Sisters of Charity, BVM Celebrates Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Heritage and Research Center

Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana

The Sisters of Charity, BVM is excited to share that the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Heritage and Research Center (HARC) at Saint Mary’s College recently took place on July 26, on the Saint Mary’s campus in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Preserving and Showcasing Rich Histories
The center will preserve and showcase the rich histories and collections of St. Mary’s College and nine women’s religious congregations, highlighting the significant contributions of religious sisters in education, health care, and public service across the United States. This archival collection brings together the life stories of thousands of Catholic sisters into a single accessible location. This space will support the study, research, and application of their exemplary leadership models across communities, parishes, organizations, and schools.

BVM Archives
Approximately 1,300 linear feet will hold the history and story of the BVMs. BVM Archivist Jennifer Head, who has been a part of the discussion and planning since its inception, shares, “I was very excited that after more than six years, groundbreaking was finally happening. There was also a sense of relief that it was happening—a small part of me was waiting for something to happen that would cause another delay.

“Seeing the representatives from almost every participating congregation really brought home the need for HARC and demonstrated how committed we all are to making it happen. There was a real sense of bonding—we were all in this together and together we would make it a success.”

Operational Structure
HARC will operate independently while being supported by the participating congregations. It will have its own executive director, archivists, and curators to manage its collections, exhibits, and programming. As part of the National Archives Project for Women Religious, HARC will integrate with archival hubs in Cleveland, Santa Clara, and Boston, offering comprehensive access to these essential resources.

HARC’s Council of Partners:

• Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dubuque, Iowa
• Ladysmith Servite Sisters (Sister Servants of Mary), Ladysmith, Wisconsin
• Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters, Huntington, Indiana
• Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana
• Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross, Merrill, Wisconsin
• Sisters of Saint Agnes, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
• Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross, Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Sisters of St. Casimir, Chicago, Illinois
• Sisters of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Indiana
• Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, O’Fallon, Missouri

Future Goals and Vision
Sisters of Charity, BVM are enthusiastic about our participation in this collaborative archive. HARC will feature storytelling, artifact exhibits, archival preservation, and digitization. Learning rooms, group dialogues, and classes to further disseminate the history and influence of women religious will also be available. We believe that HARC will not only celebrate the pioneering spirit of women religious but also inspire future leaders to work toward a more just world.