The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary brings dedication and skill to a wide array of ministries throughout the United States and Ecuador and Ghana. From educators to parish ministers, spiritual directors to justice advocates, outreach coordinators to hospital chaplains and environmentalists, BVM sisters are at the margins of society and at the heart of Christian life.
U.S. Ministries
The Sisters of Charity, BVM founded and maintains special relationships with these ministries.
They are part of our history and core values.
Carmel Catholic High School (CCHS), Mundelein, Ill.
Founded in 1962, CCHS is co-sponsored by the Sisters of Charity, BVM and the Order of Carmelites. Guided by the values of their founders, CCHS is committed to providing a quality Catholic education and forming young men and women who will make a positive impact in society.
Clarke University, Dubuque, Iowa
Clarke University is a Catholic liberal arts university founded in 1843 by the Sisters of Charity, BVM. Sharing the BVM core values of freedom, education, charity and justice, Clarke is committed to excellence in education, providing a supportive environment that encourages personal and intellectual growth, promotes global awareness and social responsibility, and deepens spiritual values.
Roberta Kuhn Center, Dubuque, Iowa
Open to all men and women 55 years of age or older, the Roberta Kuhn Center provides enrichment opportunities to stimulate the mind, body and spirt, and to strengthen the attitude that growing older means growing better. Founded in 1982 by the Sisters of Charity, BVM, the Center fills a need in the community and is a thank you from the sisters to area citizens.
Opening Doors, Dubuque, Iowa
Opening Doors provides transitional and emergency housing for women and children. Begun as a collaborative ministry of the Catholic sisters in the Dubuque area, the programs of Maria House, Teresa Shelter, and Francis House give women a secure, stable environment to address their needs, pursue education, and resume independent living.
Bethany House of Hospitality, Bartlett, Ill.
Along with other women religious congregations, the Sisters of Charity, BVM sponsor Bethany House of Hospitality. The residential facility serves immigrant women 18–22 years of age who seek permanent U.S. resident status. Bethany House provides an alternative to the youth and adult detention centers while the young women work with legal advocates to secure asylum or resident status.
International Ministries
Quito, Ecuador
The Working Boys’ Center—A Family of Families serves children and their entire families in a comprehensive program of education, social services, and empowerment. The Sisters of Charity, BVM have served here as teachers, administrators, and volunteers for more than 50 years.
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Damien House is a residential hospital that dispels the stigma of those affected by Hansen’s Disease (leprosy). Funded by private donations, Damien House provides round the clock care for its residents and free medical care for outpatients. Since the 1980s, Annie Credidio, BVM has been the driving force in this ministry.
Kumasi, Ghana
Mary Anne Hoope, BVM serves as director for the Centre for Spiritual Renewal, which offers spiritual direction, retreats, and faith formation programs. BVMs Laurene Brady, Irene Lukefahr, Therese Jacobs (Therese Carmelle) and Jacquelyn Cramer (John Kathleen) were instrumental in the opening of a Kumasi library, the Archbishop Mensah Learning Centre, in 2011.