Daughters of Charity to be recognized during Mass, reception Feb. 9 before leaving Mobile

By Rob Herbst
The Catholic Week
Whether it was in hospitals, schools, parishes, orphanages, elderly homes or anywhere else they were in need, the Daughters of Charity were here to serve the people of Alabama.
Their all-important ministry, which began in 1841, is coming to an end within the Archdiocese of Mobile as the three remaining Daughters of Charity in Mobile have been called to withdraw from ministries and will relocate elsewhere. 
The Daughters of Charity’s legacy and three remaining sisters — Sister Ann Claire Rhoads, D.C., Sister Louise Busby, D.C.  and Sister Andrea Miller, D.C., — will be honored during the 10:30 a.m. Mass Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi will be the celebrant and the Mass will also celebrate all members of Consecrated Life in the archdiocese as part of February’s World Day for Consecrated Life in the Church.
A reception will follow in the Chancery ballroom at 400 Government St. The entrance is located on Franklin Street.
“The diversity of the Daughters of Charity ministries in the Archdiocese speaks profoundly of their contributions to the life of the Church in Alabama since 1841,” said Archdiocese of Mobile Liaison with Religious Sister Deborah Kennedy, RSM. 
“The Sisters leave behind a legacy of service that responded to the needs of the time, wherever that may take them. We will greatly miss their loving presence and outreach to all God’s people.”
The first Daughters of Charity came to Mobile thanks to Bishop Michael Portier’s request. They assumed responsibility of what was known as the Catholic Orphans’ Asylum (more commonly known as St. Mary’s Home). 
The Daughters of Charity then ministered at Mobile City Hospital, Providence Infirmary and St. Vincent’s School in Mobile. 
But the Daughters of Charity’s ministry spans throughout Alabama. They served St. Margaret’s Hospital, Seton Haven, St. Bede the Venerable Parish and school and St. Jude High School in Montgomery.
They also served in Auburn, Birmingham, Opelika, Selma and Lanett. 
However, the Daughters of Charity are likely most known for the ministry at Providence Hospital. The Daughters of Charity founded the original Providence Hospital in the 1850s and led the move to its current west Mobile location in 1987.
The hospital was purchased by the University of South Alabama Health Care Authority last year and is no longer a Catholic hospital.
Thank you to the hundreds of Daughters of Charity who have served throughout Alabama. The state is indebted to your ministry.
—History courtesy of Daughters of Charity Province of St. Louise, St. Louis, Mo.