of Charity of Saint Augustine

Four sisters who dared to take a two-week voyage to Americafrom Boulogne-sur-Mer, France begana legacy of caring that lives on after ISOyears. Since 1851, the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine haveresponded to the needs of the time in the communities they served. Today CSAs are active inhealthcare, education, diocesan and parish ministry in Kentucky, Ohio and South Carolina.

Rejoicing in the call to serveGod through our ministry,we are lifted up by theprayers and support of avibrant group of Associatesand hundreds more whoshare our mission andcharism. How fortunate weare to be present at thisunique time and place!Family members and friendsjoined us in an openingliturgy celebrated with Cleve-land Bishop Anthony Pillalast October, the month whenthe first sisters arrived inCleveland. Regina HealthCenter hummed with visitorsas Sr. Ruth Rosenbaum, TCspoke to CSA and otherdiocesan religious about eco-spirituality and social justice. "TheMany Faces of Poverty" photo exhibitfrom South Carolina drew otherguests. In November local CSAcommunities offered thanksgivingprayers and observed a "Fast forLife," in order to share our blessingswith those less fortunate.The newest CSA ministry, Joseph'sHome, celebrated its first Christmasand many sisters and Associatesprovided wrapped gifts of socks,clothing and other necessities for thehomeless men recovering there. InFebruary, sisters and Associates gath-ered for a Sesquicentennial Home-coming Day. Joseph's Home received

.flJEI a

Sr. Gilbert Bradish(seated) and

Sr. Denise Stileswelcome the Sesquicen-

tennial Year

prayerful recognition inMarch at an ecumenicalservice held in the St.Vincent Charity HospitalChapel followed by tours ofthe new facility. We onceagain had the religious of thediocese as our guests in Aprilwhen Sr. Nancy Schreck,OSF spoke on "ReligiousLife in a new Millennium."Spring gives us the opportu-nity to honor our connectionwith creation by planting ahardwood tree nursery on Mr.Augustine property.Summer activities will in-clude CSA Heritage Pil-grimages to remember andcelebrate sisters, people,places and events from our

past. We will also bless a new CSAmonument at Calvary Cemetery inCleveland. There will be a FamilyPicnic in June that will includeformer members of CSA. The finalpublic event will be on August 26when members of our ministry familywill join us and Bishop Pilla in aLiturgy of Thanksgiving. ReginaHealth Center will be open for tourson that day.On October 10th, 150 years afterthe first Sister's arrival in Cleveland,our community will share a specialAnniversary supper.With this issue of Images weRemember and Rejoice!

QptraitGifts of Love

CSA Institutions are acknowledging our 150th anniver-sary with a host of special events designed to heightenawareness of the mission of CSA in the communitieswhich we serve.Our Cleveland hospitals and Ohio Health Choice haveintroduced "Everyone Can Be a Star," a new program thathonors employee achievement while supporting childliteracy.Mercy Medical Center, the Early Childhood ResourceCenter and the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cantonpartnered with the Canton Area Association for theEducation of Young Children to sponsor a FamilyFest inApril.At St. John West Shore Hospital, a Founders Breakfast inMarch honored members of the hospital's firstadministration and the Boards of the former St. John andBay View Hospitals.The prayer garden on the grounds of ProvidenceHospital will be relocated and rededicated. A newtree will be planted with the plaque that honors thememory of Mr. and Mrs. James B. Younginer whoactively andf r u i t f u l l ypromoted thebuilding of aC a t h o l i cHospital inColumbia, SC.Autumn willalso bring socialservice seminarsand workshopssponsored by thefour CSAFoundations.

Partners in CelebrationGod's abundant blessings are apparent inother notable anniversaries among ourministry family at this time. Several of theseministries, begun by the Sisters of Charity ofSt. Augustine continue to be directly supportedor staffed by CSA; some carry on withleadership provided by others. We join themall in celebration!

135 Years

St Vincent Charity Hospital Opened byCSA on October 10,1865 in Cleveland, Ohio.

75 Years

Parmadale (Children's Village of StVincent dePaul) Established in 1925 inParma, Ohio by Catholic Charities through thejoining of two orphanages sponsored by CSA.

St Augustine Academy Opened by CSA inLakewood, Ohio in September 1925.

20 Years

St John WestShore HospitalOpened inWestlake, Ohioon March1,1981 as a jointventurebetweenCSA's St. JohnHospital and theWest ShoreOsteopathicAssociation.

from L to R — Srs. Joan Gallagher, Mary Lois Phillipp andMiss Ruth Phillipp view "The Many Faces of Poverty"

from L to R - Srs. Bernard Rostas, Juletta Murray, Lillian Fries andCatherine Browning - at St. John the Baptist Church in Canton, Ohio

potlightThe Past Remembered

"Archives" seems such a cold word to describe the place that houses the tangible assets of our mission and our lives.The CSA Archives offer glimpses into our past while recording today's events for those who come after us. Thecollection includes photographs, legal documents, ministry histories, Board minutes and much more.

"An archive is thecollective memory of theorganization," explainedSr. Mary Denis Matter,CSA Archivist for the pastseven years. "There'sconsiderable informationon our sponsoredhealthcare ministries, butexcept for the high school(St. Augustine Academy),material on our work ineducation is not as wellrepresented because CSAneither owned norsponsored the schools."Sr. Mary Denis receivesseveral requests forinformation each week.Requests come from withinthe community, fromparishes and schools,Diocesan and CSAinstitutions, graduatestudents and individualstracking a family tree."Archives exist not only topreserve the history of theorganization, but also tocare for it, document it,and broaden it to allowother people access," shesaid.Newly acquired archivematerials are carefullyprocessed before finalstorage. Staples and tapeare removed fromdocuments, newspaperarticles are copied andphotos are placed in acid-

free covers. Larger items,on display in the CSAHeritage Room, must beprotected from water leaks,high temperatures and well-meaning visitors. Thechallenge for Sr. MaryDenis is to keep up withthese time consuming taskswhile serving full-time asChair of the EnglishDepartment at UrsulineCollege.She now has archivalclassification softwarespecially designed forreligious communities thatshe hopes to use to beginre-categorizing CSA datalater this year. Until then,she is adept at finding whatshe needs in the mainArchives room or in twoadditional storage areas.In 1988, Sr. Mary Denisreceived her doctorate inAmerican Studies fromCase Western ReserveUniversity and used thearchives of othercommunities to researchher dissertation on sisterswho served as Civil Wai-nurses. She subsequentlyauthored To Bind Up theWounds. Sister shares herlove of history with ayounger brother who is acollege archivist and pastpresident of the AmericanAssociation of Archivists.

Portrait of Mother Ursula Bissonette in the CSAHeritage Room at Mt. Augustine

SISTERS OF

From left to right - Mr. Steve Hendershot, Sr. Nancy Hendershot, Sr.Marietta Starrie, CSJ, Bishop Anthony Pilla, Mrs. Mary McKeown, Mr.Bob McKeown, Mrs. Ruth Hendershot

From left to right - Srs. Cabrini Ferritto, Carol Kandiko, Evelyn Flowers

OF ST. AUGUSTINE

Each day we have experiencesthat will bring smiles in years tocome as people and places arecherished through memory.Here are just a few.

Sr. Ruth Kerrigan recalls whenshe lived and worked with 30sisters at St. Vincent CharityHospital in the 1940's,particularly with Sr. MargaretMary Lally and Sr. CorneliaHussey. Nursing was verydifferent in those days.Providing patient care was muchmore simple and direct. Notonly did the nurses tend to thepatients' health needs, they alsocooked for them on the nursingfloors.

Sr. Ancilla Ellinger especiallyremembers her first Christmason Lake Avenue in 1950. "Thetradition was for the second yearnovices to sing Christmas carolscarrying lighted candles to wakeus up for the morning Liturgy. Itwas a heavenly experience." Sr.Ancilla also described summerevening walks to the Grotto,surrounded by tall trees and alovely flower garden tended by

From left to right - Ms. Rita Ann Sossong and MsJeanne Burrige, CSA Associates

Srs. Joan and Gertrude Cholley "I rememberone summer when the dining room wasovercrowded because the teachers were attendingSt. John's College. We had breakfast and supperoutdoors. The weather was clement and everyonehad a wonderful time."

Sr. Lillian Fries also speaks warmly of theGrotto at the old motherhouse and sitting in theback yard looking out over Lake Erie. Lesspleasant are her memories of working in the hot,humid laundry or, worse yet, being one of the 15sisters who slept in the dormitory above thelaundry and shared one bathroom. "People werethe best part. I remember Sr. Mary Murman asa very good friend."

Joyful Remembrances

Sr. Beth Pierik fondly asks,"Do you remember...

Sr. Irmina, whosemalapropisms caused a lot ofsmiles, including her own;Sr. Julia, who waltzed sogracefully;Mother Clementine, and herfrequent advice, "Pray,Sister!";Sr. Andrew, so hard-workingand conscientious;Sr. Elizabeth Ann, whoexcelled in thoughtfulness;Sr. Annunciata, who kept aninterest in people always;Sr. Theodora, who loved tocook, feed the squirrels andread;Sr. Armella, who liked to fishand found joy in simplethings?"One of Mrs. Joan Weist'sfondest memories is herorientation as an Associate ofCSA. "I remember our themeof "The Rose" and the spirit ofSr. Rosemary Bauer whoeagerly anticipated ouracceptance but did not live tosee it. One of the most shiningstars in my life was the gift I received in August of1985 when I agreed to share the values and goalsof CSA and to spread the Gospel message as aCSA Associate. I hope I exemplify that stareveryday by shining as a better witness to others, awitness to CSA, and a witness to the Light of ourFaith - Jesus Christ the Saviour."

CSA Associate Don Karcher has many specialmemories here at Mt. Augustine. "Every time Icome to the Mount, it is special, but the mostspecial times would have to be when we met forOvernight Prayer Weekends," Mr. Karcher said."We would come together as strangers, but bySunday night there was a special bonding for allthat were there."

From left to right - Srs. Francesca Reardon, Mary Dorothy Tecca, CherylKeehner, Marian Durkin, Miriam Erb

From left to right - Srs. Juletta Murray and Eugenia Hosfeld

From left to right - Srs. Mary Denis Maher andRuth Kerrigan

SISTERS OF

from L to R — Srs. Helen Mary Frank, Mary LoisPhillipp and Rosella Holloman

From left to right - Ms. Jan Peach, Ms. Marilyn Kuczynski, Ms.Toni Meyer and Sr. Sharon Anne Yanak

From left to right - Srs. Mary Denis Maher, Mary Patricia Barrettand Eugenia Hosfeld (reading)

OF ST. AUGUSTINE

Spreading the WordKathy Szomoru of K.A. SzomoruGraphics designed the new CSA logo thatyou'll see throughout the year. It appearson anniversary prayer cards, newspaperads and posters now on display at CSAfacilities. The poster's inspiring message,"Out of the traditions of the past we findmeaning for the present, and hope for thefuture" was composed by Sr. Mary DenisMaher for the first brief history of CSAwhich was written for our 125thanniversary. She updated it for ourSesquicentennial year as Living in Love:A Brief History.

The text of this new history has been addedto our website, www.srsofcharity.org.Please come visit and let us know yourresponse.

Srs. Theresa Bontempo and Karen Livingston

impses

CSA Sesquicenteimialin the News:

Here is a list of newspaper and magazinearticles that have prominently featuredstories on our CSA Sesquicentennial.

Avenues Magazine (Cleveland)"New/Noteworthy News" 12/00

Catholic Universe Bulletin (ClevelandDiocese)"We Came as Nurses...Continuing a 150-Year Tradition of Breaking New Groundto Help Heal Society's Wounds" 9/15/00

Montrose Sun (Richfield)"A Place to Serve People and God"10/26/00

Sun Herald (North Olmsted)"CSA Fighting Social Injustice, Poverty"7/6/00

The Independent (Massillon)"Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine MarkFounding of Congregation" 10/15/00

The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)"Charity Still In Name and Mission"11/19/00

The Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine(Cleveland)"The Healing Place" 2/25/01

The Repository (Canton)"Dipping in Well of Retired Nuns'Wisdom, Perspective" 2/3/01

West Side Leader (Akron)"Religious Notes" 10/12/00

Catholic Miscellany (Charleston Diocese)"Sisters of Charity of St. AugustineCelebrate 150th Anniversary" 10/19/00

The State (Columbia)"Special Anniversary Means Much toSouth Carolina" 2/6/01

Sr. Joan Gallagher was honored as "Woman of the Year" by the Businessand Professional Women of Discovery Region IV (Lakewood), October 21,2000.

Congratulations to Mrs. Mary James (CSA Associate) and her husbandJohn who celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in December.

Sr. Catherine Walsh was the recipient of the Bishop Cosgrove JusticeAward presented by the Catholic Commission of Cleveland in December.Sister also received recognition from "OPEN M," a faith-based communitycenter supported by area churches. This special award recognizes one personwhose mission makes a difference for the neighborhood people.

Sr. Theresa Bontempo is now working with Northcoast Home Health.

The AIDS Taskforce of Cleveland honored Sr. Marian Durkin along withothers as a "Voice Against the Silence" at a luncheon on Friday February 16.

Sr. Mary Patricia Barrett was recognized by the Trustees of Hospice ofthe Western Reserve as one of the founders of the Catholic HospiceNetwork nearly 15 years ago. "Her leadership and vision continue to beappreciated as she remains a loyal trustee."

The December 2000 issue of Catholic Digest features an article onwomen recovering from alcoholism. In a sidebar story, there is a pictureof Sr. Ignatia as well as a brief explanation about her role in AA.

RequiescatIn Pacem

Please remember

in your prayers

Mrs. Mary McManus,CSA Associate

Miss Rita Sossong,CSA Associate

1| /L^fcftfrImages is a bi-annualnewsletter published by:

Sisters of Charity of StAugustine5232 Broadview Rd.Richfield, Ohio 4428fiwww.srsofcharity.org

Staff for this issue:Sr. Miriam ErbSr. Regina FiermanMrs. Caryn KishMrs. JoanWeistEditor: Sr. Carol Kandiko

Photos:Joseph Click

Editorial Support:OdysseyOne Communications

Design and Production:ScripType Publishing

Sistersof Charityof Saint

AugustineMount Augustine, 5232 Broadview Road, Richflelil, OH 44286

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Sr. Nancy Hendershot, CSA

I remember grade school years at St.Joseph in Cuyahoga Falls beingtaught by Srs. Annella, Michella(Beth Pierik), Eugenia and othergrey-habited Sisters of Charity of St.Augustine. They laughed with us,froze with us on the playground inwinter and applauded us in schoolplays. They taughtphonics and out-

lining and study skills and nurturedfaith in me. They really cared./ remember the Sisters at St.Thomas Hospital in their whitehabits when I had surgery there andwondered how they could do all thatwork and still be so kind andthoughtful to individuals./ remember my novitiate at Mt.Augustine with Srs. Maura,DeChantal (Rosalyn Lang), andKaren Livingston and the desire theyhad to bring God's love to each andevery young woman in their care./ remember joyful years in ministrywith Srs. Pauline, Venard, Ancilla,Allen and others at Parmadale; withSrs. Angelita (Dorothy Surgala),Marie Bernard (Elizabeth Schur),Mary Denis, Marlene (JoanGallagher) and so many more at St.Augustine Academy. Srs. Juletta,

Eymard (Agnes McMahon) andMichael Francis (Eileen Keating)were at Holy Family in Stow when Iwas in Pastoral Ministry. I am deeplythankful for all Sisters who companionme on the journey.With them I remember and I rejoice!During this Year of Celebrationof God's blessings, CSA is thankfulfor the call of God and for the ministryentrusted to us. We strive to bewomen who care, who mentor, whoare attentive to individuals, whobring God's love to all we encounter,Sisters and companions in life andfaith.You who receive Images are part ofus in your own way. You areconnected to our lives and ourmission. As we celebrate 150 yearsof God's blessings, what and whomdo you remember?

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