Retta Blaney, a Sister of Charity Associate, attended the Sponsorship Celebration on September 29th and reports on the evening. 

Saluting the past and looking to the future, 600 Sisters of Charity, SC Associates, supporters and friends gathered September 29th for an elegant candlelit dinner at Chelsea Piers in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the order by Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.

The evening was meant as a reflection on the growth of Mother Seton’s mission of charity as well as recognition of the support of lay workers in the hundreds of sponsored works begun by the Sisters.

 “You are an essential part of our celebration today,” SC president, Sr. Dorothy Metz said. “We never could have served the poor so well without you.”

Since 1847 when 33 Sisters formally became the Sisters of Charity of New York, the order has been a strong part of the core of New York City. “Ordinary women doing extraordinary work for New York,” Sr. Dorothy said, “always with the help of others.”

Chelsea Piers was a fitting place to celebrate, with its floor-to-ceiling windows offering glorious views of the Hudson River, complete with a spectacular water display thanks to the New York Fire Department’s water boat. The evening was underwritten by donations and the “Only For Your Love” journal.

New York City’s Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg acknowledged the Sisters’ contribution to the city and joked about being part of the evening.

“My mother always wanted me to be more religious, but I don’t think she counted on this,” he quipped.

He said New York was lucky to have the Sisters.

“Government can’t do it alone, which is why organizations like the Sisters of Charity are important. With your help we will continue to make New York a more just and humane society.”

A 15-minute video “Because of You,” shot over 10 hours of filming, began with old black and white photos and continued through to highlights of current ministries, ending with the questions “Will you help?” and “Will you stand with us?” and proclaiming “Together we are the company of Charity.”

The evening was meant as more than just a celebration of the Sisters’ sponsored works. It also was the first event of a yearlong process to continue strengthening collaboration and leadership with lay colleagues in ministry, in keeping with Assembly 2007 goals.

“We must reveal God’s love in what we are and what we do,” said Sr. Jane Iannucelli, whose task in part is to pass the torch to leaders of the various sponsored ministries. Looking to a future with a decreasing number of Sisters, she challenged Sisters and their lay leaders to create a new path together. “We need to have a vision. No one is too small.”

Together we have an obligation to prune, nourish and water the seed planted by Elizabeth Seton 200 years ago, she said. “My task is to work with you to make that happen. What say you?”

The response was a loud, enthusiastic “Yes!”

As Sr. Dorothy concluded, “We don’t know what the future will bring, but we have reason to trust.”

Flip through the PDF file of our journal online.
                    Part 1   ~   Part 2   ~   Part 3

View photos from the Sponsorship Celebration»

View historic photos that greeted guests at our Sponsorship Celebration »

Visit Retta’s blog: Life Upon the Sacred Stage »