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Religious Communities

For nearly 160 years, the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine  and other congregations of Catholic women religious have served America’s most vulnerable residents. Their ministries of health care, education and social service are significant, faith-based resources that strengthen a community’s capacity to help those most in need.
  
Over the last two centuries, there have been Sisters from over 130 religious orders who have served in Northeast Ohio, encompassing the eight counties in the Diocese of Cleveland and Youngstown. Though many of these congregations continue in other parts of the country, there continue to be Sisters serving in Northeast Ohio from over 28 religious orders. Also many of the health, education and social service organizations in our region were founded by women religious. See the organizations founded by Sisters.
 
The Sisters of Charity of Cleveland strengthens the ministries of women religious through its Saint Ann Legacy Program and Collaboration for Ministry Initiative. The Saint Ann Legacy Program awards grants for ministries of women religious in Northeast Ohio, which it defines as encompassing the Dioceses of Cleveland and Youngstown. The Collaboration for Ministry Initiative engages in networking, research, communications, and grants that promote collaboration among women religious and build awareness of their contributions in meeting human needs.
New Grant Opportunity
New and existing collaborations of women religious in Northeast Ohio (Dioceses of Cleveland and Youngstown) may apply for grants to support the planning or implementation of their collaborative ministry by February 6, 2012 for a potential award in March 2012. Proposals also will be accepted by  July 9, 2012 for potential awards in September 2012. Read the guidelines and proposal requirements and download the application. 
"Out of traditions of the past, we find meaning for the present and hope for the future, responding as our founding sisters did to the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs of God's people..."
-Sr. Mary Denis Maher, CSA, Ph.d.
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