The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCLs) today announced a transfer of sponsorship of Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System (SCLHS), a faith-based, not-for-profit, mission-driven health care organization, from the religious community to Leaven Ministries, a new entity (public juridic person) recognized by the Catholic Church. A ritual to mark the transfer of sponsorship and commissioning of the new Members occurred on Sunday, Sept. 25 at the SCL Mother House in Leavenworth, Kan.
Sister Maureen Hall, SCL Community Director, said, “Reading the signs of the times and recognizing the baptismal call of all people to ministry, the time was right to advance to a new level of sponsorship. Formation of the new sponsor, Leaven Ministries, allows us to invite lay leaders into the sponsorship role with us. Most importantly, it will allow us to continue our health ministry into the future consistent with our SCL spirit, mission and values.”
With increasing demands and expectations of the health care environment, the religious community identified and studied the need to make this transition. They chose a model that other religious communities and Catholic health systems have successfully adopted. The change does not affect day-to-day operations or governance of SCLHS hospitals and clinics.
“This change represents the ingenuity and teamwork so often displayed through the work of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac and, more recently, SCL Foundress Mother Xavier Ross,” said Mike Slubowski, SCLHS president and CEO.
Current leadership of the SCL religious community has appointed the first Members of Leaven Ministries, who include Sister Maureen, Leavenworth, Kan.; Maureen Mahoney, Kansas City, Kan.; Sister Constance Phelps, Leavenworth, Kan.; James Roscoe, Billings, Mont.; and Sister Charlotte White, Kansas City, Kan. The religious community will remain connected through a Sponsors’ Council. As they are available, SCLs will also remain involved on Boards of Directors and on staffs of the hospitals, clinics and system office.
The SCLs and the health system have collaborated in a sponsorship formation program with 11 other religious communities and Catholic health systems. The objective of this program is to provide support for the orientation and development of current and future sponsors for the collaborating organizations.
About the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCLs)
The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth is a religious community of 276 members founded in 1858. The Sisters serve in ministries including education, social services, pastoral work and health care in the United States, Peru and Southern Sudan. The Sisters’ mission is to “offer every loving service in our power to meet the critical needs of God’s people.“ For more information, visit www.scls.org.
About Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System (SCLHS)
Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System is a faith-based, not-for-profit, mission-driven health care organization that operates 11 hospitals, four clinics and one youth residence in four states–California, Colorado, Kansas and Montana. Based in Lenexa, Kan., the $2.7 billion health network is dedicated to improving the health of the communities and individuals it serves, especially those who are poor or vulnerable. On an annual basis, SCLHS regularly provides more than $200 million in community benefit, including services for the poor, express health screenings, educational programs, community donations and research. SCLHS traces its roots to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, who opened their first hospital in 1864. In 2011, the Sisters transferred sponsorship of the health system to Leaven Ministries. To learn more, visit www.sclhealthsystem.org.
Tags: health care, leavenworth, Sisters of Charity, Sponsorship
