Daughters of Divine Charity

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

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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!



 

LENTEN REFLECTIONS++ ASH WEDNESDAY ++




Dear Friends of St. Joseph Retreat Center,

Loving greetings to each of you. It’s hard to believe that a whole year has passed since Covid 19 caused us to close our Retreat Center. 
We had hoped to reopen in March, but that is still not possible. We do feel, however that we will be able to resume our day retreats in the fall. So, please do not lose heart, we are still here for you and hold you deep in our hearts in prayer.

As you know, this week begins our Season of Lent, starting with Ash Wednesday, February 17th.It commemorates the 40 days that Jesus remained in the desert in prayer and fasting, prior to his public ministry. We try to unite with Christ during Lent by making an effort to increase our prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. By doing this, Lent will allow God to help us: Come to new life;Deepen our relationship with God and others; andTransform who we are and how we live.

Thinking back to our time in quarantine for almost a year, I feel most of us have experienced in some way, these three points already. We have felt the pain of being separated from our loved ones and perhaps had more time to turn to God in prayer-for our loved ones and ourselves. All of this may have helped transform our lives in some way for the better.Being deprived of attending Mass has also left a void that perhaps during this Lent we can fill, by attending Mass more often, if possible.

Pope Francis also shares some practical and inspiring ways to fast during Lent:

“It is never too late to give something up for Lent.Nor is there a rule that prevents you from changing your fasting habits during Lent.And so, if you want to fast this Lent:

Fast from hurting words and say kind wordsFast from sadness and be filled with gratitudeFast from anger and be filled with patienceFast from pessimism and be filled with hopeFast from worries and trust in GodFast from complaints and contemplate simplicityFast from pressures and be prayerfulFast from bitterness and fill your heart with joyFast from selfishness and be compassionate to othersFast from grudges and be reconciledFast from words and be silent so you can listen”

May this Lenten Season bring you closer to Christ and each other.
Know that I and all the Sisters continue to remember you daily in our prayers.

Until we can be be together again, let us meet each other in the Heart of Christ and there, pray for one another.

Lovingly yours in Christ, 
Sister Josita DiVita, F.D.C.

Plans for Reopening

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Remembering Sister Mary Thomas Dean, F.D.C.

Sister Mary Thomas Dean F.D.C. went home to the Lord on Wednesday, November 1, 2017, Feast of All Saints. Sister professed her Vows on August 16, 1951. In August 1956 she professed her Final vows, on the day of the Feast of the Assumption to honor her special devotion to Our Lady.

Sister Thomas taught mostly third grade from 1949 to 1975. In her dedication to educating primary     students, she moved several times. This gave her the opportunity to serve in almost all the states where the Daughters of Divine Charity taught in parish schools, including New York, New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan.

Regardless of where Sister was teaching, students and parents often expressed their appreciation for her attentiveness, love and understanding. She had a unique ability  both to  challenge her students and reassure them, instilling a lasting confidence.

Sister said she owed in part her religious vocation to her dear parents who provided her and her brother and sister with love and good  example. She also credited her cousin, Sister M. Kornelijz F.D.C., as an     inspiration.

Those that had the privilege of knowing Sister Thomas knew her to be a gracious and grateful woman. During her illness, whenever anyone did anything to help her or make her comfortable, she always said, “Thank you” with a true gratitude and a warmth that made her caretakers all the more attentive.

Throughout her religious life as a member of the Daughters of   Divine Charity, Sister Thomas gave as much as she could. Generous with her time and talents, she sought opportunities to meet the needs of her Sisters. Many recall that despite the responsibilities she took on, Sister always had a calm and pleasant demeanor.