The Journey 2016 Vol. III

The JOURNEY

VOL. III 2016

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SERVING PEOPLE WITH JOY

LETTER FROM LEADERSHIP

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2 Helping Mothers Survive 5 Building Bridges 7 A Journey Back to Botswana 8 SCNs Respond to Natural Disaster 9 Remembering Sisters Paula and Margaret 11 Serving People with Joy 13 Camp Maria 15 Honoring a Mother’s Legacy 17 New Book in SCN Series 18 Coming Home 19 Journeying On 21 Memorials, Honoraries & Highlights

Dear Friends, The quiet of a Thursday afternoon was shattered by a phone call from the priest in Durant, Mississippi, “there has been an apparent break in at Sisters Paula and Margaret’s house … and they have found two bodies inside.” Quick phone calls were made to verify with police and the coroner that our Sister Paula Merrill and Sister Margaret Held, SSSF, her companion in community life and ministry for over 30 years, were dead – murdered. Calling our Sisters together in the Motherhouse chapel we shared the shocking news.

Word went out to the rest of the SCN community. Our individual and community grief flowed in and out of each other. We prayed for our two religious communities, each other, the people in Durant and Lexington – and even for the unknown attackers.

Our minds scrambled to make sense of it … no use. Our hearts ached. Our spirits were comforted by the almost instant outpouring of loving, prayerful support from around the world. We truly are one. This part of the Body of Christ was suffering and every part suffered with us.

Then, the news just about 24 hours later that the police had made an arrest. We had a face, a name. The question “why?” pounded even louder in our heads. We stretched to cleanse our hearts of anger. We reached for Gospel forgiveness. We prayed for a merciful heart. We hoped for truth and justice.

The “Why?”and “How?” still haunt us. Solidarity with those who suffer violence sinks deeply into our soul. Our hearts continue to hurt as we hear stories of the many people who are impacted by this tragedy. We worry about the clients who relied on them for care. The promise of Resurrection enfolds us. We strive to be true to our Gospel call and we pray for continued strength in the days ahead.

Our Sister, Paula, is now at peace in the embrace of the gracious God she served so happily and faithfully. And she rests among her Sisters, who like her, gave their lives in humble, loving service.

We journey on, with her, with them, as inspiration and our companions still, as we strive to bring justice and peace to our broken world.

We are grateful for your care and support.

Susan Gatz, SCN, President

ON THE COVER: Alice O’Connell, SCN, provides health care and hope to residents living in one of the poorest counties of Pennsylvania.

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The Journey is produced by the Office of Congregational Advancement for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Contributors include: Diane Curtis, Dana Hinton, Spalding Hurst, Dianne Smith, Jackie Smith, Janice White, and Leslie Wilson; SCNA Patsy O’Toole; SCNs Susan Gatz, Sangeeta Ayithamattam, Brenda Gonzales, Malini Manjoly, and Mary Margaret Nirmala.

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HELPING MOTHERS SURVIVE

If Sister Jessie’s dream comes true, no mothers will die during childbirth in Shorapur Taluka of Yadagiri District in India.

In one of the poorest districts of north Karnataka, Jessie Saldanha, SCN, spends days and nights working toward this goal as the head of a pilot project of Narayana Health Limited, a Bangalore health care corporation.

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Sister Jessie After serving 15 years as chief pharmacist at Nazareth Hospital in Mokama, India, Sister Jessie pursued her master’s studies in clinical pharmacy practice from Manipal University in Mangalore, India. Upon completion, she says, “I felt a zeal burning within me to move to the periphery, to use my knowledge and skills for the benefit of the poor, rather than be confined to a four-walled institutional ministry.”

She and Ann Palatty, SCN provincial, met Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty the chairman of Narayana Health Limited Services and a well-known cardio-surgeon and philanthropist. Dr. Shetty explained that the mission of Narayana is to deliver high quality and affordable health care services to the broader population, especially people living at the margins, by leveraging economies of scale, skilled doctors, and an efficient business model.

He then described the needs of Yadagiri District where most people live in the rural areas and depend upon agriculture for their livelihood. The literacy rate is 52 percent. The Department of Health and Family Welfare has identified Yadagiri District as a high priority due to lack of adequate health care interventions and educational services.

Of special concern is the maternal mortality rate – the number of women who die from causes related to pregnancy or its management. The figures are staggering. Sister Jessie knew immediately that she wanted to be part of this collaboration aimed at saving lives.

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Social responsibility Sister Jessie is now the leader of this innovative pilot project intended to achieve a zero maternal mortality rate. She is the first woman religious to work in corporate social responsibility of Narayana Health Limited. The project is a creative public private partnership between Narayana Health Services, the National Rural Health Mission, and Philips Technology.

cooperation and support, Sister Jessie has helped women to have a C-section free of cost through this government and private program. In May 2016, 37 C-sections were performed. Sister Jessie was deeply touched as the first woman she helped blessed her, the attending doctor, and nurses after the delivery of her healthy baby.

These organizations work together to identify high risk pregnancies, monitor these cases on an ongoing basis, provide food supplements for adequate nutrition, blood transfusions as needed, and then ensure that the mother is in the Taluka Hospital with appropriate medical services when the delivery date arrives. From April to June of this year, 164 high-risk pregnancies have been identified and a plan for follow up care initiated. Promoting the use of technical innovations in health care, in partnership with Philips Technology through the company’s Mobile Obstetrics Monitoring, the team has been able to carefully evaluate the women at each stage of their pregnancy.

Committed to God’s Call

Initial results of this collaboration are encouraging. In the past, many women have died because they could not afford the cost of a medically-necessary cesarean section or due to a delay in reaching a hospital for appropriate care.

To cover the cost of surgery, a family would often have to sell or mortgage property or livestock, or take a loan from money lenders. Along with her team’s

Sister Jessie feels called to this work. “In every suffering person, I see Jesus lying there – the suffering Christ. If I can make a difference to this woman, that’s what I’m called to do as a person committed to God's call.”

While this year the project focused on Shorapur Taluka which encompasses 264 villages, if successful, the hope is to expand the program to the entire district. The district has 519 villages. The program would also include four municipalities with a population of 1.4 million people. Sister Jessie sees this ministry as a way to respond to the call of Pope Francis to, “joyfully wake up the world as women religious to create a better world.”

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BUILDING BRIDGES “A population that is not well educated … is a population that decays.” –Pope Francis

In the footsteps of Mother Catherine …

New to the country, people, culture and language, SCNs Cornelia Ekka and Aruna Ekka, both teachers, moved to Lauki, Nepal to live close to the people of the area in October 2014. With few places to live, they moved into one of the old mud houses.

At first, many of the people were reserved, afraid, and curious about the Sisters’ presence among them. Residents questioned why these two educated Catholic Sisters on bicycles had come to Lauki. Soon, the people came to realize the SCNs were trying to help those in the village improve their lives with classes and empowerment programs. Through dozens of family visits and conversations, Sisters were able to connect with the people. The Sisters became a welcome sight in the area where most of the local people are of Indian origin. Many belong to the Uraon Tribals and have been living in this part of Nepal for generations.

People struggle The Sisters began to address the many struggles facing the people. Most of the Tribals are landless or small landholders. They take land on lease from big landowners for growing seasonal vegetables, paddy, and maize.

Many of those who possess land do not have proper legal documents. Many of the children do not have the chance to go to school, as they are needed at home to care for grazing animals, or to work as a farmhand.

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Unemployment and migration With little education, job opportunities are few and only a very small percentage of the people are able to get work in any of the government institutions or in the public sector. Most of the ablebodied men work under challenging working conditions away from home, in East Asian countries like Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Sisters first moved to Lauki, Nepal, in 2014. Since that time, the Sisters have started a number of ministries and have forged close relationships with the people of the area.

Non-formal classes Very few children are enrolled in the village primary government school, and SCNs identified a need for alternative forms of education. Rita Barla, SCN, a trained social worker, began to organize non-formal classes for children. She also started helping children who attend the regular school, with their studies after school. Around 50 children are learning English, and participate in homework assistance programs.

Political instability In addition to challenging living conditions, the people sometimes face political unrest. The recent unrest was tied in part to the request for re-organization of the country into six provinces before the promulgation of the constitution of Nepal in September 2015. The request was mainly connected to the people of Indian origin asking for proportionate representation. During the time of unrest, with no transportation and essential supplies including food, fuel and medicines, the Sisters and the local people struggled together.

Building bridges After having lived for a year in the old house, which was in need of several major repairs, Sisters decided to construct a new residence with two classrooms for education and coaching classes, and a hall for development programs for women and adolescent girls.

As the Sisters began the construction work, the people voiced their concerns saying that the builders shouldn’t use the only link to their fields - a bamboo bridge - over a stream, to move building supplies. Sister Cornelia helped make the bridge sturdy with concrete before arranging for the materials for the construction to be delivered.

Since arriving in 2014, Sister Cornelia has not only forged a bridge over the stream, she has also forged many other bridges in connecting with the people who looked at her with reservation, initially.

Now, Sisters are welcome guests in the neighborhood as friends and trusted advisers. People often remark that Sisters bring about the presence of God as they humbly walk on the streets among the people and the valleys of the Himalayas.

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Dorothy Jackson, SCN, traveled to Botswana, Africa, in the late 1990s.

She served on an SCN committee tasked with exploring a new mission in Africa. Now, she travels back to see how ministries have grown.

A JOYFUL JOURNEY BACK TO BOTSWANA As the small children greeted their guest, Dorothy Jackson, SCN, their voices filled the air with song and prayer. Sister Dorothy was in awe.

The preschool students, ages 2-4, lead the prayers and songs using hand motions to illustrate the words.

“It was fantastic. It’s unbelievable what they do there,” she says of the students attending St. Mary’s in Botswana.

from plane or train. The government did not want it to get out that it was AIDS that was killing people for fear the food would not come … due to this they were not getting help from the United Nations or other groups. AIDS was rampant.”

The number of AIDS cases has decreased but it still is a problem, Sister Dorothy notes.

Sister Dorothy stayed with Vinaya Chalil, SCN, this past summer (May-August), her first time back in 18 years.

She assisted Sister Vinaya while Sunila Erumangalathu, SCN, traveled. In the years between her visits, many things have changed. Many things have improved. “It’s a totally different place. The dirt roads are now four-lane highways.”

SCN ministries in Botswana have evolved since opening in 2000. Now the Sisters mainly serve in pre-school education and end-of-life-hospice care. Sister Sunila runs the hospice which has about 100 home health care aids. Sister Vinaya runs an outreach program.

This was Sister Dorothy’s first trip back to Botswana since the Sister Dorothy was amazed at the variety of Sister late 1990s when she served on the Vinaya’s duties. She accompanied Sister Vinaya on a committee tasked with exploring trip to a dairy facility where she witnessed Sister Vinaya a new mission in Africa. “The negotiate with the dairy bottler to provide milk for her Executive Committee appointed patients. Sister Vinaya has arranged such agreements Dorothy Jackson, SCN, waits at us to do research to see where we with many businesses, including grocery chains, and the airport to depart for a flight to should go in Africa. We looked at nearby clinics. She also gets help from churches who Botswana, Africa, her passport near where congregations were already take up regular collections for SCN ministries. A at hand. It is her first trip back to Botswana since helping to explore located...We started visiting number of the priests see the value of a SCN education establishing SCN ministries there. parishes throughout Botswana. We and are very supportive. visited every parish and talked to all of the adults and had a meeting with all of the youth. Basically In addition to vibrant ministries in Botswana, the SCNs have we asked them what problems did they identify. What did they heard from young women interested in possibly becoming a see as major concerns? They kept saying to us ‘our friends our Sister. With the interest in vocations, and the overwhelming dying, please help us.’ They were having five funerals a week at support the SCNs experience in Botswana, Sister Dorothy says it each village (due to AIDS). They get all food from South Africa is very apparent, “The people want us there.”

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SCNS RESPOND TO NATURAL DISASTERS IN BELIZE AND INDIA Sisters in Belize and India both faced natural disasters this summer. In Belize, Hurricane Earl made landfall, and a few weeks later in India, flood waters came up quickly leaving many trapped. SCNs responded immediately to needs in both countries.

On Aug. 4, 2016, Belizeans braced themselves as Hurricane Earl approached their country. The hurricane left a path of destruction as buildings were damaged, and trees and limbs came down toppling power lines and blocking streets. The hurricane also caused major flooding in the central and coastal areas. Belize City and surrounding villages were among the most affected. “I am very concerned about three schools in particular that have major damage to roofs or major water damage,” said Sister Barbara Flores, general manager of Belize Catholic Public Schools, during a video conference interview in the days following the hurricane. The need was urgent as school was scheduled to start in one month. Thanks to a generous and quick response from supporters, most schools were able to open with little delay. “As the children entered the school gates on the first day of school, sharing their own stories of rising water, wind, mud, evacuation, wet mattresses, shoes floating in their homes, missing zinc roofs, cleaning up, waiting for water and electricity to be restored, they knew that the brand new ceiling and roofs were repaired and restored for them,” reflected Sister Barbara, “that they are loved, and their education is important.”

Meanwhile in India, heavy rainfall on Aug. 20, led to flooding across eastern and central Indian states. Tens of thousands of people were displaced and for many, the situation is still slow to improve. SCNs Leena Padam and Malini Manjoly, and two staff members from Catholic Relief Services, traveled by boat to check on families trapped by the floods. The families live on the periphery of Mallik Tola. Most of the huts had been washed away or had collapsed. Of the houses that remained, many were under water. People sat stranded on the roof tops, guarding what few belongings they could salvage. Sister Malini described the challenging conditions, “People not only have to worry about food, shelter, livestock, and their belongings, but also have to ward off snakes, rats and other poisonous creatures. There are reports about people bitten by snakes." The team also visited a flood relief camp at Ganesh high school, Raghavpur. At the time about 400 people were registered and new people kept coming. The relief camp volunteers were struggling to handle the rush of people. Food was in short supply.

Through it all, people rallied to provide assistance, funds, and supplies. Please continue to keep all affected by these two natural disasters in prayer.

Floodwaters quickly came up once Hurricane Earl made landfall in Belize.

Streets were impassable and buildings inaccessible. The hurricane and floodwaters left behind much damage.

Heavy rainfall in India led to flooding across eastern and central Indian states. People were trapped by the floodwaters. Many lost their homes and everything they owned. SCNs traveled to hard hit areas by boat.

DONATE To assist with flood relief efforts of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, visit: scnfamily.org/donate

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REMEMBERING Sister Paula Merrill 1947-2016

On the afternoon of Aug. 25, the Sisters received the shocking news that Paula Merrill, SCN, and her dear friend, Margaret Held, OSF, had been found dead in their home in Durant, Mississippi. Police found the two, after being called by the medical clinic where the Sisters were in ministry as Nurse Practitioners. The pair had not come into work.

Mt 25:31-40, Phil 3:7-11

Congregational leadership gathered the Sisters in St. Vincent Chapel in Nazareth, Kentucky to tell them the news and word spread quickly. Utter disbelief filled the church as Susan Gatz, SCN, shared the little that was known at the time, and asked that all "pray for the precious lives of Sisters Paula and Margaret … they served the poor so well. And, because we are gospel women, pray for the perpetrators of this crime as well."

“She listened not only to where it hurts, but also to the stories her patients needed to tell. She listened when so many others would not listen to stories … of jobs lost, and of a minimum wage not covering both medicine and food for the table, of home violence, and racism experienced, of becoming hooked on pain pills because some doctor had overused a prescription pad, of just not being able to resist the snacks despite being a diabetic.

In the days that followed, an arrest was made and Sisters Paula and Margaret were laid to rest at their respective Motherhouses. Sister Paula at Nazareth, Kentucky, Sister Margaret in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Adeline Fehribach, SCN, gave the following reflection.

“She listened with love, knowing that she was encountering the suffering Christ, and then she would bring her experience of the suffering Christ to prayer where she would sometimes weep over her own Jerusalem of Holmes County, Mississippi, her poor community that could be so different if only the cry of those on the margins could somehow be heard by those who had the power to improve the lives of those she saw day after day.

“Our Sister, Paula Merrill, knew Christ very well.

“She sat at his feet every time she sat on her stool in the clinic listening to one of her patients sitting on the examination table.

“Paula shared with us on Province board how her heart ached for all that she heard and saw and could not fix. And at times 9

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some of us wondered how she found the strength to keep ministering in the seventh poorest county in the country.

“She could keep doing it because the reward outweighed the struggle, for in and through her ministry she had obtained the supreme good of knowing Christ and being found by Christ.

And in that mutual knowing, she also experienced the power of Christ’s resurrection at work within her allowing her to do more than she could ask or imagine.

“To Paula, everything else was so much rubbish. Her sister, Rosemarie, said of Paula that her attitude toward most things was, ‘Whatever.’ She really didn’t care one way or the other about most things.

“When one is faced by such life altering poverty, in the bigger scheme of things, most everything else is just not worth worrying about or getting upset about.

“Whatever.”

“Paula never wanted anyone to focus on the righteousness of her actions. She said of the ministry that she shared with her dear friend, house mate, and co-worker, Sister Margaret, ‘We just see patients and do what needs to be done.’

“But what needed to be done was often more than listening with compassion, challenging patients who needed to stay on their diet or take their medication, giving a shot or writing a prescription.

“When one is trying to provide health care in a place where over 40 percent of the population lives in poverty, what often needed to be done entailed: asking pharmaceutical reps to leave more free samples, contacting pharmaceutical companies for discounted medications for their patients, paying for the patients’ medications out of their own pockets when all else failed, and negotiating with other providers for medical tests their patients needed but could not afford.

“We just see patients and do what needs to be done.”

“What was needed was approaching the suffering Christ with the love of Christ that impelled them to act – and that they did very well.

“I was ill and you cared for me.”

“Both Paula and Margaret encountered Christ in those at whose feet they sat, and then, they cared for the person with compassion.

“We also know, not from them but from stories told by others about them, that they made sure this or that person had something to eat, and that they welcomed the stranger, and literally gave shelter to the homeless.

“As strange as it may sound to those who did not know Paula, if Paula could meet the person who killed her, she would not focus on what the person had done to her.

“Her heart would be broken at what had happened to her friend Margaret, and she may even have to work at getting over her anger at the fact that her patients had lost their one life-line to a better quality of life.

“But as she worked through her pain and anger at the harm done to others, I believe she would look upon the one who caused all the harm and see in that face the suffering Christ as well.

“I can almost hear her say with compassion, ‘What kind of violence did you experience that could allow you to do what you have done to me, to my friend, and to this community? Who hurt you that much? How can I help you let go of some of that pain so that you can once again know yourself to be made in the image and likeness of God and be able to have compassion for other people?’

“I was hungry and you gave me food, a stranger and you welcomed me.”

“With Jesus Paula would say, ‘God forgive him for he knows not what he does.’

“Many of the things they did we will never know for neither of them liked to talk about themselves.

“Being able to look at the one imprisoned, the one who caused such pain, and see the face of the suffering Christ in that person, that is what Paula would do; that is what Paula would want us to do.

“But, those whom they served know; they know that they were always met with Christ-like love and compassion.

“The Christ in me sees the Christ in you and is moved to care deeply for you. The God in me acknowledges the God in you.

Who can weigh the good that such an encounter has?

“In the end, Paula also shared in the suffering of Christ, and in that encounter I believe she conformed herself to his death.

“Hopefully, one day that person will be able to say, ‘I was in prison and you visited me and you helped me see in myself what I could not see a child of God, loved, despite my worst actions.’

“Paula has already heard the words of Jesus, ‘Come, you beloved of God, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.’

“On this side of eternity, may we like Paula have the eyes to see and the will to respond to the needs of Christ made manifest in those who many consider the least.

“And in the midst of our pain and loss, may we experience the power of Christ’s resurrection at work within us.”

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SERVING PEOPLE WITH JOY A poster read, “Do you love God enough to serve His people with joy?” To a young girl this question stuck. Now, Alice O’Connell, SCN, serves people in one of the poorest counties in Pennsylvania. She does so with her compassionate presence. She does so joyfully.

Sister Alice stood inside her mobile medical van and reminisced about her calling to religious life. She followed her sibling into the convent, but Sister Alice was the one who stayed. “Having that ability to discuss religious life with my sister, to have that support, made it a lot easier,” recalls Sister Alice.

She says that what attracted her to religious life is the ability to serve others.

Service in health care Medical checkups, blood pressure screenings, and health education are among the services that local residents of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, lined up to receive in the parking lot of a St. Vincent de Paul thrift store. On a chilly afternoon, a man named Larry had his blood pressure checked

by Sister Alice. If it wasn’t for her, he doubts he would have these regular check-ups as his doctor has instructed him. “It is convenient and helpful,” says Larry.

Sister Alice has always served in health care.

Nursing took her to Edmundite Missions in Selma, Alabama, where she served a large population of seniors. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sister Alice was part of a cardiovascular unit at St. Francis Medical Center.

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Now at Rendu Services, she cares for persons with diabetes, heart disease, addiction, mental health issues, and more. These problems, notes Sister Alice, usually come with the realities of poverty.

Sister Alice uses her outreach to connect with people and show them ways to make changes in their own lives. She uses everyday examples and techniques so people can live happier, healthier lifestyles.

A presence in people’s lives Not only does she want to provide health care to people, she wants to be a presence to them. At the Rendu Services food pantry, she gives food to families struggling to get by. “Every time you have a problem they try to help you. I don’t know what I would do without the Sisters,” remarked a woman outside the food pantry in Dunbar, Pennsylvania.

“People get to know you and that makes a big difference,” says Sister Alice.

When asked now, “So, do you love God enough to serve His people with joy?” she says, “It’s been a good life … there have been so many needs that have come along the way.

So yes.”

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CAMP MARIA BRASS Camp finds a home at Camp Maria Squeals of delight could be heard from the pool and the smell of barbecue chicken wafted through the air as camp counselors gathered to welcome campers.

Excitement filled the air at Camp Maria Retreat Center in Leonardtown, Maryland, as the second busload of children began arriving for the 2016 BRASS Camp. For some of the 110 campers, this was their first experience.

For many, this week is one they look forward to every year.

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Special Love, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Winchester, Virginia, runs BRASS Camp, which stands for BRothers And SiSters of pediatric cancer patients.

“When a sister or brother is diagnosed with cancer, siblings’ lives are changed forever. Sometimes feeling guilty, invisible, or ignored, healthy siblings experience the same upheaval as their parents. But as children, they may have less capacity to cope.” (http://specialove.org)

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Jack McGurk, left, began coming to Camp Maria as a camper, he wanted to give back and is now a counselor.

Compassion from experience Sharon Johnsen, a camp counselor and parent of a child who had cancer, explains that the well-children often live in the shadows of the sibling with cancer. During the week at camp, these siblings are surrounded by supportive counselors and others who understand their experience. The campers are showered with attention … for this week, the spotlight is on them.

Jack remembers how it felt when his younger sister, Maggie, was diagnosed with leukemia. He was 12 years old at the time. He has participated in BRASS Camp for seven years, first as a camper and now as a camp counselor. That’s part of the beauty of the experience. Campers are surrounded by others who understand what they are experiencing, because they’ve been through it too.

“To be able to pass on that same kind of attention, that same kind of friendship, that same kind of bond to children who are going through what I went through as a sibling is an awesome experience,” he says.

The week is filled with fun. Silly games, songs and skits elicit belly laughs during assembly sessions. Campers swim, learn new

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crafts, canoe in Breton Bay and catch blue crabs from the pier.

In the afternoon, they gather with their cabin mates for a “chat room” and have the opportunity to talk about their experiences for mutual support. As the sun begins to set, they gather each evening around a campfire.

Healing takes place during BRASS Camp. Lasting bonds are formed with fellow campers and counselors. The campers return to their homes with renewed strength and coping abilities, knowing they are not alone.

All this happens in the beautiful setting of Camp Maria Retreat Center, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. BRASS Camp is one example of the diverse programming offered there.

SCN Associate Ann Kovalcik, director of Camp Maria, says that her hope for anyone who comes to Camp Maria is “to feel that peace and serenity … to find acceptance and connection with the people … but also with the beauty that is here and that beauty is God. That’s what Camp Maria is about.”

VIDEO

Congregational funds maintain operating costs so 100 percent of donations go to the Sisters’ ministries.

To view a short video of Special Love’s BRASS Camp at Camp Maria Retreat Center, visit:

scnfamily.org/donate

scnfamily.org/brass

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HONORING A MOTHER’S LEGACY

The three sisters of the Ballew family were very close.

Pictured Ellen Maria Bellew, SCN, Connie Grenier, and Betty Ballew, OCSO, on a visit with one another in years past.

Chris Grenier and Mary Evans stopped at the Nazareth Motherhouse recently on one step of their sacred journey from California to Massachusetts, following the death of their mother, Connie Grenier.

Connie was devoted to her two sisters, Ellen Maria Ballew, SCN, and Betty Ballew, OCSO. As a long-time, faithful donor to the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and to the Trappistines of Saint Mary’s Abbey, she made provisions in her estate plans for a bequest to both Congregations. Delivering the check in person to each Congregation was an important part of Chris and Mary’s journey.

Mary recalled that her mother, Connie, lived for 18 months following a stroke that made it difficult for her to swallow. Those were 18 “bonus months,” according to Mary. During this time, the family rallied in loving support for their mother, and had the chance to have meaningful conversations. During one of these conversations, Chris talked with his mother about her wishes to 15

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be buried in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and discussed the idea of this pilgrimage. Since Connie was going to be cremated, the family had time to plan to travel from California, stopping in places that held a special meaning for Connie and her family.

Arriving at Nazareth, Kentucky, they visited the grave of their aunt, Sister Ellen Maria, and said a prayer. Then, they personally delivered the donation their mother designated in her will. They shared memories of their mother, laughed, and shed a few tears.

From Nazareth, they traveled to Wrentham, Massachusetts, met up with their other siblings, visited their Aunt Betty’s grave and gave their mother’s donation to the Trappistines. On the following day, they arrived in Newburyport for the burial.

Chris described this journey as humbling and an honor. Visiting places that held special meaning before saying a final goodbye offered a sense of “completeness … no regrets.”

This family’s tribute to their mother was a fitting honor for a humble, generous woman who treasured her family and the people in her life. Her legacy lives on in her five children, 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

LEGACY SOCIETY To learn how you can remember the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in your estate plans contact Leslie Wilson at: 502-348-1551 lwilson@scnky.org

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NEW BOOK IN SCN SERIES The fifth volume in the book series “Impelled by the Love of Christ, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Kentucky,” has just been published. Written by Julie Driscoll, SCN, this latest release depicts the period of years from 1960-1972, the term of office of Mother Lucille Russell. This period of time was an exciting and transformative time in the history of women religious. Of her election to Mother General in 1960, Mother Lucille stated, “The latter part of my life has seemed to consist of a series of shocks, each one of greater magnitude than its predecessor …. After that day, nothing in the future would ever shock me.”

But shocking it was! This period in history brought the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War and the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy to the forefront of daily lives. For women religious in the United States, responding to the signs of the times when the country was in a constant state of turmoil proved 17

challenging. In 1962, the Vatican convened its 21st ecumenical council, popularly called Vatican II. As a result of Vatican II, women religious witnessed great change in virtually every aspect of their religious lives, and they were challenged to reach back to their founding roots for inspiration and renewal.

Mother Lucille navigated these uncertain times with a deep love of community, compassion and the type of progressive, forward-thinking leadership needed to respond to the signs of the times in a new, modern era Church and society.

Her observations and gentle reminders were comforting, “We must see beyond the changes to the purpose of them all, ‘new life in Christ’ … nothing really essential has changed … the essentials are becoming stronger.”

Sister Julie says carrying out research and writing this book was a labor of love, “I

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was surprised when I was asked to do the book, but if I had a choice of any of the Mothers to research, I was glad to try to do Mother Lucille. I had her during my Novitiate and I loved her. I was drawn to her time of leadership as a time of many changes, coupled with both deep hope and significant struggle.” Mother Lucille Russell was a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 70 years prior to her death in March 1988.

Sister Julie has given two presentations and signed books at both the Motherhouse in Nazareth, Kentucky, and Nazareth Home in Louisville, Kentucky.

“Impelled by the Love of Christ, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Kentucky 19601972,” is available through the Visitor Center at Nazareth.

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COMING HOME “It is coming back to a very special place.

For me, it is like coming home,” says Alice McKinley, as she describes the Nazareth Motherhouse Campus. Alice recently returned to Nazareth for a class reunion.

Looking back at her school years, Alice says that as members of the last graduating class of Nazareth Academy, everything took on a bigger meaning.

“There were no underclassmen so in that last year it was only us.”

A member of the Class of 1966 of Nazareth Academy, Alice helped organize the reunion. Her class was the last graduating class of the school. The group stayed at Nazareth, toured the Visitor Center and Heritage Hall, and reminisced in the Drawing Room. They also enjoyed breakfast together sharing stories in the Motherhouse.

Some of her favorite memories include participating in extracurricular activities. She fondly remembers taking swimming and water ballet classes in the pool located in the lower level of the gym and competing against nearby Bethlehem and Bardstown high schools in a variety of athletic competitions. She smiles as she talks about her senior year and the day the Academy finally beat Nazareth College during the annual hockey game on field day. “The sports programs at Nazareth Academy were fantastic.”

It is a strong connection shared by these women, reflects Alice. They call each other “sister.” Living together during those teenage years, the girls shared laughs, tears, secrets, hopes and dreams.

They studied together and played together.

“We lived together for three or four years for nine months out of the year. We got to know each other so well, as family members do. That bond did not go away with graduation,” reflects Alice. The group tries to get together as much as possible whether for organized reunions, birthday celebrations, or other events.

Another favorite memory for Alice is Senior Night. “Our Senior Night, right before we graduated, when our parents visited was a very special night. We gave a performance for our parents. We wrote it ourselves.”

From a spiritual perspective, she says, she and her classmates were certainly influenced by the SCNs. “I think the overall influence strongly impacted all of us, not just academically. To live with these Sisters who have dedicated their lives to God, the influence they had on the girls left us with a full and solid spiritual foundation. Because they are such strong women, they were really good role models not just spiritually but also as women.”

Returning to Nazareth, says Alice, is always a wonderful experience. “The weight goes away. There is a peace that comes to me ….”

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JOURNEYING ON

Mary Zita Henkel, SCN, 85, a native of St. Joseph, Tennessee, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Kentucky, June 16, 2016. She was in her 66th year of religious life.

M. Immaculata Pavlik, SCN, 84, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, died at Vincentian Home, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 30, 2016. She was in her 65th year of her religious life.

Ellen Miriam Grimes, SCN, 93, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, July 10, 2016. She was in her 68th year of religious life.

Marian Haney, SCN, 95, formerly Sister Marian Patrick Haney, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Kentucky, Aug. 7, 2016. She was in her 73rd year of religious life.

She received her B.Ed. and M.Ed. degrees from Duquesne University and a B.A. degree from the University of Ottawa. Sister used these degrees to serve the Church as an elementary teacher and principal in Pennsylvania, Alabama, and Canada. After 29 years of service to the people of the Province of Ontario, Sister Survivors include two brothers, Immaculata returned to the Francis B. Henkel of Fair Oaks, United States where she became California, and Joseph J. Henkel a director of religious education of Carmel, New York; and her and pastoral minister in the religious community.

Diocese of Youngtown for seven years. She then returned to the Motherhouse in Pittsburgh and served in the business office.

She served in elementary education as both teacher and principal in Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, and Louisiana for 54 years. In Louisville, Sister served at Holy Angels Academy from 1991-94 and at St. Rita School from 1994-2004. In retirement, Sister served in family ministry and in the Apostolate of Prayer.

Sister Marian served in elementary education as both a teacher and principal for 47 years in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee. In Louisville, Sister served as principal at St. Elizabeth School from 1991-90. She also served as part-time staff member at Presentation Academy from 1990-96, and as staff secretary at Spalding University from 1996-98. In retirement, Sister served in the Apostolate of Prayer.

Sister Mary Zita served in elementary and secondary education as both a teacher and a principal in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama for 37 years. She also served in health ministry in Alabama and Tennessee for 19 years. In retirement, Sister served in the Apostolate of Prayer.

Sister was fondly addressed as “Mac” by her friends. She valued education and felt that one needed to pursue ongoing education to keep well informed and broaden one’s perspective.

Survivors include a niece, Janice Wise of Louisville; and her religious community.

Survivors include nieces and nephews; and her religious community.

Survivors include a brother, Frank; sisters, Pauline, Mary and Jenny; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews; and her religious community.

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JOURNEYING ON We prayerfully remember the following former students of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and their families.

Lucy Marie Freibert, SCN, 93, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, died at the Motherhouse, Nazareth, Kentucky, Aug. 11, 2016. She was in her 69th year of religious life.

Sister Lucy ministered and mentored to students in Louisville in a number of capacities. She served at St. Cecilia and Holy Name Schools in elementary education; at Presentation Academy in secondary education; at Nazareth College, later Spalding University, as an English teacher, and at the University of Louisville as a professor and research professor emerita. She helped establish Women’s Studies at the University of Louisville.

Sister Lucy is survived by the members of her religious community and by the many students and friends whom she educated and encouraged.

Sister Lucy was influential in establishing Project Women, now operating as Family Scholar House.

Maureen Taaffe, SCN, formerly Sister Mary Karen Taaffe, 81, a native of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Kentucky, Aug. 22, 2016. She was in her 60th year of religious life.

Sister Maureen served in elementary education as both teacher and principal in Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Ohio for 30 years. Sister then served as principal of Our Lady of Nazareth Academy in Wakefield, Massachusetts from 1986-89, and as Pastoral Associate at St. John Chrysostom Parish in West Roxbury, Massachusetts from 1989-2015. Sister Maureen was the Associate SCN Regional in the northern region from 19962002. Sister was involved in the Apostolate of Prayer.

Sister Maureen is survived by one brother, Kevin Taaffe, of Ponte Vedra, Florida; two sisters, Karen Taaffe Robinson of Cape Elizabeth, Maine and Joan Taaffe of Jacksonville, Florida; and by her religious community.

Paula Merrill, SCN, 68, a native of Stoneham, Massachusetts, was pronounced dead in Durant, Mississippi on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016. She was in her 34th year of religious life.

Sister served as a registered nurse in Kentucky and Mississippi, and later as a family nurse practitioner. In Kentucky, Sister served parttime in the Flaget Memorial Hospital emergency room from 1979-80. Sister went to Mississippi in 1981 and served as staff nurse and program director for Cadet Health Services until 1985.

From 1985 until her death, she provided health care at a number of health departments and clinics in Mississippi. She received her BSN degree from the Mississippi University for Women. In 1996, Sister received her MSN degree as a family nurse practitioner from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama. At the time of her death, Sister was serving as a nurse practitioner at the Lexington Medical Clinic in Lexington, Mississippi.

Marie Sympson Conway, Nazareth Jr. College, 1948 Dolores May Ross, Cathedral School Charlotte Oberst, St. Joseph Infirmary, 1943 Laura Von Kanel, Sacred Heart Academy Cathie Pistor Crone, Sacred Heart School, 1946

Sister is survived by a sister, Rosemarie Merrill and a brother, John V. Merrill, Jr., both of Stoneham, Massachusetts; nieces and nephews; and by her religious community.

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Memorial/Honorary Donations June 10, 2016 – Aug. 31, 2016

MEMORIALS SARAH ANN ABELL, SCN Margaret Jarboe ACHAMMA Miriam Corcoran, SCN EUNICE ANN ARNOLD, SCN Frederick Arnold LOUIS A. ARRU, SR. Donna Parker RUTH BABBITT Mary Braley, SCN SARA CECELIA BAILEY, SCN George Kennett THOMAS DESALES BAILEY, SCN George Kennett JOSEPH\CHRISTINE BALDY Mark B. Baldy JOE BALLARD Nancy L. Ballard MARIE ANN BALLARD, SCN Rev. Robert B. Gray A. ICILDA BARNES Jennifer Wells VIRGINIA BAUER, SCN Rebecca\Patrick Murphy ADA ROSALIA BEJOS Mary Margaret Reid, SCN EVA BELUL Rebecca Richert INEZ BENHAM Joseph Buchman LUTHER BENHAM Joseph Buchman ELIZABETH BIRES Carol Rogers, SCN LORETTA E. BLAIR Mary Jane Howell EVELYN M. BLESSING Dawn Blessing JOSEPH ROBERTY BOHN Paul Bohn LAURITA BOHN, SCN Anthony\Deborah Christ Paul Bohn ROBERT “BOB” BOWLING Emily Nabholz, SCN Mary Loretto Krimple, SCN MARIE BREUNIG Spalding University Office of Advancement JON BROCK BURD Anna\Glenn Burd KRISTY BURD Anna\Glenn Burd

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WILLIAM “BILL” BURNS Anita Hager, SCN Evelyn Hurley, SCN Mary Loretto Krimple, SCN Theresa Knabel, SCN Elaine McCarron, SCN Marilyn Shea, SCN Marlene Lehmkuhl, SCN Carol Rogers, SCN Evelyn Siemens Miriam Corcoran, SCN Donna Kamber Lynne Mattingly FLORENCE CAMPBELL Yolanda Ferzoco ANNA MARIE CANARY, SCN George Kennett REV. STEPHEN CHERVENAK Elaine McCarron, SCN Theresa Knabel, SCN Camille Panich, SCN IMELDA CHIA-REDDY Ram Reddy CLARK FAMILY\DECEASED MEMBERS William\Lacene Clark BRIDGID CLIFFORD, SCN Marcia M. Chapin FRANCIS PATRICIA CLIFFORD, SCN Jon Hansbrough ELIZABETH COKER Marietta Putzig, SCN CONNELLSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1951\DECEASED FACULTY \CLASSMATES Anastasia Chernitsky, SCN Classmates\Faculty Connellsville High School\Class of ‘51 JEANETTE CONNOLLY Joseph L. Connolly MARY MATILDA CONNOLLY, SCN WHO TAUGHT AT ST. PETER’S ORPHANAGE\ MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE Mike Martin ROSE CORNETT Susan\David Kinny AL CRIVELLI, SCNA Sam\Dorothy Gervasi AGNES CRONE, SCN Patricia Lynch-Hayes CROWLEY FAMILY\DECEASED MEMBERS Della Crowley

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Staff and residents of the Nazareth Villages apartment community on the SCN Motherhouse campus, Nazareth, Kentucky, hosted a luncheon in August to recognize Bardstown, Kentucky, first responders.

MARGARET CROWLEY, SCN Della Crowley EVELYN CRUMP, SCN Margaret O’Neil ANN VICTORIA CRUZ, SCN Larry Lyon MARY LILLIAN DEVERS, SCN Clara Fulkerson THOMAS DEVERS, SCN Clara Fulkerson JAMES DIPERRI Marie John Kelley, SCN Joan Robishaw, SCN DR. JAMES DITOLLA Mary Braley, SCN MARY DRISCOLL, MM Joyce Dawson ROBERT LOUISE DUNCAN, SCN Dr. Robert B. Scripko ETHEL DURBIN, SCN Shirley Rogers ECKHARDT FAMILY\DECEASED MEMBERS William\Lacene Clark ANN JEANETTE EFFINGER, SCN Bill\Carol Foerster Mary C. Guelda LESTER ENGELHARDT Rachel\Diane\David Engelhardt CAROLITA EVANS, SCN Bill\Carolyn Foerster Mary C. Guelda MADELINE FARETRA Gail Collins, SCN Barbara Gilmetti, SCN JOSEPH FILIATREAU Marilyn Shea, SCN Marlene Lehmkuhl, SCN

MARGARET\DANIEL FLAHERTY Maureen Flaherty PEGGY FLAHERTY Evelyn Hurley, SCN AL FOGEL Audra Fogel FORSBERG FAMILY\DECEASED MEMBERS Barbara Gilmetti, SCN JANE FRASCA Yolanda Ferzoco LUCY MARIE FREIBERT, SCN Anne Freibert Zion Hermit Monks of Mount Carmel Marilyn Shea, SCN Marlene Lehmkuhl, SCN Anita Hager, SCN William Leslie Keene, Jr. Joanne Hartlage Kathy Kremer Brenda Gonzales, SCN Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN Carol A. Burtle Robin R. Harris Barbara Gilmetti, SCN Mary Medley Bonn Joyce\Gary Keibler Robert\Mary Ann Stenger Eleanor Willett, SCN Susan Foley AGNES ANN FUHS, SCN John\Margaret Barry JODIE FULKERSON Sandy Stahl WINIFRED GEDDES Joseph Buchman

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PHYLLIS GEMBAROSKY, SCN Martha F. Gembarosky GERLICA FAMILY\DECEASED MEMBERS Rose Mary Gerlica, SCN Dorothy Gerlica, SCN GILMETTI FAMILY\DECEASED MEMBERS Barbara Gilmetti, SCN MR.\MRS. JOHN GILMETTI Barbara Gilmetti, SCN KAITLIN\HENRY GISH Ann\Kenneth Gish DONALD GLASER Miriam Corcoran, SCN Margaret Rodericks, SCN PETER GLUNK Brenda Gonzales, SCN Marie John Kelley, SCN Joan Robishaw, SCN Margaret Rodericks, SCN Connie Tarallo, SCN Margaret Lillian Davenport, SCN Rose Andrew Waller, SCN Kitty Wilson, SCN Rose Mary Maguire, SCN Ruth Ann Humphrey, SCN Susan Kilb, SCN Eleanor Willett, SCN Janice Downs, SCN Linda Soltis, SCN Earline Hobbs, SCN Western Province Office Finance Administration Elaine McCarron, SCN Theresa Knabel, SCN Camille Panich, SCN Marilyn Shea, SCN Marlene Lehmkuhl, SCN JACK GLYNN Maureen Coughlin, SCN NANCY GONZALES Judy Raley, SCN Eileen Mary Meyer, SCN Ruth Ann Humphrey, SCN Susan Kilb, SCN Julia Clare Fontaine, SCN Barbara Gilmetti, SCN Mary Gene Frank, SCNA Carol Rogers, SCN Jones, Nale & Mattingly PLC/ Louisville, Kentucky Jon Meyer Mary Assumpta Dwyer, SCN Faith Group of Brenda Gonzales, SCN Mary Ninette Manning, SCN Louise Smith, SCN Trudy Maish, SCNA Peggy Fowkes, SCN Mary Margaret Reid, SCN Barbara Spencer, SCN Betty Fracchia, SCN

Martha Walsh, SCN Marietta Putzig, SCN RAYMOND\HAZEL GRANT Ellen Sharon Grant LOUIS\MAYOLA GRAVES Louise Graves Couch ISABEL GREEN, SCN Kathleen\Joe Blais MARGARET ROSE GRIESBAUM, SCN Maria M. Melendez, SCNA ELLEN MIRIAM GRIMES, SCN Brenda Gonzales, SCN Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN William Leslie Keene, Jr. Barbara Gilmetti, SCN Mary Lee Lanning WALTER GROOSE Kevin\Donna Richards MIRIAM GROSJEAN Darryl\Saundra Grosjean CLAUDE E. GUY Graceanne Guy MARIAN HANEY, SCN Anita Hager, SCN Leslie\Jack Plecque Patrice Rymarowicz Sharen Baldy, SCN William Leslie Keene, Jr. Marilyn Shea, SCN Marlene Lehmkuhl, SCN Richard Langley Janice Baldwin Barbara Gilmetti, SCN Alice Walsh Rose Mary Maguire, SCN Eleanor Willett, SCN LARRY HANNEKEN Don\Dorothy Gammon ANNA JEANNE HARDESTY, SCN Theresa Wedding CATHERINE L. HARGESHEIMER Karen Marie Brian MARGARET HELD, SSSF Mary Brannigan Michele Nivens Mary Margaret Reid, SCN Steve Folio BioDun Ogundayo David Abbott Christian Carson Janet Rockett John Mousel Joanne Grosso Matt Schuller Edward Snyder Siobhan Tomazic Rita Gleason George Mekeel Grace S. Gagliardi Cathleen Akeson Brandon Drazich Bruce Zewe

Joseph McLaughlin Margaret (Peggy) Laurel Amy Moreno Jennifer Janson Mary Beth (Wharton) Neilan James Brunn Carol Kain Jan Jordan Alicia Plesnarski Michael Estatico Anthony Golia James Bobo Amanda Ebert Rita James Allen Hertzke Linda Spalding Stephen Graves Lorene A. Riedmueller Anthony\Margaret Perugini Lawrence Fitzgerald M. Judith West Teresa Hartnett Janice Baldwin Charles Jessen Sylvia Jeffers Anne Stuckel Steve Fields Patricia Zishka Mary Angelyn Jones Doris Gagnon, CSC Bob Washburn SCN Novitiate Class of 1965 Catherine\Jim Guild Vie Thorgren, SCNA MARGARET CLIMER HENKEL Jane\James Duffy MARY ZITA HENKEL, SCN Anita Hager, SCN Marlene Lehmkuhl, SCN Marilyn Shea, SCN William Leslie Keene, Jr. Brenda Gonzales, SCN Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN Francis B. Henkel

Eleanor Willett, SCN MARIE HILL, SCN Bob Washburn DONALD E. HOPE Regina Hope PATRICK J. HOPE Regina Hope MARY VALENTINE HORNIK, VSC Maria\Bob Grumley ANTHONY PAUL HORVAT Joseph Horvat DON HOWARD Anni Donahue MARY JUDE HOWARD, SCN Donald K. Wedding CLARA ANN HUBER, SCN Michael Morris DR. WILLIAM A. HUNDLEY Jack\Diane\Kristina Miller MARY EUGENE IVIE, SCN Emmanuel\Dorothy Willett Eleanor Willett, SCN CHARLENE JACOBS, SCN Charlene\Tom Gandolfo Thérèse Arru, SCN Marcia M. Chapin MICHAEL KEEGAN Marie John Kelley, SCN Joan Robishaw, SCN BILL\MAXINE KEENE William Leslie Keene, Jr. Cynthia Baker PATRICIA KELLEY, SCN Anne\Roger Baird CHARLES ALBERTINE KELLY, SCN Bob Washburn ALICE MARITA KERN, SCN Lawrence\Faye Busse ROBERTA KIROL, VSC Thomas Kirol JULIE KLAENE Carol A. Ross

Sisters welcomed Jyoti Thottam, a former “Time” magazine reporter, to Nazareth, Kentucky, in July, and India in August. She is doing research for a book she is working on about the six pioneers who went to India to begin ministries. Jyoti’s mom attended nursing school at Mokama, so Jyoti is writing the book from a personal perspective.

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Sisters in Belize joined Elisa Rodriguez (front row, second from the left) in a prayer service to officially welcome her to the precandidacy program. Elisa is now officially discerning to become a Sister of Charity of Nazareth. Please join the Congregation in welcoming her and please keep Elisa in prayer.

MARY DESALES KOLHOVEN, SCN Robert\Jeana Wahlbrink Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation ARTHUR KOPP FAMILY\ DECEASED MEMBERS Rose Waller, SCN MARY JEAN KUBILUS, SCN Brenda Gonzales, SCN Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN MARGARET BAILEY KURTS Janet W. Glaser MARY RICHTER LANGENDERFER Bob\Mary Langenderfer ELEANOR LASHUA Marie John Kelley, SCN Joan Robishaw, SCN LEE FAMILY\DECEASED MEMBERS Maureen A. Lee EILEEN LEHANE, SCN Kathleen M. Lehane MARY ANN LEHMKUHL Marlene Lehmkuhl, SCN Marilyn Shea, SCN LORI Nancy Brown J. GEORGE LUBBERS, JR. Norbert\Rosemary Lubbers JAMES RICHARD LYONS, SCN Joseph Buchman LENORA LYONS Joseph Buchman JEAN L. MAAS Barbara M. Brady GRACE MACKIN, SCN Helen Mackin Clara Fulkerson DR. JANET MACLEAN, SCNA Joyce Dawson SHEILA ANN MADDEN, SCN Dorothy Berger

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JEFFREY R. MADORE Yolanda Ferzoco PAUL MAGUIRE Carol Rogers, SCN Rose Mary Maguire, SCN HOWARD MATTINGLY Peter\Betsy Wigginton LAVERNE MCCOY Mary Ninette Manning, SCN ANNE EGERTON MCDANIEL Miriam Corcoran, SCN Margaret Rodericks, SCN FRANCES ANN MCGAUGHRAN, SCN Patrick\Mary Robson RUTH MARIE MCGAUGHRAN, SCN Patrick\Mary Robson CHARLES MCNEIL Kenneth McNeil MARGARET MCNEIL Kathy Strack GEORGE MCWILLIAMS, III Peter\Betsy Wigginton PAULA MERRILL, SCN Mary Brannigan Michele Nivens Earline Hobbs, SCN Anita Hager, SCN Mary Margaret Reid, SCN Steve Folio BioDun Ogundayo David Abbott Christian Carson Janet Rockett John Mousel Joanne Grosso Matt Schuller Edward Snyder Siobhan Tomazic Rita Gleason George Mekeel Grace S. Gagliardi Cathleen Akeson Brandon Drazich

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Bruce Zewe Joseph McLaughlin Margaret (Peggy) Laurel Amy Moreno Jennifer Janson Mary Beth (Wharton) Neilan James Brunn Carol Kain Jan Jordan Alicia Plesnarski Michael Estatico Anthony Golia James Bobo Marie Tracz Amanda Ebert Rita James Allen Hertzke Linda Spalding Stephen Graves Lorene A. Riedmueller Anthony\Margaret Perugini Lawrence Fitzgerald M. Judith West Teresa Hartnett Janice Baldwin Charles Jessen Sylvia Jeffers Anne Stuckel Steve Fields Patricia Zishka Mary Angelyn Jones Doris Gagnon, CSC Bob Washburn SCN Novitiate Class of 1965 Catherine\Jim Guild Vie Thorgren, SCNA PAUL MEYER Katrina Kargl MARY MIDDENDORF, SCN Martha Joan Bennett JOE MILLER Kathleen Marie Miller MARY MILLER Kathleen Marie Miller ROBERT MILLER Kathleen Marie Miller

MILLIKAN FAMILY\DECEASED MEMBERS Barbara Gilmetti, SCN ALICE REGINA MILLS, SCN Phyllis Billman FAYE MILTENBERGER Celine Leigland Quentin Petrucci Bridget Kester Vince\Cheryl McGinniss Wayne\Carole Fisher Gregory Smith Mary\Stephen\Theresa Folkins Minnie Flanders ANNAMMA MULAVELIPURAM Margaret Rodericks, SCNA CHARLES MUNSCH Elaine D. Munsch TERESA ROSE NABHOLZ, SCN Paul\Karen Griffith Kathy Strack Thomas\Barbara J. Nabholz RITA NICHOLS Anita Hager, SCN Annette Skees, SCNA Carol Rogers, SCN Diane Pharo, SCN Barbara Spencer, SCN Betty Fracchia, SCN FRANK NOBLE Mary Loretto Krimple, SCN CARMEL\FRED O’BRYAN Fred O’Bryan WILLIAM ONEY Margaret Oney OUR PARENTS Rosemary\Paul Terstegge IMMACULATA PAVLIK, SCN Brenda Gonzales, SCN Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN Marlene Lehmkuhl, SCN Marilyn Shea, SCN Dolores Schrieber Elizabeth A. Burke Frank\Agatha Faviny Eileen Marcinko, SCN

Over 300 Boy Scouts camped out on Nazareth Campus, Nazareth, Kentucky, Aug. 19 to 21, 2016. While at Nazareth, they hiked, attended workshops, carried out service projects, and had reconciliation and Mass in St. Vincent Church.

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Ken Zinni Alice Turic Kelly\Jim Singles Mary Ann Shaffer Mr.\Mrs. Frank Sebest Jennifer Popa Carol Magazzini Joe\Kristen\Karrie Johnson Mr.\Mrs. James Feret Patricia Danik, SCNA Patricia M. Pavlik CHRIST PASHALIS Helen Carbol, SCN HILARY PEREIRA Carol Rogers, SCN PERRY FAMILY\DECEASED MEMBERS Barbara Gilmetti, SCN BARBARA PETERSON, SCN Jack Donovan BARBARA POWERS Mary Ninette Manning, SCN Janice Downs, SCN MARY ALICE POWERS Thomas W. Powers NORINE QUINN Yolanda Ferzoco PHILOMENE RATTAY, VSC Vincent Rattay ROSEMARIE RATTERMAN Katrina Kargl MARION REARDON, SCN Kathy Evans ALICE ELIZABETH REDMAN, SCN Mary H. Ott ARCHIE REID Marilyn Shea, SCN Marlene Lehmkuhl, SCN HELEN REYNOLDS Carol Rogers, SCN MARY RHODES Mary Jane Rhodes, SCN MARK EZRA RHONEMUS Mark\Cindy Rhonemus ROSE RILEY, SCN Family of Rose Riley, SCN MARGARET ROSS, SCN Rita McFarland WESLEY RYAN Alice Ryan DOUGLAS SABELHAUS Carol Rogers, SCN BILL SAMPSON Barbara Spencer, SCN Betty Fracchia, SCN GINNI SANTUCCI Connie Taylor, SCN Diane V. Burton GERI SAYLOR Alice Ryan ANTONIA SCHEIBERT Theresa Endler

MADELYN SCHNURR June Kraus SCN RELATIVES\ FRIENDS\ DECEASED MEMBERS Catherine Lee, SCN Mary Loretto Krimple, SCN Earline Hobbs, SCN SCNs\DECEASED Maureen Taaffe, SCN Louise Graves Couch Wilma Ross, SCN SCNs\ST. BARNABAS FROM ’56-‘64\DECEASED Mark\Kathleen Smith SCNs WHO RAISED ME AT ST. VINCENT ORPHANAGE\ST. VINCENT ACADEMY Amanda L. Ehringer SCNs WHO TAUGHT AT ARCHBISHOP WILLIAMS HIGH SCHOOL\BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS Gerard L. Golden CHARLIE\MARTHA SEITER Carolyn\Frank McCauley NANCY SHEPHERD Ann\Stewart Cobb RICKY SKINNER Martha L. Walsh, SCN JAMES MARIA SPILLANE, SCN Charles\Joan Collins BETTY SWINTEK John L. Swintek MAUREEN TAAFFE, SCN Thomas Arsenault Brenda Gonzales, SCN Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN Eleanor Willett, SCN Rose Mary Gerlica, SCN William Leslie Keene, Jr. Evelyn Hurley, SCN TONY TAVOLETI Barbara Spencer, SCN Betty Fracchia, SCN TEACHERS AT HOLY NAME SCHOOL\1942-1950 William\Barbara Thomas TEACHERS AT ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL William\Barbara Thomas EDWARD P. TAMULEVIZ, JR. Yolanda Ferzoco CAROLYN THOMAS, SCN Ann\Carl Connor JEANINE C. THORNBERRY James R. Thornberry MARY ANN BURKE TIBBETTS Nancy M. Hoskins LOUIS TOERNER Margie Kruse MERCEDES TOPOLY, VSC Dan\Cathy Topley

AGNES TUTI Margaret Rodericks, SCN ELAINE UHUSZ Helen Carbol, SCN VALLORIC FAMILY\ DECEASED MEMBERS Anna Marie Valloric KENNETH WALKER Maureen Coughlin, SCN JIM WALSH Nancy Walsh ELIZABETH ANN WEBB, SCN John T. Dwyer CHARLIE WEDDING Theresa Wedding VINCENT DEPAUL WEDDING William Martin Wedding, Sr.\ Family Vincent DePaul Wedding\ Family

Will\Ellen Ziegler Thomas\Kathleen Kennedy Bro. Joel W. McGraw, FSC Mr.\Mrs. William Willett Carl\Patricia Hinkel Nancy Jo Simpson Mary Medley Bonn Marlene Reynolds Eleanor Willett, SCN ALAN\MARY WILSON Lois A. Wilson CLAUDIA WIRTZ, SCN John\Lisa Rotunni DR. MARY L. WISS Joan Wilson, SCN LUCY YVONNE WOOD Mary Elaine FRANCES LORETTO YOWAISKI, SCN Linda\John Burk

Members of the Government Committee with a facilitator and two reflectors, attended meetings at Nazareth, Kentucky, Sept. 3-11, 2016.

WILLIAM MARTIN WEDDING, SR. William Martin Wedding, Sr.\ Family Vincent DePaul Wedding\ Family EDWARD WEYHING Miriam Corcoran, SCN ANNE WHITEHEAD, SCN Dr. Robert B. Scripko LAURIE WICKER Anonymous IRENE WIDER-KREIDER Yolanda Ferzoco RACHEL WILLETT, SCN Anita Hager, SCN William Leslie Keene, Jr. Lenora Turney William Martin Wedding, Sr.\ Family Vincent DePaul Wedding\ Family Anita Knott Michelle R. Jeter William J. Miller

ELIZABETH ZEIGENFUSE Mary Ninette Manning, SCN

HONORARIES 55 YEAR JUBILARIANS Wilma Ross, SCN 2016 JUBILARIANS Theresa Knabel, SCN Elaine McCarron, SCN Mary Anne Burkardt, SCN JANE AMSHOFF Eileen Mary Meyer, SCN BRENDA ANDERSON, SCN Connie Lusher, SCNA LAURA BABBAGE Elizabeth Kramer MARIE BECKER, SCN\GOLDEN JUBILEE Evelyn Hurley, SCN Janice Downs, SCN Matthew Becker CHRIS BECKETT, SCN\ BIRTHDAY Jane H. Rogalski

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Dozens attended the Open House of the St. Joseph the Carpenter Volunteer House on the SCN Motherhouse Campus, Nazareth, Kentucky, on Sept. 2, 2016. There was a ribbon cutting and an opportunity to tour the house.

BETTY BLANDFORD, SCN\ GOLDEN JUBILEE Janice Downs, SCN Helen Carbol, SCN BETTY BLANDFORD, SCN\ PARISH MINISTRY Rev. Paul Scaglione HELEN BLODGETT, SCN Rose Mary Gerlica, SCN MARY PATRICIA BRENNEN, SCN Janice Aviza MIRIAM ELIZABETH BROWN, SCN Martha Joan Bennett ANASTASIA CHERNITSKY, SCN\65TH JUBILEE Dan\Cathy Topley CATHERINE CLINE, SCN Barbara Woodzell MIRIAM CORCORAN, SCN Mary McGuire MAUREEN COUGHLIN, SCN Connie K. Lusher, SCNA MICHAELLA CRONIN, SCN Evelyn Hurley, SCN MARY ELLEN DOYLE, SCN Margaret (Peggy) Grant CARMELITA DUNN, SCN Mary Sue Knabel Melanie\Steve Ahr MARY ASSUMPTA DWYER, SCN Mary Anderson Ed\Cathy Weckel MARY ASSUMPTA DWYER, SCN\60TH JUBILEE Evelyn Hurley, SCN MAGGIE FISHER, SCN Berniece Rose CONNIE FITZPATRICK, SMSM Barbara Gilmetti, SCN MARIE FLOWERS, SCN\ PERPETUAL VOWS Annette Skees, SCNA Julia Clare Fontaine, SCN

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Barbara Gilmetti, SCN Judy Raley, SCN Marie Celine Osbourn, SCN Janice Downs, SCN Marilyn Shea, SCN Marlene Lehmkuhl, SCN Mary Gene Frank, SCNA Evelyn Hurley, SCN Anonymous Mary Assumpta Dwyer, SCN Mary Ninette Manning, SCN Mary Anne Burkardt, SCN Diane Pharo, SCN Mary Serra Goethals, SCN Rose Ann Howard, SCN Ann Hayden, SCNA Monica Boggs, SCNA Peggy Fowkes, SCN Eileen Mary Meyer, SCN Margaret Rodericks, SCN JULIA CLARE FONTAINE, SCN\75TH JUBILEE Lorraine\Joseph F. Hancock RHODA KAY GLUNK, SCN Janice Downs, SCN Helen Carbol, SCN Evelyn Hurley, SCN GOLDEN JUBILIARIANS\2016 Brenda Gonzales, SCN Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN Mary Braley, SCN Mary Elizabeth Miller, SCN Carolyn Wilson, SCN Thérèse Arru, SCN Clement Marie Sabol, SCN Grace Mary Whittaker, SCN Carmelita Dunn, SCN Mary Margaret Reid, SCN Marie John Kelley, SCN Joan Robishaw, SCN Anita Hager, SCN Dolores Greenwell, SCN Sharon Gray, SCN Theresa Cash, SCN Eileen Mary Meyer, SCN Marilyn Shea, SCN

SIS TERS OF CHARIT Y OF NA Z ARE TH • VOL . III 2016

Marlene Lehmkuhl, SCN John Loretto Mueller, SCN Marietta Putzig, SCN Margaret Rodericks, SCN Ruth Ann Humphrey, SCN Susan Kilb, SCN Louise Smith, SCN Mary Ninette Manning, SCN Nazareth Motherhouse SCNs Barbara Gilmetti, SCN Barbara Joseph Lammers, SCN Virginia (Ginny) Burkart Mary Gene Frank, SCNA Diane Pharo, SCN Marie Becker, SCN Rose Mary Maguire, SCN Wilma Ross, SCN Connie Tarallo, SCN Eva Kowalski, SCN Nancy Gerth, SCN Paris Slapikas, SCN Isamary Garcia, SCN BRENDA GONZALES, SCN Mary Lou Hoffa SHARON GRAY, SCN\SILVER JUBILEE Clement Marie Sabol, SCN Grace Mary Whittaker, SCN Ruth Ann Humphrey, SCN Susan Kilb, SCN Theresa Cash, SCN Evelyn Hurley, SCN Marilyn Shea, SCN

THELMA R. GRIFFIN\ BIRTHDAY Joan Wilson, SCN PATRICIA HALEY, SCN\ GOLDEN JUBILEE Evelyn Hurley, SCN Janice Downs, SCN Evelyn Hurley, SCN Helen Carbol, SCN DENISE HIBEL, SCN Doris J. Cochrane ANGELA HICKS, SCN\SILVER JUBILEE Ronald D.\Ann Frazier Marie Underwood Clement Marie Sabol, SCN Grace Mary Whittaker, SCN Agnes Marie Hagan, SL Ruth Ann Humphrey, SCN Susan Kilb, SCN Theresa Cash, SCN Marilyn Shea, SCN Marlene Lehmkuhl, SCN Mary Margaret Reid, SCN Dot Jackson, SCN Brenda Gonzales, SCN Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN Joan Robishaw, SCN Marie John Kelley, SCN Marie Becker, SCN EARLINE HOBBS, SCN Philip\Margaret Mattingly

Three new members of the Vincentian Academy family visited Nazareth, Kentucky from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for an orientation this summer. Left to right, back row: Margaret Martin, vice president of advancement; Michelle Grgurich, SCN, director of the Office of Congregational Ministries: front row: Rita Canton, principal; and Paul Zavolta, senior accountant. Sister Michelle works closely with SCN Congregational Ministries, like Vincentian Academy.

Marlene Lehmkuhl, SCN Mary Margaret Reid, SCN Dot Jackson, SCN Brenda Gonzales, SCN Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN Joan Robishaw, SCN Marie John Kelley, SCN Marie Becker, SCN

MARGARET HOHMAN, SCN Sheila A. Schuster, Ph.D. CHERYL\ROBERT ISAAC Margaret Rodericks, SCN JEANINE JASTER, SCN Ron\Donna Nance Christine Giles Dale\Rose Ann Jackson

S C N FA M I LY.O R G

Thanks to all who made this year’s Super Raffle a success. The winners: John Ann Kulina, SCN, Motherhouse – 1st place - $20,000; Chris Gatz, New Albany, Indiana – 2nd place - $5,000; and Gerald Phillips, Bardstown, Kentucky – 3rd place - $1,000.

ROBERT JOHN KANASKIE Richard\Mary Kanaskie ELOISE KEEL Martha Hines MARIE JOHN KELLEY, SCN\65TH JUBILEE Evelyn Hurley, SCN CYNDI KEPLEY Margaret Rodericks, SCN THERESA KNABEL, SCN Marie Sue Knabel ARTHUR KOPP FAMILY\ LIVING MEMBERS Rose Waller, SCN CECILIA LEGANI, SMSM Barbara Gilmetti, SCN BARBARA MACDONALD, SCN Marie\Roy Cannings ANNE MAGRUDER, SCN\ BIRTHDAY Peggy Fowkes, SCN ANN CAROL MANN, SCN George Fulner MARY NINETTE MANNING, SCN Eugene Graf ELEANOR MARTIN, SCN\ GOLDEN JUBILEE Evelyn Hurley, SCN Janice Downs, SCN ANNE RITA MAUCK, SCN Benjamin\Susan Leachman ELAINE MCCARRON, SCN Cindy\Jeffrey Gill DEACON KEN MCCARVER Pat\Linda Black JOE\MARY MCDONALD\50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Connie Tarallo, SCN ANNE MARIE MCNEIL Evelyn Hurley, SCN BEVERLY METZLER John E. Metzler EILEEN MARY MEYER, SCN Patty Durham

REBECCA MILES, SCN\ GOLDEN JUBILEE Janice Downs, SCN Mary Jean\Issa Pirouznia MICHAEL LEO MULLANEY, SCN Sheila A. Schuster, Ph.D. EMMA MUNSTERMAN, OSU Connie K. Lusher, SCNA MARGARET REGINA MURPHY, SCN George Fulner NAZARETH COLLEGE\CLASS OF 1959 Martha Smelser SHIRLEY NUGENT, SCN Margy\Bob Aiello OCA STAFF Barbara Gilmetti, SCN MICHAELETTE PAVLIK, SCN Jeanne Pavlik Cynthia Harris DIANE PHARO, SCN Joseph\Margaret Sanders LUCILLE PHIPPS, SCN Connie K. Lusher, SCNA RAINBOW JUBILARIANS Barbara Gilmetti, SCN JUDY RALEY, SCN\55TH JUBILEE Evelyn Hurley, SCN CELESTE REEDY, SCN\75TH JUBILEE Evelyn Hurley, SCN MARY JANE RHODES, SCN Anna Marie Rhodes, SCN JOAN ROBISHAW, SCN Helen Devine REBECCA RODENBAUGH, SCN Patricia L. Sitter GRACE MARIA SAIA, SCN\65TH JUBILEE Evelyn Hurley, SCN Catherine\Frank Mensi, Jr. MARIA SAMPSON, SCN Ron\Donna Nance

IRENE SATORY, SCN Lil\Hank Deneski PEGGY R. SAUL\BIRTHDAY Joan Wilson, SCN ROSE SCHUM Margaret Rodericks, SCN SCN LEADERSHIP TEAMS Barbara Gilmetti, SCN SCNs IN BELIZE Barbara Gilmetti, SCN SCNs\ST. BARNABAS FROM ’56‘64\LIVING Mark\Kathleen Smith SCNs WHO RAISED ME AT ST. VINCENT ORPHANAGE\ST. VINCENT ACADEMY Amanda L. Ehringer SILVER JUBILARIANS Mary Elizabeth Miller, SCN John Loretto Mueller, SCN Marietta Putzig, SCN Mary Ninette Manning, SCN Barbara Gilmetti, SCN Carolyn Wilson, SCN Thérèse Arru, SCN Mary Gene Frank, SCNA Eva Kowalski, SCN Nancy Gerth, SCN Paris Slapikas, SCN Isamary Garcia, SCN Eileen Mary Meyer, SCN RITA SPALDING, SCN Barbara Gilmetti, SCN LAURA\RANDY STRICKLAND\ RETIREMENT Mary Serra Goethals, SCN Rose Howard, SCN REV. GARY TORRENS\50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION Margaret Rodericks, SCN BERNIE W. TRIPP\BIRTHDAY Joan Wilson, SCN BETTY VANNUCCI, SCN Dr. Robert B. Scripko

ANN WHITTAKER, SCN\55TH JUBILEE Evelyn Hurley, SCN Grace Whittaker, SCN CAROLYN WILSON, SCN\ BIRTHDAY Joan Wilson, SCN DOUGLAS WILSON Joan Wilson, SCN KITTY WILSON, SCN\ BIRTHDAY Joan Wilson, SCN ALICE TERESA WOOD, SCN Delores\Harry Cusic PATRICIA WORLEY, SCN\60TH JUBILEE Evelyn Hurley, SCN Cindy\Jeffrey Gill Mary O’Toole REV. GARY YOUNG Emily Nabholz, SCN Pat Hill, SCN

Members of the SCN Disaster Relief Team traveled to Clendenin, West Virginia, just outside Charleston, in August to assist with recovery efforts following extensive flooding. Volunteers wore hazmat suits as they crawled underneath houses in mud to remove water-soaked insulation and duct work.

SISTERS OF CHARIT Y OF NA ZARE TH • VOL. III 2016

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Office of Congregational Advancement P.O. Box 9 Nazareth, Kentucky 40048-0009

Louisville, KY Permit No. 715

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Thank you for being partners with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

As the end of the year approaches and you consider options for giving, we ask you to consider supporting SCN ministries.

Every penny donated goes to help people in need.

Pictured, a remote village near Dharan, Nepal, where Sisters provide medical outreach.