Founders of two Catholic health systems celebrate 150 years

Beginning on Oct. 25, the co-sponsors and sponsors of CHRISTUS Health, Dignity Health and Sisters of Charity Health Systems will celebrate their 150th year in ministry. The founders are the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston and they will reflect on their work in ministry with a Sesquicentennial Mass at their convent in Houston, Villa de Matel, 6510 Lawndale Street, at 4 p.m. The sisters co-sponsor two of the largest hospital systems in the United States.
 
Many honored guests are expected to attend their celebratory Mass including the executive leadership of CHRISTUS and Dignity Health Systems, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and several Catholic bishops including Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, who will preside over the Mass.
 
The Sisters currently care for the poor and less fortunate in five countries around the world through the following ministries: CHRISTUS Health System, Dignity Health System and Sisters of Charity Health. Within the five countries, the sisters also focus on four major areas of their ministry, including education, healthcare, social concerns and spirituality.
 
Bishop Claude Marie Dubuis, second Bishop of Galveston, founded the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Galveston, Texas in 1866. The Congregation later moved to Houston where they founded the city’s first hospital, St. Joseph’s Infirmary. The first three sisters of the congregation came from Lyons, France in response to Bishop Dubuis’ call: "Our Lord Jesus Christ, suffering in the persons of a multitude of sick and infirm of every kind, seeks relief at your hands." In 1926, their Motherhouse was moved from Galveston to Villa de Matel Convent in Houston.
 
The sisters have planned a yearlong program of events and activities to thank God for their past, to honor their co-ministers and celebrate the present; and to look forward to a future full of hope. They will open the year of celebration on Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m. celebrating Eucharist at St. Mary Cathedral Basilica located at 2011 Church Rear St. in Galveston. A reception will follow the Mass, in the KC Hall located 1912 Winnie Street in Galveston.

Several events will be held at Villa de Matel, located at 6510 Lawndale St. in Houston. These include Solemn Vespers on Monday, Oct. 24, in the Conventual Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at 6 p.m., followed by a reception. On Friday, Oct. 28, Taize Prayer will be held in the Conventual Chapel 7:30 p.m.

The sisters will host an open house from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6. The following Friday, Nov. 11, they will hold an Incarnational Spirituality Interactive Talk from 7:30 – 9 p.m. in the Conventual Chapel. On the first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 27, Advent Vespers will be held at 6 p.m. in the Conventual Chapel.

In December, the sisters will host a series of concerts, beginning on Saturday, Dec. 3, with two concerts in the Conventual Chapel given by the Bay Area Chorus. The first will be at 3 p.m. and the second one at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.bayareachorus.org. 

Two concerts will also be given on Saturday, Dec. 10, in the Conventual Chapel by the Houston Chamber Choir. The time will be at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.houstonchamberchoir.org. Two concerts will also be given on Sunday, Dec. 11, in the Conventual Chapel by the Houston Chamber Choir at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.houstonchamberchoir.org.

The concert series will close on Sunday, Dec. 18, with two concerts in the Conventual Chapel given by the Houston Children’s Chorus at 4 and 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.houstonchildren.org.

The Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston is made up of women religious serving within the Catholic Church as signs of God’s presence in the world. Whatever the form of their ministry, it is by means of their own lives that they witness most convincingly to the presence of Jesus Christ. They share their gifts in ministries of education, healthcare, social concerns and spirituality. The sisters serve those in need in El Salvador, Guatemala, Ireland, Kenya and the United States.

Members of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word at their Motherhouse in Houston are celebrating 150 years of service from Oct. 25 to Oct. 25, 2017.