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A Celebration of Life, Love and Ministry .... 1851-2011

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Sr. Miriam Erb, CSA

A Newsletter for friends of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine

It was in 1851 that the first S isters set sail from Boulogne-sur-M er for the United States at the beckoning of Bishop Amadeus Rappe of the Cleveland Diocese. In 2011, the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine (CSA) and the Sisters of Charity Associates gathered on numerous occasions to celebrate 160 years of “life, love, and m inistry.” In addition to the celebration of 160 years for the congregation, 2011 also marked a significant anniversary for the Associates. It was 25 years ago (1986) that CSA extended a welcome to lay men and women to join the sisters and embrace the charism o f C S A and to live it m ore fu lly in the ir lives.

So it was on February 13, 2011 that the celebration began with a Liturgy of praise and thanksgiving. Fr. Tony Schueller, a long-tim e friend of CSA, cam e from New York to officiate at the M ass; it was a moment when those gathered remembered the past by carrying the original silver-plated candlesticks from France in the Mass procession. The Sisters and Associates then gathered for a festive d inner and an a fte rnoon o f conversa tion .

Phrases from the Anniversary prayer, a prayer composed by one of the sisters, were woven through the events as the year un fo lded . “May we find hope and courage in what we celebrate” captured the spirit of the “Jubilee Justice” during the Lenten Day of Prayer led by Fr. Phil Bernier (March 19th). Donations were collected to support Father Bernier’s parish in East Cleveland. “The friendship of Associates..And the goodness of persons who touch our lives and share our charism” w as ev iden t the day o f the Associate sponsored picnic (June 25th) when delicious picnic fare, games of chance and delighted laughter filled the motherhouse. Then on the feast o f S t. A ugustine (A ugust 28 th) “knowing that the spirits of our sisters who have gone before us gather with us,” S iste rs and Associates gathered once again around the altar of the Eucharist to celebrate that G od “is the Breath of Life inspiring and encouraging us

and active among us still.” Fr. Edward Estok, the celebrant, rem inded us in his m oving hom ily that “we (CSA) a re found w here G od ’s peop le a re fo rgo tten by soc ie ty.”

Because story-telling is so im portant in the history of a people, the final gathering of 2011 was an afternoon of shared stories and a renewal of Religious vows and Associate commitments. (October 9th) The beautiful autumn afternoon concluded w ith the Sisters and Associates raising their voices together in the song that has been sung over the years: “Sustain me O Lord as you have prom ised, that I may always live; disappoint me not in my hope.”

W e look fo rw ard to the fina l ce lebra tion in January o f 2012. It w ill b ring our year o f Jub ilee to a c lose .

“Thank you, Gracious God, for our call, our history, our faith, hope and love. We continue our journey in love knowing that you are with us always.” *

*Taken from the 160 A nn iversary P rayer. P ic tu res from the various ann iversary events a re on

pages 4 and 5 .

As we conclude this year of celebration of 160 years of faithfulness to God’s call, CSA is grateful for all the people who have touched our lives. W e have been blessed abundantly. To the paraphrased words of St. Paul to the Philippians the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine say “I thank my God for you and

Gratitude: Novem ber and Decem ber are filled w ith events of gratitude. At Thanksgiving we focus on the blessings received during the past year: a new life in the fam ily, a new job or hom e, a spiritual gift from God or a renewed friendship.

At Christmas we are grateful for the gift of Jesus to the world. He lights our path on our journey and brings us peace, hope and joy. To our God: The S is te rs o f C harity o f S t. A ugustine (C S A ) o ffe r p rayers o f g ra titude fo r a ll the b less ings in 2011.

Gratitude: As CSA celebrated its’ 160th anniversary, our hearts are filled with gratitude for “our history, our life, our love and our m inistry.” We have been enriched and challenged as God called us into many areas of m inistry: health care, social

service, education, parish, pastoral care and spirituality. Through those m inistries we have impacted many lives and have been enriched by them in re tu rn . W e are g ra te fu l fo r our donors w ho have generously enab led us to carry on our m iss ion . To our God: CSA offers prayers of gratitude for the people we have served and give thanks for the blessings we have received because of them .

Gratitude: In particular during this year of our 160th anniversary, CSA is filled w ith gratitude for those who work w ith us in our m inistries. CSA has always been blessed with wonderful women and men who embody our charism, collaborate with us in living the m ission of God and work with

us as co-m in is te rs . C S A is g ra te fu l fo r the ir friendsh ip and gu idance, fo r tru ly insp iring us and enrich ing our lives and m in is tries. To our God: CSA offers prayers of gratitude for our co-m inisters and ask G od to fill them w ith the graces and blessings they need in their lives.

Gratitude: CSA is also grateful for the love and support of our Associates who live the charism of charity w ith us and through their dedication, p rayer and grac iousness, en liven our sp irit and he lp us in our need.

To our God: C S A o ffe rs p rayers o f g ra titude fo r our A ssocia tes and ask G od to rich ly b less them and the ir fam ilies.

Gratitude: Our gratitude also extends to our fam ilies who nurtured our vocation to religious life, who share in our joys and concerns and who support us in love and prayers da ily.

To our God: CSA offers prayers of gratitude for our fam ilies, thankful for their special place in our lives and ask G od to bless them abundantly.

w hen I p ray fo r you m y heart is a lw ays filled w ith joy.

P ortrait

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The Restless Journey of St. Augustine

Im ages is a new sle tte r pub lished by

The S isters o f C harity o f S t. Augustine

S ta ff fo r th is issue :S r. M iriam E rb

S r. M arian D urk inS r. R eg ina F ie rm anS r. E ve lyn F low ers

E d ito r: M rs. C aryn K ish

V is it our w ebsite :

w w w.srso fcharity.o rg

In 354 A.D . things were not looking good for the Rom an Em pire. The barbarian hordes were on the move, but in the Roman province of pagan Num idia, the present region of A lgeria and Tunisia, it was fairly quiet. A m inor Rom an official, Patricius Herculus, his w ife M onica, and their three children made their home in Thagaste, now known as Souk Ahras, among the swarthy, energetic peoples of Berber stock who inhabited the reg ion .

Their second son, Aurelius Augustinius (Augustine), born Sunday, November 13, 354, was sent to nearby Madaura by h is less than w ell-o ff parents to be educated in literature and the art of public speaking. But the fifteen-year-old adolescent rather typically pre ferred w asting h is precocious intellect in spending time with friends ‘in lawlessness, vandalism and vice, do ing w rong fo r the en joym ent o f it.’ Two years later, having survived this phase of his life and education, he was off to Carthage to study law, during which he began to experience what was to become a life-long inner sense o f search ing fo r tru th and for love, w hich now seem s to have supplanted ‘lawlessness, vandalism and v ice .’ H e becam e enam ored o f thea tre , w here h is excesses o f emotion and passion were indulged and encouraged. The m aturing process continued, w hen as a p ro fessor o f rhe to ric in Carthage, Rom e and M ilan, he took a traditional and honorable practice

of h is day, a m istress to whom he was fa ithful for fifteen years. Their son, Adeodatus (‘God’s gift’) lived to be only seventeen. Augustine had found fulfilling hum an love, but the nagging sense of inner searching continued, and he now realized that his was an ongoing restless search no t on ly fo r tru th and love , bu t fo r e te rna l tru th and love , w h ich he much later recognized as God’s search for him . He read and pondered Cicero. He became somewhat involved in Manicheism, Gnoticism, and Donatism, the rampant heresies of his day with which he soon became disillusioned. Some of his friends became Christians, and he became in trigued w ith the w ritings o f S t. P au l; and M on ica , h is m other, p rayed. Augustine’s search became more and more focused and intense to the point where his inner struggle caused an almost complete emotional and

physical breakdown. Its climax occurred when he was encouraged by ‘a voice’ to read St. Paul’s epistle to the Rom ans: “Not in reveling and drunkenness, not in lust and wantonness, not in quarrels and rivalries. R ather, arm yourselves w ith the Lord Jesus C hrist.” A t that precise moment he was converted from a man of words to a disciple of the Word. “It was as though the light of confidence flooded into m y heart and all the darkness and doubt was dispelled.” He was baptized at age 33 by Bishop Ambrose during Easter of 387, and entered a period of rest and recuperation among a loose-knit group of friends. Among them he found the friendship and support he needed to pursue a quiet life of prayer and w riting , a life s ty le he in tended to con tinue . O f course, this was not to last. He soon becam e fam ous as a teacher, preacher and writer against heresy. W hen he travelled to H ippo to see about establish ing a m onastery there, he w as seized by a group of Catholics who demanded his ordination. Being named Bishop Coadjutor in Hippo soon followed, and in 395 he was consecrated Bishop. He spent thirty-five years in this office, untiringly teaching, preaching, writing, and travelling to various councils, synods, and his m onasteries, bringing about renewal of the episcopacy. The sim ple life in his m onastery in Hippo, in community with most of his clergy and other laymen, served as the underpinning for all this activity. It is this m ilieu from which sprang,’ the Rule:’ “Above all things love God and then your neighbor… The first purpose for which you have come together is to live in union and concord and to have bu t one heart and one sou l in G od.” A ‘ru le of life ’ is sim ply a set of practical guidelines to help in fostering the observance of community life and prayer. The Rule of St. Augustine, while perhaps not com ing directly from his pen, bears the stam p of his inspiration, his compassion, forgiveness, and his knowledge of human na tu re . It is the o ldest in the W estern Church, written in 397 be fo re the idea o f a form al ‘R u le ’ existed. It w as com posed to help the church face a world in which terrorism and lawlessness were on the increase due to the invasion of barbarians and the breakdown o f the R om an E m pire . It is Augustine’s spiritual legacy for many congregations today including the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, and echoes in the C S A C onstitu tions which states: “Our charism of

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C are A lliance H ealth C enter hosted its 17th Annual Let’s Talk Turkey Dinner & Silent Auction on Saturday, Novem ber 12th, 2011 at W indows on the R iver in the Flats. This festive evening gave thanks to the m any who helped during the past year. A delicious Thanksgiving dinner, served fam ily-style, was served to the guests as a means to thank them for their generosity. Care Alliance also provided an opportunity to raise m ore money for health and dental care for families experiencing homelessness and living in public housing in C leveland, Ohio through a live auction. Sr. Judith Ann Karam was honored at the event for her leadership o f the Sisters of Charity Health System and how they have helped reduce health disparities in the Cleveland area for mutual clients. It was also noted that Sr. Judith Ann’s com m itm ent as an advocate for those in need o f hea lth care has never w avered .

Sr. Marian Durkin w as one of the speakers at the four part Lenten Series on Racism held at S t. Sebastian and S t. Vincent Parishes in Akron this past spring. Sister Marian Durkin spoke about how she feels she experiences racism and prejudice in her work to abolish the death penalty and also in her m inistry to the Gay and Lesbians in the Catholic C hurch .In Novem ber, she participated in the Busy S tudent Retreat at Case W estern R eserve U n ivers ity in C leve land O h io .

The Activities Departm ent of Regina Health Center (RHC) subm its creative p ieces each year to the annual Leading Age O hio A rt and W riting Show. (formerly know as AOPHA) Many RHC residents have brought hom e awards, am ong them are CSA sisters: Sr. Ruth Ann Patrick w ith six 2nd place ribbons in the categories of poetry, 3-D art, com puter art, F ine Art N eedle W ork Art. The late Sr. Marian Warta p laced 3 rd for her non-fiction prose. In the category of F ine A rt 1, Sr. Elizabeth Schur rece ived honorab le m ention and Sr. Petrina Scelfo p laced 1 st in the S pecia l 3 -D A rt and Sr. Juletta Murray received honorable m ention in the sam e category. In the category of Cooperative Art on Home, Sr. Juletta Murray’s art piece placed 1st. The Sisters of Charity Health System has re loca ted to new quarters at the corner of Community College Ave. and East 22nd Street. On August 25th Rev. Ted Marszal blessed the new offices and the Board Room which was dedicated as the Barrett Board Room in honor of Sr. Mary Patricia Barrett, the first President and CEO of the health system. A plaque with the scripture, “the love of God im pels you… ” just outside the board room calls our attention as to why we do what we do each day. C ontinued on page 7

charity, namely, love of God, particularly as we find God incarnate in our neighbor, m otivates us. W e seek to love one another and each person w e encounter.” A ugustine w as a p ro lific au thor; a t h is dea th h is w ritings filled overflow ing cupboards. They have continued to in fluence the church through the centuries. It is in his ‘Confessions’ that he states: “Thou hast m ade us for thyself and our hearts are restless till they rest in thee.” He died as Rom e disintegrated, on August 28, 430, the last B ishop of H ippo. He was buried in Sardinia, later in Pavia, Lombardy; his right arm has been returned to Thagaste, but his heart, its restlessness s tilled a t last, rests in G od. Sources include The Restless Heart, by M ichael M arshall; and the CSA Constitution, p. 3.

The Restless Journey of St. AugustineC ontinued from page 2

Sr. M arian Durkin and som e friends at a C leveland Ind ians baseba ll gam e.

Walsh University housed the exhibit “Progress and Prom ise: Sisters Serving in Northeast O hio” during O ctober. The exhibit pictures the history of the religious sisters in this area as they established hospitals, schools and reached out to the poor and the underserved in a variety of m inistries. The University invited sisters who had m inistered in the Youngstown D iocese to be a part of several panel discussions to tell their stories of call and vocation and the im pact of Catholic Education and Healthcare on them. N ine communities were represented. From the S is te rs o f C harity o f S t. A ugustine , Sisters Mary Patricia Barrett, Miriam Erb, Joan Gallagher, Mary Lois Phillipp and Denise Stiles shared the ir stories w ith students, facu lty and guests .

Sr. Judith Ann Karam and Sr. Miriam Erb had the p riv ilege of attending the Leadership Conference for Catholic Health Association (CHA) in Rom e right after Easter this year. There was input on m any topics concerning the ministry of Catholic Health Care and field trips were provided as part of the program during the week long stay. Seeing Assisi was one highlight and the place where St. Ignatius died was another. During the time in Rome, they were present for the beatification of Pope John Paul II and attended a public audience with Pope Benedict XVI.

At the Legacy of Angels Dinner and Auction held November 5, Lakewood Catholic Academ y presented their Insignis Award to the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine in honor o f the ir 160 th A nn iversary and their continued support of Catholic Education. The Insignis Award is the h ighest honor g iven by the school. It w as established in 2010 and is presented to an individual or group who has demonstrated their extraord inary com m itm ent to Lakew ood C atho lic A cadem y.

Requiescat In Pace Sr. M. Corinne Baker, CSA

Sr. Catherine Browning, CSASr. Mary Jean Eucker, CSASr. M. Ruth Kerrigan, CSA

Sr. M. Laurentine Loftus, CSASr. Rita Louise Neader, CSA

Sr. Beth Pierik, CSASr. Marian Warta, CSA

J ubilee 36

G limpsesWe Are BlessedThis year’s Jubilarians celebrated a combined total of 315 years as Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine. As we celebrate our 160th Anniversary, we are doub ly b lessed w ith the ir p resence, as 315 years is five years short o f tw ice as m uch as 160 years – bu t w hose counting .

If you are not able to follow the math, don’t worry. The important thing is that these Sisters have touched many lives throughout those years with their devo tion to the G ospe l and serv ice to G od ’s peop le .

Sunday, September 18, 2011, was a beautiful day to celebrate. Family, friends, co-ministers and CSA Sisters and Associates gathered in thanksgiving fo r the lives o f the S ister Jub ila rians, and to pay tribu te to the ir generosity o f S p irit tha t led them a long the path to w h ich G od ca lled them .

S o w e recogn ize th is year ’s Jub ila rians:75 Years

Sister Juletta Murray – M ost of S r. Juletta ’s active m inistry was as a teacher in several elementary schools in northeastern Ohio. She served a t S t. Joseph’s School, Sacred Heart of Mary School, Parmadale, St. Augustine Academ y, St. Luke School, St. Joseph’s School, Holy Fam ily School, and Assum ption School. A long w ith her m inistry in education, she spent 13 summers at Cam p Isaac Jogues as a cook in the kitchen, m aking bread and the best chocolate chip cookies the campers ever ate. She retired in 1986, but continued as a volunteer tutor at St. Luke’s School until she moved to Mt. Augustine/Regina Health C enter in 1996. H er m in is try o f p rayer is very im portan t to her.

60 Years

Sr. Stephanie Kovach – S r. S tephanie ’s years in active m in istry spanned four decades, during w h ich tim e her assignments involved office work and responsibilities as a receptionist. Her places of m inistry included St. Augustine Academy, St. Augustine Convent and St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, where she was the receptionist in Rosary Hall. In 1998 Sr. Stephanie retired but remained at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center to do a volunteer m inistry. She m oved to M t. Augustine/Regina Health Center in 2001 and w as involved in a varie ty of activ ities especia lly schedu ling the da ily M asses.

Sr. Joan Nicholas – The first part of Sr. Joan’s years in active m inistry were in nursing at St. John Hospital on Detroit Ave. in Cleveland. This was followed by various positions of responsibility at Providence Hospital in South Carolina. In 1979 she was assigned as Adm inistrator at M t. Augustine, and in 1984 she becam e a Pastoral Associate at S t. Vincent Charity M edical Center. In 1986 she re tu rned to active m in is try a t M t. Augustine, and retired there in 1994 where she continues in a prayer m inistry, especia lly fo r our hosp ita ls .

Sr. Patricia Gardner – S r. P a tric ia ’s active m in is tries invo lved assignm ents in food service and office w ork until 1991 w hen, at M t.

Augustine, she served the dual role of Program Director and Director of Volunteers. Other places of ministry were Parm adale, M ercy M edical Center, St. John M edical Center, Providence Hospital (Columbia, S.C.), DePaul M aternity and Infant H om e, and S t. V incent C harity M edical Center. She retired in 2008, and is involved in prayer m inistry as well as volunteering her time at Akron C h ild ren ’s H osp ita l.

Sr. Mary Ann Andrews – During her years in active m inistry, Sr. M ary Ann started out in food service, followed by Director of Sister Formation, Councilor in CSA Leadership, positions at the Diocesan Chancery and w ith the D iocesan Tribunal, and CEO of the S isters o f C harity H ea lth System . A lthough she retired in 2003, she becam e a Core M em ber of Centering Space, a prayer m inistry of the S isters of Charity of St. Augustine, and remains very active as a m em ber of the Sisters of Charity Health System and a M em ber of the Public Jurid ic Person, which is the govern ing body o f the H ea lth S ystem .

Sr. Mary Patricia Barrett, CSA received the Lifetim e Achievem ent Award from Catholic Health Association at their Annual M eeting and Banquet in Atlanta, GA on June 6, 2011. The award is conferred each year upon “an acknowledged leader of health m inistry who has inspired and mentored numerous others.” This is so true of Sr. Mary Patricia who, in 1982, was the first president of the Sisters of Charity Health System . She formulated the Health System ’s strategic vision and welcomed its first board members. In 1989, Sr. Mary Patricia supported the System’s first lay president and then accepted the positions of chair of the board of trustees and vice president of M ission and M inistry. Sister Mary Patricia has m entored m any in how to live a faith-filled life and in the carrying out of the healing m inistry of Jesus. Today, Sr. M ary Patricia, although retired, continues to support the m inistry through her prayer and her p resence.

The hard work and dedication of Sr. Rosella Holloman, CSA, was recognized by two different organizations this summer. The “Thea Award” honoring African American Women was given to Sr. Rosella Holloman, CSA, Sr. Kendra Bottom s, SND and Sr. Juanita Shealey, CSJ by the Diocese of C leveland, Office of M inistry to African American Catholics on M ay 15, 2011. W om en who receive this award provide strong and effective leadership and service, demonstrate strong personal faith and com passion for others, and have an intense interest in prom oting the Christian values of justice and peace, as well as exhibiting a high degree of com m itm ent in their professional, personal and spiritual life. S ister Thea Bowm an was a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, who lived life w ith hope, love and justice for all people. A tireless advocate, Sister Thea educated and preached about the need to break down racial and cultural barriers. They received the award at a luncheon held at the C ontinen ta l H ote l in C leve land .Then in July, the National B lack Sisters’ Conference, in Washington, DC, honored Sr. Rosella Hollom an w ith the “Harriet Tubm an Award.” This is a once in a lifetim e award, given annually at the National B lack Sisters’ Assem bly. The recipient needs to be an active m em ber of the conference, have a strong identity w ith Black people, and be a witness and give service in various ways to the local and/or national A frican Am erican (Catholic or civic) com m unity. The Award is nam ed after Harriet Tubm an, a form er slave, who was known as a “M oses to her people” because of her success in leading many Black slaves to freedom during her life tim e.

Sister Judith Ann Karam w as e lected to the C atho lic H ea lth Association of the United States’ Board of Trustees in June, 2011.

Sister Cheryl Keehner led prayer during the 9/11 Remembrance at the Jesuit Retreat House in Parm a. She also was on the planning com m ittee for the Women of Worth (W O W ) R etreat a t Loyola of the Lakes Retreat House in Akron. The retreat is for women who ordinarily would not be able to afford an overnight retreat. Through the generosity of CSA and the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, forty women enjoyed prayer and time away on a beautiful October weekend. Sister Cheryl gave the opening conference and led prayer on the weekend. She has w orked w ith the W O W R etreat for the past e ight years.

Sr. Miriam Erb, CSA and S r. M argare t Tay lo r, S IW , A dm iss ions Coordinator and Congregational Liaison for Regina Health Center, gave a presentation to about 50 religious from the Diocese of Pittsburgh who are looking for new w ays of co llaboration for the care of the e lderly members of their respective congregations. Sister M iriam presented the history of how Regina Health Center cam e to be and Sr. M argaret spoke about the physical and spiritual care given to the residents. Both addressed how co llabora tion con tinues in to the fu tu re .

CSA Associate Elizabeth Wendling has completed 1,000 volunteer hours and received a certificate of achievement at Furnace Run Metro Park on M arch 23, 2011. In her honor, a tree w ill be planted in her nam e and her nam e w ill be added to the Tree Trust plaque at Nature Realm . Liz continues to be involved with the Fall Hiking Spree helping naturalists w ith the ir p rogram s a ll over S um m it C ounty. E lizabeth W endling also is to be congratulated on receiving the “Star Vo lun teer Aw ard” during the m onth o f O ctober. Th is is a m onth ly recognition program to honor volunteers for outstanding service for outstanding service as Program Aides in the Summit County Metro Parks system .

Associates Liz Wendling, Mary DeCapite, Barb Likowski, Mary James, and S ue C arey a ttended the “Thea Aw ard” d inner.

Sr. Rosella Holloman and Sr. Marietta Rohr

Join us in congratulating these gifted and faithful servants

of our Loving God.

160 Years

of Loving Service4 5

Celebrating 160 Years

Gracious God, in this year of anniversary we celebrate our history of life and love, ministry and memories,Knowing that the spirits of our sisters who have gone before us gather with us.

You have been with each and all of us, through 160 years.

You are the Breath of Life inspiring and encouraging us and active among us still.

May we find hope and courage in what we celebrate: + the strong faith of our ancestors in community, + the friendship of Associates, co-ministers and relatives, + the goodness of each person who touches our lives and shares our charism.

Thank you, Gracious God, for our call, our history, our faith, hope and love.

We continue our journey in love knowing that you are with us always.

AmenP rayer com posed fo r the 160 th year.

February 13, 2011 Opening Mass w

Rev. Tony Schueller

March 19, 2011 Prayer Afternoon w

Rev. Phil Bernier

June 25, 2011 Picnic

July 30-31, 2011 Assembly

August 28, 2011 Feast of St. Augustine