Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill

Book excerpt: In August 1870, Mother Aloysia Lowe and five Sisters of Charity from Cincinnati arrived in Altoona, Pennsylvania, to found a new community of sisters for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Western Pennsylvania, with its throngs of newly immigrated Catholics and burgeoning industry, witnessed the growth of parishes and quality schools. Mother Aloysia purchased a 200-acre property in Greensburg in 1882 to accommodate the growing community. It became known as Seton Hill. The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, following in the footsteps of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Vincent de Paul, and St. Louise de Marillac, have dedicated their lives in service of others. From the establishment of groundbreaking educational institutions, including Seton Hill University, to the operation of advanced health-care facilities and vital social service programs, the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill influenced the lives of thousands of Americans. The pioneering spirit of these Sisters of Charity, evidenced in their expansive mission work in Arizona, California, and Louisiana, culminated in 1960 with a mission to Korea. The Korean Province and the United States now unite the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill as an international congregation.