Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati / Features

2012 Diamond Jubilarians

Sister Marion Agnes Boeddeker

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Marion Agnes Boeddeker celebrates 60 years of religious life in 2011.

Sister Marion Agnes grew up on Cincinnati’s east side, attending St. Celia Grade School and Withrow Junior High School. She graduated from Ashland Burdett Commercial Business School and worked for the next 10 years for various accountants as a bookkeeper or accountant’s assistant.

“At the age of 25, I volunteered at St. Joseph Infant and Maternity Home on Tennessee and Reading Road [in Cincinnati],” Sister said. “I would spend many weekends with Sister Francella Mezger, helping her to take care of the toddlers. God used Sister Francella to draw me to Himself. I volunteered for about two years.”

It was shortly after her volunteer experience that Sister entered the Sisters of Charity Community in 1952.

For the next 20 years, Sister Marion Agnes ministered as the Group Mother at St. Joseph Orphanage where she also served in the child care department. In 1974, Sister served the accounting and business office at St. Joseph Infant and Maternity Home; during her last two years there she served as Chief Financial Officer.

Since 1992, Sister Marion Agnes has ministered at the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse in the Finance Office. During those 19 years she has been responsible for the managing of the Sisters’ cars and automobile insurance.

Sister Mary Frances Boyle

“God has blessed me abundantly, providing me with a better-than-average education, and the example of many inspiring women with whom I was privileged to work,” Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Mary Frances Boyle (the former Sister Mary Regis) said as she reflected on her 60 years of religious life.

Born in Denver, Colo., Sister Mary Frances attended St. Catherine of Siena Grade School and later graduated from Cathedral High School in 1951. She entered the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati that same year and made her religious profession in 1959.

Sister received her bachelor’s degree in education from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati in 1961. Later, she received her master’s degree in religious education from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, in 1976.

During her 60 years in religious life, Sister Mary Frances has ministered in education, retreat work, pastoral ministry and music. She began her 24 years in education teaching junior high at St. Mary School in Cincinnati in 1954. She continued teaching junior high and intermediate students at schools in New Mexico, Colorado, Michigan and Dayton, Ohio.

Sister transitioned into retreat and pastoral work in 1971 serving the Trinidad, Denver and Pueblo areas in Colorado. From 1983 until 1989, Sister Mary Frances served as a pastoral agent in parishes lacking priests in Manzaro, Peru, and Ichuna, Peru.

“My most rewarding years were spent as a missioner in South America, where I had to learn how totally God was in charge,” Sister said.

Currently, Sister Mary Frances is serving as a Spanish teacher for the Home School Movement in Colorado Springs, Colo. She continues to be active in her retirement volunteering with many charitable groups, such as Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic, Pikes Peak Library District, and the Flutopians, a flute quintet that has a widespread music ministry.

In her spare time, Sister Mary Frances enjoys playing in the New Horizons Concert Band of Colorado Springs, sharing poetry with the Cheyenne Mountain Poetry Group and reading.

Sister Kathryn Ann Connelly

“Education has been a love in my life. I can name every teacher I had in grade and high schools. They were a tremendous group of people for whom I will be eternally grateful,” Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Kathryn Ann Connelly said as she reflected on 60 years of religious life.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sister Kathryn Ann attended St. Teresa of Avila Grade School and Seton High School, graduating in 1950. She entered her Community the following year, and made her religious profession in 1958.

Sister received her bachelor’s degree in education from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati in 1960. In 1969, she received her master’s degree in education from De Paul University in Chicago, Ill.

Sister Kathryn Ann began her education ministry as an intermediate teacher at Loyola Grade School in Denver, Colo., in 1953. She went on to teach in the Dioceses of Santa Fe, N.M., Cleveland, Ohio, and Cincinnati, Ohio, for the next 18 years. In addition to teaching, Sister ministered as the assistant principal (1971-’73) and then principal (1973-’76) at Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio, and then principal at Seton High School in Cincinnati from 1976 until 1983.

In June 2002, after 18 years, Sister Kathryn Ann retired as the superintendent of schools and director of educational services of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. At the time, the office served 57,000 students in 124 schools throughout 19 counties of the Archdiocese.

“This was a wonderfully fulfilling ministry, and I loved serving principals, teachers and families,” Sister said. “It was a privilege to serve God in this great ministry of education. [Our founders], Elizabeth Seton and Margaret George, companioned me in many ways during this chapter of my life.”

Since her retirement, Sister Kathryn Ann has volunteered in various capacities. She assisted with the organization of Price Hill Will, a comprehensive community development corporation serving Price Hill ( Cincinnati) neighborhoods, and served on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations assisting those living in the poorest neighborhoods in Cincinnati. In addition, she has remained involved in education, helping to establish DePaul Cristo Rey High School, Greater Cincinnati’s newest Catholic High School and a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.

Currently, Sister serves on several boards including the Board of Trustees at Purcell Marian High School, and as president of the Board of Directors of the Lower Price Hill Community School. She also is a member of the Academic Committee at Seton High School, and serves on the Steering Committee of Project HOPE, an exchange program for teachers from the Holy Land and teachers of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

“As I look to the future, it is with a heart of gratitude to God for the many blessings received,” Sister concluded. “I am grateful to be among Elizabeth’s daughters – there is simply no better way to live a life.”

Sister Lucien Marie Davis

Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sister Lucien Marie Davis became acquainted with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati while attending Holy Family School in Price Hill and Immaculata High School in Mount Adams. It was their influence that led Sister to enter the Community following graduation in September 1951. Sister Lucien Marie celebrates 60 years of religious life in 2011.

“The joy of reviewing these years makes me proud to have taken the steps necessary to be among such a wonderful and loving group of women,” Sister reflected. “From the early years they showed me by example how truly blessed I am.”

Sister received her bachelor’s degree in education from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1964, and her master’s degree in education from Xavier University, also in Cincinnati, in 1975.

“Courses at the College of Mount St. Joseph enabled me to receive the degree which would be necessary for future missionings,” Sister said.

Sister Lucien Marie began her 50 years in education as a primary teacher at St. Sebastian in Chicago, Ill. For the next 11 years she ministered as a junior high or intermediate teacher in schools in Ohio and Michigan, including St. Helen, Saginaw, Mich., (1957-’60); St. Mary, Cincinnati (1960-’66); and St. James, Bay City, Mich., (1966-’68).

In 1968, Sister began 26 years of ministry at Holy Name in Cleveland, Ohio. There she served as principal of the school until 1991. Her final three years were spent as pastoral minister.

Currently, Sister Lucien Marie is involved at Resurrection School in Price Hill, Cincinnati. Every year she and Sister Juliette Sabo, also a teacher at Resurrection, bring their students to the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse for a visit. The students have the opportunity to bring their cameras and take pictures while touring the chapel, the cemetery and experiencing the view from the Motherhouse rooftop.

“I will always be grateful to God for these 60 years of special blessings within this magnificent Community,” Sister concluded.

Sister Kathleen Houck

“My years as a Sister of Charity have passed quickly and although I may be celebrating a milestone, I know there is much to learn and give on the continuing journey,” Sister Kathleen Houck (the former Sister Edward Ann) reflected as she celebrates her diamond jubilee in 2011.

Sister Kathleen is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, where she attended Our Lady of Peace Grade School and Holy Name High School, graduating in 1951. That fall, Sister entered the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.

Sister Kathleen received her bachelor’s degree in education from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati in 1961 and her master’s degree in religious education from St. John’s Teachers College in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1974.

“It is not my degrees that bring me satisfaction, but the openness and acceptance of the many people I have met from whatever walk of life they have journeyed,” Sister said.

Sister Kathleen began her 18-year ministry in education at Corpus Christi Elementary School in Dayton, Ohio, in 1954. She went on to teach at the primary and intermediate levels at the following schools: St. Saviour School in Rossmoyne, Ohio, (1956-’60); St. Leo Catholic School in Detroit, Mich., (1960-’65); St. John Baptist de la Salle in Chillum, Md., (1965-’68); and St. Bernadette School in Westlake, Ohio, (1968-’72).

Sister Kathleen transitioned from education to parish work as religious education coordinator at Holy Name Parish in Cleveland, Ohio, (1972-’73) and Sacred Heart in Oscoda, Mich., (1973-’74). She completed her years in fulltime ministry as a pastoral minister at St. Malachi Parish in Cleveland (1974-’78) and St. Jerome in Fairdale, Ky., (1985-’91). From 1995-’05, Sister served as parish minister, part-time, at St. Christopher Catholic Church in Columbus, Ohio.

Sister Kathleen retired from active ministry in 2006. She currently resides at the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse and volunteers where her services are needed. In her spare time, Sister enjoys baking for the Sisters living at the Motherhouse and Mother Margaret Hall, as well as needlepoint.

Sister Mary Kathleen Pagac

A native of Akron, Ohio, Sister Mary Kathleen attended St. John the Baptist Grade School and Garfield Heights High School, graduating in 1951. Following, in June 1951, she entered the Vincentian Sisters of Charity of Bedford, Ohio, with the intent to spend her years in ministry with young children.

Sister received her bachelor’s degree in education from St. John’s Teachers College in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1965. She ministered 46 years in education, teaching grades three through six, at schools in Bedford, Solon, Wadsworth, Parma and Northfield in the Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1999, Sister Mary Kathleen was called to minister to the residents of Light of Hearts Villa, an independent and assisted living community and sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Charity in Bedford. She received her certification as a health care assistant.

“While she was here on our health care staff the residents fell in love with Sister Mary Kathleen,” the Villa’s former executive director, Sister Helen Therese Scasny, said in 2004. “She was not only efficient but extremely compassionate and gentle.”

Currently Sister is retired and living at the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse where she serves in the Ministry of Prayer.

Sister Jeanne Roach

Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Jeanne Roach, a native of Denver, Colo., celebrates 60 years of religious life in 2011. Sister attended St. Ignatius Loyola Grade School and Cathedral High School, graduating in 1951. That fall she entered the Sisters of Charity Community.

Sister Jeanne received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1964 and her master’s degree in hospital administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, in 1973.

“As I reflect on my assignments and missions, they were very happy years spent administering to God’s people and enjoying the spiritual benefits of living with many Sisters who were instrumental in my spiritual growth as well as loving companions on this journey,” Sister Jeanne said.

Sister began her ministry in the health-care field as a student nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Later, Sister Jeanne ministered as the nursing supervisor in the following hospitals: St. Mary-Corwin Hospital in Pueblo, Colo., (1956-’57); Mount San Rafael Hospital, Pueblo (1957-’58); and San Antonio Hospital in Kenton, Ohio, (1958-’68).

“My years [were spent] in various hospitals and positions,” Sister Jeanne said. “My time as a night nurse and supervisor gave me a healthy respect for the night shift staff. I rotated to medical floors, emergency room, and intensive care as well as operating room and director of nursing services.”

Sister Jeanne returned to Mount San Rafael Hospital in 1961 to serve as the director of nursing services. In 1966, she moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., to minister at Penrose Hospital as an operating room nurse. Sister went on to serve as assistant administrator at the following hospitals: Penrose Hospital (1973-’75); St. Joseph Hospital in Mount Clemens, Mich., (1975-’78); and Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati (1978-’82).

“When I was asked to minister in administration, I was reluctant to leave my direct patient contact. However, the greatest joy I had in administration was mentoring staff members to give themselves to their work and grow as persons,” Sister Jeanne reflected.

From 1982-’85, Sister was the hospital administrator for Our Lady of the Way in Martin, Ky., and from 1985-’89, she ministered as the Chief Executive Officer for St. Joseph Hospital in Huntingburg, Ind.

In 1990, Sister returned to Ohio to serve as administrator of Mother Margaret Hall, the Sisters of Charity nursing facility at Mount St. Joseph. Five years later, she became the Chief Executive Officer of Bayley, a continuing care retirement community and sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Charity, in Cincinnati until 2005.

Currently, Sister Jeanne is retired and serving on many health-care related boards. She also volunteers at Mother Margaret Hall.

Sister Marie Vincentia Roney

Educated by the Sisters of Charity at St. Mary grade and high schools in Albuquerque, N.M., Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Marie Vincentia Roney says it was their influence, accompanied by the fact that two of her siblings were Sisters of Charity, which led Sister to enter the Community in 1951. This year Sister Marie Vincentia celebrates 60 years as a woman religious.

Sister received her bachelor’s degree in education from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1960. In addition she holds a master’s degree in religious education from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich., (1967) and a master’s degree in Christian spirituality from Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., (1992).

Sister Marie Vincentia spent her first 33 years in ministry in education, teaching at the primary and intermediate levels for the first 15 years at schools in Ohio, Colorado and New Mexico. She transitioned into administration in 1969 as the principal of St. Francis Xavier in Albuquerque before returning to teaching in 1973, this time at the junior high level, for the next six years.

Sister ministered as the principal of San Miguel in Socorro, N.M., from 1979 until 1982 before returning to teaching once again at the junior high level at schools in Albuquerque and Corrales, N.M., until 1990.

Following a sabbatical, Sister said she knew it was time to transition from education, and found a new calling as a spiritual and retreat director. “Being where God calls and working with those whom God sends is a source of satisfaction,” Sister Marie Vincentia said.

Currently Sister continues to serve in this capacity in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. She also volunteers at her parish, Holy Rosary Catholic Community, as a team member of the adult Confirmation class.

Sister Rita Maureen Schmidt

A native of Springfield, Ohio, Sister Rita Maureen Schmidt celebrates 60 years of religious life with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in 2011. Sister attended St. Joseph Grade School and Catholic Central High School, graduating in 1951. Later that year she entered the Sisters of Charity Community.

“I felt the calling of religious life very early in my life and always had this way of life in mind,” Sister reflected.

Sister Rita Maureen received her bachelor’s degree in education from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1962 and her master’s degree in education from Xavier University, also in Cincinnati, in 1968.

“Teaching seemed to attract me and that is what I set out to do, even though our Novice Mistress asked me many times if I was sure I didn’t want to go into nursing,” Sister Rita Maureen remembered.

In 1954, Sister began her ministry in education as an intermediate teacher at the Shrine of the Little Flower Grade School in Royal Oak, Mich., (1954-’58). She went on to teach at the intermediate and junior high levels at St. William (1958-’59) and St. Saviour (1960-’67), both in Cincinnati.

From 1959-’60, Sister Rita Maureen also served as Group Mother at St. Joseph Orphanage in Cincinnati before transferring to Kettering, Ohio, to teach junior high students at St. Albert (1967-’70). She returned to Cincinnati and St. Joseph in 1970 to minister as elementary school principal until 1973.

From 1980-’84, Sister Rita Maureen became the director of religious education at St. Joseph in Bryson City, N.C. After her sabbatical in 1984, Sister served as the consultant for elementary religious education for the Charlotte, N.C., Diocese until 1988. Returning to Ohio the following year, Sister Rita Maureen served as elementary school principal at St. Bernard in Springfield, Ohio, for the next four years.

In 1993, Sister Rita Maureen transferred into a new ministry as a pastoral associate at Holy Angels in Sidney, Ohio, until her retirement in 2003. Currently, Sister is retired and living in Sidney. She spends her days involved in pastoral work planning funerals, visiting nursing homes, ministering to the Hispanic population, as well as assisting with Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and adult education. She is in her 16 th year serving on the Home Health Care and Hospice boards of Wilson Memorial Hospital.

“My life has been very spiritually enriched in so many ways. I am grateful to the Community for all that has been given to me,” Sister concluded.

Sister Janet Marie Wehmhoff

“My life has been enriched in so many ways and I am grateful to God for calling me to be a member of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati,” Sister Janet Marie Wehmhoff said as she celebrates 60 years of religious life in 2011.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sister Janet Marie attended St. Mark Grade School and St. Xavier Commercial High School.

“After working for one year, the Lord touched my heart in a special way by calling me to serve Him as a Sister of Charity on Feb. 2, 1952,” Sister Janet Marie said. “After my Novitiate, I was missioned to Margery Reed Day Nursery in Denver, Colo. The three years working at the nursery with Sister Bernard Marie Fitzsimmons as my superior were some of my happiest years. I loved caring for the 2- to 5-year-olds.”

Sister Janet Marie received her bachelor’s degree in education from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati in 1971. She later received her master’s degree in education from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo., in 1975.

Sister began her ministry in education as a primary teacher at St. Francis Xavier School in Pueblo, Colo., in 1956. She went on to teach in the field of primary education at the following schools: Holy Trinity School in Trinidad, Colo., (1960-’70); St. Therese Catholic School in Pueblo, Colo., (1970-’71); and Holy Cross in Thornton, Colo., (1971-’72).

Sister Janet Marie spent the last 39 years at Loyola Catholic Grade School in Denver, Colo., where she was a primary teacher. Sister also taught religion and assisted with the reading intervention program where she worked with children who struggle in reading. The school closed in June 2011.

Currently, Sister is living in Denver. “The gift of the Colorado mountains has been a wonderful source of reflection, meditation and recreation for me. I have enjoyed mountain climbing, hiking, and downhill and cross-country skiing,” Sister said.

Sister Marie Josetta Wethington

Born in Huntington, W.Va., Sister Marie Josetta attended St. Joseph Grade School and St. Joseph School where she graduated in 1949.

Sister Marie Josetta received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1960. In 1966, she earned her first master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Detroit in Detroit, Mich. Later, Sister earned her second master’s degree in micro biology from the University of Cincinnati in 1973. In 1988, Sister Marie Josetta earned her final master’s degree in psychiatric counseling from Leslie University in Cambridge, Mass.

Sister Marie Josetta began her ministry in education as an intermediate teacher at Annunciation School (1955-’57) and Holy Family School (1957-’59) both in Cincinnati.

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