CHARITY THROUGH TIME
A blog from the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Heritage Center, dedicated to sharing the rich history and legacy of the SCNs.
Recorded Presentations
Hear from the Archivists and the Heritage Center as they touch on different topics around the SCN history.
Historic Photos
COMING SOON: View a gallery of photos that showcase the Sisters over the last 200 years.
Marie Menard Stories
Read profiles on the Sisters with interviews conducted as part of the Marie Menard Committee project.
Called by Name: A Look into Religious Naming Customs
Throughout the course of history and across cultures, names have carried special meaning beyond the simple identification of a family or individual. First names have commonly been given upon birth or baptism, and Catholics in particular have practiced bestowing new...
Sister Jeanine Jaster: A Profile
Writing this account was not easy. I do not keep careful track of dates, and many names have faded with time—but the gratitude, the faith, and the love remain clear.
Sister Reena Theruvankunnel: A Profile
In God’s love, there is always hope
In God’s grace, there is always a way
In God’s presence, we are never alone.
Scrapbooks of Nazareth Academy
Submitted by Sydney Langille, Heritage Center Summer Intern The word “scrapbook” has been in use since the 1850s, and the hobby itself has been practiced in some manner for centuries before then. By nature, people like to save and collect items that tell a story of...
SCN Response to Yellow Fever Epidemic and 1918 Influenza Pandemic
Written by Sydney Langille, Heritage Center Intern The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have had a long history of serving as nurses in times of crisis. Those with decades of clinical experience worked alongside Sisters brand new to the field, working together to fight...
Heritage Center Welcomes Summer Intern Sydney Langille
Hello! My name is Sydney Langille, and I am working as an intern at Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Archives. I am excited to begin learning more about archives as a whole, especially with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth collections. While listening to Kelly,...
Greetings from the Past: A History of Postcards through the SCN Archives
Before the days of Facebook and Instagram connecting people across the world instantly, postcards served as a simple and relatively quick form of communication. Since their emergence in the late nineteenth century, postcards have been both a tool of communication, as...
Sister Joan Robishaw: A Profile
Grandmother Twomey even said to Joan. “Someday you will be a Sister, and you can be like Sister Mary Edward (Phelan), kind and caring.” What a prediction!
A Brief History of the Global Exchange Program
Thanks to the vision of Sister Mary Reisz and the 1985 members of the Executive Committee and to the dedication and tireless efforts of the members of the East-West Exchange Committee and Global Exchange Committee through the decades the dream of bonding across oceans has been shared by more than one hundred Sisters and Associates since the first exchange group took flight in 1986.
Remembering Sister Geeta Kochettonnil
Even in suffering, her faith never wavered. She often reflected, “I bow down before my God who has sustained me through thick and thin.”
Sister Suma Muthukattuparampil: A Profile
Thank you, Lord, for every blessing—seen and unseen—that fills my life with your grace.
Sister Jyoti Thattaparampil: A Profile
While caring for patients, I often witnessed miracles and moments of divine help. In times of uncertainty, people appeared at just the right time to guide or assist me. These experiences have deepened my relationship with God, my community, and the people I serve.
Preserving Pages of the Past: Exploring the SCN Annals
“Few will know we lived a hundred years from now!” These words, recorded in the St. Ann Convent annals as seen above, exemplify the spirit of record keeping that has been a part of the SCN community since its origins. In the early days of the Community, Sister...
Sister Evelyn Fugazzi: A Profile
It has been stated that we, Sisters, are re-tread rather than retired. This is true. I am now ninety-three years old and I mean old! But a wonderful saying keeps me going: “Wherever one of us is, we all are!” If God calls you to this life, you will never be bored. We continue to minister in six different countries, and I salute the many lay people of many denominations who support us in a variety of ways. Thank you and bless you!
New Archival Center Exhibit Featuring Botswana
In honor of the Botswana Mission’s Silver Jubilee year, the Archival Center at Nazareth has installed a new exhibit on the history of SCN ministry in Botswana! It will be on display through March 2026. Stop by to say hi and see the new exhibit!