Seton Hill University alumni will join members of the Sisters of Charity Community Choir for a choral presentation of “Look to the Skies,” a five part choral suite written in honor of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton by Sister Mary Schmidt, S.C., and Sister Cecilia Ward, S.C., in Seton Hill University’s Cecilian Hall on Sunday, August 2, at 3:30 p.m.

Alumni participating in this performance include: Janice Decker (SHU ’81) of Greensburg, Pa., Mary Gornick (SHU ’08) of Greensburg, Pa., Mary Hanley (SHU ’81) of Gibsonia, Pa., Terri Murphy (SHU ’62) Greensburg, Pa., Sandy Ondriezek (SHU ’81) of Allison Park, Pa., Cori Poklembo (SHU ’83) of Derry, Pa., Joy Procida (SHU ’89) of Jeannette, Pa., and Crystal Stryker (SHU ’79) of Jeannette, Pa. Gornick is the alto soloist and Stryker is the soprano soloist. The choir will be accompanied by current Seton Hill student John Olearchick of New Kensington, Pa.

According to the composers of “Look to the Skies,” it is a song in praise of very simple greatness. Its title and its central image, the skies, derive from Elizabeth Seton’s repeated avowal that she looked ‘always directly upward.’ The moon, stars, and sun become the symbols of her heroic trust.

“The sisters of the community hold this musical suite in high regard as it embraces the life Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and the charism of the Sisters of Charity,” said Gene Forish, director of music, Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill.

The choral presentation of “Look to the Skies” is part of the bicentennial celebration of the Sisters of Charity on August 2. A Liturgy of Thanksgiving will be held at 12 noon at Saint Joseph Chapel which is located on Seton Hill University’s Greensburg, Pa., campus.

The year 2009 marks the bicentennial of the founding of the Sisters of Charity in the United States by Elizabeth Ann Seton. She established the Sisters of Charity in Emmitsburg, Md., on July 31, 1809. This congregation was the first sisterhood of religious women native to the United States.

The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill is an international apostolic congregation of 446 women religious who serve in four countries, 14 United States dioceses, and four United States archdioceses. Sisters of Charity minister primarily in the areas of education, health care, pastoral care, and social services. For additional information about the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill and their ministries, visit www.scsh.org.