“To live according to the
spirit is to do what faith,
hope and love teaches
us, both in spiritual and
secular things.” 

Erna Gray’s story of becoming an Associate of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati is as unique as Erna is herself. Read More.

Meet Albuquerque Associate Michelle Montez and learn more about her connection to the Community and SCs she has met through the years.

Often our life’s direction can be changed by, what at the time seems like, the most insignificant event. That is just how Associate George Malesich came to meet the Sisters of Charity in Denver, Colorado. …

Twenty-five years ago, Associate in Mission Lee Hemminger made her commitment to the Sisters of Charity as an Associate in Mission. Since, she has developed deep relationships and is grateful for the blessings and opportunities to share in the mission with Sisters and Associates.

After making her commitment as an Associate in Mission in 2011, Florida Associate Peggy Brockman says she wanted to emulate S. Mary Loyola Mathia’s service to others. Peggy’s devotion and years of volunteerism at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and Thrift Store in Spring Hill, Florida are a strong indication she has taken her commitment to heart. …

This summer Dayton Associate Jennifer Melke Marks was welcomed as the new Northeast Associate Regional Representative joining six other reps divided amongst five geographic regions. …

SC Associate Dee Mansi is making history in strides with her devotion to eliminating homelessness. While her occupations and volunteer work are many in number, homelessness on all levels is the major collaborative project of the Vincentian Family and her main concern. …

On Sept. 5, 1973, Blasa Rivera answered a call to become the first Associate member of the Sisters of Charity, and with it the relationship officially began. Following her passing in January, stories and memories of the joyful, committed Associate were shared by many. …

Earlier this year, the Sisters of Charity welcomed a new Associate in their “journey together toward wholeness.” …

Branching out to others for the sake of service has always been at the heart of the Sisters of Charity mission, and it is one that Lifetime Associate Kay Clifton practices daily. …

As a child, Brother Gary Sawyer spoke about two vocations that he wanted to honor when he grew up: that of religious life and the other as educator. However, due to the Sisters’ encouragement of these two dreams, Brother Gary also found a vocation in becoming a Lifetime Associate. …

Sisters of Charity Lifetime Associate Jan Metz is proud to be part of a Community that shares her same values. …

Lifetime Associate Carol Herbert remains faithful to the mission of the Sisters of Charity by embracing her relationships with others. …

Joyful and courageous, Associate Lee Hemminger hopes that her Lifetime Commitment as an Associate of the Sisters of Charity will inspire others in the same way that she has been inspired. …

New Mexico Associate Theresa Piatt has always dreamt of helping others; motivated by her dedication, her subsequent choices and selfless demeanor inevitably led her to the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. …

Recently honored with the S. Dorothy Stang Award, Associate Carol Herbert demonstrates a tradition of service that the Sisters of Charity represent while also honoring the name of the martyr. …

Cheryl Dagy is one of the newer Associates in Mission to make her commitment because of the relationships that have endured since her earliest memories. …

Living in the spirit of Elizabeth Ann Seton, Associate Linda Jung made her commitment to the Sisters of Charity as an Associate in Mission in August. …

The Associates of the Sisters of Charity are great in number and in service and Lisa McDowell is a welcome addition …

This summer Bonnie Elder, a resident of Juneau, Alaska, made her commitment as an Associate in Mission of the Sisters of Charity…

Driven by a desire to help the poor and vulnerable, Associate in Mission Dee Mansi hopes that becoming an Associate will present opportunities for her to use her skills in leadership for the benefit of others …

Associate Patsy Schwaiger is thrilled to have the chance to weave the values of simplicity and humility into the fabric of society …

While many in the SC Community know her for her thorough work in the Congregation’s Archives, Veronica Buchanan became even closer to the Community this weekend when she made her commitment as an Associate in Mission of the Sisters of Charity …

This weekend the Sisters of Charity Community will welcome six new Associates in Mission to the Charity Family. Dave Scharfenberger is one of the individuals making his commitment on Aug. 11 …

The Sisters of Charity welcomed Associate in Mission Kate Branch into the Community on May 5, 2019 …

The Sisters of Charity have planted the seeds of their mission among youth throughout their 150 years of ministry. Therese Frye is one of the people who has been touched by the ministries of the Sisters of Charity, which has resulted in her commitment to becoming an Associate. Because of her rewarding and fulfilling friends and mentors who exist in the Sisters of Charity, Therese understood her calling to becoming an Associate and made the commitment without a hint of hesitation.

For new Associate in Mission, Columban Father Bill Morton, serving God is synonymous to serving those in need and Fr. Bill sees that realized on a daily basis through the generosity of the Sisters of Charity. Fr. Bill’s service on the U.S./Mexico border and help with the Santo Niño Project demonstrate how religious and lay people alike can remain active in ministry despite their many other daily responsibilities.

In June 2018, Nellie Derrenkamp decided to devote herself to the spirit of the Sisters of Charity Community by becoming an Associate in Mission. Her natural selfless demeanor answers many of the key pieces of the Sisters of Charity mission, and despite an inundated schedule of work and family, Nellie felt compelled to make her commitment as an Associate this past year.

Patricia Plogmann is one of the most recent women to make the commitment to become an Associate in Mission of the Sisters of Charity. She identifies herself as both a feminist and civil rights activist. As an Associate, Patricia offers her skills as a spiritual director to live the Gospel values and build loving relationships with those she has the pleasure of serving.

I live in Price Hill, in Cincinnati. I’m from St. William parish; we live in the same home that I grew up in since I turned 9 years old. It’s my mom’s home, and we take care of her; she’s 94.

I love to read, meet my friends at the pool for our senior gatherings and just enjoy the wonderful weather. I am also very interested in genealogy. I have become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and enjoy attending their functions. I am currently volunteering for the AARP Tax Aide, Jan. through April 15. I didn’t realize there is such a need for helping people to get through the filing of income taxes. They are so appreciative; I feel grateful to be able to help them. I am planning to work with the DAR, helping people working toward earning their GED.

Though she must deal with Alaskan winters living in Juneau, a city in Alaska’s panhandle, new Associate Destiny Sargeant loves living in what she calls “God’s country.” After earning her degree in psychology in California, she felt that she wanted to escape the bustle and smog. “I wanted to be able to breathe the air,” Destiny remembers.

“Believe in God, and all things are possible,” says Susan Keister, one of several new Associates to have recently made their commitment in 2015.

In January 2008, Judy Sauerbrey attended a retreat in the Cedars Auditorium located in the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse. It was during the retreat that Judy had the realization that she would love to belong to a group of faith-filled women. “It hit me,” she recalled, “that I was in the midst of just that!”

“I felt a calling to the vision of the Sisters. I was attracted to the passion they put into their ministry,” says Carla Rush about her decision to become an Associate of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in 2004. “I went to the University of Dayton and when it came time to graduate, I started to look at working in the nonprofit world, and looking into a year of service after graduation. That’s how I first became acquainted with the Sisters of Charity. I took a position at The Women’s Connection in Cincinnati, Ohio, where I worked directly with Sisters.”

Virginia Cochran did not learn about the Associate program until later in her life, but when she did, it prompted a renewed curiosity in her. She read the Life of Elizabeth Ann Seton once more, and began learning more about the Sisters of the Community that Elizabeth had founded. After about a six month process, she decided to take her commitment as an Associate of the Community in 2004.

Vicki Welsh has been an Associate of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati for more than 10 years, making her commitment in 2003. After all this time, the moment the idea of becoming an Associate entered her mind is still fresh in her memory.

When Carol Llewellyn was approached by S. Emily Anne Phelan about becoming an Associate, though she was ecstatic and eager to begin the discernment process, she couldn’t help but wonder, “What had Sister, a deeply religious and intelligent woman, seen in me that compelled her to ask me to become an Associate?”

I’m sitting in the dining room of the Samuel W. Bell Home, having a luncheon date with Barb Raymond. It’s a lovely facility nestled into a suburban neighborhood on Muddy Creek Road, on Cincinnati’s west side.

Associate Peggy Brockman made her commitment as an Associate in Mission in 2011. A divorced-widow, she has two children and four step-children. Peggy lives in Spring Hill, Florida, and her many hobbies and passions include being a private pilot, oil painting and gardening.  

Associate Connie Godfrey became acquainted with the Sisters of Charity through S. Laetitia Slusser as they co-facilitated a lengthy JustFaith course.

Though Associate Sue Miele was educated by the Sisters of Charity from first through 12th grades, and admired them at a young age, it was later that she first heard about the Associates in Mission relationship through her good friends, Associates April Vale and Anne Shaffer.

It was Associate Anne Shaffer’s daughter April who suggested that they become SC Associates in Mission together. According to Anne, making her commitment to the Sisters of the Charity of Cincinnati on June 5, 2005, was “the best thing I ever did.”

As an Associate with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, it’s been my privilege to journey with the Sisters and rely on their prayer and love, as I serve the Church.

God’s grace is like a gentle stream that trickles through the experiences of our lives, then bubbles up and overflows its banks. The journey that led Alice Graham to become an Associate on June 18, 2005, is a reflection on that gentle stream.

Few of us know Brother Gary Sawyer, Associate, without a camera in his hand! You have to look quickly because Gary moves swiftly throughout a room to capture those special moments that give life to an event long after it is passed. Gary was given five quotes by renowned photographers and asked to reflect on the loves and lessons he has gleaned from this hobby of his.

Associate Geri Anderson lives in Spring Hill, Fla., with her husband of 49 years, Bob. A member of the Associates in Mission Advisory Commission, Geri made her commitment as an Associate on May 8, 2009.

James Weber made his commitment as an Associate in Mission on Sunday, Nov. 16 in the Motherhouse chapel. During the ceremony, Jim, alongside his companion, S. Janet Gildea, was called forward to read his personal statement and make his formal request to the Community. Learn more about one of our newest Associates in the following question and answer.

Carmen Ferguson made her commitment as an Associate in Mission in June 2008. She and her husband, Tony, live in Delhi Township (Cincinnati, Ohio) with their two daughters Dasha and Lena. Carmen has been a fitness specialist at Bayley Fitness Club since 2006, which is where her relationship with the SC Community began.