The Sisters of Bon Secours have released their latest video, A Mission of Hope and Healing in South Africa, to show others the dramatic needs of the South African people. These are people faced with hunger, malnutrition and even starvation. They also suffer from HIV/AIDS and there is an overwhelming population of orphans. The Bon Secours sisters in South Africa provide care to many with these devastating needs while sharing their love of God in everything they do.

Their ministry began in the village of Limpopo, South Africa in June of 2008. In 2010, two sisters from the United States, Sister Vicky Segura, CBS, MD and Sister Elaine Davia, CBS, NP traveled there to assist with medical and nutritional needs. The sisters utilized their medical skills to assist many HIV/AIDS patients and were also able to help refugees, families and orphans with basic needs in the village. They share inspiring stories from their journey in this short video.

In addition to the sisters’ work in their HIV/AIDS clinic and in outreach to the people in the village that continues today, they are now educating young women in the skills they will need to assure income and a brighter future. They currently provide cooking classes for those interested in further cultivating that skill.

The Sisters of Bon Secours answer God’s call globally to help others by defending all life, crying out against injustice and human trafficking, advocating for global solidarity and promoting the preservation of the planet. We invite you to experience this inspiring video that demonstrates the many ways, in one corner of the globe, where the sisters are sharing Jesus’ message with those so much in need.

About the Sisters of Bon Secours: As an international congregation of Catholic sisters they have long had a heart for providing healthcare, social services and spiritual comfort to disadvantaged communities since their inception in 1824 when they nursed the sick in their homes. Today, their holistic approach to caring for all of creation equips the Sisters of Bon Secours to spread wellness and God’s love throughout the four corners of the world. For more information on discerning your vocation or becoming a nun, please visit http://BonSecoursVocations.org, email: CBSVocations@bshsi.org or call 410-442-0267.

Sr. Pat Eck, Congregation Leader, will receive the Papal award, Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal.

“I am grateful for the recognition of the long-standing presence of the Sisters in the Archdiocese, especially in Baltimore and Marriottsville. This is indeed an honor for us all,” Sr. Eck said.

Instituted by Pope Leo XIII in 1888, the honor is bestowed upon lay people and clergy who have provided distinguished service to the Roman Catholic Church. Sr. Eck will receive the medal at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore.

Sr. Eck entered religious life on Sept. 11, 1966, dedicating her ministry to the care of the sick, particularly those who are poor or marginalized. With a health care career that spans more than 40 years, Sr. Eck has served in several roles including clinical nursing, health care administration, and sponsorship and governance for Bon Secours Health System.

Through the years, Sr. Eck has served on the Leadership Team of the Sisters of Bon Secours, U.S.A, and, in 2006, she was one of the primary leaders in creating and structuring Bon Secours Ministries as the Public Juridic Person/sponsor for Bon Secours Health System and is currently the chairperson of Bon Secours Ministries. Under Sr. Eck’s leadership, Bon Secours Ministries included for the first time, laypeople working side by side with the sisters.

She has been recognized nationally for her leadership in creating alignment between sponsorship and governance. Sr. Eck served as chairperson of the Catholic Health Association (CHA) and, in 2007, received the Sister Mary Concilia Moran Award from CHA. She has also served as chairperson of the Corporate Members of Mercy Housing and currently serves on the Catholic Medical Mission Board.

Sr. Eck earned a master’s degree in health administration from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University, a master’s degree in nursing from Catholic University of America, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Congregation of the Sisters of Bon Secours (www.bonsecours.org), a religious congregation of Roman Catholic women founded in Paris in 1824, brings compassion, healing and liberation to those it serves, especially those who are sick, suffering, poor or dying. The sisters are located in France, Ireland, Great Britain, Peru and the United States with a mission in South Africa. Whether in health care, education or social services, in hospitals, senior care facilities, clinics or parishes, in towns and cities or isolated villages, Bon Secours responds to a universal need: to provide to all who suffer a reason to live and a reason to hope.

The Sisters of Bon Secours have been ministering to the sick and dying in Baltimore since 1881 when three sisters arrived in the United States from France. In 1919, the Sisters of Bon Secours built their first hospital in the United States, Bon Secours Hospital, which continues today to serve the people of West Baltimore.

Contact:          Peggy Moseley, Bon Secours Health System Communications, 410-442-3223,  peggy_moseley@bshsi.org