Over the weekend of April 28/29, the Sisters of Charity of New York elected their leadership team for the next four years.
The Congregation was represented by 141 delegates who convened at Mount Saint Vincent in the northwest Bronx, which has been the Congregation’s headquarters since 1857. The two-day election was the culmination of the Congregation’s Assembly in February.
Results of the election
Sister Dorothy Metz was re-elected President. Sister Donna Dodge will be the new Assistant to the President.
Sister Dominica Rocchio and Sister Margaret Mary Kelly are new Regional Coordinators on the Council. Sisters Nora Cunningham, Helen McGovern and Margaret O’Brien were re-elected to four-year terms as Regional Coordinators.
Reflecting on the leadership’s focus over the next four years, Sr. Dorothy said:
“During the grace-filled days of our Assembly held in February 2007, the members of the Congregation set the direction for the next four years. We committed ourselves to be more intentional about living prayerful, reflective lives impelling us to actions on behalf of the poor. By more collaborative efforts with our lay colleagues, we hope to reach out to immigrant persons in the spirit of our foundress St. Elizabeth Seton. We also intend to remain in honest, respectful dialogue with the Church, so that the gifts of women and men may be equally welcomed.”
The election results were witnessed by Father Bartholomew Daly, M.H.M., Co-Vicar for Religious for the Archdiocese of New York who was there as Cardinal Edward Egan’s representative.
During the Ritual of Recognition, mantles in light sage green crepe were placed on the shoulders of the newly elected by a Sister who had aided the candidate during her Discernment Process. This new symbolic procedure was inspired by Romans 8:22-23 – “This Mantle of Leadership is not something that can be shirked by those who are alert to the vulnerability of these times….” The guiding principle of this Congregation for its 160 years has been to respond to the needs of the times.
The mantles were prepared by Mrs. Claudette Edwards who works with several Sisters of Charity of New York at their ministry Fox House in Manhattan.
About the new Council members
Sr. Donna Dodge has served as an elementary school teacher; Co-Director of the Planning & Research Office for her Congregation; and Assistant to the President and Director of Planning at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. She also had a 14-year ministry at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT in various administrative offices. Most recently, Sr. Donna was Community Outreach Director at Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Bridgeport, CT.
Sr. Margaret Mary Kelly has ministered in elementary schools and parishes of the Archdiocese for over 20 years. After obtaining her R.N., she worked for 27 years at St. John’s Riverside Hospital in Yonkers. Currently, Sister is a Wellness Nurse at her Congregation’s retirement convent, Mary the Queen in Yonkers.
Sr. Dominica Rocchio years of ministry have been in education. She has served as both a teacher and administrator in high schools of the Archdiocese of New York. In 1980, Sister became Associate Superintendent of Secondary Schools for the Archdiocese. In 1992, she became Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Newark, and three years later, also was named Secretary for Education there. She recently completed a year of study at Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, MA.
About the Sisters of Charity of New York
Since coming to lower Manhattan in 1817 to open an orphanage, the Sisters of Charity of New York have served primarily in and around the metropolitan area.
In response to contemporary needs and events, the Sisters have expanded their ministries beyond the original ones of education, healthcare and childcare. They now:
·                serve in parish ministries
·                offer spiritual direction and retreat opportunities
·                work in missions in the Bahamas and Guatemala
·                operate and serve in homeless, new immigrant and women’s centers
·                sponsor a number of affordable housing facilities for those in need
·                are active in ecological concerns
