Students, faculty, and Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) from across the Sacred Heart Network in North America gathered at the Pallottine Renewal Center in Florissant, Missouri, November 15 to 18. The second annual “Living Our Sacred Heart Mission: St. Madeleine Sophie’s Vision for Education: an Exploration of the Past, Present, and the Future” conference presented an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the ways in which the Society of the Sacred Heart carries out its mission through education and the Sacred Heart Goals & Criteria. Freshman Olivia Franco, sophomore Brianna Timlin, and junior Annika Wise represented Sacred Heart Greenwich this year at the “Living Our Mission” conference. Mrs. Maureen Considine, Director of Upper School Campus Ministry and Sacristan, accompanied the students and reflected on the value of this experience.
Ms. Amanda Codina, Director of Student Programs & Special Initiatives for the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, welcomed 40 students and 17 faculty members to the conference Wednesday evening. As an alumna of Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami, Florida and former Dean of Students at Convent of the Sacred Heart, 91st Street in New York City, Ms. Codina is deeply connected to the Network. She first envisioned and organized the “Living Our Mission” conference last year upon the realization that she could expand her own knowledge of the Society’s founding mother, Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat. By understanding the historical context of the past 200 years, conference participants were able to gain a greater appreciation for the Sacred Heart founding mothers and the Goals & Criteria.
Sister Suzanne Cooke, the RSCJ Provincial for the United States and Canada, shared the life and vision of founding mother, St. Madeleine Sophie. Sr. Cooke communicated this story by describing St. Madeline Sophie’s life within the context of the world in which she grew up in the early 1800s. Sr. Cooke explained that St. Madeleine Sophie was raised in a loving household in Joigny, France with support from parents who pushed her educational opportunities beyond what they had received. As the youngest in her family, St. Madeleine Sophie’s older siblings treasured and cared for her. Sr. Cooke also identified St. Madeleine Sophie’s loving family as inspiration for the saint’s vision in creating an educational experience built on relationships.
“Let us respect childhood; let us honor the soul of that small creature of God who can already make choices of the best if we take the time to awaken her reason and make her use her judgment,” St. Madeleine Sophie said, according to sacredheartusc.education.
Sister Diane Roche and Sister Lynne Lieux joined Sr. Cooke to discuss the Society’s response to the Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican (Vatican II) and the call to serve in the world. The RSCJ emphasized the Network’s purpose, which is to communicate God’s love. This is the core mission that has kept the Society of the Sacred Heart united for over 200 years.
Conference attendees also heard from Sister Reyna González, who discussed her work as the founder of SacredHeartDNA, which is an initiative that unites teenagers with RSCJ to foster faith, community, and active service, according to rscj.org. Sister Nancy Kehoe, who is a psychologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, shared her expertise on the intersection between mental health and religion. Each RSCJ imparted invaluable wisdom and life advice to the students. Sr. Roche discussed the value in facing difficulties head on by utilizing challenges as opportunities for growth.
“I don’t want to take bridges, I want to go through the water,” Sr. Roche said.
St. Madeleine Sophie valued relationships as a leader, setting an example for the international connection between schools today. “Living Our Mission” supports St. Madeline Sophie’s vision by bringing together an intergenerational group of people, all with their own distinct Sacred Heart experiences but one common mission. Mrs. Considine reflected on the benefit of connecting with students and faculty from other schools.
“I am always excited to meet students and faculty from other Sacred Heart schools because we really learn so much from each other,” Mrs. Considine said.
Through learning about the RSCJ and Sacred Heart history, participants also engaged in personal reflection and introspection. The program offered students the opportunity to speak with RSCJ in small group settings. The groups discussed the sisters’ personal stories and ministries, listened to stories about their mentors, and learned more about the work they do today. “Living Our Mission” reminded students that the RSCJ are real people, who have much wisdom to share with young students. Sr. Lieux left participants with advice on making decisions in their lives.
“I hope you will always choose life for growth because that’s what brings joy,” Sr. Lieux said.
In addition to the discussions and presentations, conference participants visited Villa Duchesne, the Sacred Heart school in St. Louis, Missouri. Students not only heard from the RSCJ, but also learned more about each other, discussing the similarities and differences between their schools and listening to student reflections. In this way, attendees noted that the experience in Missouri opened up a new perspective of what it means to be a child of the Sacred Heart. The students and faculty representatives from across the United States, Canada, and Mexico all contributed their insights and were eager to learn.
Seniors Avery Kim and Madeleine Hooper represented Sacred Heart Greenwich last November at the first “Living Our Mission” conference. Their experience in Missouri inspired them to design Coeur Connections, an inaugural day of programming for the freshman class. This event occurred October 11 and worked to provide students with a greater understanding of the Network beyond King Street, including elements of the “Living Our Mission” conference such as personal reflection, discussion, and time for contemplation. Mrs. Considine considered the motivation behind Coeur Connections.
“Last year, the girls who went to this conference found it so inspiring that they wanted to share the whole concept promoted in the conference with the ninth graders,” Mrs. Considine said. “I think this is something we would like to see again.”
Featured Image by Brianna Timlin ’26
