SISTER ROSELYNʼS MISSION TO EMPOWER INDIAʼS CHILDREN
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Dear Friends,
I am delighted to share with you, collaborators and friends of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, this year’s rst volume of e Journey magazine. e year 2023 is a signi cant one for the Congregation and we ask for your continued prayer and support.
At the end of May 2023, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and our Associates from six countries will gather at Nazareth, Kentucky, for the General Assembly of the Congregation, an important international event held every ve years. During the 2023 General Assembly, Sisters and our Associates will prayerfully consider our Mission, Vision, and Direction for the next ve years, and we will elect the next leadership team of the Congregation.
e theme chosen for the assembly is “Tread Lightly, Embracing Diversity, Interiority and Communion for Mission.” e focus is on the three principles of the universe, inviting us to tread lightly on the planet earth, consciously embracing the gi s of diversity, interiority, and communion in our life and mission.
We hope that this sacred time will renew our commitment to embracing responsible living in harmony with each other and with God’s creation. e preparations underway for the assembly also give us a pause to re ect on the overwhelming needs of our world and how God is calling us to respond. We look forward to sharing the results of this sacred time.
is edition of e Journey highlights our Sisters' seemingly insigni cant acts of trust that light up the world not as singular acts but as an interconnected whole –
• Young women, through the Inspiration Center (Preranalaya), building a future for themselves and their families
• Women going out of their way to learn a second language as a tool to ensure a future for their children
• Sister Roselyn making a lasting di erence in the lives of the neglected children in the remote villages of Gaya
We thank you for your commitment to the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in our e orts to serve those most in need. May we always keep the ame of charity rising within each of us and within our Church and our world.
We count on your prayerful support and promise our prayers for you.
Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN President
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Through their tireless efforts at the Preranalaya Social Development Center, Sisters are giving young women and children the tools they need to create a brighter future for themselves and their families.
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A hardworking mother is determined to build a better future for her family.
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Her mission to empower the downtrodden is a true testament to the power of one individual to make a lasting difference in the lives of many.
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We highlight four Sisters who, each in their own time, left a lasting impression on the Congregation, the communities in which they served, and the world.
Nazareth’s Heritage Hall currently houses a new exhibit that tells the stories of those who were enslaved at Nazareth.
In the remote village of Musunuru in the state of Andhra Pradesh, a beacon of hope shines bright.
Nestled among a predominantly Christian and Hindu population is Nazareth Preranalaya, a convent home for three Sisters who run the Preranalaya Social Development Center (PSDC). e name Preranalaya means "inspiration," and that is exactly what this center provides to the young women and children of the
the community. serve the most vulnerable members of their community lives action.
e Sisters' faith in God is the driving force behind their mission to empower the young women and children of Musunuru. ey believe it is their calling to serve the most vulnerable members of their community and to provide them with the tools they need to create better lives for themselves. ey see their work that emanates from Nazareth Preranalaya as an extension of their religious beliefs and a way to put their faith into
Sister Sudha Rani Jonnalagadda is in charge of the PSDC and oversees a variety of community training programs, including computer classes, tailoring, and English courses. ese skills-developing, college-accredited courses give students the tools they need to further their education and create stronger, more successful lives for themselves and their future families.
e need in this area is strong, and the Sisters' e orts are making a real di erence in the lives of the young people they serve.
In addition to the training programs, Sister Lucy Puthukkatt runs a holistic treatment health clinic at the PSDC, where she creates oils and herbal treatments for natural body care. ese are sought out by locals and taken into villages through the outreach programs of the center, providing much-needed health services to those who would otherwise have limited access. Sister Lucy, accompanied by an auxiliary nurse, visits villages to educate women on health and hygiene and assess their living conditions. With the nurse, she conducts basic health check-ups and o ers guidance on pregnancies.
Sister Silbiya M is a dedicated and compassionate educator, who wears many hats in her community. Not only is she a teacher in the local parish school, but she also holds a vital role as the supervisor of the St. Vincent Girls Hostel. is hostel serves as a safe and nurturing home for young girls, who are able to live there while they attend school. Sister Silbiya M's presence in the hostel is a constant source of care and support for the girls, and her dedication to their success is an inspiration to them all. She is a role model for the young minds she teaches, showing them that with hard work and determination, they can achieve their dreams. She is a true advocate for the education and well-being of these young girls, and her e orts are making a real di erence in their lives.
Sudha Rani Jonnalagadda, SCN
Lucy Puthukkatt, SCN
Silbiya M, SCN
Jyoti was just 13 years old when her older sister arranged for her to be married. She had dreamed of joining a religious congregation, but her family had other plans. e young man was an engineer on a railway line, and they believed it would provide a stable environment for her.
Jyoti’s life was far from stable. Her husband became an alcoholic, using all their income and family bene ts to support his drinking habit. One night, during a domestic dispute, Jyoti was pushed from the terrace of their home. She was severely injured, and it was uncertain if she would ever walk again.
It was Sister Ann Moylan, of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, who believed in Jyoti. She took her in and helped her begin the program at PSDC, a program for young women like Jyoti. With the support and encouragement of Sister Ann and the other Sisters, Jyoti began to recover. She excelled in the program, and eventually took up work at the center, excelling there as well.
Sadly, Jyoti’s husband never recovered from his demons. He died from his drinking, leaving Jyoti and their two daughters fatherless. But Jyoti refused to let the hardships of the past get her down. She moved away from Musunuru to enroll her daughters in the best schools. She built a new life, took new work in the city, and thrived at it. She was recently promoted, and she does not let the hardships of the past get her down.
Ann Moylan, SCN
What makes Jyoti emotional is the support shown to her by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. With her newfound success, it is her hope that her children will have a better life. She sees hope for the others who come to the Inspiration Center, and is grateful for the second chance she was given. Jyoti is a testament to the power of hope, and the kindness of strangers.
As the Sisters continue their mission to empower the young women and children of Musunuru, they serve as a reminder to us all of the power of faith and compassion. eir work at the Preranalaya Social Development Center is not only changing the lives of those they serve, but also inspiring others to take action and make a di erence in their own communities. ey have shown that with a little bit of inspiration and a lot of hard work, it is possible to create real and meaningful change in the world. e sisters remind us that with faith, determination, and a willingness to serve, we can all make a di erence and leave a lasting impact on the lives of those around us.
Today, Sisters continue providing a lifeline to the people of Musunuru. eir belief in the power of God to change lives is evident in all that they do. ey approach their work with compassion, humility, and a deep sense of purpose. e Sisters also take time to pray and re ect every day, which gives them the strength and guidance to continue their mission. ey see God's hand in every success and every obstacle and are convinced that their faith is what sustains them and gives them the strength to carry on. ey believe that their work is a way of giving thanks and glory to God, which is the ultimate source of their inspiration.
rough their tireless e orts at the Preranalaya Social Development Center, they are giving young women and children the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for themselves and their families. ey are truly an inspiration.
Maria is a hardworking mother who came to the United States from Mexico. She is determined to improve her skills and build a better future for herself and her children.
With the support of Rosemarie Kirwan, SCN, Maria’s enthusiasm for learning is a source of inspiration to all.
Among the stacks of books in the Motherhouse Library, in a quiet corner near the back, two women sit at a wooden round table. ey are discussing verbs. Meeting as they do each week, Sister Rosemarie points
to the dry-erase board behind her. Maria (named changed for her privacy) repeats her words.
Using workbooks and lesson plans, the two women are engaged in the power and promise of English as a Second Language (ESL). “It gives me an advantage to know Spanish, so that does help, and it gives us an opening for
vocabulary,” said Sister Rosemarie. She said Maria came to her ESL lesson that day asking about the word “them” and how to use it.
She appreciates that Maria learns through observation and says that it helps that Maria was educated in Mexico. Although she has lived in the United States for many years, she still needs assistance with the English language. Most of Maria’s family still lives in Mexico so she has little support or a network she can turn to.
Maria is driven to improve her skills to land a better job and she wants to read to her children. Her children have helped her with learning the language, along with watching television and movies in English.
Years ago Brenda Gonzales, SCN, met Maria through another ESL student she had placed with a Sister. Maria was matched with Elaine Putho , SCN, and they studied for about a year together until Sister Elaine died in 2015. Maria looked to nd a new teacher. While in town one day, she happened to run into Sister Brenda and asked for her help nding a new teacher. “We had so many Sisters who taught ESL but few now,” Sister Brenda said.
While Sister Brenda was looking for a new ESL teacher for Maria, Maria was getting restless. She decided to come to Nazareth to see if Sister Brenda had found anyone, but unfortunately her truck broke down. What did Maria do? She walked to Nazareth from her home in Bardstown.
Sister Brenda was in luck. Sister Rosemarie had just retired from her position as Motherhouse Treasurer, a role she served for 12 years. She might have some free time.
Sister Rosemarie has served in teaching positions for most of her ministry life. She taught at several grade schools in Kentucky as well as at Pharr-San Juan Alamo High School in Pharr, Texas. For many years, Sister Rosemarie lived and served in Belize.
Recently she took a trip with Sister Brenda to serve at the Mexican border and she has taught English as a Second Language in the past. Sister Rosemarie recalls that while living in Texas, she helped a woman who was a farm worker to learn English. She remembers Sister Caroline Field, who would educate other Sisters on how to teach English as a foreign language many years ago.
When Sister Rosemarie received the call from Sister Brenda, she was taken with Maria’s gumption. “She is a very eager student. e best I’ve ever taught,” she shares. Between work and family responsibilities, Rosemarie knows it is di cult for some to meet with her regularly. e women o en have children to care for. She recalls several years ago when she would drive to a woman’s apartment in Bardstown to help her with English. e woman had three small children at home, and when school was out, it was a challenge to concentrate on the English lessons. Sister Rosemarie explained that English is already di cult to learn without distraction, and she
For Sister Rosemarie, the knowledge of Spanish has been a valuable asset, allowing her to connect with Maria in ways that go beyond language. By understanding the nuances of Maria’s native tongue, she is better able to explain the complexities of English, making the learning process smoother and more e cient.
Sister Rosemarie considers herself a tough teacher, but she understands that the English language is difficult to learn.
was disappointed when their lessons ended. Maria, too, is a mother, and the two women have aligned their calendars to work their lessons around the children’s schedules.
Sister Brenda says that without a good grip on the language, people may want you to clean their house or provide a service, but they can take advantage of you. Maria said that when they know you need the job, the employer may be unfair.
Sister Brenda is pleased with this teacherstudent match. “I think it gives both of them energy.”
Sister Rosemarie considers herself a tough teacher, but she understands that the English language is di cult to learn. “ ere’s nothing in English that can be a rule. Today, we are working on the three di erent ways to say plurals.”
e pair have become friends, and Sister Rosemarie has found other ways to help the student. A er a couple of weeks of ESL, Sister Rosemarie realized that Maria was having trouble seeing. She contacted Sister Brenda, who helped her get glasses and assisted her with other health care needs. “Brenda is the connector. She has so many connections,” said Sister Rosemarie.
“SCNs resource each other when needs arise,” Sister Brenda added. “We check with each other and see whom we can connect with in the SCN or civic community.”
Sister Brenda connected with the local free clinic to help meet Maria’s health needs. Since the free clinic began in Bardstown, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have supported it. Barbara Joseph Lammers, SCN, currently serves on the board.
is isn’t the only way Sisters Brenda and Rosemarie partner up in service. Each Monday, the pair spend their day volunteering in the food “Pantry of Choice” with Sister Visitor Center in Louisville. Sister Visitor Center provides emergency assistance for basic human needs, such as food, hygiene and cleaning supplies, to Louisville residents.
Above, Sister Brenda, in 1977, teaching in San Pedro Columbia, Toledo District in Belize. Below, Sister Rosemarie teaching in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 1976, where she taught from 1975-1981.Paris Slapikas, SCN, is the director of Sister Visitor Center. Sister Paris is grateful for the volunteers, especially because they can speak Spanish with clients when needed. “A lot of our services rely on volunteers,” says Sister Paris.
Sisters Rosemarie, Brenda and Susan Gatz have been present once a month to give out food from Feeding America in Bardstown and translate for the Spanish-speaking families that come. What do these Sisters
in Texas and Belize. Now that they have
have in common? ey have been in ministry in Texas and Belize. Now that they have returned to live and serve in Bardstown, Sisters use their skills to help the local Spanish-speaking community.
As has been the pattern since their rst meeting in September, the recent lesson ends in time for Maria to head home and retrieve her son from the a ernoon school bus.
Sister Rosemarie said, “I love her enthusiasm, and it’s a delight to come here every Wednesday a ernoon.”
“And I love it, too,” Maria said.
Above, Sister Brenda, Maria, and Sister Rosemarie visit together a er class, their friendship a testament to the power of education and connection. Le , Sisters spend their Mondays volunteering at the food pantry of Sister Visitor Center in Louisville, Kentucky. rough this service, they have become an integral part of the community.
In the small village of Kassickchak, located outside of Gaya, India, Roselyn Karakattu, SCN, is changing the lives of poor children through her outreach education program. Despite the state providing schooling for these children, it is o en inadequate, leaving them without the proper tools to succeed in life.
Determined to make a di erence, Sister Roselyn founded an education center in the village. e children themselves played a crucial role in building the school, gathering materials, and constructing the building from the ground up. ey collected bricks to build the walls. ey also carried sand from the river to make the cement.
Sister Roselyn's faith in God is the driving force behind her mission to empower these children. She believes that it is through education and the development of practical life skills that these children will be able to break the cycle of poverty and improve their own lives. Sister Roselyn's strong belief in the power of God to bring about change is evident in her tireless e orts to provide these children with the resources they need to succeed.
rough Sister Roselyn's e orts, the children are not only learning about academics, but also about their culture, rights, and practical life skills such as English and trade skills. ese lessons empower the children to improve their own lives and li up their entire community.
Sister Roselyn has a long history in education and advocacy for social justice. Her dedication to the children of Kassickchak and the surrounding villages is a true testament to her mission to empower the downtrodden and bring about systemic change.
As the children proudly proclaim, "With hard work!" they can change their lives and shape the future of their country. And with Sister Roselyn's guidance, they are well on their way to doing just that.
Hard work is emphasized as the key to success in life. e children are taught that through determination and perseverance, they can achieve their goals and break the cycle of poverty.
e children's participation in building the school itself
Sister Roselyn's education center in Kassickchak is a shining example of how faith, education and hard work can change the lives of the most vulnerable children.
rough her tireless e orts and her belief in the power of God, Sister Roselyn has provided these children with the resources they need to break the cycle of poverty and improve their own lives. e children's participation in building the school and
was a concrete example of this principle. With this strong emphasis on hard work, the children are empowered to take control of their own lives and build a better future for themselves and their community.
e impact of Sister Roselyn's outreach program is evident in the children's faces as they learn and grow. eir hope, their determination, and their joy is a re ection of the love and guidance that Sister Roselyn provides. rough her faith and her dedication to these children, Sister Roselyn is truly making a di erence in the lives of the children of Kassickchak and the surrounding villages. She is not only changing their lives, but also the future of the entire community, one child at a time.
Above: e children of Kassickchak come together to learn and grow inside of this building that they helped make with their own hands. At the learning center children are empowered by Sister Roselyn’s faith, leadership and hard work.
the curriculum instills in them a sense of purpose, hope, and guidance to face the challenges of life. e impact of her program is evident in the children's faces, as they learn and grow. eir hope, determination, and joy are a re ection of the love and guidance provided by Sister Roselyn. Her mission to empower the downtrodden is a true testament to the power of one individual to make a lasting di erence in the lives of many.
e Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Chandapura, India, are reaping the bene ts of a new 25 kW solar array. e system, which was installed on the roo op of the convent last April, has not only signi cantly reduced the monthly electricity bill and gas for the backup generator, but it has also allowed the Sisters to support their mission of caring for the earth.
Before the solar array was installed, the convent's electricity was unreliable, o en uctuating on and o several times a day. But now, with roo op solar panels and backup batteries, the power is consistent and reliable. is has made a signi cant di erence in the daily life of the Sisters, who can now count on the power for essential things like ceiling fans during the hot season and hot water for the bathrooms and kitchen.
e new solar array has brought signi cant improvements for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, reducing their monthly energy costs from a he y 30,000 rupees to a mere 2-300 rupees, the equivalent of paying only $3 to $4 per month for electricity.
e Sisters did not install the solar array for nancial reasons alone. e project supports the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth’s mission to care
for the earth and their goal to eliminate their greenhouse gas emissions by 2047. e Sisters are committed to living in a way that sustains all life and to intensify their e orts to address the destruction of natural resources.
Beena Chirackal, SCN, coordinator for the convent, says the Sisters are expected to recoup the cost of the array in under ten years, with the panels expected to last for 25 years. e money saved on utility bills and gas for the backup generator will be put back into the community.
e funding for the project came from a special SCN fund, which was set aside to o set carbon emissions from air travel. Although the Sisters have reduced air travel and now conduct many meetings via video conferencing, there are still times when in-person meetings are necessary. is o set fund helps to pay for renewable energy projects and keeps more fossil fuels in the ground.
e success of this project has not gone unnoticed, and the province is now considering solar arrays on other buildings. e Sisters are happy to be leading the way in sustainability and care for the earth, saying, "It is a blessing."
A 25 kW solar array has reduced monthly energy costs while providing consistent power supporting the mission to care for the earth.
Women's History Month is celebrated annually in the United States, during the month of March, as a time to re ect on and honor the contributions and achievements of women throughout time. is year, as we mark this important occasion, it is tting to pay homage to the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, a religious congregation of women who have dedicated their lives to serving others and making a lasting impact on the world around them.
Volumes could be lled with the grand historic accounts of Sisters across the globe and the missions and ministries they have introduced. In this instance, we highlight four women religious who, each in their own time, le a lasting impression on the Congregation, the communities in which they served and the world.
Sister Marie Menard, known as “Nazareth’s first historian,” took care in not only preserving the history of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth while the Congregation was still in its infancy, but also inspiring and caring for her fellow Sisters.
Born Anna Menard in France in 1842, she and her family emigrated to the United States in 1851 and settled in Paducah, Kentucky. A short time later, Anna returned to France to continue her education, mastering higher branches of mathematics. It is noted in her records that, at a time when women were not welcomed at the University of Paris, Anna followed the lectures from behind a screen, passed examinations, and received her degree at the hand of Louis Napoleon.
In 1863, Anna entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Charity at Nazareth and later took the name Marie. At Nazareth, she held several important posts and was known for her exceptional leadership, guidance and concern for the welfare of the Community. Given her academic background, Sister Marie in uenced the education and training of the young Sisters, and was head of the Normal School.
Sister Marie was a woman of many talents - a skilled mathematician, an artist, and even a botanist. Her herbarium collection was a valuable resource for other members of her community. She was also the rst Sister to operate the printing press at Nazareth and was responsible for printing and posting obituary notices for many years.
From her early months with the Community, Sister Marie began taking notes of events and started putting together a history of the Congregation throughout the years. In July of 1911, she was elected as the Fourth Assistant General and Secretary General of the Community. While still in o ce, she was struck with illness and passed away on March 16, 1914.
e Sisters who had the privilege of working with Sister Marie during their novitiate never forgot her wise counsel, insightful observations, constructive criticisms, and powerful monitions. Her impact on their lives was profound and longlasting. She had a special fondness for those assigned humble tasks, and reminded them that all assignments were of equal value to God. She encouraged the Sisters not to set limits for themselves, to be the best they could possibly be, and to become valiant women.
In 1999, the Marie Menard Oral History Committee was established to carry on Sister Marie’s legacy by gathering the treasured stories of Sisters’ lives. ese stories continue to be collected and shared today.
With an early call to religious life, she entered the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth a er college and she served as a nurse in various schools and clinics. In 1972 Sister Jo B was assigned to Smith eld, North Carolina, and other areas as part of the East Coast Migrant Health Project.
wrote to various organizations, including the FBI and the press, about their ndings, and a few months later, they received a call from a Department of Justice lawyer who was starting an investigation.
Smith eld was a town with roots in the Ku Klux Klan, and the conditions and treatment of the poor, mostly Black farmworkers, were comparable to modernized slavery. e workers were mistreated and quickly indebted to the farms and o en beaten if they tried to leave. Sister Jo B worked closely with a young man named Russ Canan, a health education aide, and they formed a fast friendship while they worked together in Smith eld. Sister Jo B trained Russ in basic medical procedures and they would visit the workers' camps to o er basic health care services. She and Russ were to recruit local doctors to treat the workers, although they faced a lot of pushback from those who did not wish to acquire poor, non-white patients.
While Sister Jo B provided compassion and care to the workers, she also looked to address the abusive conditions in which they lived. During her assignment, she encountered multiple workers who had been beaten and mistreated during their work, and she convinced them to share their experiences on a tape recorder. Sister Jo B organized a meeting with the Governor of North Carolina to protest against the mistreatment of workers, which she saw as slavery, and presented him with the tapes and written statements. Russ and Sister Jo B also
A resolution to the migrant worker abuse was not immediate, but Sister Jo B did not back down when it came to the best interest of her patients and the communities she served. One thing is for certain, the lives of the workers she encountered during her assignment in Smith eld were changed for the better through her actions.
Her ery presence and perseverance were an inspiration to many around her, including Russ, a fresh college graduate at the time, who later became a judge in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Sister Jo B was present at his ceremony and he went on to detail their friendship and Sister’s in uence in his book, “Pursuing the Horizon, Stories of Justice.”
Jo B was a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to serving others. She was unafraid to stand up for what was right, even in the face of adversity, and truly demonstrated what it means to be a Sister of Charity of Nazareth. In 1987, the Sister Joseph Beatrice Eyl Scholarship was established through Spalding University to be awarded annually to a nursing student, o ering a chance for her legacy to live on through future generations.
Sister Colette Baran was a dedicated member of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity who lived a life of service to others.
Born Kathryn Jeanne in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1930, she was one of a large family, the children of parents who had emigrated to America from Austria-Hungary. Her education included a scholarship to St. Vincent Academy in Pittsburgh, where she was taught by the Vincentian Sisters of Charity. ere she received an excellent education and the inspiration to enter religious life. She joined the Congregation of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity in 1948.
Sister Colette was passionate about education and social justice. She obtained a degree in education from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in 1959, followed by a master's degree in sociology in 1966.
Sister Colette's rst mission was to teach seventh and eighth grades in Fonthill, Ontario, Canada. She later went to City of St. Jude in Montgomery, Alabama, where she was taught high school students during the height of the Civil Rights movement. Sister Colette stood up for the rights of her students, as well as her own rights. She was once turned away from a polling station despite being registered to vote, which she con rmed with a phone call and then returned to cast her ballot. It is noted that many Sisters at the time were
discriminated against for their work with African American communities, people of color and the poor.
Sister Colette's next mission was as a teacher of Native American history and culture at LaRoche College in Pittsburgh. She became one of the rst female department heads at the college and was also active outside the classroom, participating in the Panel of American Women, which advocated for women's empowerment. In 1979 she went to Red Cloud Reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, to teach religion to high school students in the Red Cloud Indian School, which was located near Mount Rushmore.
In 1982, Sister Colette returned to Montgomery and became the Supervisor of Social Services at St. Jude. A er a break in Santa Fe, she worked in parish ministry in Munhall, Pennsylvania, and later became the administrator of St. Vincent Manor. She obtained a certi cate in Canon Law and worked at the Tribunal O ce for the Diocese of Pittsburgh for seven years.
She returned to St. Michael's Parish and then moved to the VSC Motherhouse, where she taught English, worked with medical records and organized the Sisters' les. From 2000 until 2015, Sister Colette was also the Motherhouse sacristan.
Sister Colette transferred her vows to the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in 2008 when the SCN and VSC Congregations merged. She remained active in the Community until her death at age 91 in 2021. She is remembered as a woman who lived a life devoted to serving and empowering others, leaving a lasting impact on many.
Born in Bombay, India, she entered the Congregation in 1961, and went on to become the rst Indian Sister elected as the President of the international Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Congregation.
Sister Shalini was known for her innovative approaches to ministry and was credited with leading the Community to embrace new and impactful ways of serving those on the margins of society. roughout her 52-year journey as a Sister, she served in various capacities, including teaching and administrative positions in both the United States and India. In 1974, she became a Formation Director and went on to serve as a Provincial in India from 1983 to 1989.
Sister Shalini was particularly passionate about rescuing women and children from human tra cking and began this work in ailand in 1989 while interning with the Good Shepherd Sisters. Her work continued upon her return to India, collaborating with social activists to help the women of the red light district in New Delhi and children born into brothels. She helped these women and children receive health care and learn new skills to support themselves outside of prostitution. Sister Shalini educated and advocated for their basic human rights.
In 1998, she was elected as Vice President of the Congregation, and ve years later, she was elected President. Upon assuming leadership of the Congregation, Sister Shalini was
recognized by the Kentucky House of Representatives for her work in helping the women and children in the brothels and commercial sex trade in New Delhi.
Her leadership was marked by her energy, creativity, and determination to challenge the status quo. Her ability to bring about change was noted in numerous news articles, including one by Arthur Jones, at the time editor at large for the National Catholic Reporter, who traveled to India to witness her ministries in person. He referred to her as “a refreshing sign of the times” and stated that “the re in her belly isn’t curry, it’s Christ.”
Nazareth
Nazareth's Heritage Hall currently houses a new exhibit that tells the stories of those who were enslaved at Nazareth.
e exhibit aims to make the experiences of those enslaved more visible to visitors and encourage re ection on the injustices caused by slavery and Jim Crow laws. e Sisters of Charity of Nazareth acknowledge their participation in these unacceptable practices in the past and express their gratitude to the enslaved persons who contributed to the growth of Nazareth. e Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have taken steps to address some of the injustices caused by slavery, including o ering educational scholarships and committing funds for the purchase and rehabilitation of homes for African Americans to encourage homeownership.
ey have also worked to prevent evictions and provide low-interest loans to Black businesses. e Sisters of Charity of Nazareth encourage everyone to be involved in antiracist endeavors and invite visitors to learn more about their history and ongoing e orts toward justice. It is incumbent upon all of us to dismantle racism and address injustices.
e exhibit, shown here and the following pages, is on permanent display in Heritage Hall at Nazareth.
The first enslaved family was brought to Old Nazareth at St. Thomas in 1818 by a young woman who was entering the Community. The Sisters operated a boarding school for girls. At the time, enslaved labor was seen as a need.
The first enslaved family was brought to Old Nazareth at St. Thomas in 1818 by a young woman who was entering the Community. The Sisters operated a boarding school for girls. At the time, enslaved labor was seen as a need.
In 1822, the Sisters moved to the site of the current Motherhouse grounds, along with two enslaved persons who worked along side the Sisters in the kitchen, dining rooms, dormitories, laundry, and hen house, and performed numerous other tasks.
In 1822, the Sisters moved to the site of the current Motherhouse grounds, along with two enslaved persons who worked along side the Sisters in the kitchen, dining rooms, dormitories, laundry, and hen house, and performed numerous other tasks.
The church and Academy were built with the work of enslaved laborers who made bricks on-site, felled trees, and provided other much needed labor.
The church and Academy were built with the work of enslaved laborers who made bricks on-site, felled trees, and provided other much needed labor.
Memorial to those enslaved at Nazareth, designed by Ed Hamilton. Dedicated in 2012.
Nazareth in 1855 showing the new Nazareth Academy building and St. Vincent Church. These buildings were constructed, in part, by enslaved laborers.
Memorial to those enslaved at Nazareth, designed by Ed Hamilton. Dedicated in 2012.
Nazareth in 1855 showing the new Nazareth Academy building and St. Vincent Church. These buildings were constructed, in part, by enslaved laborers.
In addition to individuals who were born at Nazareth, the Community also purchased enslaved persons. If it became necessary to sell enslaved persons, all efforts were made to send them to another Catholic family, where they would not be mistreated nor sold “down river.” There was one instance of an enslaved individual being granted his freedom in recognition of his hard work and sacrifice.
In addition to individuals who were born at Nazareth, the Community also purchased enslaved persons. If it became necessary to sell enslaved persons, all efforts were made to send them to another Catholic family, where they would not be mistreated nor sold “down river.” There was one instance of an enslaved individual being granted his freedom in recognition of his hard work and sacrifice.
View these panels in full resolution at Heritage Hall in Nazareth, Kentucky, or online at: nazareth.org/exhibit
At Nazareth, those enslaved could choose to be baptized or not. These baptisms were recorded in the Nazareth Church records and celebrated with “plum cake and frolic.”
Although the state of Kentucky did not recognize the marriages of enslaved people, the Catholic Church encouraged and blessed these unions sacramentally. At Nazareth, marriages were celebrated with a dinner prepared by the kitchen. Several enslaved people died at Nazareth, many as infants and young children. They were buried on campus in a separate cemetery. At a later date, their remains were relocated to a common grave in the Sister’s cemetery.
and his successors of the same Cty and State aforesaid a Mulatto boy named George about fifteen years of age (of yellowish complexion) for four hundred and seventy five dollars the receipt whereof is thereby acknowledged. Hereby warranting the title and claim of the said George to the said Rev. F. Chambige against the claim of all other persons whatever and also warranting the said Mulatto to be sound and healthy so far as I know. Witness my hand this 12th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty one.
—WalterACoomes,Witness Eli Marpel
Nazareth Annals record that at the time of emancipation in 1865, thirty enslaved persons were freed. Nine enslaved men had previously escaped from Nazareth to join the U. S. Colored Troops, gaining their freedom fighting in the Civil War.
Nazareth Annals record that at the time of emancipation in 1865, thirty enslaved persons were freed. Nine enslaved men had previously escaped from Nazareth to join the U. S. Colored Troops, gaining their freedom fighting in the Civil War.
In 1912, during the Centennial celebration of the foundation of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, former employees and those who had been enslaved here were invited back to Nazareth along with their extended families for a day long celebration. Dinner was provided for the group of nearly two hundred; a tour was given and the Centennial program was performed by the Academy students. Music and dancing completed the festivities.
In 1912, during the Centennial celebration of the foundation of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, former employees and those who had been enslaved here were invited back to Nazareth along with their extended families for a day long celebration. Dinner was provided for the group of nearly two hundred; a tour was given and the Centennial program was performed by the Academy students. Music and dancing completed the festivities.
In 2000 the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, with the Sisters of Loretto and the Dominican Sisters of St. Catharine, held a reconciliation service to apologize for participating in the sin of slavery.
In 2000 the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, with the Sisters of Loretto and the Dominican Sisters of St. Catharine, held a reconciliation service to apologize for participating in the sin of slavery.
During the SCN Bicentennial celebration of 2012, a monument was erected near the cemetery and dedicated to the men, women, and children who were enslaved at Nazareth.
During the SCN Bicentennial celebration of 2012, a monument was erected near the cemetery and dedicated to the men, women, and children who were enslaved at Nazareth.
The monument lists the names of those who are buried here. The front of the monument is graced with a plaque designed by renowned artist Ed Hamilton of Louisville.
The monument lists the names of those who are buried here. The front of the monument is graced with a plaque designed by renowned artist Ed Hamilton of Louisville.
e Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are deeply grateful for the generosity and the love displayed for the church at Nazareth.
You have blessed us once again! e Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are deeply grateful for the generosity and love displayed to repair and beautify St. Vincent de Paul Church.
Your support, along with that of more than 1,200 generous donors, has been instrumental in exceeding our goal of $600,000.
We are sure you are aware how special St. Vincent Church is to the Sisters and to all who come here to pray and worship.
e Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are so thankful for your compassion and value each and every one of our donors and appreciate all you do.
is thank you cannot adequately convey our deep, heartfelt thanks to you for helping us complete the project to preserve St. Vincent Church. So, we are asking God, who sees the good that you do, to enfold you and your family with grace, love and peace in the days ahead.
For a complete listing of all donors who contributed to the St. Vincent de Paul Church renovation and repairs, please visit https://nazareth.org/thankyou.
A monument honoring enslaved people buried at Nazareth was relocated to a more prominent location in the Nazareth Cemetery. e monument, which features a bronze plaque depicting a family and extended family members, was unveiled in 2012 and lists the names of 28 men, women, and children buried alongside the Sisters. e plaza will allow for easier access to the monument and also features seating and a place for re ection.
Marie- érèse “Tess” Browne, SCN, is an exemplary gure whose commitment to advancing equality and justice in the workplace has been rightfully recognized with the Labor Guild’s Father Edward F. Boyle award. Sister Tess’ unwavering dedication to championing the rights of workers is an inspiration to all, and her tireless e orts serve as a reminder that even small actions can make a profound impact. Congratulations to Sister Tess on this well-deserved honor.
St. Francis of Assisi Primary School in Kenya, lacked the resources to provide their students with books, leaving many without access to books of their own.
anks to the generosity of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, the school has now been gi ed a library of new books, providing children with a gateway to unknown possibilities. e students are lled with gratitude, and the gi of reading will forever be cherished at the school.
Beverly Ho man, SCN, was missioned to New Orleans as part of a larger e ort by the House of Charity. e home seeks to model collaboration among di erent congregations of the Charity Federation, provide opportunities for vocational discernment and volunteer service, and o er a witness to religious life for a new generation of young adults. e House of Charity places a strong emphasis on prayer, re ection, service, hospitality, and intentional community as hallmarks of its approach.
Students from Alvernia and Bellarmine Universities visited seniors in their homes in Belize City. e mutual relationship between the SCN ministry for seniors and the universities allows students to gain experience while o ering quality services to those in need. e visit educates seniors on overall health, maximizing movement, minimizing pain, exercising joints, and caring for wounds while o ering quality services to the people of Belize.
Miriam Frenke, SCN, 89 (formerly Sister Arthur Miriam) was born in Louisville, Ky., on Sept. 4, 1937, and given the name Yvonne. She was the youngest of four. She died on Nov. 16, 2022, in Louisville. She was a professed Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 67 years.
Sister Miriam spent a year teaching at St. Anne’s in Memphis, Tenn. and then started nursing training at St. Joseph’s In rmary in Louisville, where she became the night supervisor. Ultimately, she spent 45 years in health care ministry and health care education. She completed nurses’ training at St. Joseph’s In rmary in Louisville, then earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Nazareth College in Louisville and later obtained her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She became a nurse practitioner in 1985.
From 1959 to 1969, she served as psychiatric nursing supervisor and later as director of nursing at Our Lady of Peace in Louisville. She then served at St. Vincent In rmary in Little Rock, Ark. She spent 20 years as a faculty member in the Nursing Department at Spalding University, instructing and training nursing students. From 1997 to 2012, she served persons with HIV as an outreach nurse educator at the House of Ruth and then as a pastoral care coordinator at the AIDS Interfaith Ministry with Hand and Hand Ministries.
Sister Miriam served in Community as associate regional for the Louisville area from 1991 to 1996.
She is survived by her extended family and her religious community.
Brenda Anderson, SCN, 75 (formerly Sister Mary Brenda) was born in Lebanon, Ky., on Nov. 23, 1947, the eldest of ve girls. She died on Dec. 3, 2022, in Louisville, Ky. She was a professed Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 37 years.
On Sept. 8, 1965, she entered the novitiate at Nazareth, Ky. However, she experienced severe homesickness and withdrew. A er attending a hospitality weekend at Nazareth, Brenda began plans to re-enter the Congregation and did so in June 1982, making nal vows in 1985.
For her rst ministry as an SCN, Sister Brenda returned to Saints Simon and Jude to teach fourth grade.
Sister Brenda also served in health care. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Sister Brenda was a nurse assistant and later a registered nurse at the St. Vincent In rmary Medical Center in Little Rock.
Early in her vocation, she operated the Motherhouse switchboard. Years later, she used her health care education to provide nursing care to the Sisters living in the Motherhouse at Nazareth. She served as a driver for the Sisters for 16 years. Sister Brenda was a sta assistant at the Catherine Spalding Retreat Center from 1995-1999.
She is survived by her sisters Wanda Chambers, Joycelene Phipps, Janice Heady, Patricia Eddington, by her extended family and her religious community.
Alfreda Crantz, SCN, 101 (formerly Sister Mary Arthur) was born in Vulcan, Mich., on Jan. 2, 1921. She died on Dec. 13, 2022, in Louisville, Ky. She was a professed Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 70 years.
In 1950 she joined the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Congregation. Her rst assignment as an SCN began in 1952 with Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn., where she served in nursing until 1955. Over the years, she served as a nurse and nursing supervisor in the operating room, emergency room, and pediatrics at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Ky.; St. Joseph In rmary, Louisville; St. Peter Orphanage, Memphis, Tenn.; St. Vincent In rmary Little Rock, Ark.; Marymount Hospital, London, Ky.; Saints Mary and Elizabeth Hospital, Louisville; Hazelwood Hospital, Louisville; Faith Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.; Nazareth Home; and Flaget Memorial, Bardstown, Ky.
In 1970 she traveled to South Vietnam, where she spent a year as the nursing advisor for the US Agency for International Development at Nha Trang Hospital. In 1978 she spent two years in Nepal working as a surgical nurse at Bir Hospital in Kathmandu. She spent over 30 years volunteering with Saints Mary and Elizabeth Hospital. She volunteered her time at Our Lady of Peace in Louisville. She also assisted her Community as the health care liaison for leadership.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews, her extended family, former co-workers, and her religious community.
Marita Pozek, SCN, 98, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on April 12, 1924. She was one of ve siblings. She died on Jan. 19, 2023, in Nazareth, Ky.
She entered the Vincentian Sisters of Charity (VSC) as a candidate in 1949. In 2008, she transferred her vows when the Vincentian Sisters of Charity merged with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
Sister Marita was an elementary teacher at St. Barnabas in Pittsburgh and St. Ursula in Allison Park, Pa. She taught business classes at the high-school level for Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio, and at Greensburg Central Catholic in Greensburg, Pa.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Education from Duquesne University and by 1970 had completed a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind.
Sister Marita served as the administrator for St. Vincent Hospital in Monett, Mo., for 18 years. In 1994 she le Monett for the position of assistant administrator for Mercy Hospital in Waldron, Ark.
She served her religious Community as the coordinator of Sisters at Greensburg at St. Vincent Hospital and as the assistant administrator for the Motherhouse in Pittsburgh. Later, she volunteered with personal care and medical records at Vincentian Home from 2010-2020.
She is survived by her extended family and her religious community.
A symbol of sel essness and sacri ce, the pelican has long been revered by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth as a symbol of their own unwavering commitment to serving others.
Dedicated Sisters have been at the forefront of e orts to improve the lives of those in need, working tirelessly to provide education, health care, and support to those who have been marginalized or le behind.
We are beginning a new initiative, the Pelican Society, to help ensure that the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth’s vital work can continue long into the future. e Pelican Society is for supporters who are committed to making a recurring monthly gi that helps provide stability and predictability that is so crucial to ongoing missions.
With your help, the Sisters can continue to make a tangible impact in the lives of those in need, providing education in remote villages, promoting fundamental human rights, providing access to clean water, and o ering quality health care to those who have no other options.
rough your generosity, you can help the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth continue to ful ll their mission of serving others and making a lasting di erence in the world, one person at a time.
Join the Pelican Society today with a recurring monthly donation and help the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth continue to make a di erence in the world.
Become
As a member of the Pelican Society, your monthly donation supports the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth missions around the world in Belize, Botswana, Kenya, India, Nepal and the United States.
ank you for your support of SCN missions
O ce of Mission Advancement
P.O. Box 9
Nazareth, Kentucky 40048
nazareth.org | 502-348-1519
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$20,000
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$5,000
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$1,000
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