The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati welcomed eight new Associates in Mission recently. Our new Associates hail from a variety of backgrounds and ministries. Each individual committed to the Community with the sincere intention to live out the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati mission in their own unique way. During their discernment process, the candidates wrote a personal statement attesting to her or his desire for affiliation with the Sisters. May we welcome them to the Community of Charity.
DeAnn Fricker made her commitment at her home in Ft. Wright, Ky., on May 18, 2010, with her companions Sisters Shirley Dix and Mary Ann Gutzwiller.
Several people contributed to DeAnn’s formation in becoming an Associate, including Associates Bob and Liz Maxwell, the Rev. Joseph Bruening and S. Mary Laura Miceli, with whom she worked in the Motherhouse Arts and Crafts Room.
De Ann, who has volunteered for 37 years with many Sister of Charity ministries, thanks “all the Sisters and Associates who have welcomed and encouraged me on my journey to follow in Mother Seton’s footsteps – becoming closer to my God as I work for peace and justice.”
Each of the following Associates made their commitments on June 13, 2010, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse.
Mary Hirsch of Cincinnati, Ohio, made her commitment with companion S. Margaret Marie Anthony.
“Working at Mother Margaret Hall, I have felt and seen the dedication and devotion [to others] in the Sisters there. Even as the Sisters enter their retirement years, they are always trying to make this world a better place. The connection that I have felt among the Sisters and Associates is beautiful and overwhelming at times. The concern and love they show for one another is inspirational. This is what calls me to become an Associate and join in solidarity with the Sisters vision statement.
“It is my goal as an Associate to extend this vision of happiness and strength and to be a loving, smiling face willing to share the word of God. We all have a common goal of faith, hope and charity and love of others. I hope to fulfill this mission with honor, trust and courage as I embark on my mission to spread these gifts as an Associate.”
Richard Meder of Cincinnati, Ohio, made his commitment with companion S. Jackie Kowalski.
“[The founders of the Sisters of Charity] saw the need to make people’s lives better, whether through education, health care, spiritual guidance, or a myriad of other [ministries]. They did this with very few resources and with a lot of love and compassion. This is what inspires me to help fulfill the mission of the Sisters of Charity.
“The challenge is living with a keen sense of mission and not allowing the influences of politics, materialism and selfish people take me from my goal of fulfilling God’s wishes. I connected with the Sisters almost every day through my work with the Seton Family Center. My life is richer for this. In working on the board of the Seton Family Center, I am able to help make decisions that affect the lives of those who need a helping hand.
Jennifer Melke of Brookville, Ind., made her commitment with companion S. Fran Trampiets.
“I once heard it said that if one wants to know where he or she is being called to go, one needs to look at one’s past where there may be patterns that point us in the right direction. The Sisters of Charity are one of those patterns weaving in and out of my life. Ever since I was in grade school, I knew these women were something special and that I wanted to be like them. They are the most intelligent, forward-thinking, faith-filled women that I know. Whenever I am with the Sisters and Associates, I feel like I belong. This is home.
“I didn’t know much about our foundress, Mother Seton. The more I read about her, the more I fell in love with her just as I have with other Sisters and Associates. Now the words humility, simplicity and charity are carried in my heart.”
Rose Mullen of Cincinnati, Ohio, made her commitment with companion S. Mary Bodde.
“I have studied the lives of Elizabeth Seton and the other founders; their exemplary lives have always inspired and encouraged me to do my very best in teaching and serving throughout my working years. Coming back to live so closely to the Motherhouse [at Bayley Place] has stirred my spirit to become an Associate and dedicate the rest of my life to be of help in any way I can. Working in many Catholic dioceses, I have had many opportunities to care for the poor and to be an example of faith. Now that my life has come full circle, and I am back where I started, I feel I still have many gifts of ministry and contemplative prayer to offer the Community.
“I have been associated with the Sisters of Charity in various ways throughout the years and have dedicated my entire life to spreading the gospel message and serving the people of God. Now that I am retired, I feel a need to continue to offer my experience and assistance in any way deemed beneficial.”
Gloria Santoro of Cincinnati, Ohio, made her commitment with companion Associate Pat Schloemer.
“Charity – this word holds deep meaning for me. As I reflect on my call to be a committed Associate, possessing a servant’s heart, while striving and risking to reach out to others in need, becomes fundamental. Like Elizabeth, I follow the call seeking to be renewed and revitalized by the source of my faith, the Eucharist and Scripture. Enriched through Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Communion, I am leaning on the stirrings of the Holy Spirit for guidance and discernment in simple daily tasks and issues of complexity in my personal and professional life. It is the essence of my moral compass calling me to live as a faith-filled woman of the Church …
“Be it standing in solidarity, working for new legislation, conservation of resources or recycling, the Sisters of Charity holistic view identifies needs of our world and society and contributes to the solution – ‘Living simply so that others may simply live.’ I share wholly in this vision.”
Kathy Vogelpohl of Cincinnati, Ohio, made her commitment with companion S. Joyce Brehm.
“I bring to this relationship the whole of who I am: mind, body and spirit. For me it is imperative to nurture all three. With a firm belief that God made me to know, love and serve Him in this life, by becoming an Associate I can realize a means to that end. As I continue to live out my life, I am acutely aware of the promptings of the Spirit. As an Associate, I feel encouraged to use the gifts I have been given as well as those yet to be discovered. I so desire to live more charitably and with a humble heart.
“In the spirit of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, I pray a favorite prayer of hers: ‘O God, into whatever state of absurdity I may fall, in whatever ignorance of Your ways I may chance to be, in whatever state of disorder my faith may be, if I seek You in the simplicity of my heart, I will surely find You.’”
Debbie Weber of Cincinnati, Ohio, made her commitment with her companion S. Paula Gonzalez.
“I have experienced the spirit of the Sisters of Charity through my former professors at the College of Mount St. Joseph: S. Louise Akers – anti-racism and women’s issues; S. Paula Gonzalez – the environment; S. Sarah Mulligan – poverty issues of our brothers and sisters in Guatemala. All of these issues and more have drawn me to this community. These women walk the talk. My relationship with them has greatly affected my life and my commitment to take care of others as well as all of God’s creation.
“I bring to this relationship my passion and commitment to serve my sisters and brothers of the world, to heal our global home and to build relationships and stand in solidarity with those who live in poverty so that they may be able to live their lives to the fullest with dignity and respect.”
