Frequently Asked Questions

Who founded the community and when was it founded?
How many Sisters are there?
What types of ministry are the Sisters involved in?
What are the Vows the Sisters take?
What are the signs of a religious vocation?
 

Who founded the community and when was it founded?

We were founded by Elizabeth Eppinger, who became Mother Alphonse Maria, in Alsace-Lorraine, France in 1849. As a young girl, Elizabeth had a great desire to be a sister, but at that time all of the sisters in her area were teachers. Since Elizabeth had been sickly as a child, she was unable to keep up the studies in order to become a teacher. Her local Bishop encouraged her to discern God’s will for her ministry. Because Elizabeth understood the needs of those who were ill, she began a ministry to care for people who were sick, in their homes.

How many Sisters are there?

From Germany, 12 sisters came to the United States in 1924. We currently have 30 professed sisters, and 2 novices living in the United States. We are part of a larger congregation with our Motherhouse in Germany and a community in Tanzania, Africa.

What types of ministry are the Sisters involved in?

Our ministry is based on a holistic vision of healthcare. We began as “Visiting Nurses” who cared for people in their homes when they were ill, ministering to all the needs of a family, cooking, cleaning, and caring for the children as well as supervision of the person who was ill. Today, we sponsor the Holy Redeemer Health System which operates a large community hospital, acute care nursing home, an independent, assisted living and acute care nursing home, a residence for low-income senior citizens, Home Care Services, and Drueding Center/Project Rainbow which is a residence for homeless women and their children. Most of the Sisters minister within the Holy Redeemer Health System in a variety of ways, ensuring that the vision of Mother Alphonse Maria is continued. Some of our Sisters are involved in ministries outside of the Health System, but which still embrace the vision of Mother Alphonse Maria.

What are the Vows the Sisters take?

Poverty: Through the vow of poverty we commit to a sharing, not only of what we own but of our talents, time and of ourselves. By our vow of poverty, we freely renounce our independent use of material goods, committing ourselves to live as those who personally own nothing. Authentic living of the vow of poverty gives witness to our living in solidarity with the poor and gives hope for a just world. Poverty not only teaches us to trust in God but also frees us to share with generosity the true gift of who we are.

Obedience: Obedience has its origins in the Latin word, obedire that means to listen. We are all called to listen to the Spirit of God and to develop a rich prayer life, which cultivates a listening heart where we come to know what is truly God’s will for us. In living the vow of obedience we do not give up our intelligence, preferences, personality or responsibility. Rather, obedience calls religious to really listen to God, to one’s deepest stirrings, to the members of their community and not just to do what one wants to do. Yes, obedience calls religious to poverty of spirit and emptiness. The challenge of living the vow of obedience comes in hearing something that really may seem impossible for us to live out. Our abiding faith in the grace of God helps us to be flexible and adaptable in living the vow of Obedience.

Chastity: All Christians are called to live chaste lives. Not all Christians are called to live celibate lives. In today’s society religious speak of the vow of Celibacy. Celibacy is the promise we make to love all of God’s people wholeheartedly, inclusively and without being exclusive. Our vow calls us to be warm, loving and vibrant men and women. Without marital commitments religious are available for the Gospel. Celibacy allows us the freedom to go anywhere, to love even the unlovable and to pledge our love to Jesus totally in order to love others. Celibacy can be a life-giving experience even when we live the daily struggle of its various dimensions.

What are the signs of a religious vocation?

  1. A recurring attraction to the religious life
  2. The necessary physical, mental and emotional health to live the vocation fruitfully. This includes the capacity to grow in affective maturity and the ability to handle our wounded-ness in a life-giving way.
  3. A spirit of faith that makes one open to guidance and to the various aspects of the religious life.
  4. A sincere desire to embrace the life of the community as one’s way to God.

If you would like to speak with someone concerning your call to religious life please .

↑ Back to top.

In the News:
    feed.php