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

S. Winnie Brubach and volunteers at EarthConnection have been busy preparing the garden beds for summer crops. Most recently they have been pictured weeding, planting and harvesting fresh vegetables for the clients at the Good Samaritan Free Health Center in Price Hill (Cincinnati).

Sisters in Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility enjoyed an afternoon of pie making last week with MMH Activities staff.

More than 700 people were at St. Joseph Home on Saturday, May 21 to celebrate the return of the Incline to the Finish Line benefit run, which raised more than $40,000. More than 500 runners of all ages tackled the notorious uphill climb to the finish line, including 19 residents supported by their family teams. A small group of Sisters of Charity were in attendance to either participate or volunteer.

Sisters of Charity enjoy S. Shirley LeBlanc’s painting class on Fridays in Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility.

SC Vocation/Formation collaborators planned and dreamed together over the Memorial Day weekend.

Employees celebrating milestone anniversaries (five years to 40 years) with the Sisters of Charity were recognized for their hard work and dedication on Thursday, June 2, 2022. We appreciate the thousands of things (small and large) they have done to give our Sisters wonderful, high-quality care. In addition, retirees were also remembered at the luncheon for their years of service.

The unofficial start of summer was celebrated over the Memorial Day weekend at the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse. Sisters were treated to a traditional cookout in the Motherhouse Dining Room on Monday, May 30, coordinated by CURA staff members. The opportunity to gather together and enjoy each other’s company was appreciated by all.

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.

Sisters living in Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility are enjoying the spring planting season even more so this year. New raised bed gardens have been built and located off the patio of Mother Margaret Hall. During the beautiful weather this past week, Sisters, with the help of MMH Activities staff, planted herbs and vegetables in the beds in hopes of seeing them grow.

On Friday, May 20, 2022, a new prayer space was dedicated and opened at the Crossroads Clinic where S. Dee Sizler serves as chaplain. The crucifix and prie-dieux (pews) were given to the center on Liberty Street in Over-the-Rhine by the Sisters of Charity of which S. Dee is a member. The space is intended to offer clinic staff and clients a little time away, located just off the lobby entrance. The pews were formerly located in the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse chapel, well used by the Sisters for 130 years. As S. Dee stated, “They will now serve another noble purpose in this new space.” Medical staff and clients were in attendance as the space was blessed.

Motherhouse Sisters of Charity are once again preparing sandwiches for the patrons of Our Daily Bread in downtown Cincinnati. The outreach activity started during the pandemic and had to be put on pause. The Community is excited to continue once again as the need is great among the homeless in the city.

On Sunday, May 15, 2022, the late S. Joan Clare Stewart was inducted into the Piqua Catholic Elementary School Hall of Fame. On behalf of the SC Community, S. Mary Alice Haithcoat spoke to guests about S. Joan Clare’s contributions to Piqua Catholic as a dedicated teacher, coordinator of the Power of the Pen and volunteer. Also honored was Joyce Thornberry, science teacher, science Olympiad director and STEM teacher. A reception followed the program; Sisters attending included Mary Alice Haithcoat, Ginny Scherer, Mary Gallagher, Pat Malarkey, Marty Gallagher, Dorothy William Englert and Teresa Marie Laengle.

From May 8-14, the Sisters of Charity celebrated National Nursing Home Week. This year’s theme was “Dare to Risk a Caring Response,” from the SC Charism Statement. The Sisters of Charity have long been called to know the needs around them and to provide a loving response. Employees, too, carry this call of service and love with them daily. Throughout the week activities were planned, which included a coffee bar and Graeter’s ice cream, resident and staff Bingo, Maggie’s Pub trivia and a campus grill out. All employees were gifted with a new T-shirt with the week’s theme printed on its back.

Congratulations to Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Annie Klapheke, who professed perpetual vows during a Mass on Saturday, May 7, 2022 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse. In the presence of Community members, close friends and family, S. Annie vowed to “freely commit myself for life to the service of God and God’s people as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. … I ask the continuing grace of God and the support of my Sisters, Associates, family, and friends, that I may keep faith with the commitment I freely and joyfully make today.” 

On May 4, 2022, Mount St. Joseph University unveiled its new mountain lion statue in front of the MSJ Centennial Fieldhouse. The larger-than-life-size lion was sculpted by Tom Tsuchiya and produced by Casting Arts Technology. In the spirit of S. Augusta Zimmer’s work with MSJ students on Mater Dei Chapel and St. Joseph Statue, the students in the MSJ Art Guild had several opportunities to work with Tom in his studio to help bring the lion to life. A small group of Sisters and Associates were in attendance for the unveiling.

(From left) Associate Karen Martin and S. Joyce Richter participated in the annual Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon on Sunday, May 1, 2022. Both completed the half-marathon as members of the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center team. As part of the team, the pair were raising funds to support the work of IJPC whose mission is to create a more peaceful and just world. Says S. Joyce, “We’re tired when we finish, but it is such a worthy cause for fundraising.”

The SC Community hosted a Spring Forum April 22-23, 2022 at the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse. The weekend began with a Laudat0 Si’-themed prayer, dinner and fellowship on Friday night. The Saturday program included important background information related to Laudato Si’, provided by S. Caroljean Willie, and opportunities for participation going forward. Leadership team members offered updates to campus projects, outreach resources and policies. The afternoon continued with a presentation from the Chapter Planning Committee and a closing liturgy that included the transfer of vows for S. Christine Okpomeshine. Sisters participated in person and via livestream, Zoom and closed circuit TV.

The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati witnessed and participated in S. Christine Okpomeshine’s transfer of vows on Saturday, April 23, 2022 in the Motherhouse chapel. S. Christine, a former Handmaid of the Holy Child Jesus, was welcomed into the Charity Family and celebrated by Sisters and her family members during a spring gathering weekend for the Community.

Sisters and Associates celebrated Earth Day this week at the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse by “Investing in the Planet.” Staff members of EarthConnection facilitated the events, which included a short video on the top 10 environmental issues, a presentation from Colleen McSwiggin of The Cincinnati Recycling and Reuse Hub, Eco Art and Environmental Bingo.

Sisters of Charity living in Cincinnati celebrated Easter over the weekend with a number of activities in the Motherhouse and Mother Margaret Hall. From decorations to egg coloring and a formal dinner, the Sisters enjoyed the time spent with each other.