HomeMy WebLinkAboutBill 16-52 Publicly Honoring Sisters of the Holy CrossA RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
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OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, PUBLICLY HONORING THE ,�'' r�
SISTERS OF THE HOLY CROSS ON THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY g
AND THANKING PAST AND PRESENT SISTERS FOR THEIR v •" ' +}
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Whereas, the South Bend Common Council notes that on August 4, 1841, Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau
of Le Mans, France, organized a group of devout laywomen who were trained to teach and nurse, to become the
Marianites of Holy Cross. Three branches of Holy Cross women grew from this beginning: the Marianites, Sisters
of Holy Cross and Sisters of the Holy Cross. 175 years later, over 3,000 religious women of Holy Cross have
joined the religious men of Holy Cross to minister today throughout Europe, North and South America, Africa,
and Asia in fulfilling their commitment to continue the mission in the spirit of Father Moreau; and
Whereas, there are countless examples of the dedicated work of the Holy Cross Congregation: from the
four Holy Cross sisters sent in 1843 to northern Indiana to assist Holy Cross priests and brothers in establishing
a school for boys and young men, today known as the University of Notre Dame; to the many religious women
of the Sisters of the Holy Cross who served as nurses during the Civil War and boarding on Christmas Eve 1862
the hospital ship Red Rover to care for the wounded on both sides of the war; to the Holy Cross sisters who
responded to the needs of Native Americans and settlers by establishing orphanages and teaching Potawatomi
children; to serving during the Spanish - American War; to the moving of a school, Saint Mary's Academy, from
Bertrand, Michigan to Indiana in 1855, known today as Saint Mary's College which continues to educate women
in the "long- established Holy Cross tradition of academic excellence and service "; to establishing over 100
academies, schools, and colleges and serving as principals, faculty and staff; to establishing 19 hospitals over a
133 year period; to having "Holy Cross sisters continue to minister in a variety of education health care settings
worldwide" such as Uganda, Ghana, Bangladesh, India, Brazil, Peru, Mexico and many other places around the
globe; and
Whereas, the Sisters of the Holy Cross "form an apostolic community of religious women for whom the
teachings and counsels of the gospel are rule of life," noting that the general councils of the four (4) congregations
of Holy Cross launched the Holy Cross International Justice Office in 2000, which today serves as the "Holy
Cross Voice" to help impact the "critical justice issues of our time ".
Now, Therefore, be it resolved, by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows:
Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, proudly recognizes the vision of Blessed
Basil Moreau and honors all of the Sisters of the Holy Cross who continue to minister today, 175 years later, as
"educators, nurses, administrators, counselors, social workers, parish and campus ministers, retreat leaders,
writers, attorneys, and advocates for social justice" in addressing the "urgent needs of the world ".
Section II. The Common Council publicly recognizes the Core Values of Holy Cross — Compassion, Faith,
Prayer and Community, and on behalf of the South Bend community, the South Bend Common Council expresses
its sincere gratitude and thanks for the continued dedication and service to our community by the Sisters of the
Holy Cross, past and present, and looks forward to future generations of service by your religious community.
Section III. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council
and approval by the Mayor.
Tim Scott, 1 st District Council Member
Regina Williams Preston., 2 "d District
Randy Kelly, 3' District Council Member
Jo Wroden, 4th District Council Member
Dr. David Varner, 5 1 District
Attest:
Kareemah Fowler, City Clerk
Oliver J. Davis, 6th District Council Member
John Voorde, At Large Council Member
Gavin Ferlic, At Large Council Member
Karen L. White, At Large Council Member
Kathleen Cekanski Farrand, Council Attorney
Approved this _ day of 016
Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend, Indiana