In celebration of Sabbath and pilgrimage, two
special Jubilee themes, leaders representing the 13 member congregations
of the Sisters of Charity Federation in the Vincentian-Setonian
Tradition met June 9-12 at St. Joseph’s Provincial House in Emmitsburg.
The purpose of the Federation is two-fold:
1) to bring together in love and friendship the various congregations
that trace their origin to Saint Elizabeth Seton’s foundation in
Emmitsburg in 1809 and those congregations which have requested
membership in the Federation who derive their spirit and charisma from Saint Vincent de Paul, and 2) recognizing the primary inspiration
and charisma of the Federation to be Setonian, the member congregations
seek to work together in common efforts to deepen their understanding
of the charism of charity.
Leading the list of topics discussed
was the "Declaration on Behalf of the Poor." This document,
promulgated by the sisters, priests, and laity of the worldwide
Vincentian family will be published in local diocesan newspapers
in celebration of the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul on September
27. Sponsored by the national office of the St. Vincent de Paul
Society, the advertisement seeks to raise public awareness of the
plight of the poor and the work done by the member congregations
of the Sisters of Charity Federation and the entire Vincentian family.
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In an effort to broaden its influence and visibility,
at the United Nations, the federation’s NGO (Non Governmental Organization)
is making application for consultative status with the Economic
and Social Council. According to the federation’s NGO representative,
Sr. Marie Elena Dio, the federation’s NGO focus in 2000-2001 will
be to enter into a "culture of solidarity with those who are
poor, with a specific emphasis on debt cancellation and sweatshop
issues."
The Federation has been sponsoring the
publication of the complete writings of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
The first volume, Elizabeth Bayley Seton Collected Writings, 1793-1808,
will be available August 2000. |
Subsequent
volumes will be published in the next few years. Volume Two will
include Seton correspondence from 1809 through 1820. Volume Three
will include meditations, instructions, translations, and related
documents.
A work in progress since 1995, the Committee
also has compiled and published an annotated list of all Elizabeth
Seton’s writings according to repository in Vincentian Heritage
(www.depaul.edu/~vstudies).
The Seton Legacy III Committee announced
plans for its symposiums to be held in the year 2001. The Seton
Legacy Symposium invites those who do serious study of Elizabeth
Seton to share
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Singing
Shepherd Me, O God, based on Psalm 23, Mother Seton’s favorite psalm,
representatives of the federation pause for prayer in the sacred space
of the original cemetery of the Sisters of Charity. Proceeding from
the Altar of Relics of Saint Elizabeth Ann to the various historic sites
in Saint Joseph’s Valley, the progressive evening prayer included moments
of prayerful reflection at the Stone House, the White House, the Mortuary
Chapel, and Mother Seton’s Well. The day culminated with a festive gathering
at Toms Creek.
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