Vol. 13, No. 1

Emmitsburg, Maryland

Winter 2004

 Seton Founder's Medal Awarded

(Continued from page 1) On April 23, 1992, Dr. and Mrs. William M. Mooney were named affiliates of the Company of the Daughters of Charity allowing them to participate in all their prayers, good works and spiritual merits.

The Catholic Church and every diocese where Bill has lived has profited by his volunteer work. The latest being the Diocese of Harrisburg where he is a Case Assessor for the Marriage Tribunal and teaches in the Religious Education Programs of St. Mary's in Fairfield.

Bill and his wife Theresa were both volunteers at the shrine and served on the Shrine Associate Board. Theresa died in December 2001. Bill continues to volunteer here and is again a board member.

We can never adequately describe the role William Mooney played and continues to play in furthering devotion to our beloved St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

At the Founder's Award Ceremony nine of Bill's ten children not only attended but also participated in the Mass along with two of his daughters-in-law. His two sisters who are Sisters of St. Ursula were readers at the Mass. It was a beautiful, touching family affair.

Edited by Mrs. Sally S. Grandstaff
Shrine Staff

Happenings during the Year of 1804

(Continued from page 2) Three days later New York awoke to the news of the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Hamilton died a few days later and Vice President Burr was disgraced.

As the summer wore on, Elizabeth considered how she would support herself, her children, and the young Setons under her care. John Wilkes, her godmother, Julia Scott, and her sister and brother-in-law supported her through the first months. By December, Wilkes proposed that she accept 20 boarders beginning in the new year.

As the year drew to a close, she had not yet decided to remain in the Episcopal Church or make her profession of faith in the Catholic Church. She continued to pray, read, and take advice on her decision.

Among the famous people born in 1804 were: President Franklin Pierce, novelist Georges Sand, John Deere, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. William Forsyth, English botanist, for whom Forsythia is named, died in that year. In 1804 the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution was ratified; Haiti proclaimed its independence, and Napoleon became Emperor of France.

Sister Eleanor Casey, D.C.
Emmitsburg Province
 
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