Sisters of LifeThe pregnant woman who does not want to be a mother is already a mother".With much prayer and contemplation, the Sisters of Charity of New York have decided to close their doors. We will "pass the torch to our lay colleagues," said Sister Donna Dodge, president of the Sisters of Charity of New York.
A unanimous vote at their recent meeting evoked a sense of sadness, nostalgia and hope. When the names of their predecessors were read, there was no shortage of tears or thanks for the legacy they were to leave behind. "The meeting room facilitator had us sing, 'Where there is charity and love, there God is,'" recalls Sister Dodge.
Past and present
The Sisters of Charity have been a prominent presence in New York since their humble beginnings. Elizabeth Ann Seton, founder of the order, was a widowed Catholic convert and the first American citizen to be canonized.
In 1817, Mother Seton sent three sisters to New York to help the most vulnerable and found an orphanage. Her order grew exponentially in the years that followed. It grew to more than 1,300 sisters. And her call to "respond to the signs of the times" remains in her DNA.
However, they are slowly closing their doors and will continue to look for new ministries, said Sister Dodge, who spoke of their 200-year mission. "I think we are known for responding to the signs of the times as new needs arise, and so when there were unique needs for social services, we responded in different ways to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ. "
In addition to caring for Civil War victims, the Sisters participated in civil rights demonstrations, taught countless children and cared for orphans.
Continuing the legacy
Their mission will continue, and they hope to "maintain the spirit of charity and continue their legacy "beyond us," Sister Dodge said.
He also expressed his confidence in the lay men and women "who do a fantastic job and have a great sense of the charism and spirit of the Sisters of Charity."
Over the years, they opened schools, colleges and hospitals and launched overseas missions in the Bahamas and Guatemala. And nothing has changed: this formidable and impactful group of women continues to serve people on the margins of society, such as immigrants, the homeless and the elderly.
Sister Dodge shared that the decision, while not easy, was "liberating" because we know that everything is in "God's hands."
