Greensburg, PA–––The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill are sponsoring a pre-holiday food drive to benefit needy families served by the food pantry of Rendu Services in Fayette County. Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted at the sisters’ motherhouse, Caritas Christi, located at 129 DePaul Center Road, Greensburg, PA, now through November 20, 2015. Monetary donations for special needs of the food pantry are also greatly appreciated.
The November food drive is one of several community service projects held by the Sisters of Charity this year as part of their celebration of Year of Consecrated Life, which will end on February 2, 2016. The Year of Consecrated Life has been designated by Pope Francis as a time when men and women religious “wake up the world” by inviting others to learn of the many ways persons living a consecrated life serve Christ and the Church.
Sister Dorothy Dolan is one of the Sisters of Charity who answers Pope Francis’ call to wake the world to a different way of living through her ministry at Rendu Services. The mission of Rendu Services is to work with and for the people of Fayette County, especially the poor and marginalized in response to the Gospel call to love God and neighbor. For most of her religious life, she ministered as a teacher and principal. “I loved teaching, but working at Rendu, has a different kind of reward. I have ministered at Rendu for almost five years, and I find working here gives me new life. I find people here bring a whole new perspective to my life,” explained Sister Dorothy. “Although I did serve many schools in poor areas, it was nothing like actually working side-by-side with those who have very little monetary goods. Things we take for granted–––food, clothes, diapers, and some of the everyday necessities of life–––they almost have to beg to receive. Yet, in spite of this, they are so appreciative of anything you do for them. This has opened my eyes, and I have learned what charity really means.”
The staff of Rendu Services is made up of the Sisters of Charity, Seton Hill, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Sisters of Charity, Nazareth, Kentucky, and the Daughters of Charity Ministries, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri. For more information about the food drive, Rendu Services, or the Year of Consecrated Life, please call 724-836-0406, ext. 6613.