Overview
As you visit the pages of this web site, we hope that you will have a clearer picture of who the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill are, what we do, and why we do it.
We are an international congregation of women religious who minister primarily in the United States and South Korea, with emerging mission work in China.
Mission, community life, and prayer are integrated in our life and enacted through a variety of public ministries, focusing especially on our abiding concern for the economically poor.
We live our charism of Charity in the tradition of our foundress, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, and in the spirit of our patrons, Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac.
Throughout our more than 135 years of ministry, Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill have served others in humility, simplicity, and charity.
While our ministries are varied, they all are centered on our Mission and values, which we share with you below:
- Informed by Gospel values;
- Responsive to the needs of a changing world;
- Guided by the prudent use of available resources;
- Respectful of human dignity;
- Protective of human rights;
- Devoted especially to the poor and oppressed;
- Rooted in faith;
- Animated by prayer;
- Supported by the common life;
- Performed in humility and charity.
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As part of the ritual marking the acceptance of a postulant, Lindena Brace (now Sister Lindena Louise Brace) lights a candle. Postulancy typically lasts one year. The postulant makes a commitment to live in a Sisters of Charity local community, allowing her to experience the life of a Sister of Charity and engage in active ministry. |
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Sister Moonkyung Park (left) recites initial or first vows during the liturgy celebrating this step in becoming a Sister of Charity of Seton Hill. Sister Marlene Mondalek (right), then a member of Council, witnesses the profession along with Sister Gertrude Foley, then Superior of the Council (not pictured). |
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Sister Karen Cunningham (center) signs a vow card as part of the ritual marking full profession of vows. Sometimes called final vows or permanent vows this is the final step to becoming a Sister of Charity where she makes her perpetual commitment to God through vows of poverty, obedience, and consecrated celibacy. |
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During the liturgy marking full profession, a Sister of Charity of Seton Hill receives a silver ring marked with three crosses. The crosses signify the vows of poverty, obedience, and consecrated celibacy. Here, Sister Vivien Linkhauer (left), Provincial Superior, presents the ring to Sister Laura Coughlin (center), while Sister Grace Hartzog (right), Provincial Councilor, assists in the ceremony. |