Summer 1994 - Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine

Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine
AIDS and PEACE...
Two pieces of the larger puzzle
called "social concerns"...two
facets that the Sisters of Charity
of St. Augustine have addressed
in a special way over the last
seven years.
It was in July of 1985 that the
CSA Chapter voted that "in order to give a broader
public witness, the Sisters of Charity of Saint
Augustine will establish a process through which
we can consider and decide upon taking a corporate stance on a particular issue." During the next
year, a small group of Sisters worked on the process
for submitting a proposal for consideration of a
corporate stance and in October, 1986 the process
was approved by the Major Superior and Council.
In March of 1987, Sisters Marian Durkin and
Eileen Keating submitted the first proposal for a
stance on the topic of AIDS. Over the next eight
months, CSA entered into a process of reflection
and education and on November 10th the final
votes were counted and CSA had taken a position
of understanding and compassion toward those
who have AIDS. A CSATaskforce on AIDS has
met regularly since December 2,1987 and has
taken action steps to make the stance a reality.
These include an annual prayer service for persons with AIDS; an annual Christmas bag collection to assist the Health Issues Taskforce (and
today, The Open House) to meet the practical
needs of their clients; and an effort to educate
CSA through the Community monthly newsletter, "CSA Today."
Another action step which has brought many
of the CSA's and Associates a bit closer to the
AIDS issue was the formation of a Prayer
Buddy Program.
(contd. onp.3)
Portrait:
"I believe God created us in and for
love. Love desires unity, therefore any
/
activity, any ministry that works toward ^
love and unity contributes to peace on
earth." Thus Sr. Carol Kandiko
explains her ministry at Crown
Point.
Crown Point is a 129 acre
farm, on Ira Road in Bath
Ohio, that the Sisters
of St. Dominic bought
years ago as an investment for their future.
Now it is dedicated as a
Learning Center for Ecology.
There is a community garden
that is all organic - chemical
free - and the buildings are used to teach
groups about conservation and recycling.
Sr. Carol serves as the Program Coordinator at the Center. The programs celebrate
God's gift of the earth and how people take
care of it and share it. Sister is also in charge
of publicity for the programs and the library
at Crown Point.
The spirituality ministry of Sr. Carol
includes retreats, prayer days and individual
spiritual direction. She states that what she
likes doing most is
" -,
"designing a specific program for a specific group". She said that her consciousness of God in all of creation has influenced her prayer, sharing and spiritual
programs and states that life is
not compartmentalized for her.
"It all flows together".
When asked if she has a
hobby, Sr. Carol said that she
loves to walk outdoors and also
does worm composting. She
also commented that she is
"delighted" when everything
on the table for a meal has
come from Crown Point.
Sr. Carol states that she
enjoys intercommunity living as she
shares life with Sr. Pat Sigler and Sr.
Marilyn Mihalic, two Akron Dominicans at Crown Point, but also noted that
"CSA is my center and my support."
Sr. Carol is a native of Akron and attended
St. Joseph's grade school in Cuyahoga Falls.
She received a B.A. in physics and math at
Alverno in Milwaukee and an MAT at St.
Mary's in Winona, Minnesota. Sister taught
physics, math, earth sciences and religion at
St. Augustine Academy in Lakewood for 7
1/2 years. Next she served in parish ministry
as the Director of the Lakewood Program
of Christian Studies. Parish work has also
included St. Paul's in Akron, St. Leo the
Great, St. Bernard's and Our Lady of
Guadalupe in Macedonia.
Sister entered CSA in 1959 looking for
peace and states that "Now I have found
it." She summarized, "Our purpose at
Crown Point is to learn and teach the
sacredness and interconnection of all of
creation for the glory of God and the
good of the earth and each other."
1993. With CSAs support, this center has been a tangible outcome of a corporate stance and the dedication of CSA to
reaching out to a marginalized people.
Gail Frires seated, and Sr. Marian
Durkin at the Open House.
CSA Takes A Stand
(contd. from p. 1)
Sister Marian Durkin solicited names of CSA's and
Associates wishing to participate and each person was
"buddied" with a person with AIDS (PWA) and began to
remember that person "by name" in a very personal way in
prayer. To date, 85 PWA's have been buddied, 46 of whom
have died.
"Humankind is confronted with a
new and fatal disease, AIDS. The
Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine
believe it is important that AIDS be
seen as a human disease that
deserves the same care and compassion as any other illnesses. Therefore,
we publicly offer our understanding
and compassion and establish a Task
Force which will develop specific
actions to meet the needs of persons
with AIDS and their families."
AIDS Stance
Sister Marian Durkin was instrumental in opening a center
on Cleveland's east side dedicated to offering support and
complementary therapies to Persons in the HIV+ spectrum.
This center is called The Open House and it opened on July 1,
Two years after the first stance, Sisters Mary Bryan, Nancy
Hendershot, Rosella Holloman, Mary O'Grady, Catherine
Walsh, and Sharon Anne Yanak brought to the CSA chapter
a second stance declaring CSA Properties to be Nuclear
Free Zones. During the process of social analysis and education which followed, it became clear that there was lack of
agreement on the concept of a Nuclear Free Zone, and the
idea for a stance on Peace Sites evolved. The stance was
accepted in August of 1990. Actions which followed from
this stance include the dedication of Our Lady of Peace
Chapel; a Peace Sign installed at the entrance to Mount
Augustine; a large peace banner which hangs in the foyer of
Mount Augustine; the moving of the St. Francis shrine to a
more prominent place on the Mt. Augustine property; and
peace signs made available for all the local houses for display.
"The Sisters of Charity of
St. Augustine Establish our
Properties as Peace Sites."
Peace Stance
The two stances are the focus of the newly established
CSA Social Concerns Committee. In November of 1994,
a special day dedicated to the AIDS and PEACE stances
will be held at Mount Augustine.
Sister Catherine Lang
" Taking care of AIDS, patients is the epitome of
Charity. I am grateful that my community has taken a
stand and that we are actively engaged in this work."
-Sr. Adele
Sister M. Verona Porter
"You have to experience the contact with persons with AIDS to
know how much there is to do for them. "
-Sr. Bernard
Deceased-July 12, 1994
Sister Marie Mott
CSA Celeb
September
Mounts
"It is always a thrill reading our Community's history to note
how often and how many and how varied have been our
services to the Church in Cleveland. Today, this is reflected
in our stance on AIDS and our Community Stance
on Peace."
-Sr. Marian Warta
"All of us should be the messengers of peace. Let the true meaning of
"Go in Peace" become an intimate part of our daily lives."
-Sr. George
Sister M. Fides Wolfe
utesJubilee
25,1994
]ugustine
n a spirit of joy and gratitude, the CSA community will
celebrate the jubilees often sisters on September 25,1994.
Sister Adek Hart
Sisters Adele Hart and Fides Wolfe are the two 70-year
jubilarians and both of them served in the congregation's
schools and hospitals. Sister Adele taught and was principal in the diocesan schools operated by the community
for many years and then became a patient visitor at St.
Thomas Hospital in Akron. Sister Fides was a teacher
and cottage parent at Parmadale as well as a supervisor
of such departments as laundry, sewing and purchasing
in the CSA health care institutions. Both sisters are now
in retirement at Mount Augustine and have fond memories of people and places they have served.
The six diamond jubilarians' active ministry was
divided between health care and education. The sisters
dedicated to serving the sick are Sisters Catherine Lang,
M. Verona Porter, and Evelyn Schroeder. Each of them
worked in a supervisory capacity in the hospitals operated
by the congregation in Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and
Columbia, South Carolina. In addition to her hospital
ministry, Sister Catherine was administrator of DePaul
Infant Home, Chaplain at St. John Hospital and in parish
ministry at St. Christopher Parish. Sister Verona supervised operating rooms in St. Vincent Charity Hospital,
St. Thomas Hospital, and Providence Hospital. Sister
Evelyn also held supervisory or administrative positions
at the same three hospitals as well as Timkin Mercy and
St. Ann Hospitals. Sisters Catherine, Verona, and
Evelyn, are now in retirement at Mount Augustine.
(contd.onp.7)
Sister Marian Warta
Reception of CSA Associates
Four new members were received as Associates of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine on
Saturday, April 30, by Sister Judith Ann Karam,
Major Superior. The ceremony took place at 2:00
p.m. in Mount Augustine Chapel.
The new members bring an added dimension
to the Associates because of their various professions and backgrounds. Donna Dougherty is a
nurse having graduated from Mercy School of
Nursing in Canton. She is the mother of eight
children and is active in her parish, St. Mary in
Akron, and she believes that the Associate program will help her in her ministry.
Two of the new members are each parents of
three children. Helen Kapar, a Sagamore Hills
resident, serves as Eucharistic minister at St.
Barnabas parish and desires to grow spiritually
and give stronger witness to her faith as an
Associate. Constance McAdams, also a mother
of three, is a licensed Occupational Therapy
Assistant at Timken Mercy Medical Center
and a member of St. Peter Church in Canton.
Constance has a strong desire to live the gospel
message and share the charism of CSA.
From left to right: Donna Dougherty, Helen Kapar,
Janice Peach, Constance McAdams
Another health care professional is Janice
Peach, Director of Physician Relations Department at Timken Mercy Medical Center.
She also serves on the Philosophy and Mission
Committee of that hospital. Janice teaches Sunday School in the Chapel in North Canton and
hopes to deepen her understanding of Jesus'
ministry by sharing the charism of CSA.
Following the installation ceremony, a reception for the sisters, CSA Associates, relatives and
friends of the new members was held in the
Community Room.
A Journey With AID SI Reflections of an Associate
The words of the CSA corporate stance
on AIDS took on very personal meaning for
a CSA Associate when his nephew, John,
was diagnosed with AIDS. The Associate
(who prefers to remain anonymous), was interviewed and he talked about the realities of
AIDS...the physical wasting...the pain...the
family secrets...and the stress experienced
by John's family. These are a few reflections
from his journey with AIDS:
•"The discovery of my nephew's condition came
as a shock because I found out from a friend who
works at University Hospital and knew John as a
patient. My sister and her husband didn't even
know."
•"My sister is experiencing the tremendous fear
of prejudice that surrounds this disease."
•"John is so kind and gentle. He spends a lot
of time thinking about death and dying...and
it pains my sister so."
• "The shame and secrets around this disease are
stifling for my sister and her family. John, on the
other hand, becomes more and more open...more
and more free...the more ill he becomes."
• "I appreciate being able to share my nephew's
story and ask continued prayers for him as he
approaches the end of his life."
When the Associate became aware of CSA's
corporate stance and heard about The Open
House he told John's family. "My sister felt so
isolated," he remarked. "The Open House
gave her a place to go. She and her husband
attend a group regularly for support. They've
met other parents and have been able to share
their story with them and they've laughed and
cried together."
AIDS is closer to all of us now because it has
touched "one of us."
CSA Jubilarians Celebrate
Glimpses
A glimpse at Mount Augustine
grounds reveals that a transformation is taking place, one that will
appeal to all who love nature and
beauty.
The first thing to attract one's eye
is the large circular cement walk and
the walks in the front of the building. The circular walk, when completed, will provide seating as well
as walking space and will be enhanced by trees and flowers still to be
planted. It promises to be an area of
beauty which everyone will enjoy.
The new sidewalks are already
being used and provide a comfortable place for walkers and wheelchairs alike.
The many "sidewalk superintendents" who are on the scene daily,
sitting under the canopy, are anticipating the completion of the project.
Thus far it has met with their hearty
approval... Sr. Ruth Ann Patrick has
been appointed as Director of Vocations for CSA for a three-year term
while she continues as a Social
Worker at St. Vincent Charity Hos-
Images is a bi-annual newsletter
published by:
Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine
5232 Broadview Road
Richfield, Ohio 44286
(216) 659-4161
Staff for this issue:
Sister Lillian Fries CSA
Sister Elaine Nimberger CSA
Editor: Sister Marian Durkin CSA
Design Consultant: NISI Design
Design Layout: Elite Publishing &
Imaging Center, Inc.
Printing: Cowgill Printing Co.
contd. from pg. 5
pital... Sr. Loretta Spotila is serving in
Appalachia as the Director of Mission Effectiveness at Marcum and
Wallace Memorial Hospital in
Irvine, Kentucky... New residents
at Mount Augustine include Srs.
Corinne Baker, Dorothy Surgala,
Dolores Grau, Bernard Rostas,
Carla Schnellinger, Karen Livingston, and Patricia Gardner...
Timken Mercy Medical Center
welcomed Sr. Mary Bryan as Family
Liaison in the Emergency Department earlier this year and more
recently, Sr. Denise Stiles as Medical
Buyer... Providing ministry to the
elderly at St. Luke's Parish in Lake-
Sutcr Miriam Erb -with one of her elderly friends.
wood is Sr. Miriam Erb...Sr. Kathleen Barnes is employed in the
Medical Records Department of
Providence Hospital while she pursues studies in Health Management
at Midland Technical College...
Having completed a Sabbatical
Program at Notre Dame, Indiana,
Sr. Joan Gallagher recently began a
new ministry as Associate Director
of Famicos Foundation in Cleveland... The Junior Daughters of St.
Peter Claver, Louis Hertzog Chapter honored Sr. Rosella Hollaman
for her many years of Religious
Commitment and Pioneering Spirit.
Three diamond Jubilarians dedicated their lives primarily to Catholic
education and they are Sisters Josita
Finnegan, Marie Mott, and M.
Bernard Rostas. Following her years
of teaching, Sister Marie worked as
a librarian at St. Augustine Academy,
and is now a resident at Regina Health
Center. Sister M. Bernard's many
years in the Catholic School System
and at Parmadale were followed by
working in transportation at Mount
Augustine and volunteering at Timken Mercy Medical Center. She
served in the Red Cross Bone Marrow program and numerous other
departments of the Medical Center.
Sister is now volunteering at
Mount Augustine.
Celebrating 50 Years of religious
life are Sisters M. George Paytas and
Marian Warta. Sister M. George, a
graduate of St. John College, Division
of Nursing, worked as a supervisor of
surgery, director of nursing service,
and director of St. Vincent Charity
Hospital, School of Nursing. She was
also administrator of Mount Augustine, and Director of Rosary Hall at
St. Vincent's. Most recently she has
served as Patient Representative in
the Risk Management Department
of that hospital.
Sister Marian Warta, a graduate of
St. John College, taught at Parmadale
and in Diocesan schools staffed by her
community and was principal of
Immaculate Heart of Mary School in
Cuyahoga Falls. For the last 20 years,
Sister has worked at the Diocesan
School Board as an educational consultant. Sr. Marian is presently volunteering as librarian at Mount Augustine.
Friends and relatives will gather at
Mount Augustine in Richfield at 2:00
p.m. on September 25, to honor
the Jubilarians.
Reflections
Jesus articulated a
vision in his life. This
vision flowed into action as the stoiy is told
for us in the Gospel.
In reflecting on our
I living of the Gospel,
I the Sisters of Charity
Sinter Judith Ann Ktirnm
re A
•'
of St. Augustine continue to hear the call handed over to us
by Jesus. With the same passion of our
founding sisters, we respond to human
need. We strive to offer our violent world
the hope that it so desperately needs by
attempting to close the gap between the
gospel and the values found in our world
today. In partnership with others, we take
a stand in believing that the world is transformed by passionate people empowered
to small but faithful efforts.
The cultural changes around us of
extreme individualism and secular
rationalism leave the world today thirsting for another view. Women religious
are called to be prophet, to be counter cultural, to bring about gospel values. We
do so supported on the journey by both a
deep faith in God and also our life together
in community.
Opportunities to be prophets are seen
in each member's daily call to ministry. In
Sisters
of Chanty
of Saint
Augustine
Mount Augia'me, 5232 Broadview Road, Richfield, Ohio 44286
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
addition, through our process of developyou were indited for being a Catholic hosing and affirming our corporate stances, the
pital would there be strong evidence to
entire CSA congregation has the opportuconvict you?" We can ask, if CSA was
nity to reflect corporately on three vital
indited for being moved by the call of jusquestions, i.e. Who are
tice in our world today,
we? What are we going
would
there be enough
"Both CSA corporate
to say "Yes" to? and
evidence
to convict us?
stances on AIDS and that on
What do we stand for?
Our ability to take a
Peace empowered congrega corporate stance and
The response that
tional members and those with follow it with action
emerges flows into
whom we share ministry to
action from basic valregarding the issues
ues of a radical comand human needs of
respond with action."
mitment to justice and
the day are evidence of
solidarity with the poor.
being prophet, closing the gap between the
gospel and our world today, and living out
Both CSA corporate stances on AIDS
the vision of Jesus.
and that on Peace empowered congregational members and those with whom we
share ministry to respond with action.
They gave us an opportunity to declare
ourselves, to embrace values in our living,
to pray for others, to be friend to others, to
be socially responsible investors, to impact
legislation, and to initiate and support
direct service ministry.
We are so very grateful for the members
of CSA who identified the emerging
needs, developed the congregational
stances, and continue to discern and implement our responses. I recently heard a
quote from Richard McCormick, SJ who
asked health care providers a question. "If
In Memory Of...
Please remember in your prayers
the following Sisters of Charity
of St. Augustine who have died
since February 1,1994...
SisterJosanne Bonnot
Sister Eleanor Hoag
SisterJosita Finnegan
Sister Augustine DeChant
*V
May They Rest in Peace.
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