Active Life
The active religious life usually refers to religious communities whose members minister in settings outside their convent or monastery—in education, health care, pastoral service in parishes, social service, and social-justice advocacy, among others. Active women and men religious generally live with one or more other members of their religious institute in convents, apartments, or houses. Whether living alone or with others, their lives are distinguished by the vows, ministries, and spiritual life they hold in common.
Oblate Sisters of Providence,
Baltimore, Maryland
In 1829, at the height of slavery, Elizabeth Lange, an educated and free Caribbean refugee, did the seemingly impossible: established a school to educate children of color in Baltimore, Maryland. Over 180 years later, the Oblate Sisters of Providence continue to extend Mother Mary Lange's vision of service, reaching out with faith and action to address the needs of the times. For the Oblates, meeting today's needs means finding ways to advance vital ministries while providing for senior members. Annual support from the Retirement Fund for Religious assists with elder-care expenses.
Our feature story about the Oblate Sisters of Providence in PDF format
www.oblatesisters.com
Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
The Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, familiarly known as TORs, are members of an international, evangelical, and apostolic religious institute. Through prayer, simple living, and a unique devotion to the corporal works of mercy, the Franciscans TOR seek an ongoing conversion to the love and will of God. With more than a third of their membership over age 70, the friars are challenged to meet the rising cost of elder care. Yet conscientious stewardship of their resources and annual assistance from the Retirement Fund for Religious enables the community to provide for senior members while continuing their dedicated service to the People of God.
Our feature story about the Franciscans TOR in PDF format
www.franciscanfriarstor.com
The School Sisters of Notre Dame,
Atlantic-Midwest Province
The School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) have been serving in Baltimore, Maryland, since 1847. Today, members of the Atlantic-Midwest Province minister in areas ranging from education to social justice. The SSNDs utilize the annual Direct Care Assistance furnished by the Retirement Fund for Religious as part of a multi-faceted approach to retirement funding. Distributions help the SSNDs ensure comprehensive care for senior members while continuing to focus on mission and ministry.
Our feature story about the The School Sisters of Notre Dame in PDF format
www.atlanticmidwest.org
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