LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Sisters of Charity of Saint
Elizabeth upon the occasion of their designation for special recognition
as Honorees by the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth upon the occasion of
their designation for special recognition as Honorees by the Good Samar-
itan Hospital Foundation; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on
Sunday, March 14, 2010, at the 25th Anniversary Spring Ball of the Good
Samaritan Hospital Foundation, to be held at the Rockleigh Country Club,
26 Paris Avenue, Rockleigh, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, The history of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth is
especially interwoven with the founding and development of the Catholic
Church in New Jersey; their tradition is interwoven with the early
history of our nation and of the Catholic Church in the United States;
and
WHEREAS, Founded in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 1809 by Saint Elizabeth
Ann Seton in the spirit of Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de
Marillac, the Sisters of Charity established a New Jersey community in
1859 known as the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth; and
WHEREAS, The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth established parish
schools, academies, hospitals, a day nursery, orphanages, a home for the
incurably ill, and a residence for working women in New Jersey; it also
founded the College of Saint Elizabeth, New Jersey's oldest four-year
college for women and one of the first colleges for women in the United
States; and
WHEREAS, The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth are currently
engaged in over 100 education, health care, pastoral and social service
ministries in 15 states, and in the U.S. Virgin Islands, El Salvador,
Central America and Haiti, West Indies; the Congregation currently
numbers 433 vowed members and the Seton Associate relationship has 253
affiliated lay and religious women and men; and
WHEREAS, On October 18th, 2009, the Sisters of Charity of Saint Eliza-
beth celebrated their 150th Anniversary and created an anniversary logo
focused on the charism of charity, recognizing the words, "Generation to
Generation," as the continuous stream of their works and presence since
1859 and into years to come; the blue and green colors of the logo
represent the relationship of the Sisters to each other and to all
created life that surrounds them; and the symbol of the logo imagines a
continuous flow of movement from past to future and the dynamic nature
of the Sisters' mission and ministry; and
WHEREAS, The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth share their history
with gratitude and with a renewed insight into their identity and
purpose; they look forward to a future filled with both gifts and chal-
lenges from the Spirit, who calls them to an ever closer identification
with Christ in His mission; and
WHEREAS, Standing on the threshold of tomorrow, the Sisters of Charity
of Saint Elizabeth are prepared to meet the challenges of the coming
decades while retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes their
past; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth upon the occasion
of their designation for special recognition as Honorees by the Good
Samaritan Hospital Foundation, fully confident that this honor fully
reflects the belief in those values which enhance the dignity and
purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station,
New Jersey 07961.