Province News

Welcome, Dr. Grillo

Dr. Lisa Grillo was appointed to serve as President of Elizabeth Seton High School, Bladensburg, Md. Dr. Grillo (class of 1989) returned to Seton in August to serve as Interim President. In Dr. Grillo’s own words from an address earlier this fall, “As a community, we have always known about the brilliance of girls and young women, their intellectual gifts, leadership, capacity for deep humanness, for service to the poor and marginalized, and their ability to create deep, longstanding change in our society. This is a special time in American education for all girls and young women, but even more so for the Seton student, who has available to her a set of educational experiences within a school that has developed and perfected the model for educating girls and young women.” Dr. Grills, an educator, administrator, and professor, has more than 25 years of experience in school districts across Maryland,the District of Columbia, and North Carolina.

Congratulations to Sister Julia Huiskamp

In March, Sister Julia Huiskamp was honored as an affiliate of the Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart for her outstanding years of service to those in need and exemplifying the qualities and values of St. Francis of Assisi. Pictured, left to right: Father Carroll Mizicko, OFM, Pastor of St. Augustine of Hippo, East St. Louis. IL; Sister Julia Huiskamp; Father Tom Narran, OFM, Provincial.

Sister Françoise among Leaders who Gathered in Rome

The Daughters of Charity’s Superioress General Sister Françoise Petit was one of 700 congregation leaders who attended the Assembly of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) in Rome held the first week of May. Sister is pictured on the left.

Province Debuts New Website

In April, the Province’s updated website debuted. We invite you to check it out at www.daughtersofcharity.org. News, obituaries, and information about vocation, history, and much, much more may be found there.

Sister Loretto Gettemeier Honored by Fathers and Families Support Center

In June, Sister Loretto Gettemeier was honored with an award, the Halbert Sullivan Legacy Award from the Fathers and Families Support Center (FFSC) in St. Louis. Sister was recognized for her role in the founding of FFSC in 1997. FFSC is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families by encouraging committed and responsible parents. Picture with Sister Loretto (center) are, left to right, Sisters Honora Remes, Julie Cutter, Nancy Murphy, Mary Catherine Dunn; Postulant Molly Smith; and Sister Carol Schumer.

Seton Shrine Breaks Ground for Expansion in Emmitsburg

June 24, many gathered at the former St. Joseph Provincial House entrance on the Emmitsburg Campus to watch as a groundbreaking was held for the expansion of Seton Heritage Ministries. Included in this expansion will be a new museum and visitors’ center. The plans also call for an exhibit area which the Province’s Archives will oversee. Funding for the expansion comes from a three-year capital campaign. Learn more about the plans and campaign here: https://setonshrine. org/200th-capital-campaign/ Pictured, left to right, Barbara Bozzuto, Lucie Baines Johnson, Sister Catherine Mary Norris, Liz Foshage, Sister Donna Geernaert, S.C., and Rob Judge.

Sister Maureen McGuire Honored by CHA

Congratulations to Sister Maureen McGuire who has been honored with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Catholic Health Association (CHA) after serving Ascension as a leader and mentor for 18 years.

Update on the Sisters Serving in and to Ukraine

Daughters of Charity have provided services and support to those affected by war and conflict for centuries. Today, the Sisters continue to serve in Ukraine and remain in peril in order to help those most in need. Now focused in the western areas of the country, they provide shelter, food, assistance, and emotional support to families fleeing to safer locations and care to those confined in senior residences. On the other side of the border in Poland, sisters provide similar services and are frequently filling their own homes with those on the refugee pathway. Wherever possible the Sisters continue with their ongoing ministries to those in need and to pivot activities to address war related issues. IPS continues to seek emergency grants requested by the Sisters in addition to the financial support pouring into the Daughters of Charity which is coordinated through the headquarters in Paris and which includes multiple generous gifts sent through DC International Project Services. You may make a donation to assist the Sisters with their work in Ukraine here: https://www.daughtersips.org/aid-for-ukraine/