For more than 200 years, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have responded to the world’s needs by doing something simple first: listening.
That tradition continues today.
During a listening session at the Nazareth Motherhouse, Sisters gathered for prayer and conversation, sharing stories from ministries across the United States and around the world. The discussions highlighted emerging needs, celebrated lives changed, and helped discern where the Congregation is called to serve next.
For the Sisters, listening leads to action. Many SCN ministries began with a single question: What can we do?
In the 1980s, Sisters recognized that women living with HIV/AIDS in Kentucky had few safe places to turn. Their response became House of Ruth, the first nonprofit in the state dedicated to serving women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. What started as one ministry has grown into decades of housing, support, and stability for families rebuilding their lives.
One Sister recalled the decision that launched the effort: “We said, we want to do something that is worthwhile for the world.”
That same spirit is reflected in ministries across the United States and beyond.
Sisters partner with local organizations to provide housing assistance, food security, healthcare, and education. Ministry funds help families facing unexpected hardship, while collaborations with shelters and community organizations support the journey toward stable housing.
On the Nazareth campus, fresh produce from community gardens is shared with neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Sisters, Associates, volunteers, and staff also organize food and clothing drives, assist with disaster relief, and support local pantries throughout the year.
Not every ministry begins with a large program. In Kenya, Sisters and volunteers have sewn thousands of protective covers for water filters used by village families. The simple fabric covers help prevent damage, extend the life of the filters, and provide more reliable access to safe drinking water. Families often refer to them as “insurance policies” because replacing a damaged filter can be costly.
Alongside meeting immediate needs, the Sisters continue investing in lasting solutions.
Since their founding in 1812, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have established schools, hospitals, clinics, and social service ministries that strengthen communities for generations. Today, Sisters serve throughout the United States, India, Nepal, Belize, Botswana, and Kenya, expanding access to education, healthcare, and essential services while working alongside local leaders and partners.
Their ministry also includes advocacy for peace and justice and care for creation. Through environmental stewardship and responsible use of resources, the Sisters recognize that caring for people and caring for the earth are inseparable parts of their mission.
The recent gathering at Nazareth reaffirmed a principle that has guided the Congregation for more than two centuries: paying attention to the needs of others is where ministry begins. Through prayer, service, and partnership, the Sisters continue responding to today’s challenges while building stronger communities for the future.
The needs continue. So does the mission.
Your support helps the Sisters respond when communities need assistance, expand ministries around the world, and continue serving where they are needed most.