For Immediate Release: May 12, 2010

Contact: Brian Reardon (217) 544-6464, ext. 44306 brian.reardon@st-johns.org

HOSPITAL SISTER CELEBRATING 80th ANNIVERSARY OF RELIGIOUS VOWS RECOGNIZED BY ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE OF NURSING

SPRINGFIELD – St. John’s College, Department of Nursing Alumni Association today named Sister Charitas Prince, OSF, as the first recipient of its newly created Distinguished Alumni Award.  

On May 26, 1930, Sister Charitas professed her religious vows as a Hospital Sister of St. Francis and began her nursing education at St. John’s School of Nursing, graduating in 1932.  Sister Charitas will turn 100 on October 19.  The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes her contributions to health, education and society, as well as her international mission work.

“Sister Charitas embodies the healing ministry of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis,” said Aggie Hayner, chairwoman, St. John’s College Board of Directors.  “Through her many years of teaching at both the School of Nursing and St. John’s Hospital, she influenced thousands of students.  Her guidance has had a tremendously positive impact on the lives of countless individuals.  To this day, she continues to inspire.”
As a young girl, Sister Charitas had three goals - to be a Sister, to be a nurse and to be a missionary.  After accomplishing the first two at the age of 22, she went on to earn Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Science and Biological Science from DePaul University in Chicago.  From 1932 to 1972 she not only taught nursing students, but also taught Anatomy and Physiology to students in anesthesia, inhalation therapy, radiology, and laboratory programs at St. John's Hospital.

Sister Charitas accomplished her third goal in 1972 when she had her first real experience as a missionary in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, where she taught conversational English.  She served in Taiwan for ten years before returning to the USA.  In 1989 she returned to Taiwan to teach English and help care for the patients at Star of the Sea Clinic in Kaohsiung.

Sister Charitas returned to Springfield in 1993 and retired. Even in her retirement she continued to fulfill the dreams she pursued as a young girl. Sister Charitas continued her missionary work from a distance. She made craft items for bazaars where the proceeds benefitted missions. She also was present with Sisters who were ill and assisted with other tasks around the Motherhouse. Currently, Sister Charitas spends many hours in the Adoration Chapel praying for the needs of the Church, especially in mission lands.

On May 26, Sister Charitas Prince will become the first Hospital Sister in the International Congregation (Germany, Poland, USA, Japan and India) to be an 80-year Jubilarian. In celebration of that milestone, the College’s Alumni Association is establishing the Sister Charitas Prince Endowed Scholarship Fund.  Gifts given to this endowment will remain intact and the interest income will be used for scholarships for nursing students and faculty at St. John’s College, Department of Nursing.  The goal is to raise a minimum of $10,000. 

If you would like more information about the scholarship fund, please contact St. John’s College or the Friends of St. John’s Hospital at 217-544-6464, ext. 45160.