Seton Hill University and the Celebrating Task Force for the Mission Effectiveness Committee presented “Lunch with Liz” Thursday, February 19 in Cecilian Hall.

Cecilian Hall filled with students and faculty for the eight annual “Lunch with Liz.”

The theme this year was “Sisters of Charity as Peacemakers.” Sister Louise Grundish, SC, and Sister Brycelyn Eyler, SC, were the presenters.

This year marked the bicentennial of the founding of the Sisters of Charity by Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. “I think this bicentennial year gives us a special opportunity to tell our story. As a community we have promoted education for all from the beginning, and we worked hard to keep current and to be true to our mission. I would like the students of today to meet some of the early pioneers who sacrificed to make the accomplishments of today possible,” Sister Louise said.

The entire Seton Hill community was invited to learn more about the revolutionary spirit of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and the Sisters of Charity. The annual “Lunch with Liz” event helps the students and faculty celebrate the life and history of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.

Sister Louise provided an overview of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill and spoke of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s legacy while Sister Brycelyn spoke on the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill and their vow to peacemaking.

“The theme of peacemaking is particularly germane at this time in history. There is so much injustice, impatience, intolerance in the world that each of us can spend time in finding ways to be peacemakers,” said Sister Louise. “The Seton Hill University community is the hands and helpers of the Sisters of Charity.”

“The Sisters of Charity respond to the needs of the moment and we hope you, the Seton Hill community, will become extensions of our commitment to peace,” Sister Brycelyn said. “We weep for the people of the world. We are compassionate of others and we hope that you will join us in our promise to peace.”

As Sister Louise and Sister Brycelyn finished their presentations, attendees were given the opportunity to discuss the topic of peace.

A student stated, “Peacemaking in personal relationships is needed because we need to be able to communicate about our problems or issues we have with one another rather than hiding them and creating larger problems.”

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, founder of the Sisters of Charity, dedicated her life to teaching. Born in New York in 1774 to parents whose friends included George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, Elizabeth Seton and her five children moved to Baltimore after the death of her beloved husband, William. Shortly thereafter, she took her vows and received the title, Mother. Mother Seton’s community became known as the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton died in 1821 at the age of 46. Her legacy lives on, not only through her 30,000 spiritual daughters serving throughout the world, but also through the administrators and faculty who continue to serve students. The year 2000 marked the 25th anniversary of the canonization of Mother Seton.

The Sisters of Charity trace their origin to the first American congregation of women religious, founded by Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in 1809. The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill is the youngest of the branches in the United States. For 130 years, this congregation of Catholic women religious has played a vital role in the lives of people in western Pennsylvania. The community's mission to serve is evidenced by a history of ministries providing educational, health, pastoral, and social service care to those in need.