Daughters of Divine Charity

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Advent

Advent

Week 1
Week 1

AN ADVENT CHALLENGE

The first Sunday of Advent marks the end of the liturgical season of ordinary time, and we begin a new liturgical year. In this season of Advent 2023, I propose a challenge.

1. Celebrate Christmas and the Incarnation of Christ with joy; and

2. Reflect on the end of time; and ask if you will be ready when He returns.

Advent is a season of preparation and waiting. Mother Church reminds us during Advent to prepare for Christ's second coming, and to examine our own lives and ask, "Am I ready for my own death? Am I ready for judgment when Christ comes again?"

"Are we laboring to make our lives conform to His?" Thomas A. Kempsis, Page 15, Imitation of Christ.

Bishop Barron explains, "Christianity in a certain sense is a religion of fulfillment. The Lord has come, the Incarnation and the Resurrection have taken place. It's happened already. But in another sense, Christianity is permanently a religion of waiting, because we wait in joyful hope for the second coming of the Lord. That's why there is a permanent Advent quality to the Christian life."

There are 106 references in the Bible to waiting. Most of us, and society at large, does not like to wait. Life is faster than ever, and a sense of immediacy infects every aspect of our lives. Reflect on today's readings, does anything resonate with you?

Isaiah 63:17, "Return for the sake of your servants."

Psalm 80:8, "Give us new life."

First Corinthians 1:6-7, "As the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord, Jesus Christ."

Mark 13:33, "Jesus said to his disciples, 'Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.'"

In His word, we are reminded to be aware of God's presence and to continue in love and faith until he comes again. That is the true meaning of preparing for and celebrating Christmas.

Week 2
Week 3
Week 4

Thanksgiving Message

Thanksgiving Message

Dear Associates, Benefactors and Friends of the Daughters of Divine Charity,

On behalf of the Daughters of Divine Charity I wish to extend our sincerest thanks for your loving support, prayers and generous donations throughout the years.  We send our love and heartfelt wishes for Thanksgiving Day shared with family and friends filled with new memories and many blessings especially good health and happiness. 

May this season of gratitude be felt in each of your homes as we take a moment in silent prayer to thank the Almighty for His countless blessings.  A prayer of gratitude for the loving hands that will prepare the meal that we will gather to share around a table of plenty and for those loved ones who have gone before us but have etched on our hearts their love and cherished memories. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord show you His kindness and have mercy on you.
May the Lord watch over you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26

Remembering you and your intentions in our
Eucharistic Celebration on Thanksgiving Day 2023.
God Bless you and your families.  

With a grateful heart, our love, and prayers,
Sister Mary and Sisters

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Thanksgiving-Message-2

Easter Message

Easter Message

Dear Friends in Christ,

On behalf of the Sisters of St. Joseph Hill Convent and all the Daughters of Divine Charity I take this opportunity to wish you, the Administration, Staff, Families, Alumnae, Associates and Friends of St. Joseph Hill Academy and of the Daughters of Divine Charity a very blessed Easter.  

Our spiritual relationship with Jesus is strengthened by these Sacred Days of Holy Week as we take time to reflect and pray in silence with Jesus on His journey from Jerusalem to Calvary.   These days offer to us, teachable moments in the life of our Savior that remind us of how much Jesus truly loves us.  

May what you have experienced during these faith-filled days of Holy Week help you to celebrate more fully the fifty days of Easter which then leads us to Pentecost and the promise of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  

You are remembered in our daily prayers entrusting all to our Blessed Mother, who experienced the suffering, agony and death of her beloved Son for LOVE of us. 

The Sisters and I thank you for your prayers, love, support and generosity.  May all those who have died during this past year rest in eternal peace.  May the blessings of the Lord guide, protect and be with you and your families not just at Easter but every day “making God’s love visible.”    St. Joseph, intercede for us!

Love and Prayers,
Sister Mary Coffelt, F.D.C.
and all the Daughters of Divine Charity

For God so loved the world,
that He gave
His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him
should not perish,
but have
Eternal life.

John 3:16

easter cross

Happy Easter Everyone!
“For the Lord is truly Risen as He has said.”

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

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!