Sisters Of Christian Charity

[philosophette]

[quote name='Lilllabettt' timestamp='1283780880' post='2168746']
The Sisters who attend Assumption College (did you know, the Salesian Sisters send people there! Our own Sister B (philosobrat) goes to school there!) do not live apart from the Sisters ... so the community has African and Vietnamese Sisters in beautifully colored habits walking around. They have 28 scholarships that they give out to Sisters in developing countries whose apostolate includes working with women and children. The professed and the novitiate are kept separate; they are allowed to mix together at one meal, but otherwise, they eat, recreate, study and sleep apart -- there is a formation and a professed part of the house.

[/quote]

It is a [i]beautiful school. [/i]One of our Sisters is on the theology staff there. I feel very blessed to attend with so many AMAZING women religious from other countries.
The SCCs are kind of our cousins and we do formation days with them. They are a wonderful congregation for those who feel called to teaching or nursing in a more monastic setting (although they are not [i]strictly[/i] monastic). Salesians are not monastic and have more "family-like" community life and customs. You'd have to visit to really "get" what i mean here... it is something that has to be experienced rather than explained.

--- Sister B

P.S. The postulants and novices in the pictures are my friends!

Edited September 6, 2010 by philosobrat

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='Yaatee' timestamp='1283801966' post='2168887']
Lillabet,

WHERE DID YOU FIND THESE?

I couldn't find any pix, events, what's new, newsletters. or other clues on their website!

In awe,

your devoted admirer, etc., etc.
[/quote]

I found pics the other day of 2010 events posted on the Web site of the German motherhouse. I should have saved the links (but forgot). I looked again, and everything was in German, so the first time I must have accessed the pictures some other (easier) way. However, when I have a chance, I will continue to look, and will post the 2010 pictures when I find them again. To the best of my recollection, the 2010 pictures included one final profession, and quite a few Sisters making their renewal of vows. And, Lillibet has already given us an update above on on current postulants and novices. The SCC seems to be getting a steady stream of vocations, which makes me very happy, because I think the SCC's are one of the "underappreciated" Orders. (Of course, the fact that the Western province Sisters live across the street, and every Sister I've met has been lovely to me has not influenced my opinion in any way. LOL)

It's funny, other people look at the SCC's and think "modified habits so they can't be the real thing." Balderdash. Because I see SCC Sisters out my front window every day, they completely look like religious Sisters to me--there is no mistaking them for secular women. As I've posted before, even with a modified habit, I have never seen any Sister from novice on up who does not wear a veil all the time (at least outside the convent--or inside, either, at least in the public part of the convent). I have never been past the visitor's parlor of the convent.

Added later:

Okay, a few links. Here is a link to the English version of the Web site of the Generalate in Germany. One thing that always pleases me is that, although the Superior General, Sister Adalberta, lives in Germany, she always seems to be present at important events in the U.S., so that I actually recognize her now.

[url="http://www.sccgen.org/"]http://www.sccgen.org/[/url]

And, here is the link to the events at the Eastern Province in mid-August 2010. It also includes a group photo of the Sisters who are students at Assumption College. [url="http://www.sccgen.org/extras.html"]http://www.sccgen.org/extras.html[/url] (Sister Adalberta is the second from the left in the front row of the picture of Sisters making their annual renewal of vows.)

Edited September 6, 2010 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[LaPetiteSoeur]

While at a vocation retreat my diocese held I got to meet one of the sisters from the SCC, Sr. MaryRose. She was wonderful! Even though there were only two women there (and I was the youngest!) Sr. MaryRose helped us immensly. Everything you said, Lillabettt, is completely true!

Thanks for sharing..

[quote name='Lilllabettt' timestamp='1283780880' post='2168746']
Well, I visited the SCC over this weekend. Here cometh the information dump!

First of all, their motherhouse looks like something out of a movie. Acres of rolling hills, mature trees. Really breathtaking. The building itself is big and old and beautiful in that traditional, big convent kind of way. I really don't have words to do it justice ... it was Sound of Music city.

Formation consists of a two year postulancy and two year novitiate. Interestingly they "don't turn away" people who have school debt. The first postulant year, its possible to work while living in the convent. After a year, when the debt is at a "reasonable" level, the community takes care of it, and the cost is deducted from the salary you earn as an apostolic religious.

Most of the time, the Sisters recite (not chant) the Divine Office. Morning and Evening prayer. While I was there, they were on summer break, so it was said privately. On Sundays and Feast Days they sing part or all of it. I'm a little disappointed I didn't get to hear that, but if its anything like Mass, then it is lovely. (There are enough Sisters, and the chapel is all marble, so there is wonderful reverb Rosary is said privately, although you can go on a Rosary Walk) Every day, the Sisters have Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The time varies from convent to convent, depending on the apostolate ... sometimes in the morning,sometimes at night.

The Sisters do not keep silence at meals; except on retreat Sundays, which is once a month. I was told this is because they are apostolic, and if there was not speaking at meals, there would be limited time for the community to be together. Instead the professed in each convent choose an hour to keep silence; after Compline "sacred silence" is kept until Mass the next day.

As far as home visits goes, this also varies by convent. But at the Motherhouse, the professed have "one month" of visiting time. This is usually broken up to a little time around Christmas, a little time around Thanksgiving or Easter, and some time in the summer ... sisters rarely use all of this time, but it is available if needed.

There IS an age limit ... 45 yrs .. after that special permission is needed from higher authority. But the congregation has not admitted anyone over age 50 in "quite some time."

They have four postulants spread out over the 2 year program; 3 college aged and 1 older. They have two 2nd year novices in their twenties, along with (11?) temporary professed.

They watch the news on television most every evening.

The Sisters who attend Assumption College (did you know, the Salesian Sisters send people there! Our own Sister B (philosobrat) goes to school there!) do not live apart from the Sisters ... so the community has African and Vietnamese Sisters in beautifully colored habits walking around. They have 28 scholarships that they give out to Sisters in developing countries whose apostolate includes working with women and children. The professed and the novitiate are kept separate; they are allowed to mix together at one meal, but otherwise, they eat, recreate, study and sleep apart -- there is a formation and a professed part of the house.

The vocation directoress volunteered the information that they are "completely under the magisterium" and have never "experimented away" from the habit, which they consider an important sign. During my stay, anyway, the community seemed very focused on the Gospel quite apart from politics. The only flashes of politics that concerned me occurred when: 1. I was told there was no absolute guarantee the habit would be kept (although almost certainly it would be, as it had been the past century and in spite of the flux after Vatican II) since as time went on, different groups come "into power." 2. During mealtime, the Sister read a maxim of the foundress, Blessed Pauline, and read the names of all the Sisters who have died that day over the years. A beautiful custom. At one point, however, the Sister was reading from a place where Bl. Pauline uses the word "mankind." Sister read that word half way, but then corrected herself and said "human kind." These were the two things that bothered me ... but overall, the community seems wonderfully free of any agenda (whether "conservative' or "liberal") I had a conversation with one postulant in particular who visited my former community when I was with them. She is traditionally minded, and is perfectly comfortable there.

I felt very welcome and relaxed while being there. I really recommend visiting this community.

-fin information dump-
[/quote]

[Lilllabettt]

I got to visit these Sisters for a second time this weekend. I am too lazy to post them again but here [url="http://thebeautifulroses.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-jersey-has-green-things.html"]are a few pictures[/url]

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='Lilllabettt' timestamp='1290429970' post='2188555']
I got to visit these Sisters for a second time this weekend. I am too lazy to post them again but here [url="http://thebeautifulroses.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-jersey-has-green-things.html"]are a few pictures[/url]
[/quote]

Thanks for the pictures. It not only looks like the monastery was gorgeous, but that you had gorgeous weather, too.

The picture of the Motherhouse looked eerily familiar because the former Western motherhouse (that I pass virtually every time I go out) looks very similar--and is just as gorgeous! Unfortunately the Sisters had to sell it due to lack of funds, and concentrate more of their resources in New Jersey. I'm SO glad they were able to keep at least one of the Motherhouses. As I think I've posted before, the Western Motherhouse had been designated an historical building, so the outside facade of the building was retained. It is now condominiums, but they are very tasteful (some lavish), and only available to tenants over 55, so the quiet atmosphere has been retained. The Sisters in the West don't have as much land as those in the East, because some of it has been sold off over the years. In fact, the land my house was built on was once owned by the Catholic church, and could well have once been part of the Sister's property. I'll have to ask Sister Helen--she wouldn't have been in the Order then, but she might know the history. But, the land immediately surrounding the former Motherhouse is a lovely, peaceful city park with lots of benches.

I'm not surprised you had a great weekend, because every contact I've had with the SCC Sisters has been good. They are all so nice!!! I thought teaching Sisters were supposed to be mean. LOL (Since I went to public school, the neighbor kids who went to Catholic school used to tell us horror stores--most of which, I suspect, were either exaggerations or total fabrications.)

I found two out-of-print biographies of the Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt and have been reading them. I wish I'd known her, because I think I would have liked her. I also have a Blessed Pauline medal attached to one of my Rosaries. Since so much of her apostate was caring for blind children and other people with illnesses (teaching school came a little later), I feel like she is watching over me from across the street.

BTW Lillibett--If you haven't looked on the Western Province Web site recently, it has a slideshow that includes a number of pictures from an archive museum the retired Sisters have set up with lots of historical memorabilia from the early days of the Order in the U.S. I've never asked Sister Helen if I could see it--I don't know who is allowed to visit. Since the SCC's are the only Sisters I have ever known, I am still very shy and hesitant to ask questions--although they are not shy and hesitant with me at all. But, in all the years I've lived across the street from the convent for retired Sisters, I've never been past the visitor's parlor, and you know much more about the Order than I do!. The slide show also includes some pictures of the inside of the retired Sisters' convent. The chapel is lovely, but as you might expect, the common areas look comfortable but basic. This Order appears to take poverty seriously, but at the same time offers wonderful care to its retired Sisters. For the most part, most Sisters seem to live into their 90's, and the last Jubilee celebration in the Western province included 2 Sisters celebrating their 75th Jubilees! (And, for all I know, there might have been more 75th Jubilarians who couldn't attend because they were bed bound.)

Random Factoids: Bill Murray and his 8(?) brothers and sisters attended the nearby grade school run by the SCC Sisters. Bill Murray talked in a book he wrote about shooting golf balls off the pillars of the Western Motherhouse, which is literally across the street from the very tiny house he grew up in. That family either had to learn to laugh or kill each other. He has a sister who is a religious Sister (in a non-habited Order), who is also an actress, and has been traveling around the U.S. with a one-woman show on (I believe) St. Catherine of Siena. When the retired SCC Sisters needed an elevator for their Convent, Bill Murray gave them the money to pay for it.

Edited November 22, 2010 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[Sarah147]

Is it safe to discern this Order? Is there concern that they could split with the Church, or go liberal etc. in the future?


I'm interested in the one in NJ.

Edited September 16, 2011 by JoyfulLife

[she_who_is_not]

It is very safe to discern with this community. They are strong, faithful women who are seeking to live out a joyful and authentic expression of religious life. They are loyal to the Pope and have a deep Eucharistic devotion. They are a diverse bunch and open-minded but I don't see them leaving the Church or "going liberal" in the sense of abandoning church teaching.

[Lilllabettt]

This is a large-sized, international, well-established community that also happens to be orthodox -- a pretty rare thing. Their orthodoxy is the most truly "catholic" kind-- universal - not limited to Church teaching on either sex or social justice. A lot of religious communities lean one way or another. Not these Sisters. It was actually really refreshing to see first hand..

Edited September 17, 2011 by Lilllabettt

[Sarah147]

Can y'all please calm my fears about the below quoted?

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' timestamp='1280560882' post='2150220']
They don't have an explicit "political" alignment.

Their formation programs incorporate more recent advances in understanding of psychology. [/quote]




[quote name='Lilllabettt' timestamp='1280589324' post='2150252']
Well, first of all, they are NOT members of the CMSWR. They are in fact members of the [url="http://www.lcwr.org/index.htm"]LCWR[/url], an organization which has the reputation of hosting [b]more liberal communities[/b], a number of them I would say appear to be less than faithful. On the other hand, they are also members of the [url="http://db.religiouslife.com/reg_life/irl.nsf/wa?OpenForm&Count=1000"]Institute on Religious Life[/url] which is composed entirely of more traditional, very orthodox communities.

. . . .

One of the Superior General's [url="http://www.sccgen.org/supgen.html"]"circular lettters"[/url] has a [b]quote from the rather infamously heterodox [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Chittister"]Sr. Joan Chittister[/url].[/b] There was nothing iffy about the quote itself, but she is quoting a decidedly iffy person. On the other hand, the Popes are quoted far more often; several letters are presentations of Pope Benedict's encyclicals.

The Sister's website advertises a social justice [url="http://sccjpic.blogspot.com/"]blog[/url] and "social justice initiatives" [url="http://www.scceast.org/SocialJustice/SocialJustice.html"]which revolves around the usual ecology/nonviolence/migrant[/url] sort of thing. They send a group to protest at the School of the Americas. [b]This is definitely left-wing stuff.[/b] But none of this is unorthodox: I don't see any prayers to Mother Earth or calls for women's ordination.

[u]"Traditional" Quotes from their vocation video:[/u]

[i]"Our name expresses our life's purpose: to glorify God by letting the love of Christ so permeate and fill us, that it flows over to love of others in our service of the Church."[/i]
[i]"In its deepest dimension, all our religious life is prayer."[/i]
[i]"Our particular love of the Eucharist is the distinctive mark of our Congregation and the source of its life."[/i]
[i]"The focus of our life is not what we do, but who we are ..."[/i]
[i]"Whatever our ministry is, it is to be rooted in a distinctive charity that is the fruit of a contemplative, Eucharistic lifestyle."[/i]

[u]and the "middle of the road" element:[/u]

[i]"We appreciate and celebrate [b]diversity of character, background and opinion."[/b][/i]

[/quote]

Can you explain all of that? Why?

[quote name='she_who_is_not' timestamp='1316224158' post='2305688']
They are a [b]diverse bunch and open-minded[/b] but I don't see them leaving the Church or "going liberal" in the sense of abandoning church teaching.
[/quote]

What's that supposed to mean?

[quote name='Lilllabettt' timestamp='1316226967' post='2305704']
This is a large-sized, international, well-established community that also happens to be orthodox -- a pretty rare thing. Their orthodoxy is the most truly "catholic" kind-- universal - [b]not limited to Church teaching on either sex or social justice. [/b]A lot of religious communities lean one way or another. Not these Sisters. It was actually really refreshing to see first hand..
[/quote]

How can they be putting forth secular ideas?


[quote]spirit of aggiornamento [my understanding is openess to change, up dating, etc.][/quote]

So, they could end up going astray from the Church?

Edited September 17, 2011 by JoyfulLife

[Lisa]

Joyful, it might be best to find out most of this from their Vocation Director. If you went up and said "I heard from a bunch of people on the internet that you support/don't support this-and-that", they might be hurt or offended. As fantastic as Lilllabettt is and the others are, I think much of this information should be heard from the community first, and then you can decide if you want to discern [i]with[/i] their community... instead of "discerning about" them from what you've heard. I hope this doesn't come off harsh as that's not my intention at all. I'm praying for you and am so excited that you have made these contacts! Please let us know how it progresses.

[Nunsense]

[quote name='Lisa' timestamp='1316264233' post='2305798']
Joyful, it might be best to find out most of this from their Vocation Director. If you went up and said "I heard from a bunch of people on the internet that you support/don't support this-and-that", they might be hurt or offended. As fantastic as Lilllabettt is and the others are, I think much of this information should be heard from the community first, and then you can decide if you want to discern [i]with[/i] their community... instead of "discerning about" them from what you've heard. I hope this doesn't come off harsh as that's not my intention at all. I'm praying for you and am so excited that you have made these contacts! Please let us know how it progresses.
[/quote]


That's great advice, Lisa. When I contacted one Benedictine community, I had read things on their website that caused me a little confusion, so I asked them straight out about what I thought it meant, and they were great in replying to me and letting me know how they saw things. In fact, after our communication, we both felt that they weren't the right community for me (or I for them) but none of us felt bad about it afterwards. Honesty and openness can really be great in discernment!

[Feankie]

The SCC's taught my children when we lived in Illinois. There most beautiful motherhouse was located there in Wilmette. It has a junior college attached to it as well as the retirement home for the older sisters. They had to close it and had an auction of all the wonderful antique furniture. We were fortunate enough to be able to buy some wonderful pieces and save them from who knows what. The day of the auction we heard some women talking about how lovely a wooden tabernacle would be if it were made into a jewelry box! Almost thought I'd throttle them on the spot. Quite a few of the SCC left to join the Sisters of Life, but I'm still in contact with my kids old principal who left the order and is now a college professor.

[Lilllabettt]

When I say they are not limited,I don't mean they include secular ideas. I mean they do not limit thier embrace of Catholic teaching the way many Catholic circles do -- to either Church teaching on abortion/marriage or the preferential option for the poor/social justice. Conservative Catholic groups do a lot with the Liturgy, with right to life, with sexual ethics, but not so much with social justice. Liberal groups like the social enyclicals, but ignore Humanae Vitae.

This community is not like that. They embrace all parts of Catholic teaching, not just the parts that agree with their personal political persuasions. The diversity comes in because some Sisters march at the School of the Americas and some go to the March for Life. The community accepts this diversity

There is also in my opinion more in this community of that freedom of thought that makes Catholicism so wonderful. To give you a negative example, in my former community Harry Potter was very much condemned as Satanic. I did not think it was, but it was out of the question, (At least as far as I was concerned- Keep in mind I was a very junior Sister) - for me to express that disagreement. Even though there is nothing unorthodox about being okay with Harry Potter. With the SCC's, I feel I would be comfortable saying "I disagree." There is just a different atmosphere.

Now - do the Sisters disagree about the Eucharist? about Our Lady? No. But do they disagree about pantaloons vs skirts, the truth of evolution, global warming, etc? With the use of Latin? Altar girls? Communion-in-the-hand? Probably. Most of the younger Sisters are very traditionally-minded. But when I was there I was with the Sisters in formation, looking at some old community photos that included the old, traditional habit. While most of those present said we would like that one, one of the postulants pointed out how much harder it would be to drive and said she much preferred the modified habit. No one looked askance at her and there was no awkwardness or "oh my gosh"ness about the fact that there was disagreement.

Edited September 17, 2011 by Lilllabettt

[linnie]

[quote name='Lilllabettt' timestamp='1316286232' post='2305904']
When I say they are not limited,I don't mean they include secular ideas. I mean they do not limit thier embrace of Catholic teaching the way many Catholic circles do -- to either Church teaching on abortion/marriage or the preferential option for the poor/social justice. Conservative Catholic groups do a lot with the Liturgy, with right to life, with sexual ethics, but not so much with social justice. Liberal groups like the social enyclicals, but ignore Humanae Vitae.

This community is not like that. They embrace all parts of Catholic teaching, not just the parts that agree with their personal political persuasions. The diversity comes in because some Sisters march at the School of the Americas and some go to the March for Life. The community accepts this diversity

There is also in my opinion more in this community of that freedom of thought that makes Catholicism so wonderful. To give you a negative example, in my former community Harry Potter was very much condemned as Satanic. I did not think it was, but it was out of the question, (At least as far as I was concerned- Keep in mind I was a very junior Sister) - for me to express that disagreement. Even though there is nothing unorthodox about being okay with Harry Potter. With the SCC's, I feel I would be comfortable saying "I disagree." There is just a different atmosphere.

Now - do the Sisters disagree about the Eucharist? about Our Lady? No. But do they disagree about pantaloons vs skirts, the truth of evolution, global warming, etc? With the use of Latin? Altar girls? Communion-in-the-hand? Probably. Most of the younger Sisters are very traditionally-minded. But when I was there I was with the Sisters in formation, looking at some old community photos that included the old, traditional habit. While most of those present said we would like that one, one of the postulants pointed out how much harder it would be to drive and said she much preferred the modified habit. No one looked askance at her and there was no awkwardness or "oh my gosh"ness about the fact that there was disagreement.
[/quote]


I really like the way you explain this.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote] quote IgnatiusofLoyola, on 31 July 2010 - 02:21 AM, said:

They don't have an explicit "political" alignment.

Their formation programs incorporate more recent advances in understanding of psychology[/quote]

To Joyful Life:

The quote above was attributed to me in your earlier post, but I have no recollection of saying those things. Since the post was apparently made a year ago, I'd have to go back through search and and find my post (if it still exists). If indeed those lines show up in my post, all I can figure is that they are quotes from somewhere else (but I don't know where). I'm not sure if the Phatmass Search function is working again, but when I have a chance, I'll try to track down what happened.

In the meantime, I want to clarify that I have ABSOLUTELY no idea of the political views of the Order. All I have ever seen is the information on the SCC Web sites for the Eastern and Western Provinces of the U.S., available to anyone, about the Order's Social Action Initiatives. I have never talked to any of the Sisters about this--the subject of politics has never come up.

Second, I have NO firsthand information AT ALL about what the SCC formation program is like, again, beyond what is posted on their Web site. I live near the headquarters of the Western Province of the SCCs, but new Sisters go through formation at the Eastern Province headquarters, in New Jersey. As far as I know, the Western Province (which is much smaller) is primarily a convent for retired Sisters, as well as a number of (but I don't know exactly how many) active Sisters who teach at parochial schools in the Chicago area. As with politics, the subject of the formation program has never come up in any conversations I have had with the Sisters.

I'm sorry there was a misunderstanding. When I have a chance I will try to figure out what happened, just for my own peace of mind--but I may not be able to do so because it was a year ago. I do feel bad that anything attached to my name should have given you any concern about the SCC's.

I hope this helps.

Edited September 18, 2011 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' timestamp='1316374324' post='2306345']

To Joyful Life:

The quote above was attributed to me in your earlier post, but I have no recollection of saying those things. Since the post was apparently made a year ago, I'd have to go back through search and and find my post (if it still exists). If indeed those lines show up in my post, all I can figure is that they are quotes from somewhere else (but I don't know where). I'm not sure if the Phatmass Search function is working again, but when I have a chance, I'll try to track down what happened.

In the meantime, I want to clarify that I have ABSOLUTELY no idea of the political views of the Order. All I have ever seen is the information on the SCC Web sites for the Eastern and Western Provinces of the U.S., available to anyone, about the Order's Social Action Initiatives. I have never talked to any of the Sisters about this--the subject of politics has never come up.

Second, I have NO firsthand information AT ALL about what the SCC formation program is like, again, beyond what is posted on their Web site. I live near the headquarters of the Western Province of the SCCs, but new Sisters go through formation at the Eastern Province headquarters, in New Jersey. As far as I know, the Western Province (which is much smaller) is primarily a convent for retired Sisters, as well as a number of (but I don't know exactly how many) active Sisters who teach at parochial schools in the Chicago area. As with politics, the subject of the formation program has never come up in any conversations I have had with the Sisters.

I'm sorry there was a misunderstanding. When I have a chance I will try to figure out what happened, just for my own peace of mind--but I may not be able to do so because it was a year ago. I do feel bad that anything attached to my name should have given you any concern about the SCC's.

I hope this helps.
[/quote]

Okay, I found where the words in my quote come from. They are taken from a post made by Lillabettt on July 19, 2010 that is the start of a thread for VS posters to name any "Middle of the Road" communities they can think of. In her post, Lillabettt gave a GENERAL description of what a "middle of the road" community MIGHT be like, but was NOT describing the SCC's in particular. I can't get my computer to let me make a link to Lillibettt's post, so here is Lillabettt's general description of what a "Middle of the Road" community might be lke.

__________

Posted 19 July 2010 - 01:06 PM
"Let me see if I can describe what I mean:

These communities usually have a modified habit, and may or may not be members of the CMSWR. They don't have an explicit "political" alignment. Their formation programs incorporate more recent advances in understanding of psychology. Compared with more traditional communities, there are usually fewer restrictions on communication with people outside the community. There are fewer things which require the permission of a superior. The way they live religious life is not as "secret." There is less emphasis on the centrality of religious decorum ... on the other hand, these Sisters live in community, have some new vocations, are orthodox, practice devotions to Mary and the Eucharist, and have a traditional interpretation of the vows and of what a religious vocation is.

I'd like to make a list of communities that fit this bill ... kind of a challenge, because I think they fly pretty well under the radar (compared to say, the very popular "old school" communities and the very vocal "liberal" ones)."
_____________________

I will let Lillabettt speak for herself, but as far as I can see, Lillabettt never used those two sentences to SPECIFICALLY describe the SCC's.

Also another clarification: In a later post in the "Middle of the Road" thread from last year, I mentioned that I had read on that SCC Web site that two "older" (probably over 40--but I never knew their exact ages--I was guessing ages from pictures and could easily be wrong) postulants were going through formation in the Western Province for a reason that was never given on the SCC Web site. However, since I posted that a year ago, I have never read anything else about these two postulants on the SCC Web site, such as whether they are still with the Order, whether they are still in the Western Province, or have moved to the East. If they were new postulants in 2010, I would have expected they would become novices this year, and all of the new novices in the picture Lillabettt posted recently appear to be in their 20's (but again, I have found that I have a VERY difficult time guessing ages of women in religious habits).

Hope this additional information helps.

Edited September 18, 2011 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[sophia13]

These sisters popped into my mind this evening at Mass. I visited them last year when I was living in Philadelphia, but haven't thought too much about them since I started medical school. But for some reason, the Holy Spirit placed them in my heart tonight.

I feel like the SCC are so perfect for me in so many ways...and that makes me wonder if it is truly God's will that I go there, or He wants something different from me. Does that make any sense to anyone? I am so afraid of choosing a community just because I like certain things about it, or because it would be convenient in some ways. Particularly, I like that this community is located close to my family and provides ample time for family visits. My mother is having a very difficult time with the thought of me entering religious life, and has specifically asked that I enter a community that would allow me to "still be part of our family", i.e. being able to visit often, speak on the phone, etc. I come from a very close-knit family. My mom and her four sisters all live within fifteen minutes of the town they grew up in, and I loved growing up with so many aunts and uncles and cousins around. It breaks my heart to think that my mother will feel like I am abandoning our family if I enter a community that provides more limited time for family visits...but I also know that to truly follow the will of God, that might be necessary. The Gospels are of course filled with stories of Jesus asking people to leave their families behind in order to follow Him. Recently I have been praying for the grace to offer everything to the Lord, in whatever way He asks, even if that means entering a community that might allow me to spend only a few days a year with my family.

But aside from my family issues, I also love that the SCC have such a strong devotion to the Eucharist, and also love their charism of true Christ-like love. I also love that they run Assumption College for Sisters at their Motherhouse in NJ, and educate dozens of women religious from around the world who otherwise would not be able to afford a college education. When I was at the Motherhouse, I found it so beautiful to see those sisters, from Africa and Vietnam and other countries, all dressed in their unique habits, receive the Eucharist at Mass, together with the SCC. It was like the universal Church was right there in NJ!

I guess the thing I have to discern is whether my attraction to the SCC truly lies in their charism and community life, or if it is based on the proximity to my family! Back to prayer for me.

Annyway, since you have so patiently read my ramblings here, I'll post some other pictures of the SCC, from the Diocese of Paterson's [url="http://www.consecratedlifepaterson.org/default.aspx"]Consecrated Life Blog[/url]:

[img]http://www.patersondiocese.net/documents/SCC120.jpg[/img]
[b]Sr. Mary Jose de la Rosa and Sr. Maria Angeline Weiss, who professed their first vows on August 16, 2011[/b]

[img]http://www.patersondiocese.net/documents/SCC18.jpg[/img]
[b]Temporary professed sisters who recently renewed their vows on August 14, 2011[/b]
[b]Left to right: Sr. Amy Segal, Sr. Elizabeth Kovacs, Sr. Karen Benfer, Sr. Clare Marie Nagle, Sr. Margaret Muchire, Sr. Celice Marie Gonzalez[/b]

[img]http://www.patersondiocese.net/documents/SCC16.jpg[/img]
[b]Formator Sr. Francis Tran with Sr. Clare Marie and Sr. Celice Marie (temporary professed sisters)[/b]

[img]http://www.patersondiocese.net/documents/SCC17.jpg[/img]
[b]Sr. Karen Marie and Sr. Margaret (temporary professed sisters)[/b]

[img]http://www.patersondiocese.net/documents/SCC51.jpg[/img]
[b]Sr. Maria Luisa Garcia Mansilla from the Uruguay province with Sr. Adalberta Mette, Superior General[/b]

+Pax Christi,
Sophia

[sophia13]

One last picture!
[img]http://www.patersondiocese.net/documents/RJbell.jpg[/img]
[b]SCC novices and postulants play handbells during the 2011 Jubilee anniversary liturgy for 98 jubilarians from the diocese![/b]

[HopefulBride]

They look like a beautiful community. I will definitely keep you in prayers. I understand all too well how hard it can be to trust the Lord's voice in your heart. As you continue to trust him and strive to live out his will for you, he will guide you.

Pax,
HB

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='sophia13' timestamp='1317003575' post='2310222']
One last picture!
[img]http://www.patersondiocese.net/documents/RJbell.jpg[/img]
[b]SCC novices and postulants play handbells during the 2011 Jubilee anniversary liturgy for 98 jubilarians from the diocese![/b]
[/quote]

Ooooo, handbells! My aunt and uncle have played handbells at their Baptist church since I was a little wee thing. I've been to a Christmas concert and the bells are lovely. I wish they were used more.