Houston mayor honors CCVI community
October 11, 2016
HOUSTON — Houston's mayor, Sylvester Turner, has made an official proclamation declaring the day of the founding of Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI), Oct. 25, 2016 as their official day.
The mayor, along with members of the Houston City Council and his staff, visited Villa de Matel, the Motherhouse of the CCVI, on Sept. 20. They were honored at a luncheon and toured the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Sisters from El Salvador, Guatemala, Kenya, Ireland and the United States welcomed the mayor and shared their passion for serving those in need.
During the luncheon, the mayor thanked the sisters for their service to Houston. He congratulated them on their 150th year anniversary and honored them with an official proclamation declaring the day of their founding, Oct. 25, as the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Day. Congregational leader, Sister Kevina Keating, accepted the proclamation and thanked the mayor for his leadership and support of the sisters' work in ministering to the less fortunate in Houston.
The Congregation was founded in Galveston in 1866 by Bishop Claude Marie Dubuis, the second bishop of Galveston.
The first three Sisters came from Lyons, France, to establish the Congregation in response to Bishop Dubuis' call: Our Lord Jesus Christ, suffering in the persons of a multitude of sick and infirm of every kind, seeks relief at your hands. In 1926, the Motherhouse was moved from Galveston to the newly built Villa de Matel Convent in Houston.
The sisters currently serve in five countries around the world: El Salvador, Guatemala, Ireland, Kenya and the United States, and their ministries impact the lives of countless people.
THey serve in four major focus areas of ministry.
• Education: teachers and administrators of primary schools, secondary schools and literacy centers.
• Healthcare: sponsors of Sisters of Charity Health System, co-sponsors of CHRISTUS Health, co-sponsors of the Catholic hospitals within Dignity Health and in direct service to those in need.
• Social concerns: ministering to the underserved and providing direct services to the poor through facilities and centers that care for abandoned children and elderly. They also partner with others in comprehensive immigration reform, the repeal of the death penalty and the abolition of all human trafficking.
• Spirituality: The Spirit of Jesus, the Incarnate Word, inspires and sustains all who engage in prayer and ministry. In support of this, the Congregation administers three spirituality centers in Guatemala, Kenya and the United States.
The sisters have planned a yearlong program of events and activities to thank God for their past, to honor their co-ministers and celebrate the present; and to look forward to a future full of hope.
Celebrating the 2016 Sesquicentennial Year
Events throughout the rest of the year mark the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Houston. Call 713-928-6053 or visit sistersofcharity.org for more.
October 23
Eucharist, 2 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral Basilica (2011 Church Rear St., Galveston). Reception to follow in the KC Hall, 1912 Winnie St., Galveston.
October 24
Solemn Vespers, 6 p.m. in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Villa de Matel (6510 Lawndale St., Houston). Followed by a reception.
October 28
Taize prayer, 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Villa de Matel (6510 Lawndale St., Houston).
November 6
Open House, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Villa de Matel (6510 Lawndale St., Houston).
November 11
Incarnational Spirituality Interactive talk, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Villa de Matel (6510 Lawndale St., Houston).
November 27
First Sunday of Advent Vespers, 6 p.m. in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Villa de Matel (6510 Lawndale St.).
December 3
Bay Area Chorus Concerts, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Villa de Matel (6510 Lawndale St., Houston). Tickets can be purchased at www.bayareachorus.org.
December 10
Houston Chamber Choir concerts, 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Villa de Matel (6510 Lawndale St., Houston). Purchase tickets at houstonchamberchoir.org.
December 11
Houston Chamber Choir concerts, 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Villa de Matel (6510 Lawndale St., Houston). Purchase tickets at houstonchamberchoir.org.
December 18
Houston Children’s Chorus concerts, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Villa de Matel (6510 Lawndale St., Houston). Purchase tickets at houstonchildren.org.
Did you know? CCVI is the acronym for the Latin phrase, “Congregatio Caritatis Verbi Incarnati,” which means “Congregation of Charity of the Incarnate Word.” It refers to the Sisters who comprise the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.