Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Jubilee

The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCLs) are beginning a year of jubilee nationwide to celebrate the 150th anniversary of their founding on Nov. 11, 1858.  The SCLs is a community of women religious (Catholic sisters) with a special commitment to serve persons who are poor.  The SCL Mother House is located in Leavenworth, Kan., with Sisters serving ministries in the continental United States and in Peru, South America.

• The Sisters trace their roots to Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac who in 17th century France founded the first community of vowed women religious who ministered outside the walls of cloistered convents.
• The SCL community was founded in 1858 when Mother Xavier Ross and a small group of sisters came to Kansas from Nashville, Tenn., at the invitation of Bishop John Baptist Miege.
• In a short amount of time, the Sisters established ministries to educate young people, care for the sick and provide a home for orphans.
• Over the many years of their history, education and health care services have remained primary ministries of the Sisters as they taught and administered at the elementary, secondary and college levels and established hospitals and clinics in Kansas and western states.
• Today, the SCLs serve in a variety of ministries including parish and diocesan administration, health care, medicine and nursing, education, social services, spiritual development and many others. 
• The Sisters’ “sponsored works/ministries” (incorporated ministries) include:
  o Cristo Rey, Kansas City, Mo.;
  o Mount Saint Vincent Home, Denver, Colo.;
  o the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System (nine hospitals and four clinics for the uninsured in California, Colorado, Kansas and Montana); and
  o the University of Saint Mary with campuses in Leavenworth, Kan., and Overland Park, Kan.
• There are 320 members of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth.
• There are 225 Associates, lay men and women who have made a commitment to share the values and partner in the ministries of the SCLs.
• Leadership of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth includes a Community Council elected every six years at a Chapter (general meeting) of the religious community.
• Current Council members are Sister Joan Sue Miller, community director; and councilors, Sister Maureen Hall, Sister Linda Roth, Sister Nancy Bauman and Sister Marianna Bauder.
• For more information, visit the SCL website at www.scls.org or call 913-758-6541.