Sisters of Charity of Nazareth turn 200

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth turned 200 in December. Their ministry throughout Massachusetts includes presences in schools from Immaculate Conception School in Marlborough, to St. Brigid School in Framingham, to Our Lady of Nazareth in Wakefield, and to St. Pius X School in Cape Cod. Their social services in the state benefit St. Theresa Home in Lynn, Catholic Charities, and others. Their ministries provided pastoral services through the years at Brockton's closed Cardinal Cushing Hospital, and continue at Eastern Point Retreat House in Gloucester.

The Congregation was founded in 1812 and the Sisters opened their first school at St. Thomas Farm, near Bardstown, Kentucky in 1814. By the close of the 19th century, around the United States sisters were engaged in two colleges, more than 30 high schools, and over a 100 elementary schools. Countless children were given an education, and thousands of patients received care in 10 hospitals. Nurses' training schools in six hospitals extended the SCN service. To date Sisters have taught in over 300 schools world-wide.

Boston philanthropists come together to support St. Joseph Prep

Supporters of Boston's Catholic schools joined Boston College President William P. Leahy, SJ, and philanthropist Jack Connors recently for a dinner that raised $900,000 to support the new St. Joseph Preparatory High School in Brighton.

Connors and Father Leahy were joined by Fidelity Investments Vice Chairman Peter Lynch and Suffolk Construction CEO John Fish, in addition to nearly 20 other benefactors.

The funding will provide ongoing support for the newly formed Catholic co-educational high school in Brighton. St. Joseph Prep opened its doors this fall after merging Trinity Catholic High School in Newton and Mount St. Joseph Academy in Brighton. Proceeds will support school services and activities including faculty development, wireless technology, introduction of a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics curriculum, fine arts programs and athletic teams.

Easton couple presented Spirit of Holy Cross Award

The Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers have honored the founders of the Catholic ministry My Brother's Keeper in Easton with the 2012 Spirit of Holy Cross Award.

James and Theresa Orcutt were honored with the award on Dec. 5. The Orcutts are on staff at Holy Cross Retreat House in Easton and also founded My Brother's Keeper. The two have been married for 41 years and have three children and six grandchildren.

Local Holy Cross Religious Superior, Father Tony Szakaly, C.S.C., presented the award after a prayer service at the Chapel of Mary on the Stonehill College campus in Easton.

The Spirit of Holy Cross Award is awarded to Holy Cross lay collaborators who faithfully serve the U.S. Province in the United States and abroad. The Spirit of Holy Cross Award acknowledges the critical importance lay collaborators play in living out the vision and mission of Holy Cross founder Blessed Basil Moreau to make God known, loved, and served through education, parish and mission settings.

In 1988, the couple began serving families in need from the basement of their home by delivering furniture to struggling families in Taunton and Brockton. Two years later, the couple incorporated their Catholic ministry as My Brother's Keeper. The organization is housed in a 15,000-square-foot operations center on Holy Cross land adjacent to Stonehill College and Holy Cross Family Ministries in Easton and North Easton. More than 2,500 volunteers, including many Stonehill students and alumni, give of their time annually along with six full-time employees. My Brother's Keeper completes 7,500 deliveries of food, furniture and Christmas gifts to needy individuals and families in the local area each year.

Catholic Grade Schools sponsor informational showcase for families

Eleven Catholic grade schools in the communities of Medford, Malden, Everett, Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Chelsea, Revere, and East Boston will host an informational school showcase for interested families for the 2013-2014 school year in January.

The Jan. 10, 2013 event will take place in the evening at St. Joseph School in Medford. Families are invited to learn about the Catholic schools in their communities and speak to representatives from the schools. The 11 grade schools offer pre-kindergarten classes to 8th grade and are accredited by New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Catholic Schools are open to all families and faiths.

Enrollment for Catholic Schools begins in February for the following school year. For more information email Megan Adzima of Catholic Schools Admissions Collaborative at admissionscollaborative@gmail.com.

Regis College board elects new trustees

Regis College has named Ann M. Lagasse of Newburyport and Meyer J. Chambers of West Roxbury to the Regis board of trustees.

Lagasse, a graduate of Regis College class of 1979, was co-founder and principal of Piper Properties Management Company for twenty years. She was responsible for purchasing, redeveloping and managing 35 historic mixed-use properties in Newburyport, including retail, office, residential and commercial tenants. Currently, Lagasse is managing Boston's Seaport marina projects and developing an inn and a yacht marina in Boston's North End. She is the recipient of four annual Historic Preservation Awards for Commercial Buildings from the City of Newburyport and received the Women of Influence Award from the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce.

Meyer J. Chambers, M.L.M. is the Director of Liturgical Music at St. Katharine Drexel Church in Boston and Campus Minister for Liturgical Arts at Boston College. He is founder of the Archdiocese of Boston's Black Catholic Choir and recipient of the archdiocese's Bishop Cheverus Medal and Bishop Augustine Healy Award for his work fostering educational opportunities and demonstrating faith and compassion. A native of New Orleans, Chambers is an accomplished musician and soloist and has traveled the world on the Archdiocese of Boston Black Catholic Choir Tour.