“Take every day as a ring which
you must engrave, adorn, and
embellish with your actions,
to be offered up in the evening
at the altar of God.”

While the pandemic has made volunteering more complicated for many Sisters of Charity, the need is still there. For a second time in the last month, a group of Motherhouse Sisters participated in the PB&J Outreach Project of Our Daily Bread. The Sisters prepared peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse Dining Room to be delivered to Our Daily Bread soup kitchen and social center; the sandwiches accompany the guests who received the hot meal at noon, giving them something to eat later in the day.

After a few delays due to the pandemic and months of dedicated training, Associate Karen Martin recently completed her Flying Pig virtual 10k and half-marathon. Karen walked the 10k in September and completed the half-marathon on Oct. 5 at the Miami Trail. As part of her participation she raised money for the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center. “It’s an easy choice to support an organization with committed people who minister for the needs that I believe are critical for a robust and vibrant local, national and global world,” she said.

Last week members of the Sisters of Charity Leadership Team had the opportunity to see firsthand the changes at SC sponsored ministry DePaul Cristo Rey High School. DPCR’s new President Siobhan Taylor took the group on a tour through the school’s new academic building, which includes three floors of classrooms, science labs and offices, as well as the new wellness center and counseling suite. The building connects to the new gymnasium/cafeteria/student center that was completed last August. Thanks to the support from the SC Community, major donors who believe in the school’s mission and the Greater Cincinnati community the school’s new home is completed.

Associate Karen Elliott, C.PP.S., and S. Barbara Davis observed their special anniversaries last week with a double jubilee celebration. S. Karen celebrates 40 years as a woman religious in 2020 while S. Barbara celebrates 60 years.

This year’s jubilarians were celebrated in the Motherhouse and Mother Margaret Hall on Thursday, Oct. 1. During lunch Leadership Team members visited with Sisters living in Mother Margaret Hall. A prayer service was held at 4 p.m. for all and could be viewed by closed circuit and livestream. Motherhouse Sisters had a social prior to a celebratory dinner that evening.

Last weekend, Sisters Patty Huffman, DC, and Vivien Linkhauer, SC (Seton Hill) received a warm welcome at the SC Federation’s House of Charity in New Orleans, Louisiana. They join Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Monica Gundler and S. Peg Johnson, SCL. To read more about the House of Charity’s collaborative ministry, please visit https://sistersofcharityfederation.org/hoc_sept2020/.

Thanks to information from the Hagedorn sisters, Jan Hagedorn and S. Barbara, Sisters of Charity learned of and participated in the PB&J Outreach Project of Our Daily Bread last week. A group of Motherhouse Sisters prepared 200-plus sandwiches to be delivered to Our Daily Bread soup kitchen and social center on Sept. 2; the sandwiches accompany the guests who received the hot meal at noon, giving them something to eat later in the day. S. Annette Paveglio coordinated the assembly of the PB&J sandwiches assisted by Sisters Anita Parks, Sandy Howe and Kathryn Ann Connelly in the Motherhouse dining room. S. Barbara delivered the finished product to Our Daily Bread.

Sisters of Charity enjoyed the final days of sun and swim this Labor Day weekend at the Motherhouse pool. The pool has served as a place of recreation and retreat for many during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sisters living in Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility are thrilled to have the opportunity to once again visit with Sisters living in the Motherhouse and off campus. The visits are taking place outside on the MMH patio and although there is plexiglass between the two of them, the time together has been extremely special and treasured.

Sisters, Associates and friends from near and far tuned in by way of livestream on Saturday, July 25 to witness Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Tracy Kemme profess perpetual vows. In the presence of a small group at the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse chapel, S. Tracy vowed to “freely and whole-heartedly commit myself for life to the service of God, God’s people, and all of Creation as a member of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.”

In June, the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati celebrated employee milestone anniversaries, recognizing those who have served the Congregation for five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years! Due to the restrictions on campus, Human Resources developed creative and new ways to honor the employees. Congratulations to all employees celebrating anniversaries and a huge thank you to each of you for your dedication and service to the SC Mission.

Nature’s beauty is on display at Mount St. Joseph! And while visitors are not permitted on campus just yet, we hope you enjoy these beautiful, vibrant images from around the grounds.

Sisters of Charity joined members of St. James Episcopal Church on the Westside of Cincinnati this weekend showing support for “STAND FOR JUSTICE.” They joined Hamilton County Adult Probation Officer Kevin Bonecutter in his one man protest in support of all people who face injustice and inequality in America. Kevin completed his 48 hour hunger strike and stand Sunday evening at 6 p.m., supported by peaceful persons of all ages throughout the weekend. Kevin is the nephew of Sisters of Charity Mary Ann and Esther Marie Humbert.

“To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.” – French poet and journalist Anatole France
Congratulations to Mount St. Joseph University’s Class of 2020. The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati are especially grateful for graduate and former Communications Office intern AJ Keith. Throughout his two years with the office, AJ worked diligently to provide our readership with articles that capture the spirit and heart of the SC Mission. The Sisters of Charity offer AJ and all MSJU graduates these words of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton as you begin your next chapter: “May God’s protecting wing be over you through all of life’s storms.”

“Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” ~American journalist Nora Ephron
Congratulations to DePaul Cristo Rey High School’s Class of 2020. Graduates had an unforgettable drive-through graduation ceremony this week complete with a walk down the red carpet. The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati offer these words of St. Vincent de Paul as you begin your next chapter: “Make your prayer on what you must do to fulfill God’s plan for you.”

The gorgeous spring weather was perfect on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, for many Sisters to participate in a 5k (more or less) walk around the Motherhouse grounds. An idea of S. Peggy Rein, the walk included approximately 60 SCs participating or cheering their Sisters on. In addition, Sisters from Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility watched and waved from their patios and the MMH porch.

The gorgeous spring weather was perfect on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, for many Sisters to participate in a 5k (more or less) walk around the Motherhouse grounds. An idea of S. Peggy Rein, the walk included approximately 60 SCs participating or cheering their Sisters on. In addition, Sisters from Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility watched and waved from their patios and the MMH porch.

Sisters of Charity in Assisted Living enjoyed a pizza lunch, delivered in on Tuesday. Some SCs chose to enjoy it together with their floor-mates in the hall while maintaining physical distancing; others chose to have it as a treat in their rooms.

On Sunday, April 19, 2020, Jean Simpson, a resident of Montana, became an Associate in Mission with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. Due to the current pandemic, the commitment ceremony was held through Zoom technology. Sixteen Sisters and Associates were present from Montana, Colorado, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. Welcome Jean!

Activities Coordinator Nancy Witschger brought smiles to nursing and Mother Margret Hall staff members on Easter Sunday. Each employee had the opportunity to pick a plastic egg from a basket, some including a number with a corresponding prize. The kind gesture brought smiles to those beginning their shift.