mrs. Burns will assume her new position on July 1st. She is the first black woman to be CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
This year’s volunteer “sampler” attracted 10 young ladies.They visited and assisted in many of the Congregation’s ministries over two weeks. Sr. Mary Katherine Hamm, SC, coordinated the program this year.
Annual Spring Benefit: Our 2nd fundraiser in support of ministries in service to the materially poor was an enjoyable success. Fr. James Martin, SJ, was the featured speaker on May 7th. He is Culture Editor of America, the national Catholic weekly magazine, and the author of several books, including My Life with the Saints.
Proceeds of the evening benefit various ministries affiliated with the Sisters of Charity whose goals are to improve the lives of the homeless, women in shelters, new immigrants and women in need.
Sisters Interviewed: A reporter for The Bronx Beat, a weekly online video newspaper produced during the spring semester by the students at the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University, interviewed four of our Sisters. Tanangachi Mfuni, originally from Ndola, Zambia, wanted to do a video story on religious women in the Bronx. She came to the Archives one day in April and
interviewed Sisters Regina Bechtle, Connie Brennan, Cecilia Harriendorf and Maria Iglesias. You can
view the video, “Riverdale Sisters Celebrate 200 Years,” online.
Statue Dedicated: Sr. Margaret Beaudette’s work To Do and To Teach was dedicated on April 21st at Iona College. Over 100 students, staff, faculty, administrators and honored guests attended the ceremony on the campus quad. Reverend Frank Dixon, O.Carm., recited a prayer of blessing and sprinkled holy water on the newly-installed sculpture of Blessed Brother Edmund Rice with two students. You can watch Iona’s slide show of photos taken that day.
Sister Honored: Sr. Grace Thérèse Murray was cited for her outstanding dedication to providing residents with weekly Catholic Services at the Skilled Nursing Unit of the Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC). Sister’s Communion Service is also well-attended by Protestants, Jews, Hindus and Jehovah Witnesses who enjoy the prayers and songs. Sr. Grace has been performing this service for 12 years. The recognition came during the facility’s Volunteer Appreciation Week in April. The CRMC is Sullivan County's premier provider of health care services.
Seton Spirituality Series: The fifth program in the Seton Spirituality Series featured Sr. Carol De Angelo, SC, talking on the topic "Elizabeth Seton as Mentor for Caregivers." Sr. Carol is the Director of Mission Integration at St. Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry. The program was held after the 12:15pm mass at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary on State Street in lower Manhattan.
Retreat: "In the Company of Charity..." Sr, Regina Bechtle, Charism Resource Director, and Sr. Jane Iannucelli, Director of Sponsorship Services for the Congregation, provided reflections at an afternoon retreat for alums of the College of Mount Saint Vincent. The program, entitled "In the Company of Charity, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton's Rich Legacy and Influence Today," was followed by a Wine and Cheese Reception.
Seton Spirituality Series: The fourth program in the Seton Spirituality Series focused on "Elizabeth Seton as Educator." Sisters Margaret McEntee and Constance Brennan conducted t he program held after the 12:15pm mass at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary on State Street in lower Manhattan.
Opening Bicentennial Celebration took place at Convent Station, NJ.
Coincided with the opening celebration of the 150th anniversary year of the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth.
Bicentennial Web Site:
In connection with the Bicentennial this year of the founding of the Sisters of Charity by Mother Seton, a special web site has been created. It focuses on the ministries of the four congregations serving in the NY metropolitan area.
Click to learn more about the 2009 celebration
and the Sisters’ work today and yesterday » |
