“When so rich a
harvest is before
us why do we not 
gather it? All is in
our hands if we
but use it”

An unusual April snow shower blankets the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse. Photos Courtesy S. Marty Dermody, SC.

Sisters Pat Wittberg and Joyce Richter visited the Old Growth Forest on the Motherhouse property on Tuesday, April 20 to pull garlic mustard. The two removed the invasive species that crowds and kills off flowers from the area and then enjoyed the beautiful spring weather with a hike to view the wildflowers.

Associates in the Spring Hill, Florida, area gathered in person on April 10 for fellowship, a meal and prayer. During the gathering they also celebrated the lives of the 20 Sisters and Associates lost in 2020.

The SC Community gathered on Saturday, April 10 via Zoom (in person and through closed-circuit television) for the Spring Forum. The day’s theme was Meeting Our Grace: Right Here, Right Now. In the morning session, S. Janet Mock, CSJ, was the guide for considering the emerging future, following the Fall Congregational conversations. The Leadership Team led the afternoon presentation and conversation regarding sponsorship. The day concluded with a special prayer service to present S. Janet Mock with the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award.

The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati awarded the Congregation’s highest honor, the Elizabeth Ann Seton Award, on Saturday, April 10, 2021, to Sister Janet Mock, CSJ.

On March 9, Sisters of Charity Peggy Deneweth, Andrea Koverman, Romina Sapinoso and Carol Wirtz hosted special visitors to Proyecto Santo Niño in Anapra, Mexico. Steve Fox became a friend and supporter of the Sisters and their work across the border more than 15 years ago. He and the late S. Janet Gildea had a special connection in part because of their shared experience with cancer. After she passed, Steve contacted the Sisters and said he wanted to do something special to honor S. Janet’s memory. Education has been presenting itself as a critical need for the community in Anapra, especially for the children with special needs. It was determined they would reconfigure the existing space to create two designated learning areas (classrooms) and a community room/kitchen that is hoped to serve as a learning hub in the future.

It has been five weeks since the ceremonial first swing was taken to begin the demolition process of Seton Hall. The building has been completely razed and debris and rubble has mostly been removed. Workers continue to level the area with fill dirt and prepare it for future use.

EarthConnection now has two lovely benches made of recycled plastic caps and lids at the building’s front entrance as well as a large picnic table. Caps continue to arrive daily from across the country. S. Winnie Brubach and service learning students from Mount St. Joseph University (MSJU) sorted, cleaned, weighed and prepared the caps for transport. S. Winnie and Administrative Assistant Sue DiTullio drove to Evansville, Indiana to pick up the new bench (185 pounds) and table (550 pounds).

Sisters of Charity employees collected more than 725 nonperishable and personal hygiene items for Community Matters Food Pantry last week. The collection was initiated in celebration of Catholic Sisters Week as a way to honor the Sisters long-standing service to the poor and hungry. The donations were delivered on Thursday, March 18 to a grateful staff at Community Matters. A heartfelt thank you to the Sisters of Charity employees for their donations; your kindness and generosity is a testament to your commitment to the mission and spirit of the Community.

Sisters in Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility enjoyed St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on Wednesday, March 17. Two parties were hosted to ensure proper distancing took place; Sisters enjoyed soda bread, coffee, and Irish music playing in the background.

Sisters of Charity living at the Motherhouse enjoyed Irish fare and festivities in the Dining Room on Wednesday, March 17.  Those participating appreciated the time together as well as traditional celebrations.

It has been nearly three weeks since the ceremonial first swing took place to begin the demolition of Seton Hall on the Motherhouse campus. The building is mostly razed; in the following weeks construction workers will continue to clear the building’s rubble and debris as well as take special care in removing (brick-by-brick) a section of the building closest to Marian Hall.

Sisters living in Mother Margaret Hall and the Motherhouse received a thoughtful gift on Monday, March 8. On behalf of all Sisters of Charity employees, Sisters each received a single rose in honor of Catholic Sisters Week and as a sign of appreciation for their faithful years of service to others.

Congratulations to S. Pat Newhouse, a faithful volunteer of Haven House in Lansing, Michigan, who raised $25,741 for the organization’s annual Pancake Palooza. A Star Server for the event, S. Pat received the People’s Choice Award for most donors (184) for the sixth year in a row; this year she also earned the Crowd Pleaser Award. All proceeds from the event (a total of $65,204) will go to sheltering and rehousing homeless families. Congratulations, S. Pat, on your determination and efforts to help families in need.

It’s been a full week since the ceremonial first swing and demolition began on Seton Hall. Progress continues as the an entire front portion of the building has been torn down and work is continuing on the back wing of the building this week, portions recently serving offices for SC Communications, Finance and Transportation. In addition a section of the building (closest to Marian Hall) will be taken down brick by brick.

Demolition on Seton Hall officially began on the Motherhouse campus on Tuesday, Feb. 23 with the ceremonial first swing taken by Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati President Pat Hayden. The process set in motion what will be an approximate four-month process to take down the building. Please join us in prayer for the safety of all the construction specialists.

“Kindness is like snow – it beautifies everything it covers” Kahlil Gibran. The Mount St. Joseph campus enjoyed a beautiful week of winter weather with more than six inches of snow falling during mid-February.

Sisters of Charity and health care, direct service workers in the Motherhouse and Mother Margaret Hall received their second dose of the Moderna vaccine on campus Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. All remaining SC employees who chose to receive the vaccine will get their second shots next week.

On Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, Sisters of Charity Associates renewed their commitments during morning and evening Zoom prayer services. Associates from Ohio, Colorado, Alaska, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland and England participated in the virtual ceremonies, committing themselves “to live in the spirit of the Charity charism and mission and to risk the sacred journey.”

Sisters of Charity and health care, direct service workers in the Motherhouse and Mother Margaret Hall were the first to receive the Moderna vaccine on campus Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Another supply is expected next week for all remaining SC employees who choose to receive it. Sisters of Charity President Pat Hayden, who received the vaccine on Wednesday, said of the experience, “It was great. I didn’t even realize I got it. This is truly a gift and blessing for the world.”