Carrie Hood

David Von Schlichten

Elizabeth Ann Seton

06 May 2019

Take Home Final

Part 1

To begin, I found it harder to understand Elizabeth Ann Seton’s work because in today’s

time, we as a generation, do not speak in the same dictation as Elizabeth Ann Seton. To find an

easier way to understand her writings and works, one can use many resources. To begin, I found

it easier to understand he works with the help of my fellow course mates, my professors, and

members of the Sister of Charity. With the help of my peers, I was able to have an eye to eye

understanding of her works, and the key theological themes that she brings up repeatedly. Those

themes consist of the Eucharist, the hierarchy of the church, the Bible, prayer, faith, love, family,

relationships, compassion, and education. During class discussions, my peers would talk about

their understandings of her works on a level that I could relate to. I enjoyed working in different

groups in the class to discuss Mother Elizabeth Seton’s life, and to hear everyone else’s

perspectives. As for my wonderful and probably my favorite professor, he made Elizabeth Ann

Seton’s works very easy to understand. He is always so very thorough, and makes the learning

entertaining. Having the Sisters come and speak to the class was also very beneficial. They

would relate their lives to the life and ways of Elizabeth Ann Seton. Again, much like my

professor, would make learning about Mother Seton very entertaining. With the help of all three

of the above mentioned, I was able to learn about Mother Seton’s love of Catholicism,

compassion, love itself, and her missions. I was able to understand the root of her conversion, her
compassion for everyone around her, the love towards everyone (especially her family), and her

mission to educate everyone no matter what their status was. Her devotion to God was mentiond

in many of her journals, but one quote that stood out to me was, “My whole soul desired only

God.” This clearly shows her devotion. I can admit that my soul is devoted to many things, and

not just one.

Part 2

In the world we live in today, people make it seem like science and theology can not be

united as one. It seems as though people believe that they must be separate, and can not exist

together. Although, attending Seton Hill and learning from the Sisters of Charity and the works

of Elizabeth Ann Seton have seemed to prove this popular belief wrong. To begin, Seton Hill

must not try to harm the environment and try to preserve nature. What I have learned from the

science classes in Boyle, in labs, we are instructed to use less toxic chemicals. Then for the

chemicals that are more toxic must be exposed of properly and not poured down the drain. There

is a pillar of Catholic Social Teaching called Care For God’s Creation. By taking drastic

measures in science classes and labs, Seton Hill is following this piller. There was also a Sister

of Charity that came to speak with the class that is a science professor in Boyle. Another Sister

of Charity, Sister Maureen O’Brian, even stated, “Neither one can exist without the other.” A

woman who vowed her life to God and to be a Sister truly believe that science and theology can

not exist without the other. We must preserve the environment, but need science as an ally. That

should really say something, and I agree with her. As a Catholic school, Seton Hill has a strong

science department, and the views of Mother Seton and the Sisters of Charity fully support it.
Part 3

Seton Hill honors the pillars of Catholic Social Teaching, and tries impeccably to honor

it. To begin, the four pillars of Catholic Social Teaching that are followed are celebrating,

welcoming, serving, and caring. Seton Hill celebrates events to bring the students and

community closer together, and all of those events welcome anyone who would like to attend

and participate. As a student athlete, as a team, we have to serve the community to complete

community service hours. A lot of the time, we will offer our service at local churches by

cleaning or helping feed the less fortunate. Mother Seton followed these themes religiously,

much like student athletes at Seton Hill. Although, I do not particularly remember any special

celebrations other than religious gatherings, Mother Seton and the Sisters encourage the

welcoming pillar at Seton Hill. Every time I see a Sister of Charity, they are always filled with so

much joy and are willing to spread it, much like Mother Elizabeth Seton. During her life, Mother

Elizabeth Seton was welcoming to everyone during her life. She taught anyone and everyone.

Teaching was one of the main ways that Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton served. Teaching was not

the only way she served, but she was also willing to help anyone in need. This was only because

Mother Elizabeth Seton cared so much for her relationship with God and the people around her.

Mother Seton carried Catholic Social teaching to Seton Hill, and Seton Hill is where I began my

Catholic Social Teaching journey. Had I not chosen Seton Hill, I probably would have never

learned about Catholic Social Teaching or Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton.

Part 4

I can honestly say that studying Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton, the Sisters of Charity, and

Seton Hill has not really changed my attitude about my faith. Currently in my life right now, I

consider myself not religious. While I was growing up, I attended church every Sunday and
every holiday. This was not because I wanted to, but because my parents wanted to and basically

made me go to church. Because of this, going to church was more of a chore and task rather than

something I liked doing. Aside from going at a psychological approach on parenting styles, I will

focus on my actual feeling about faith. I have struggled with my faith throughout my life, and I

can truthfully say that my short three years at Seton Hill have not changed my views towards it. I

have experienced a lot of trouble in my life with family and friends, and my relationship with

God at the time was not as compatible and direct as I wanted it to be. Maybe in a few years my

views on faith will change, and I will become closer with it, but as for now, I have greater

worries. Although, learning about Mother Seton has strengthen my understanding and

appreciation of the Sisters of Charity and Seton Hill itself. When I first arrived to Seton Hill, I

just thought that the Sisters of Charity were a bunch of scary nuns. I have come to learn that they

are very lovely and sweet women who never fail to put a smile on my face. Seton Hill has helped

me understand that faith and science need to be compatible with each other.

Part 5

Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton has a very strong faith. To begin, I will explain her love of

the Eucharist. Mother Elizabeth Seton absolutely LOVED and adored the Eucharist. The

Eucharist is one on the main reasons why Mother Elizabeth Seton converted from her original

religion to Catholicism. Mother Elizabeth Seton believed in the real presence; the real presence

is where the body, the blood, and the soul of Jesus Christ is present through the bread and wine

during the Eucharist. Mother Seton loved how close this made her feel to God, and ensured her

love and devotion. Mother Seton was practicing a religion that was involved during the

Hierarchy of the Church. During this time, she was trying to create the Sisters of Charity. As for

her devotion to the Bible, she loved the Bible and it helped her to get through her daily life. She
would use the Bible to search for motivation and reasons to continue with certain motives.

Mother Elizabeth Seton used prayer as a way to talk and speak with God. This helped her secure

her relationship with God and a way to strengthen her faith. She also used prayer as a way to

bond with those around her and to bring everyone together. Mother Elizabeth Seton was a vey

loving person, and this can be seen in various aspects of her life. She cared about everyone

around her, especially her family. She sailed the whole way to Italy to help care for her dying

husband, and that shows how strong her love was for her family.