“Friendship has the skill and
observation of the best physician,
the diligence and vigilance of the
best nurse and the tenderness
and patience of the best mother.”

The Sisters of Charity invited Sisters, Associates and friends of the Community to celebrate World Environment Day on Monday, June 5, 2023 at La Casa del Sol Ministry Center. The evening included the opportunity to see the Community’s newest sustainable home constructed with a number of state-of-the-art energy conserving technologies. Sisters and Associates presented on a variety of Earth-related topics, reflecting on how we can live more responsibly in our daily lives. Participant conversation and door prizes were incorporated into the programming, as well. The event was sponsored by the Earth Justice Circle, a ministry project of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.

Join us in congratulating Associate Patsy Schwaiger upon receiving the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Mission Award from Mount St. Joseph University. According to the Mount, “Patsy has given generously of her time and talent to share the story of Mother Margaret George, one of the founding members of the Cincinnati community, during every new student orientation. Patsy has been an active participant in the Charity Learning Community since its inception. She has a deep devotion to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, founder of the Sisters of Charity, and the heritage and legacy of the community. She is an active Associate member of the Sisters of Charity.”

The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Mission Award was established in 2001 and is the highest mission honor bestowed by the university; the award recognizes those who live out the mission day after day in an exemplary manner. Individuals honored distinguish themselves by “daring to risk a caring response” in their service to the Mount community and beyond.

The Clough Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, on the eastside of Cincinnati, honored S. Anthony O’Connell with the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) award as a “Woman in American History.” Representatives from the Chapter recognized S. Anthony on Thursday, June 1, 2023, with a certificate and a Woman of American History Medal. A small group of Sisters and Associates were present for the presentation in the Seton Garden.

Sisters of the Vocation/Formation Team and collaborators gathered over Memorial Day weekend, May 26-29, 2023, at Lake Lorelei for a time of prayer, planning and team building. The weekend, which included Pentecost Sunday, was spent in community dreaming and visioning for the future.

On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the Sisters of Charity Community recognized employees celebrating special anniversaries this past year. Employees celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 40 years of service were recognized as well as four retirees. We would like to thank each of the honored guests for their hard work, dedication and the thousands of big and little things they do every day to give the Sisters such high-quality care. Congratulations!

Mother Margaret Hall Sisters from the Community Action Group completed their project with Healthy Moms & Babes last week. In March the group hosted a baby shower to benefit the organization whose mission is to increase infant survival as well as foster the health of women, children and families. The group sewed homemade tote bags and filled them with supplies for moms and babies. In addition they raised more than $200 to donate.

The Sisters of Charity finished celebrating National Nursing Home Week (May 14-20) with a Talent Show on Thursday, May 18. The event was well attended by both Sisters and employees and showcased an array of talent. Highlights included storytelling, musical performances, comedy skits and dancing. On Friday, May 19, employees and Sisters were treated to a grill out on the Motherhouse patio. The week brought together many with activities and opportunities to have fun and celebrate.

In celebration of National Nursing Home Week (May 14-20), Sisters and employees have a fun week of festivities planned for them. Activities began on Monday, May 15, with T-shirts distributed to employees with the words, “Blessed Since 1852,” on the back. The saying is a tribute to the year 1852, when the diocesan community of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati was formed. Tuesday, May 16 was Tiki Tuesday, with staff wearing Hawaiian shirts and enjoying beach-themed refreshments. Staff and Sisters enjoyed a friendly game of Bingo on Wednesday, May 17 in the Mother Margaret Hall Community Room. More fun and activities will continue throughout the week.

On Saturday, May 6, 2023, World Labyrinth Day, Sisters, Associates and friends of the SC Community joined others throughout the world to walk the labyrinth. S. Donna Steffen led the walking prayer for peace with a short discussion after. Located on the Motherhouse grounds, the Sisters of Charity dedicated its labyrinth on June 2, 2002. A labyrinth uses a defined path to assist the “pilgrim” in walking daily into the future. The Motherhouse labyrinth is in the same design as the Notre Dame Chapel in Chartres, France, which dates from 1221.

Congratulations to S. Maureen Donovan, who was honored on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at a Jubilee Mass for Religious at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw, Michigan, in celebration of her 80th anniversary as a Sister of Charity. S. Maureen entered the Community on Sept. 3, 1943, ministering most of those years in the Bay City, Michigan, area. She was the principal at St. James in Bay City from 1967 until 2002. Other Sisters of Charity living in Michigan as well as S. Marge Kloos joined her for the celebration.

Congratulations to S. Mary Alice Haithcoat, who was honored by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for 52 years of dedicated service to the ministry of Catholic education. S. Mary Alice was inducted into the Piqua Catholic School Hall of Fame on Sunday, May 7, 2023 for her 30 years of service in teaching and administration at the school; Sister has also served as the coordinator of First Communion and Reconciliation there. Sisters of Charity, family, faculty and friends attended the induction ceremony.

Sisters living in Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility had the opportunity to visit Krohn Conservatory’s Butterfly Show on Monday, May 1. SCs had the opportunity to watch the butterflies soar through the wildflowers and over a flowing waterfall while enjoying the sweet scent of lavender and marigolds.

Sisters Joyce Richter, Pat Wittberg and Terry Thorman enjoyed the fresh air and exercise on Wednesday, April 26 as they helped rid the Bender Nature Preserve of invasive plants. They particularly focused their efforts on Garlic Mustard Seed, a highly destructive species that is a threat to the biodiversity of many native ecosystems.

The second full day of the Sisters of Charity Chapter of Affairs and Elections continued on Tuesday, April 18. Following an inspiring liturgy and moving morning meditation, Sisters and Associates began the day’s work rooted in their commitment to listen deeply and speak from the heart, all Spirit led.

Sisters and employees are looking ahead to warmer days and the summer sun. On Thursday, April 13, they gathered in the Motherhouse Dining Room for an ice cream social. The afternoon was an opportunity to enjoy a favorite summer treat and enjoy each other’s company.