From Sisters Who Refuse to Relinquish Love and who are praying for peace In preparation for the Feast of the Sacred Heart Dear Friends and Family of the Sacred Heart, As we come closer to the Feast of the Sacred Heart, we write with hearts full—full of grief, full of love, and full of fierce resolve….
By Frances Gimber, RSCJ College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, awarded Barbara Rogers, RSCJ, an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters at this year’s commencement, May 23, 2025. Holy Cross President Vincent D. Rougeau said, “I’m thrilled to honor Dr. Linda LeMura [commencement speaker] and Sister Barbara Rogers at our commencement ceremonies this year….
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat’s canonization. There are many wonderful items from her canonization held in the Society of the Sacred Heart United States – Canada Province archives. The archives building is located in St. Louis, Missouri, and so for those who are unable to visit in-person, we share…
Alleluia! Alleluia!! Our hearts were filled with joy as we heard the words “We have a new Pope!” Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Pope Leo greeted the people of God with Jesus’ Easter message – Peace be with you! Our hearts are filled with gratitude, believing that Pope Leo will be…
By Caroline Richard, Director of Le Petit Musée and Shrine of Saint John Berchmans in Grand Coteau, Louisiana The Chapel at the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Berchmans Academy in Grand Coteau has just completed an extensive and necessary rehabilitation. For almost two centuries, the Chapel has been the spiritual heart of the campus and…
April 10, 2025, Diane Roche, RSCJ was among seven volunteers recognized by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington at their annual Caritas! event. Sister Roche received the Father John O’Connor Award for Empowerment and recognized for her work at the Refugee Service Center. Catholic Charities wrote of Diane: Sister Diane Roche, RSCJ, is an impactful…
Be humble,Be simple,Bring joy to others. Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat Dear Family of the Sacred Heart, Our hearts are filled with sorrow as we mourn Pope Francis. Surely, he brought to life the above words of Saint Madeleine Sophie. Francis lived from the conviction that hope is born of love that finds its roots in the…
Cecile Meijer, RSCJ, visited Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in early February to speak about her time and experience at the United Nations (UN). Sister Meijer served as the Society of the Sacred Heart’s first UN-NGO (Non-governmental organization) representative from 2003-2017. Sarah Malone, who teaches high school theology, extended the invitation to…
Two seniors from Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, recently visited St. Louis and St. Charles to explore Sacred Heart history. The following was written and shared by Sacred Heart Academy, Bryn Mawr: Founders of the SHArchives Club, Lilly Murphy ’25 and Gabriella Vraim ’25 returned from a riveting four-day trip to St. Louis, Missouri, primarily…
Many Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) have called the campus of Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart home since its founding in 1960. Sharon Karam, RSCJ, has resided in “the White House” on the school’s grounds since 1996. On Friday, January 17, many gathered to celebrate Sister Karam as she prepares to move to…
By Michael Pera, Provincial Archivist for the Society of the Sacred Heart United States – Canada Province On January 15, the Villa Duchesne sophomore class visited the United States – Canada Province Archives to learn more about their school’s history. Villa Duchesne has a house system, in which students are grouped into Maisons. Each Maison…
“Our world is at an historic paradoxical moment. In the midst of extraordinary possibilities that offer promise and life, we simultaneously witness inequality, suffering and violence.” (Philosophy of Sacred Heart Education – Sophie’s Gift…Our Call to the Future, 2023) Moments of such sadness, moments of such loss, moments of such brokenness simply bring us to our…
Having been called to be people of hope — to be Artisans of Hope in our Blessed and Broken World — the provincial team of the United States – Canada Province has been discerning how the province might best live this call now. The team has also reflected on how to engage in our current…
Provincial Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, and the provincial team have promoted Michael Pera to provincial archivist. Michael has served the United States – Canada Province as assistant archivist since 2007 and has been instrumental in ensuring that the archives are easily accessible and highly functional. Having been on several provincial committees, including the Bicentennial Committee and…
Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ, gave 22 different presentations and talks to Religious of the Sacred Heart and lay collaborators during a 2 week visit to Japan this past fall. Her presentations varied in topic, including on Sacred Heart Spirituality, Mater and the new museum at the Villa Lante in Rome. The Japan province’s continuing education committee…
On October 11, alumnae and alumni from City House and Barat Hall schools, Religious of the Sacred Heart and members of the Villa Duchesne community gathered at Villa for a blessing of a pedestal, the last surviving remnant of the City House and Barat Hall schools in St. Louis, Missouri. Those gathered for the blessing listen…
At the end of September, the Network of Sacred Heart Schools hosted its first-ever learning and action conference entitled Sacred Heart Summit: Hearts Rooted in Change. The historic three-and-a-half-day conference brought together an international and intergenerational group of over 500 members of the Sacred Heart family to learn, build community, and commit to action. The Summit…
The Network of Sacred Heart Schools kicked off its 50th anniversary year — celebrating 50 years united in mission — with an opening prayer service at the Shrine of Saint Philippine Duchesne, located on the campus of the Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles, Missouri. The service was live-streamed, garnering over 250 live…
Sophie’s Well, a center for Sacred Heart spirituality, hosted a hiking retreat in Halifax, Nova Scotia this summer. Led by Mary Frohlich, RSCJ, the retreat brought together a group of twelve women from their 20s to their 70s for a week of praying and hiking together. The group included Associates, Religious of the Sacred Heart, Sacred…
On September 8, Religious of the Sacred Heart, Associates, Province staff and Heads of Schools gathered in the spirit of gratitude, grace and hope for a Province-wide Zoom prayer service. During this occasion that marked the beginning of Suzanne Cooke’s second term as Provincial of the United States – Canada Province, the larger community thanked outgoing…
The Society of the Sacred Heart United States – Canada Province is pleased to announce the appointment of Julie L. Castellini as Advancement Director, Illinois – Florida, starting this September. Julie is an alumna of the Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, Illinois, and has over 10 years experience in advancement, admissions,…