“I am satisfied
to sow in tears
if I may reap
in joy.”

Federation Sisters living at the House of Charity in New Orleans, Louisiana, prepared meals for Hotel Hope last week. The organization moves families from homelessness to self-sufficiency through a three-stage service model that involves providing crisis intervention services, residential stability, and help in achieving economic self-sufficiency.

Please join us in welcoming Phyllis Finch as an Associate in Mission. Phyllis made her commitment on Sunday, Jan. 9 at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church in Springhill, Florida. In her discernment statement, Phyllis wrote, “The part of the SC Mission Statement that speaks to me right now is ‘journey together toward wholeness.’ I have found a group of like-minded gentle spirits, and I have been told I have a gentle spirit.

isters and Associates in Colorado met together for the first time in more than two years on Jan. 4, 2022. The group celebrated S. Janet Wehmhoff on the one-year anniversary of her passing. Sisters renewed their vows and Associates recommitted for another year. Also on Jan. 4, 45 Sisters and Associates gathered on Zoom for a prayer service for Associate renewal. Associates from Alaska, Colorado, New Mexico, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland and North Carolina were present. Associate Nancy Bick Clark played the harp.

Sisters of Charity enjoyed the Christmas season with many small and special touches at the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse. Luminaries brightened the Motherhouse Front Avenue on Christmas Eve. Those coming and going from the Motherhouse for Mass or visits were greeted by the beautifully lit sidewalks. In addition, Santa made an appearance in the Dining Room to greet Sisters and spread holiday cheer.

Sisters of Charity Associates are celebrating the season with small gatherings in their regions. In Juneau, Alaska, a few Associates were able to meet for a meal and Christmas get-together, in person for the first time in almost two years. In Florida, Associates gathered at Renee Carlotta’s home in Spring Hill to celebrate friendships, enjoy wonderful food, exchange gifts, and be together during the Advent season.

Sisters of Charity President Pat Hayden was presented the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at the Mount St. Joseph University commencement on Saturday, Dec. 11. S. Pat delivered an inspiring address to the mid-year graduates.

It’s been a tradition for many years that St. Antoninus Girl Scout Troop 44820 (the current 8th graders) have caroled for the Sisters of Charity during the holiday season. Due to COVID-19, and the precautionary measures taken at Mount St. Joseph the last two years, the Girl Scouts have been unable to visit the Mount to do so. This year, since it is their last at St. A, the Girl Scouts decided to record their caroling. The eight minute set of songs was viewed by the Sisters in the Community Room of the nursing facility. In addition the girls made cookies to be delivered to Sisters in both Mother Margaret Hall and the Motherhouse.

This year Good Samaritan Hospital is commemorating 125 years of nursing education. One of the first nursing programs established in Cincinnati, nursing students adopted the motto: “Go where you are needed.” This goal has motivated them throughout the school’s existence. To honor their storied history, display cases and wall panels were created to highlight key persons and events in the school’s history. These include Sisters of Charity administrators and faculty members as well as the school’s progression from a diploma granting institution to an accredited college.

Progress is being made on the construction of La Casa del Sol Ministry Center on Bender Road. The new ministry center is being built on the property of the former Casa del Sol, and will be a multi-purpose facility used for individual Sisters’ ministries as well as office and gathering space.

On Dec. 3, SC Community members joined more than 80 Catholic Sisters and advocacy partners gathered outside the White House to demonstrate their opposition to President Biden’s continuation of Title 42 expulsions.

Join us in wishing S. Pat McQuinn a blessed retirement from the Sisters of Charity Archives after 36 years of invaluable service. S. Pat’s responsibilities throughout the years included processing and preserving historical Community photos along with endless hours of scanning. As close as we can figure she viewed and processed 57,623 photos and fulfilled many requests for photos from individuals and groups. A small reception was held in November to thank S. Pat for her dedication and service; she will be missed.

On Thursday, Nov. 25, Sisters living at the Motherhouse and Mother Margaret Hall, as well as those living off campus, enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner prepared by CURA staff. The meal took place after the 10 a.m. Mass of Thanksgiving in the Motherhouse chapel.

Sisters gathered in the Cedars and via livestream on Saturday, Nov. 20, to learn about and discuss important topics presented by the leadership team. Sisters living in Mother Margaret Hall were able to join via television; those on livestream formed breakout groups for discussion. Sisters could choose to ‘dress down’ for the meeting, pay $1.00 per each extra item of clothing, with money donated going to the favorite charities of the Sisters whose names were drawn at the end of the morning. 

The EarthConnection organic garden harvested almost 900 pounds of vegetables the past growing season to donate to the Good Samaritan Free Health Center. In addition two beds of garlic have been planted for harvest in June. More recently S. Winnie Brubach and her master gardeners have been concentrating on ‘harvesting’ the weeds on the paths and in the beds. They left some of the weeds to grow flowers so that the bees would have a food source in early autumn.

Congratulations to S. Joyce Richter and Associates Karen Martin and Carmen Ferguson on completing the Cincinnati Flying Pig half-marathon on Oct. 30, 2021. S. Joyce was the only participant in her age bracket (women 85-89) to complete the 13.1-mile race.

S. Jackie Leech (right) was honored in October for dedicating 25 exceptional years of service to the Denver Police Department as chaplain. At a Volunteer Appreciation Brunch, S. Jackie was recognized for her presence to Denver police officers during some of their most difficult times, for her heart of service and her willingness to respond at all hours of the day or night.

On Wednesday, Nov. 3, Mount St. Joseph University presented the St. Elizabeth Seton Medal to S. Maria Cimperman, RSCJ, Ph.D. In her lecture, S. Maria spoke to the audience on “Touching Our Woundedness: Called to Hope, Healing and Reconciliation.” The St. Elizabeth Seton Medal was established in 1966 to recognize distinguished women in theology.

In October, fourth and sixth grade Girl Scout Troops from St. Antoninus School visited EarthConnection to earn their EC patch and work on their Outdoor Art Explorer badge. Using nature as their inspiration, the Girl Scouts created and designed their own artwork. EC offers a number of opportunities for local Girl Scouts to earn badges while learning about nature and the outdoors. To learn more visit: www.scearthconnection.org/girlscouts/

In September, the Dayton Catholic community offered a free concert to the people of Dayton as a gift of joy and healing.

Sisters Andrea Koverman, Romina Sapinoso and Tracy Kemme traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, this weekend to attend the North American Vincentian Family Gathering, Oct. 22-24. This year’s theme was “Racial Equity: A Personal Call to Love as Christ Loves.” Participants spent the weekend deepening relationships with one another by engaging in meaningful and respectful dialogue concerning individual and collective experiences of race, diversity and inclusion in the Vincentian Family and beyond; exploring how racism denies human dignity in our relationships and social structures, affirming that the lives of men and women of color matter, and examining how white privilege and white supremacy are imbedded and manifested; and learning skills to foster our ability to give voice to our experiences so that we may heal the wounds of racism and create effective change.