Prior to being elected President of the Congregation in 2003, Sr. Dorothy served as a Regional Coordinator for eight years. Before her ministry in congregational leadership, Sr. Dorothy served in the ministry of education in both elementary and high school, leaving St. Barnabas High School after 20 years of service as a teacher, campus minister, and finally Development Director.

Sr. Dorothy sees leadership as a role of service. With Christ as her model and guide, Sr. Dorothy attempts to live in "contemplative tension, holding seemingly opposite values" as sacred. "Leaders need to look to the future without disregarding the present. They need to present a vision of what is possible and desirable and then invite others to be willing to change, and even sacrifice, to achieve the vision."

Sr. Jane's ministry experiences have been varied. She has taught at the elementary, high school and college level; has been involved in school and hospital administration, formation and retreat work; was the Chief Mission Officer for Saint Vincents Catholic Medical Centers Healthcare System, and was one of the founders of P.O.T.S., Part of the Solution, a Bronx center for homeless men and women.

Sr. Jane feels that it is not only "what we do, but who we are" that will keep the mission and spirit of St. Louise de Marillac, St. Vincent de Paul, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton alive. "Our world needs the gift of love and community" which the Sisters and Associates of Charity can help to provide.

Furthermore, she feels that all of us are called to leadership and to give witness to the way of the Gospel. The role of elected leadership is to call and support all members to be prophetic and countercultural and to "make sure that we listen and respond to the signs of the times" in our world.

In her early years in the congregation, Margaret worked in the ministry of education, teaching in both elementary and high schools. In 1971 she began a new ministry as a social worker at St. Agatha's Home, Nanuet, and moved on to work in various aspects of the field, most recently in a private psychotherapy practice. In June 2003, she assumed her present role in Congregational leadership.

Sr. Margaret believes that the mission of the Sisters of Charity is "very much alive" through sisters who minister with the poor and disenfranchised, promoting justice, challenging systems that need to be brought to accountability, and sharing the message of God's love.

And of her own ever-evolving role in leadership, Sr. Margaret feels that "leadership needs to be a group of people who can be active and attentive listeners, decision makers, risk takers, contemplative and prayerful people, flexible, honest, communicative and inclusive women who are willing to sacrifice personal interests." She also feels that leaders need to have a good sense of humor and be inclined to "not take themselves too seriously."

In the early 1980's, Sr. Nora became the Candidate Director for the Congregation, and then the Formation Director. After leaving this position Sr. Nora became the co-founder and co-director of the Center for Renewal and Education in Sullivan and Orange Counties. The Center's purpose is faith development, ministry training, and lay leadership for service in the rural parishes of the upper counties of the Archdiocese of New York.

Sr. Nora believes that the followers of Sts. Vincent, Louise, and Elizabeth Seton are called to be "true to the spiritual journey of personal communal conversion in the God quest; to use the towel of charity in the washing of feet in new ways for today, and to be convinced enough to pass on the torch of charity to newer members and associates." For Sr. Nora, it is important for leadership to keep the focus on the vision of mission in planning and decision making, to inspire hope in difficult times, to continue to build circles of relationships, and to encourage risk taking for all people in need, especially those who are poor.

Sr. Helen sees the mission of the Sisters of Charity "alive in our Sisters and Associates and in their ministries." Sister continues to live the charism of charity in her daily efforts to respond to gospel and exemplify gospel values in her personal and ministerial life.

The role of leadership in a religious community is varied, and often not easy. To be an effective leader one needs to maintain her sense of humor and be a flexible person. "At times it means being supportive, affirming, challenging, accompanying, and empowering." One must be open, a good listener, a questioner who is willing to hear the answers and sometimes live without answers and a prayerful and reflective person." It's a challenge, but Sr. Helen McGovern has accepted leadership with joy and openness.

The mission of the Sisters of Charity remains alive in the "institutions we foster by active sponsorship and presence, and by reason of the leaders and teachers we formed when we were more numerous in schools, hospitals and childcare." Sr. Margaret also notes that "many areas where our sisters minister directly with the poor and marginalized exemplify our traditional spirit of effective and affective charity."

Sister sees the role of leadership as a need to "reflect God's love" particularly to our Sisters, to discern what the spirit of Charity impels us to today, and to be a voice in the stewardship of the "charism and resources of the Congregation so that the mission has a strong future."

Sr. Elaine has been involved in education for over thirty years as an elementary school teacher and administrator, director of elementary and secondary education for the congregation, and in the School Planning Office for the Archdiocese of New York. In addition, she is a certified social worker and has done graduate studies in theology. She has ministered as a counselor and spiritual development resource for persons who have special needs.

Sr. Elaine is serving her second term on the Executive Council as a Regional Coordinator. She is looking forward to using the experience of the last four years and her leadership skills to build toward a bright future of Charity for all, especially the poor.