Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine

Winter1993-94

Although the term "parish ministry" is arelatively new one, the Sisters of Charity havebeen engaged in aspects of the ministry sincethe early years of the Community. For example,within weeks of their arriving in Cleveland in1851, they were visiting the sick and poor in thenear west side areas. Indeed, the first superiorof the Sisters of Charity, Catherine Bissonnette,had assisted the early priest missionaries inthe Sandusky area, and much of her spiritcontinued with the pioneer sisters, who helpedin the near west side parishes of St. Mary-on-the-Flats and of St. Patrick.

A new relationship to parish work began 70years ago when the sisters first responded to therequest of Bishop Joseph Schrembs to staffparish schools. Although the primary focuswas the elementary school, the Sisters engagedin religious education on weekends and in thesummers in these early parishes. Some taughtat missions awaiting the establishment of aparochial school. For example, from 1939-46,

several sisters ran a vacation Bible school atSt. Anne's mission in East Liverpool.

The community's Renewal Chapter of 1969,following Vatican II, studied all areas of religiouslife and of CSA's ministries. Attention wasfocused for the first time on parish ministry,often as a team concept, as distinct from workin the schools. With much enthusiasm, theChapter members passed proposals to encouragesisters to become more actively involved insocial concerns of the parish, in visiting thepoor and sick, and in becoming catalysts forchange. Sr. Eugenia Hosfeld recalls thatMsgr. Thomas Campbell, asked her to becomea Eucharistic minister for the seventy shut-insin three nursing homes in St. Joseph parish inCuyahoga Falls. "I was grateful for the newopportunity," she recalled. "Many of the peoplethat I ministered to brought great blessings to me."

Perhaps the first formal attention to thegrowing area of Pastoral ministry was a meetingheld in 1971 with all the pastors of the parishes

continued onpg. 7

I

Portrait:Sister

The portrait in this issue of IMAGES isof Sr. Juletta Murray, a native of Cleveland,Ohio, who entered the congregation of theSisters of Charity of St. Augustine in 1936.Gracious, caring, and dedicated; a womanwho embodies the charisma of hospitalityin her daily life; a teacher who is trulyinterested in her students... these are someof the characteristics which help to describeSister Juletta. She started teaching in 1939in Maximo, Ohio at St Joseph's with grades5, 6, 7, and 8 in one room, while anothersister taught grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 in another.

It has been 54 years since her initialassignment at Maximo and sister is stillin the classroom, most recently as a tutor atSt. Luke School in Lakewood. In between,she was assigned to teach at Sacred Heartof Mary in Harrisburg, St. Luke inLakewood, St. Augustine Academy(2nd grade) in Lakewood, St. Joseph'sin Cuyahoga Falls, Holy Family in Stow,Parmadale in

Parma and Assumption in Brookpark.In addition to teaching, Sister spent 13summers helping to cook at CYO camp inMadison,Ohio, an experience which shedescribes as "very rewarding".

Sister was the second oldest of fivechildren. When asked what contributedto her discernment that she had a religiousvocation, she stated that she simply had a"feeling" that she should enter the convent.

Sister Juletta has been engaged intutoring at St. Luke School since 1986,and she hopes to continue to teach as longas she is in good health. Concerning herphilosophy of education, she said "that ifwe don't build good Christians when theyare little... from the ground up... we won'thave a good America." She also commentedthat our Lord said, "Unless we becomeas little children we cannot enter thekingdom of God."

In addition to tutoring, Sister likes tolisten to music, except for the "loud stuff".For Sister Juletta, tutoring is a hobby.

When asked "Has education changedover the years?", Sister's response was astrong "YES". It has "broadened out dueto television and our changing society."

The eyesight of Sister Julettais diminishing at this stage of herlife but NOT her commitmentto and enthusiastic support ofCatholic education.

Sister Maltha meets with Mrs. May Strickliru a senior citizen.

TODAY'S PARISHMINISTERS

Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine areinvolved today in several parishes in theCleveland Diocese. They do a variety ofministries and serve multiple needs forthe parishioners.

Sister Agnes McMahon has beenworking at the small, rural parish ofSt. Andrew the Apostle for one year.In addition to directing the Pastoral CareStaff, Sister serves as parish secretary.Having worked with the pastor, Fr. JamesMaloney in the past, Sister Agnes waslooking forward to joining him and theParish School of Religion Staff atSt. Andrew's. In contrast to a small ruralparish, Sister Sharon Anne Yanak workswith ten other parish staff members atthe veiy large Holy Family Parish inStow, Ohio. Sister is the Director ofAdult Education, a position she has heldfor four of the nine years she has been atHoly Family. In such a large parishSister's duties are numerous and variedranging from doing charity projects witha coffee and sharing group to conductingparent sessions in preparation for FirstReconciliation and First Eucharist.

Working with adults who areinterested in learning about membershipin the Catholic Church is the primaryministry of Sister Beth Pierik who hasministered at St. Christopher Parish inRocky River for the last 10 years. Thiswork with the RCIA program involvesmany one-on-one contacts with thosewho are on a faith journey towarddeepening their relationship with God.Sister Beth also schedules parish Baptismsand arranges for pre-Baptismal classes forthe first-time parents. Sister MaryjeanEucker also works with the RCIAprogram at St. Luke's in Lakewood,Ohio. She is proud to say that "after eightyears of establishing the RCIA Process wehave brought our 100th Catechumenatethrough the conversion process." Sisterhas been at St. Luke's for 17 years and isalso the Director of Religious Educationin the parish.

A team approach to ParishMinistry fits the style of Sister NancyHendershot, a team member of St.Mary Magdalene Parish in Willowick,Ohio. Sister is in her third year at this

parish on Cleveland's east side. Herduties are many including working withStephen Ministers and the St. VincentDePaul Society. Sr. Nancy is pleased withthe opportunity to occasionally preachand preside at Morning Prayer at theparish. Sister Eileen Keating has alsoenjoyed working with a team during herfour years at St. Martha's parish in Akron,Ohio. Sister oversees all the religiouseducation in the parish and sharesresponsibility for visitation at five areahospitals. Sister is aware of her role as"enabler... empowering men, women,and children of every race, age andeconomic condition to discover God in allthey do in order to transform our world".

Sister Martha Connelly ministers atSt. Patrick's Parish on Cleveland's westside. At this Bridge Avenue parish,Sister works primarily with the olderparishioners with emphasis on those whoare sick and hospitalized. Sister has beenat St. Patrick's for seven years as a PastoralMinister. In addition to her work with theelderly, Sister has started a program forolder adults and is responsible for thehospitality offered parishioners after theSunday masses.

At the other end of the Parishspectrum are the young people. SisterCheryl Keehner devotes herself toworking with the youth at St. MatthiasParish in Broadview Hts., Ohio. Shebrings to her role her experience as ahigh school teacher and campus minister.Sister is the Director of Youth Ministriesin the 700 family parish. Among herduties are sacramental preparation, PSRprograms, the High School YouthGroup, and programs for young adults.Sister is the most recent CSA in a parishministry having been at St. Matthiasparish for less than a year.

Sister Rosella Holloman has beenin ministry at St. Cecilia's parish inCleveland on a part-time basis for thelast 6 years. Sister enjoys her work incoordinating Scripture Study and theEucharistic ministers program. Sister alsoserves as a Eucharist Minister and Lectorat the Sunday Masses at the parish.

• unctioning as a Pastoral Team demands willingnessto collaborate. The blessing for a parish is thecommunal wisdom and better decisions which result.

-Sr. Nancy Hendershot

Sister Mary Jean Eucker planning with Mrs. Mary Clare Kefley.

is important for transforming our world.At our Parish Community we begin everymeeting with prayer and faith sharing.

-Sr. Eileen Keating

Sister Beth Rerikexamines an RCIA album.

IVlinistry to young people and theirfamilies keeps me young and restoresmy hope for the future of the Church.

-Sr. Cheryl Keehner

Sister Sharon Anne Yanak with Lisa Calabro.

"The shift of students out of Cat),recognition that children were mreligious instruction caused Siste

full time in parish school of religireligious education". (CSA Brief Hi

Sister Eileen Keating (center) shares time with Father PeterColetti and parishioner, Joanne Bedore.

Ocripture study is very rewarding.

-Sr. Rosella Holloman

Mrs. Pearlie Goerins and Mrs. Donna Nance.

1 he laity with whom and for whom I work are a greatblessing to the Church and to me personally.

-Sr. Sharon Anne Yanak

olic Schools together with the<t the only ones in need offs in the 1970s to begin to workm programs and total parishtory)

CSA Brief History

Sister Nancy Hendershot and Maggie Wood, a parishioner,organize a gift distribution for the needy.

Ihe greatest blessing is to witness the 'Aha!' moment ofunderstanding or conversion in the Catechumens.

-Sr. Mary Jean Eucker

It's a privilege to listen as individuals share the storyof their search for meaning and their hunger for God.

-Sr.BethPierik

Sister Cheryl Keehner prepares 8th grade students for Confirmation.

1 his is a ministry I would have loved muchearlier than when I started.

-Sr. Martha Connelly

Sister Agnes McMahon and Father Maloney compare plans.

1 he people of the parish form a close-knit faith filledcommunity. They are most generous with their timeand talents.

-Sr. Agnes McMahon

CL Season

JUBILEE!Four Sisters of Charity ofSt. Augustine celebratedseventy, sixty, and twenty-five years of dedicatedservice in the congregationon Sunday, September 26,at Mount Augustine. The

Most Rev. James Malone of the YoungstownDiocese was the main celebrant and homilistat the 2:00 p.m. liturgy.

Sister Gerarda Fry, who celebrated herseventieth anniversary, entered the convent in1923 from St. Mary's Parish in Akron. Shespent fifty-five years teaching in the parochialschools of the Cleveland Diocese and duringthat time taught each of the eight grades andserved as principal. Sister, now in retirement atMount Augustine, summed up her religious lifeby commenting that so great were her blessingsthat she felt as if she were God's pet.

Celebrating her diamond jubilee (sixtyyears), Sister Madonna Marshall entered thecongregation after graduating from St. VincentCharity School of Nursing, and she devotedmost of her years as a religious to the healthcare ministry. Sister worked in St.AugustineConvent infirmary before being appointed asnursing supervisor at Mercy Hospital inCanton. Her nursing skills were also practicedat Parmadale, St. Thomas Hospital, Akron,and St. Vincent Charity Hospital.

Sister Eleanor Hoag, also a diamondjubilarian, entered from Blessed SacramentParish in Cleveland. She became interested inthe Sisters of Charity through a mutual friendand entered in July, 1933. Almost all of heractive years were spent at Parmadale where shetaught first grade, supervised a cottage for manyyears, and later became the purchasing agent.She recalled with a smile her years at Parmadale

where she said she "worked very hard and foundgreat satisfaction in helping the children". Sisterstill keeps in touch with some of "her boys".

Sister Jane Lab, who celebrated her silverjubilee, entered the convent from St. JosephParish in Canton through the influence ofrelatives in the congregation and her experienceworking at Timken Mercy Hospital.

In 1988, Sister Jane returned to Cantonwhere she is Director of the Pastoral CareDepartment at Timken Mercy Medical Center.Her primary work has been in Pastoral Ministrybeginning at St. Vincent Charity Hospitalfollowed by assignment as Pastoral CareDepartment Director at St. John Hospital.She also served as Administrator of MountAugustine for a time during her twenty-five years.

Sister Jane expressed her sentiments aboutPastoral Care Ministry stating that she felt itgave her the opportunity to serve the wholeperson — spiritually, physically, and mentally,and to work with the families of patients andhospital staff.

Sister Eleanor and Sister Madonna,and Sister Gerarda (seared).

I/ooatsThe Advent spirit of joyful anticipation and awareness of

God's faithfulness was reflected in the Eucharistic celebration asSister ViiginiaDurkin pronounced her first vows in the MountAugustine/Regina Health Center chapel on December 4th at 4:00p.m. The Reverend Edward Weist was the main celebrant of theCeremony and Sister Judith Ann Karam, Major Superior of theCongregation, received Sister Virginia's vows. Following the service,a reception was held for all who were present.

Sister Virginia entered the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine from St. Christine'sParish in Euclid after a long association with the sisters. She worked in the admittingoffice of St. Ann's Hospital; as a house mother and dorm counselor in St. VincentCharity Hospital School of Nursing; as a cottage parent to 9th grade girls at Parmadale;and as a volunteer at DePaul Center. Immediately prior to her entrance into thecommunity, Sister Virginia was an Associate member of the community. While sisterhad a wide range of experiences in many areas prior to her entrance, she now focuseson pastoral ministry and serves as a part-time Chaplain at Edwin Shaw Hospital, arehabilitation facility in the Akron area.

Sister Rep/no."I would join my heart with yours and have you share...the Path of Love" -Joyce Ruff

Choosing the theme "The Path of Love" Sister Regina Fiermancelebrated the pronouncement of final vows on Saturday, August28th, at Mount Augustine in the presence of family, friends, andmembers of the congregation. It was a touching ceremony thatgave witness to Sister's commitment to a life of service to God.

Rev. Anthony Muzic was the main celebrant and homilist at thefour o'clock Eucharistic Service and Rev. George M. Guschwancon-celebrated. Sister Judith Ann, Major Superior of the communityaccepted Sisters vows. A dinner and reception followed the service.

Sister Regina entered the congregation in August, 1987, from St. Monica's Parishin Garfield Heights, where she was active in parish ministry as lector, Eucharisticminister, and a member of the guitar group.

While working at St. Vincent Charity Hospital as secretary in the EducationDepartment, Sister Regina made the decision to join the congregation. Sincemaking her first vows she has been a part-time student at Cuyahoga CommunityCollege while working as generalsecretary at Mount Augustine.She has also served as PatientRepresentative and Secretary inHuman Resources at Timken MercyMedical Center and as an aide at theStark County Board of MentalRetardation Workshop. Sister isnow continuing her studies towardcertification as an OccupationalTherapy Assistant.

waiting to pronounce her final vows.

PIONEER PARISH MINISTERScontinued from pg. 1

where sisters worked. In the letterannouncing the meeting, the educationcommittee indicated the topics wouldbe: the parish school and convent;catechetical work; adult education;and pastoral work At the meeting, thepastors suggested or asked for a sisterprincipal, sisters involved in adulteducation, a sister coordinator of a totalreligious education program for theparish and various uses for the convent.The minutes indicated that "seriousconsideration must be given to wherethe Sisters can best serve the parish."

In the 20 years following thatmeeting, Sisters, in collaboration withother lay and religious, have expandedtheir ministry to include youth andelderly, have directed religious andadult education programs, haveministered to the widowed, divorced,and separated, and have been appointedas pastoral associates. Indeed, the fruitsof that "serious consideration" havebeen abundant in the many parishesin which the Sisters of Charity haveministered and continue to minister.

We wish to thank Sister Mary Denis Maherforbeingourguestivriterforthis article

Images is a bi-annual newsletterpublished by:Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine5232 Broadview RoadRichfield, Ohio 44286(216) 659-4161

Staff for this issue:

Sister Lillian Fries CSASister Elaine Nimberger CSA

Editor: Sister Marian Durkin CSA

Design Consultant: NISI Design

Design Layout: Elite Publishing &Imaging Center, Inc.

Printing: Cowgill Printing Co.

Reflections• '

We are 'women at the

well, transformed by

Christ the Living

Water, collaborating in

the fulfillment of God's

'work in the world,

flowing on to what

is yet to be.

Sister Judith Ann Karam (John 4 and Woman River)

We recognize and respond to the callof Christ to drink ofthefountain of livingwater. We value and accept the gift oftransformation offered by the Lord.

We willingly seek ways to open lives andministry to the action of Christ, individually,congregationally and globally.

The above theme was set by theCSA Council for the four years of ouradministration following the direction setby the Congregation through the Chapterof Affairs held in July and September,1993. The theme calls us to gather aswomen at the well, deepening ourunderstanding of religious life, findingways to share the gift of religious life withothers and living our lives fully, joyfully,and simply. It also called us to seek new

ways to reach God's people, activelycollaborating in ministry with others,promoting justice for people, living simplyand nurturing an appreciation for creation.

This direction setting by the Con-gregation is a special moment of reflectionon who we are in service to the Churchand where we are called to be in responseto the people of God. In addition to CSAvowed members, Associates, FormerMembers and staff of the CSA HealthSystem also participated in the Chapter.These next four years call CSA to live outthese hopes and dreams led by the spiritand in contemplation of our God.

Meeting the needs of society is a corevalue of CSA. We have just implementeda new ministry of providing health care toothers in Regina Health Center.

This issue of IMAGES focuses onCSA in parish ministry. Parish ministryis a special "place" for CSA to live out thevalues of the Gospel in collaboration asmembers of parish teams, teachers, prayerpartners, tutors, liturgy support, andmembers of parish committees. Ourhospitals have begun parish nurse programswith churches and also outreach programs.

We have a CSA missionary in El Salvadormeeting the needs of the people as amember of a pastoral team. We walkwith families, single persons, the elderly,children, the poor. In an era of muchviolence, loss of respect for the value oflife, loneliness and a myriad of humanneeds, it is imperative that a communityprofessing peace, compassion, joy andhope be a sign in the world.

Please pray for CSA as we gather atthe well of living water, flowing on towhat is yet to be.

In Memory Of...Please remember in your prayersthe following Sisters of Charityof St. Augustine who died sinceJune 1,1993...

Sister Raymond EmerickSister Margaret Therese SurgalaSister Marie WeirSister David HopkinsSister Canice McFaddenSister Clement Beargie

May they rest in peace.

Sistersof Charityof Saint

'AugustineMount Augustine, 5232 Broadview Road, Richfield, Ohio 44286

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