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

Calling her “a bright light in our community,” DePaul Cristo Rey High School’s President Siobhan Taylor recognized Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Barbara Davis with DPCR’s annual Founders Leadership Award during the school’s Founders Day Mass on Monday, Sept. 19.

Fifth grade Girl Scouts from St. Antoninus School visited EarthConnection this week to help with a landscaping project on the building’s grounds. The group painted tires, played Environmental Bingo and learned more about the building’s mission of sustainability.

This week marked opening day for Proyecto Santo Niño’s Montessori school in Anapra, Mexico. Sisters Romina Sapinoso and Andrea Koverman have spent the last year taking classes and doing residencies as well as working alongside their mom/assistants to get everything ready for the week and school year. It will be a year of learning as Sisters Romina and Andrea continue to earn their certification and complete their internships. We appreciate your prayers for the program’s success.

On Sept. 8, S. Barbara Davis coordinated a visit for a group of Sisters of Charity who had not seen DePaul Cristo Rey High School’s new Academic Building. As part of DPCR’s two-year campus transformation, the three-story building houses classrooms, science labs, the college counseling suite, a spirit shop as well as academic and administrative offices.

Sisters in Mother Margaret Hall said goodbye to summer this week by enjoying the sweet tastes of watermelon. The watermelons were found on the Motherhouse property in a small grassy area near the MMH parking lot. Two watermelons were picked, sliced and shared with the Sisters while a few more continue to grow.

On Sept. 1, 2022, Sisters in Mother Margaret Hall enjoyed a visit from Barb Knebel of Knebel Flower Farm. Barb brought flowers in for the Sisters to arrange and make vases for their rooms.

In August S. Delia Sizler was named a 2022 Pro Seniors Senior Who Rocks for her volunteer efforts to add value and vibrancy to the community. S. Dee was recognized for seeing a need and taking action. Most recently, she served as chaplain at Crossroad Health Center-OTR to assist staff, encouraging, supporting, and offering them spiritual care.

It was a beautiful day at the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse to celebrate the 2022 Jubilarians. Sisters, Associates and family members filled the Motherhouse chapel and Dining Room to honor these remarkable women and lives of service and faith.

Sisters living in Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility were recognized for their years of service with the Community. On Friday, Aug. 26, Sisters and staff celebrated the 2022 Jubilarians with a small gathering in the MMH Community Room.

The Sisters of Charity Employee Activity Committee hosted a weeklong Back to School event in August. Employees and Sisters brought in school supplies, nominated a school to receive the supplies, and wore their school spirit, all in the name of fun and charity. With their generosity, 110 backpacks and more than 100 pounds of school supplies were collected. Holy Family, St. Dominic, St. Jude and Dater Montessori were extremely grateful to receive the donated supplies.

Sisters of Charity Leadership Team members attended this year’s Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) general assembly Aug. 9-12 in St. Louis, Missouri. With a focus on social justice, this was the first in-person gathering since the pandemic began. Grounded in the theme, “Mystical Wisdom: Following Spirit’s Beckoning,” LCWR members voted to renew the focus of its 2019-2022 resolution: seeking communion at the intersection of racism, forced migration and the climate crisis. Those three issues will once again serve as direction for the conference through 2025.

On Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, the Sisters of Charity celebrated the life of Sister Marjorie Farfsing. A Sister of Charity of Cincinnati for 82 years, Sister Marge turned 100 years old.

Three years ago, in 2019, S. Whitney Schieltz professed first vows. This week, with a small group at Visitation House, S. Whitney renewed her vows until the time of perpetual profession. She will spend the next year intentionally preparing for final vows. Please keep her in your prayers.

Filming is complete on the set of “At the End of the Santa Fe Trail,” a movie based on the life of Servant of God, S. Blandina Segale. The film will include some footage from the 2017 television series pilot along with new scenes shot in Texas and New Mexico this year. The new footage mostly focuses on S. Blandina with actress Alma Sisneros returning to her role from the 2017 pilot. “At the End of the Santa Fe Trail” is based on S. Blandina’s journal entries and letters from her time spent in the West. Producers are hoping for a release in December, in conjunction with the 125th anniversary of Santa Maria, founded by S. Blandina and her blood sister, S. Justina.

Assisted Living Sisters in Mother Margaret Hall recently invited Motherhouse Sisters to an evening of supper, prayer and entertainment on the Mother Margaret Hall patio. The remaining Motherhouse Sisters will receive an invitation for September. A good time was had by all!

Just west of the Motherhouse, the Seton green space now adorns the footprint of Seton Hall, which was taken down’ in the spring of 2021. Native plants, shrubbery and trees create a restful oasis for Sisters and visitors to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Mount. The green space provides a low maintenance garden that attracts and supports beneficial insects, especially pollinators like butterflies and bees, as well as regional and migrating bird species. The Seton green space is traversed by a 5-foot-wide ADA-compliant walkway and includes a patio with a fire pit, a water feature and benches throughout for all to sit, converse with friends and enjoy nature. 

More than 70 Sisters under age 50 and from 40-plus religious congregations gathered in San Antonio, Texas, from July 14-17 for the Giving Voice National Gathering. Taking place at the Oblate Renewal Center, this year’s theme was “Stir into Flame the Gift of Global Sisterhood.” Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Tracy Kemme served as one of the co-chairs for the gathering.

Sisters in Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility enjoyed an afternoon of shucking sweet corn for the grill. Memories of past summers and the smells and tastes of the season brought smiles to their faces.

Mother Margaret Hall Sisters enjoy making door decorations for their rooms. 

Sisters of Charity living in Mother Margaret Hall had the opportunity to enjoy the summer sun and quiet peacefulness of Lake Lorelei last week. The day trip to the Sisters of Charity property included a picnic lunch and boat ride on the lake.