Daughters of Divine Charity

Together We Live in the Legacy that is the Daughters of the Divine Charity

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Happy Feast of St. Joseph

Daughters of Divine Charity Holy Family Province
Wishing Everyone a Blessed and Happy Feast of St. Joseph

“All Sisters have an unending trust in our holy Father Joseph.  Besides the Mother of our Lord he was confident and is also our greatest advocate and protector.  May this love and this trust never be diminished in the Sisters of the Congregation.”  
(Chronicle, I., November 1, 1876)  

Memorare to St. Joseph

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession was left unaided.  Full of confidence in your power I come to you and beg your protection.  Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my petitions, but in your goodness, hear and answer me.

Amen.   

May St. Joseph guard and protect our families as he did the Holy Family.
St. Joseph, Intercede for us!  

Remembering you in our daily prayers! 

God Bless and keep you in His loving embrace, 
Sister Mary and Sisters

New Chairs will Make a World of Difference

New Chairs will Make a
World of Difference to Our Sisters.
Will You Help Us Today?

Support Our Sisters!

I hope this letter finds you in good spirits as we prepare for the coming Paschal banquet.

Lent is such a special time for those of our faith. A time to contemplate and reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for us. As Sisters, this is a time when we focus on mediation. Our communal prayers reflect on the gifts we have shared through our lives and celebrate all those whom we have been able to share God's love with through teaching, nursing, and helping those that could not help themselves.

There is also something special about the seasonal change that occurs during Lent. As the weather begins to warm and flowers begin to bloom, many of the Sisters can often be heard praying in the communal living room or meditating in the gardens. With nearly every Sister in our convents now retired or receiving full-time aid from healthcare professionals, there is a sense of peace and calm knowing they can spend their days in quiet comfort. They are so thankful to all those that contributed to making their homes comfortable and inviting over the years.

Recently the Sisters noticed that despite their efforts to take exceptional care of things like their recliners and dining room chairs, the wear and tear over the last decade is beginning to show. Combined with the changing needs of the elderly Sisters that need strong armrests and chairs that are best suited for their current physical challenges, the Sister who serves as the Convent Administrator, Sister Regina has asked for assistance to replace 35 dining room chairs and 4 recliners. Sister Regina has researched the best available options and is taken aback at the cost of these items. The price of each dining room chair is $275 and the recliners range from $400 to $500.

These are very simple items that greatly alter life in the convent. Being able to confidently rise from the dining room chairs, allowing more Sisters to join the community for shared meals. Otherwise, they hesitate to leave their bedroom leaving them to eat alone or with their health assistant. Appropriate seating in a living room brings all the Sisters together not just for social events but community prayer and discussion.

At this time, I ask that you consider making a donation to our Sisters' new seating. We hope to have all our replacements as soon as possible.

We appreciate your support and thank you for considering our needs.

May St. Joseph continue to bless you.

Yours in prayer,
Sister M. William McGovern, FDC

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week

The Sisters and I would like to send our heartfelt greetings to the Administration, Staff, Parents, Students and Alumnae as we join the nationwide celebration of Catholic Schools Week!

Our educational journey here on this beautiful campus of St. Joseph Hill Academy began with a dream of the Daughters of Divine Charity in 1913 as our Pioneer Sisters answered the call to come to America, to New York and the busy metropolitan city of Manhattan.  Bravely immigrating to the United States to meet the needs of God’s people in serving women, youth and the elderly.  Meeting life’s many challenges along the way and yet keeping their vision fixed on their mission of “making God’s love visible” by spreading the Gospel message of Jesus, their Catholic faith through service and example.

This mission led Mother Kotska Bauer, in 1919 to purchase this beautiful piece of property which today is the site of our Provincial House and School known throughout Staten Island as St. Joseph Hill Academy.

The legacy of the Daughters of Divine Charity continues in the outstanding educational opportunities given to our students today.  The journey over the years has evolved and has become a strong innovative place for students of all faiths to learn, excel and be prepared for life wherever that may lead them beyond the halls of St. Joseph Hill Academy.

May this week of celebration remind us all of the importance of our Catholic Education which is rooted in our faith, values, traditions and virtues while developing the spiritual, educational, physical and social development of every student. 

This could not be accomplished without acknowledging and thanking the leadership of our principals, school board, administrators, teachers, staff and many others who each day strive and encourage our students to reach their highest good “Summun Bonum.” 

We, the Daughters of Divine Charity, take this opportunity to thank our families, alumnae, benefactors and many others within our community for supporting our educational programs, renovations and igniting new initiatives benefiting the students and giving future generations of Hilltoppers a place to call HOME.  

We have much to be proud of here at St. Joseph Hill Academy.   We have been blessed in knowing so many families throughout the years and our students have in  turn given back in service to the communities in which they now live.   Have a great Catholic Schools Week celebrating your achievements, creating new memories and having fun.   The Sisters pray for you each day asking St. Joseph our patron to guide, direct and protect our families and one another.  May you continue on this journey of life-long learning with faith and trust that Jesus is with you always.

With love, prayer and gratitude,
God Bless You All!
Sister Mary and Sisters

Preparing For Christmas

PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS

Fall 2022

Prayers for the holidays

For many, we are approaching "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Christmas is a season of celebrations rooted in the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ.

There are signs everywhere to get us into the holiday spirit as early as August. From retail stores and special promotions by email and mail, every brand is competing for our attention. Everyone proclaims theirs is the top item of the year and we must buy it today to send loved ones the latest and greatest gift.

But here in our convent, things are not noisy or distracting. The Sisters have reached the stage of their lives where even at this time of year there is quiet. They can concentrate on Advent, which is the Church’s spiritual preparation for Christmas. Because we wait until December to decorate there are no major distractions. There is little planning and prepping for the holiday. For most Sisters in our convents their families are either far away or have already passed. So, this season can feel a bit empty without our prayers and Advent reflections.

As women who have devoted their lives to Christ and serve those in need, our Sisters cherish their memories of students and patients. They share warm recollections of close friends and often pray to thank God for a full life.

What keeps the Sisters most inspired during this time are the small acts of kindness so many of you perform: Christmas cards and blessings by mail; emails and cards with pictures of former students and friends sharing holidays with friends. Please continue to send us news of your loved ones, and share your intentions and pray with us during this beautiful time of year.

We all have so much to be grateful for, to cherish during these upcoming weeks, especially all that you have given us and continue to do for us.

Gratefully yours,


Sister M. William McGovern, FDC

P.S. Thank you for your steadfast support of all our endeavors throughout the years. Any gift you can make at this time is greatly appreciated by all of our Sisters.

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas!



 

The Daughters of Divine Charity have a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Join us in prayer on Friday, June 24, 2022 in recognition of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Feast Day.

In 1675, Jesus told St. Margaret Mary that He wanted the Feast of the Sacred Heart to be celebrated on the Friday after the Corpus Christi octave. In 1856, the Feast of the Sacred Heart became a universal feast.

St. John Paul II, a great devotee of the Sacred Heart, said, “This feast reminds us of the mystery of the love of God for the people of all times.”

Dear Friends of the Sisters,

Today we are reaching out to you with humbled hearts!

The response to our urgent appeal for a repair to the HVAC system in the Chapel of the convent at Francesca Residence in Akron, Ohio has been overwhelming. Although we have not reached our goal yet, we are confident that we will before the end of June. Fortunately, this means the work can begin before the next heat wave.

Our residents and our Sisters in Akron are extremely grateful to all that have made a donation towards this project.

If you have not been able to send a gift yet, please consider doing so today. Our online donation page is available here. If you prefer, you may mail a gift made out to the Daughters of Divine Charity to 850 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10305.

Thank you again for your generosity. As a special thank you to our donors, the Sisters ask that you join us in prayer on Friday, June 24, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. in celebration of the Scared Heart of Jesus. This is a special day for the Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Charity.

Did you know our Sisters have a great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus? When founding the congregation, Mother Franciska Lechner dedicated it to the solemnity of Jesus. The original face of their medal was the image of Jesus’s Sacred Heart. This image also appears through the artwork of the convents. And for each Sister, this depiction holds a special place in their hearts and hands, as it is the image on the rings the Sisters received when they professed their vows.

To all our friends and supporters, thank you for the blessing you have been to our Sisters. Praying for you and your loved ones, knowing you are praying with us and for us, gives us the strength to continue our ministry.

May the Holy Family continue to bless you!

Gratefully yours in Christ,
The Daughters of Divine Charity

April 17th – Easter Sunday – ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!

He has risen!

           Jesus’ mission was completed and now there is a new life for all men and women. We have listened to God’s word and prayed. How will we live our faith more fully? Can the actions we undertook during Lent be carried forward? How can we remove the obstacles that keep us from a greater spiritual life?

            Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.

            For His mercy endures forever…

            I shall not

die, but live and declare the works of the Lord.