“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.”

On Sunday, Nov. 26, the Royal Drummers of Burundi, an internationally known percussionist ensemble based in Dayton, Ohio, performed for Sisters and Associates at the Motherhouse. The ensemble uses drums made from hollowed tree trunks covered with animal skins. The performance of the Royal Drummers has been the same for centuries, and their techniques and traditions are passed down from father to son. Members of the ensemble take turns playing the Inkiranya (the central drum), dancing, resting and playing the other drums, rotating throughout the show. The group is internationally known and has collaborated with a number of top-name artists. Sunday’s performance at the Motherhouse was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all in attendance.

Sisters and their family members gathered in the Motherhouse dining rooms following the Thanksgiving Mass on Thursday, Nov. 23 to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, glazed salmon and many delicious trimmings. Food, friendship and gratitude were much in evidence among those gathered.

Sisters of Charity were invited to be the guests of Good Samaritan Hospital’s Executive Team on Thursday, Nov. 16. GSH team members and employees brought all the trimmings to accompany the Thanksgiving feast of turkey and ham. Good Samaritan Hospital is currently celebrating its 171st year of being founded by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. It remains the oldest and largest private teaching and health care facility in the area. The afternoon was a most appropriate celebration in the spirit of Thanksgiving.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, the Sisters of Charity hosted its annual Adopt-A-Family event on Thursday, Nov. 16. The day was filled with the giving spirit as employees were invited to purchase raffle tickets and spilt-the-pot tickets with all proceeds going toward the Community’s Adopt-A-Family program, which helps those in need during the holiday season. Employees were also encouraged to donate canned food items for Community Matters food pantry as well as gently used or new coats, hats and gloves to Our Daily Bread. Free food and a community bake sale were also part of the festivities.

Sisters in Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility partnered with Good Samaritan Hospital executive team members on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, for a service project. The group came together at Mount St. Joseph to make 200 sandwiches for the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky in Covington. GSH team members were volunteering as part of the hospital’s annual Serve Day.

S. Whitney Schieltz professed perpetual vows during a Mass on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse.

The Motherhouse campus embraced the Halloween spirit on Tuesday, Oct. 31 with a number of activities planned for Sisters, Associates and employees throughout the day. All were encouraged to dress in costume and take part in trick-or-treating on campus. Office areas were decorated for the occasion and passed out treats to those passing by their candy locations. In the evening Sisters and Associates enjoyed a Halloween party in the Cedars Auditorium. Costumes, games and treats were part of the festivities.

Sisters and friends of the SC Community attended the Vincentian Family Gathering in Chicago, Illinois, Oct. 26-29. The congregation had the highest number of attendants for the community-based, intergenerational experience. Throughout the gathering participants explored how creativity and the arts can help us work for social justice and build a culture of encounter which embraces diversity in harmony. International performing arts group Gen Verde was a highlight of the program.

The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati welcomed a group of Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill (Greensburg, Pennsylvania) of the Korean Province to Mount St. Joseph last week. While visiting the group received a tour of the Motherhouse, given by S. Judith Metz, and learned more about their own community’s history. The Seton Hill Sisters were formed from the Cincinnati congregation in 1870 at the request of the Bishop of Pittsburgh to serve his diocese.

The Mother Margaret Hall Community Action Committee is at work once again. This month Sisters collected winter items (scarves, gloves, hats) as well as toiletries and diapers for two families in the SC Newcomers Transition Program. After gathering and wrapping, a few of the Sisters had the opportunity to personally deliver the gifts to the families.

Congratulations to Sister of Charity Sally Duffy who was honored with the Su Casa Mother Cabrini Award on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 at the Su Casa Hispanic Center’s 26th anniversary awards dinner and silent auction. S. Sally was recognized for her tireless advocacy for justice to immigrants and promotion of human dignity for vulnerable populations everywhere.

Dr. Carol Zinn, SSJ, presented the workshop “Charisms: Living Streams of the Spirit” on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 at the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse. Sponsored by the Inter-Congregational Spirituality Committee, the workshop was for women religious of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the Diocese of Covington and explored the place of individual congregational charisms within the emerging awareness of the charism of religious life.

Sisters and employees enjoyed the opportunity to participate in S. Shirley Le Blanc’s Drum Circle last week. The Drum Circle is an opportunity for companionship and community as everyone comes together and has their own role to play in this spontaneous creation of music.

Sisters, Associates and employees came together on Saturday, Oct. 7 for the 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The event took place at Sawyer Point and calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease. Almost $2,500 was raised for the Sisters of Charity Mother Margaret Hall team, surpassing its goal!

On Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, SC Associates hosted an all-day visioning celebration to remember our past, envision our future, and honor our ties. The gathering of Sisters and Associates, which took place one month after the Associates 50th anniversary celebration, was facilitated by Vie Thorgren (an Associate of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth and Nazareth). Associates from England to Alaska and everywhere in between joined the celebration which included presentations, small group reflection and sharing as well as prayer and time to socialize.

Sisters and Associates gathered over the weekend (Sept. 27-29, 2023) for a fall congregational gathering, the first under the direction of the new Leadership Team. This year’s theme, “In Service of the Mission,” grounded the weekend and incorporated the 2023 Chapter prayer and directional statements as a guide. Information shared, updates given and input sought related to newer members, sponsorship and various projects in process. Time was also given for Sisters and Associates to relax and socialize together.

Local artist John Metz returned to Mother Margaret Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 26 for a demonstration on the MMH patio. Metz uses a torch on his paintings to create his unique artwork, and worked with a few Sisters to create their own pieces of art.

Sisters and employees celebrated their own Oktoberfest on Thursday, Sept. 21 in Mother Margaret Hall. In addition to pretzels and root beer floats, S. Monica Gundler and the Employee Activity Committee led participants in the chicken dance.

The Peace and Nonviolence Justice Circle organized a prayer service for Sisters and Associates on Thursday, Sept. 21 in honor of International Day of Peace. Following a drum chant, members of the committee led participants through the service in prayer and song. Handmade origami doves were placed on a peace tree and guests were asked to write an intention for peace or a peace-related quote or word that is meaningful to them. The tree is currently placed outside of the Motherhouse chapel for intentions to be added until Oct. 2, the International Day of Nonviolence.

The Sisters of Charity were honored to participate in the ribbon cutting for the Warsaw Avenue Creative Campus (WACC) opening on Wednesday, Sept. 6.