The Washington Times noted a recent study by Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, directed by Patricia Murphy, RSCJ, a chaplain at Rush and an assistant professor of religion, health and human values, that indicates that in patients diagnosed with clinical depression, "belief in a concerned God can improve response to medical treatment." Read the complete article here.

Ever since St. Philippine started the first free school west of the Mississippi, providing education for underserved children has been part of the Sacred Heart tradition. Continuing that tradition, on January 26, 2010, Joan Magnetti, RSCJ, was appointed Executive Director of the six inner-city Bridgeport schools of the Diocese of Bridgeport, by the Most Rev. William E. Lori, Bishop of Bridgeport.

Two new positions at the Oakwood retirement community for Religious of the Sacred Heart in Atherton, California, have been announced by Paula Toner, RSCJ, Provincial, and the U.S. Provincial Team. On January 18, 2010, Susan Perkins became Administrator of Oakwood, and in February, Clare Pratt, RSCJ, will become Director of the Oakwood RSCJ Community.

With profound gratitude, the Religious of the Sacred Heart thank all those who have contributed to earthquake relief in Haiti through the RSCJ community. As of January 25, 2010, gifts in the amount of $49,164.00 - a total of 241 donations – have been received. These gifts go to the Haiti Fund and directly support the work of the RSCJ in Haiti and the needs around them that they feel are most desperate. The U.S. province is one of the five provinces responsible for the mission in Haiti, together with Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba.

On January 1, 2010, the Oakwood Community celebrated the long-anticipated ONE HUNDREDTH birthday of Claire Saizan. RSCJ. A nine o’clock Liturgy of Mary the Mother of God was offered for Sister Saizan, ending with a sung blessing and a rousing “Happy Birthday to you!”

Information about the Duchesne Fund for Ministry has been posted, including the criteria and guidelines as well as the application form. Click here for more.

The work of Natalie Runfola, RSCJ, is mentioned in a recent article about the "kindness extended by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart to a South End program that helps the needy" in the Albany Times-Union. Titled "Convent may be empty, but it still fills need," the article describes the connection between the St. John's/St. Ann's Church Outreach Center and Kenwood and the "welcome table" for the homeless at Thanksgiving and Christmas. To read more, click here.

The October 28 edition of the Albany Times Union included a sensitive and touching tribute to Sister Ludwika Sofja Andrzejewska, who “was so tiny, her feet never touched the ground when she sat in a pew and prayed.” The tribute was written by Paul Grondahl.

House Resolution 441: Honoring the Historical Contributions of Catholic Sisters in the United States : On September 22, 2009, this resolution passed in the House of Representatives by roll call vote, held under a suspension of the rules to cut debate short and pass the resolution, needing a two-thirds majority. This usually occurs for non-controversial legislation. The totals were 412 Ayes, 0 Nays, 20 Present/Not Voting.

On Tuesday, October 6, 2009, Mary Clark, RSCJ, Ph.D., became the recipient of the prestigious Father Victor Yanatelli Award, presented by SOAR (Support Our Aging Religious) in New York City. Sister Clark, who has served at Manhattanville College for forty-four years, was recognized for her Augustinian scholarship as a professor of philosophy and her empowerment of many lay and seminary students.

Celebrating Sacred Heart Spirituality & Mission in a Globalized World is the title of a conference to be held at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, Maryland, from July 7 to 11, 2010. Presenters will include: Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ; Dr. Paul Farmer, a co-founder and Board Member of the Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti; Cecile Meijer, RSCJ; Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ; and Clare Pratt, RSCJ. The conference is sponsored by the Sacred Heart Spirituality Forum and the Network of Sacred Heart Schools.

The registration deadline is November 15, 2009, and registration information will be available October 15 at www.sofie.org and at www.rscj.org.

Joan Magnetti, RSCJ, served as headmistress at Greenwich for nineteen years. Before that, she served as head at Stuart in Princeton, for a total of 32 years dedicated to educating young women. To read more about Sister Magnetti click on....

Virginia Rodee, RSCJ, was named "2009 Woman of Conscience" during the biennial national conference of the Alumnae and Alumni of the Sacred Heart April 23-26 in Los Angeles.