The Journey Vol. II, 2018

The JOURNEY

VOL. II 2018

Working for All to Have a Voice

Letter from Leadership The three of us on the current Central Leadership Team complete our five years of service in this ministry of leadership on Aug. 31, 2018. Endings always invite reflection on how the time was lived, and a song from the Broadway play, Rent, came to our minds. The song asks the question, “How do you measure a year?” It goes on to answer the question in the everyday things of life. Do you measure it in “daylights, sunsets, cups of coffee, laughter, strife?” and finally digs deeper, “What about love? Measure in love.”

So we looked back and said to ourselves do we measure these five years in trips taken, miles traveled, meetings attended, ministries visited, jubilee and vow masses celebrated, documents read or written, programs developed? In some ways our answer is “yes.” All of those realities have been part of the ministry and had their own worth and value. And we also know that love is the measure of everything that we did and experienced in our time together – our love for this wonderful SCN community and its love and support of us. The love that we have been privileged to see in the lives of the Sisters, Associates, and our dedicated collaborators as we traveled to the five countries where SCNs live and minister. That love which has been so well presented in the stories in this Journey magazine. That love that we feel from our “silent supporters,” those generous, faithful women and men whose donations are so much a part of what we are able to do for and with the beloved people of God. We have experienced our SCN motto, “The love of Christ impels us” alive and well in so many brave, creative and enduring ways. We have lived these five years surrounded by inspiration!

Members of the outgoing Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Central Leadership Team, left to right, Vice President Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN, President Susan Gatz, SCN, and Vice President Brenda Gonzales. A new Central Leadership Team takes office Sept. 1, 2018, with Sister Sangeeta as the president.

We come to the end of our time in leadership with hearts filled with gratitude. St. Paul said it well those many long years ago, “I give thanks to my God every time I think of you.” Be assured of our ongoing thoughts and prayer.

Susan Gatz, SCN President

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Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN Vice President

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Brenda Gonzales, SCN Vice President

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Inside this Issue 4

A Life Dedicated to Healing Others

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From Kentucky to Belize - Partnering for Health Care to Seniors

10 Working for All to Have a Voice 15 Join With Us 16 Bringing Water to Koshidekha 18 Prayer and Presence for the People of Sale 21 Conversion in a Community of Mission: 2018 General Assembly 24 Highlights 26 Journeying On

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

On the C over Teresa Kotturan, SCN, at the United Nations in New York where she is in ministry.

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A LIFE DEDICATED TO HEALING OTHERS “All my life I’ve been interested in the medical field, all my life. I can’t think of anything else that I would rather do,” says a smiling Alfreda Crantz, SCN. Until recently, Sister Alfreda has been a familiar face in the hallways of Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital in Louisville’s south side where she lived and served for nearly 40 years.

This summer Sister Alfreda started a new ministry. She is a welcome addition to Our Lady of Peace in the Highlands of Louisville, Kentucky. Not many people begin a new ministry at her age, but the 98-year-old points out that she started her last ministry at an age when other adults sometimes retire, age 60.

A constant smile and infectious laugh, Sister Alfreda recalls how her childhood desire to pursue medicine was likely planted by her mother, who often talked of

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becoming a nurse herself. After graduating high school at the top of her class, Sister Alfreda moved to Chicago, Illinois, to study nursing at Mother Cabrini Hospital, followed by anesthesia at Ravenswood Hospital. She stayed in Chicago until God led her in a new direction.

“I had been in Chicago for a few years and wanted to make a change.

The Director of the School of Anesthesia knew I was interested in doing this. She called me one day and told me that there was a wonderful opportunity for an anesthetist in Little Rock, Arkansas at St. Vincent Infirmary. I didn’t know anything about Little Rock except that it was the capital of the state.” She fell in love with the hospital run by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, and five years later, chose religious life.

Sister Alfreda says God used a beautiful new car – grey with red trim – as the instrument of her call to become a Sister. She had looked forward to the car, but after the purchase, a realization set in, “So what?” She says she desired something else in her life.

She describes her years as a Sister as rich and fulfilling, having served in nearly every SCN hospital in the United States. “I’ve got a list a mile long, honey, of all of the hospitals,” says Sister Alfreda.

“Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, St. Vincent in Little Rock, St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, and St. Joseph Infirmary in Louisville, Marymount Hospital in London, Kentucky, Flaget Hospital in Bardstown, Kentucky, and Sts. Mary & Elizabeth.” Sister also served at Nazareth Home and at hospitals that weren’t connected to the SCNs like Faith Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

While there she took leave to volunteer in Honduras to care for the victims of Hurricane Fifi.

Sister Alfreda has served in supervisory positions in medical and surgical departments, as a nurse in the emergency room, as an anesthetist, a director of nursing, and instructor. In her early days with the Congregation, she was asked to move to a new ministry every three years. “It was always some challenge… to clean up, straighten up, or reorganize.” She also did stints in hospitals in Vietnam during the Vietnam War and in Nepal.

She served with the State Department. She taught such things as sterilization and best practices for patient care.

(Top) Alfreda Crantz, SCN, is pictured early in her ministry caring for children.

(Bottom) Later in her ministry, she would volunteer to go to a war-torn Vietnam with the State Department, to improve practices in hospitals.

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(Left) Alfreda Crantz, SCN, met and corresponded with Mother Teresa. (Right) Sister Alfreda traveled extensively and ministered in many countries.

A native of Michigan, Sister Alfreda lights up as she talks about a love of school, days spent outdoors, and an appetite for books. But eventually her conversations always come back to being a nurse, “it’s just who I am.”

At Sts. Mary & Elizabeth, Sister lived in the convent located inside the hospital for nearly 40 years. Sisters have lived at the hospital since its founding in 1874.

Sister Alfreda’s typical day started at 5 a.m. After making her rounds, she offered the morning prayer over the speaker system leading to a beloved title of CPO, Chief Prayer Officer. Day in and day out, she cared for and greeted patients, worked with volunteers, helped out in the gift shop, offered prayerful support to staff or served as the sacristan. “Wherever there was a need,” says Sister Alfreda. “Whatever was needed, I was available…all day long.”

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Among the legacies Sister leaves at Sts. Mary & Elizabeth, is the Chapel, which she helped to transition to a first floor location. She has lovingly maintained the Chapel as a place of peace and hope, “The people who come in here are sick, they are depressed, they are hurting, they are angry, and I think it’s important having some place to come and be comforted, to know that God is here.”

Beyond the hospital, Sister traveled extensively.

She treasures photos of family, missions and friends around the world, including a photo with Mother Teresa, now Saint Teresa of Calcutta, and a handwritten note.

As her final days at Sts. Mary & Elizabeth wound down this spring, hundreds gathered to surprise Sister S C N FA M I LY.O R G

Alfreda with a party. There were many tears, but Sister Alfreda assured each person that she was only a phone call or short drive away, including comforting a dear friend she first met in the 1970s.

“We have known each other since 1972, my best friend, my true blessing, that’s what you are…”

Others stopped by the Chapel, like a lifelong colleague and co-worker who came with Kleenex in both hands, and repeatedly asked Sister Alfreda to make sure she kept in touch. Gingerly Sister Alfreda wiped away her tears, “you have my phone number and new address, call or come visit. And please, make sure you take care of yourself.”

On her last day at Sts. Mary & Elizabeth, the hallways were full as Sister Alfreda gave the morning prayer. “Bless this hospital, staff, and patients, and bless the work we do together. We do everything in your name. Amen.” A quiet settled over those gathered. Sister Alfreda continued,“I’m back again, I forgot to say goodbye to all of you, to thank you all for yesterday, what a beautiful day. You’re my friends and I am your friend, we are family. God bless you and have a great day.”

Now as she starts her latest ministry, she confides that at her age she doesn’t plan too far ahead, “I’ve planned only so far as age one hundred, but not beyond that.”

At this point, that is.

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Carlette Gentle, SCN, (pictured center) with two dear friends and clients. She founded LIFE, Living Independently in Full Existence, a ministry for senior citizens in Belize, Central America.

FROM KENTUCKY TO BELIZE Partnering for health care to Seniors Thanks to telemedicine, health care specialists in Kentucky are “virtually”connecting with elderly patients in Belize, Central America. The patients are near and dear to Carlette Gentle, SCN, as they are clients of her ministry, LIFE, Living Independently in Full Existence.

Sister Carlette founded LIFE in 2015 to serve the elderly poor in southside Belize City which is plagued with gun violence, gangs and poverty. These clients, men and women aged 60 years and above, are provided transportation to medical appointments thanks to a wheelchair accessible van, donated to the ministry by SCN donors. The specially outfitted van is one of two in the country. Sister Carlette also assists with shopping for food, organizing social events and outings, and is part of a team working to improve access to health care.

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Since April 2017, Dr. Christian Furman, medical director at the Institute for Sustainable Health and Optimal Aging and the Margaret Dorward Smock Endowed Chair in Geriatric Medicine at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, has connected with Dr. Aviles in Belize. Dr. Aviles is the clinical director of Mercy Clinic. Sister Carlette helped connect the two doctors, and the pair have been collaborating through the internet to discuss cases and provide treatment recommendations for patients. This has

In addition to monthly telemedicine consultations with a geriatric specialist, Dr. Aviles uses other technology provided by the grant for his own decision-making.

Dr. Aviles has trained social workers to run a series of evaluations on homebound seniors who cannot come to see him in-person. The social workers gather diagnostic information such as blood pressure, pulse oximetry, glucose, temperature, and ECG on each senior. Dr. Aviles is then able to review all of the diagnostic information and better manage each patient’s health condition.

As part of the ministry Carlette Gentle, SCN, founded, she does out reach to those aged 60 years and above.This includes improved access to health care, transportation to appointments, assistance with food, and social events and outings.

greatly impacted the quality of care for Belizean seniors as Belize has no gerontologists and few facilities geared towards elder care. Mercy Clinic has about 800 patients a month, a large number are elderly. Dr. Aviles has no colleagues specialize in elderly care in Belize, so through telemedicine and collaboration with Dr. Furman, he has been able to discuss problems with treatments or prescriptions. This innovative partnership has worked well and improved care, and has been possible because of a three-year grant from the Catholic Health Initiatives Mission and Ministry Fund. Sister Carlette has been the catalyst as director of the LIFE program and the intermediary between Belize and U.S. collaborators.

According to a Wall Street Journal article, more than 15 million people received some kind of medical care remotely last year, and according to the American Telemedicine Association, those numbers are expected to grow by 30 percent.

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Sister Carlette is deeply touched by the stories of the seniors in her program and their upbeat attitudes and tenacity in the face of obstacles. She believes that the service provided through telemedicine is not only improving her clients’ health, but likely saving lives.

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WORKING FOR ALL TO HAVE A VOICE As she makes her way through the busy streets of New York City to the halls of the United Nations, it is easy to see that the city has become her home.

She maintains a hectic pace. During the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) meetings this year, Teresa Kotturan, SCN, could be found in one day presenting on effective SCN empowerment programs in Nepal, helping to facilitate a question and answer session, and popping in to connect with attendees at a Youth Forum session. Even her time walking from session to session was well spent, as she stopped to ask a question about a systemic change initiative, offered advice on how best to submit a question to a panelist, and shared a kind word with a woman who spoke from the heart about being homeless.

Far from her birth place in Kerala, India, to the imposing council rooms at the United Nations, Sister Teresa speaks with passion about her latest ministry representing the Sisters of Charity Federation at the United Nations. The Federation

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has 3,400 members working in 28 countries, and is an official nongovernmental organization (NGO) at the United Nations.

Sister Teresa, as this NGO’s representative, works tirelessly to ensure that the voices of women religious and those they serve are heard.

Recently, the Charity Federation marked two decades of presence at the United Nations. This innovative collaboration dates back to 1997, when the organization hired its first representative, Sister Marie Elena Dio, a Sister of Charity of Halifax. In her role, Sister Teresa continues the ministry of previous Federation UN-NGO representatives in working closely with other NGO representatives and multiple committees to address political, economic, social and humanitarian policies. Daily, she strives to raise awareness and to educate around pressing global concerns including poverty, lack of access to education, human trafficking, international law, global citizenship, migration, inter-religious dialogue, social development, financing for development, and environmental sustainability.

“I care about the human rights of everyone, and strive to ensure that no one is left behind.”

Sister Teresa strives to engage liaisons, students, members and Associates of the Federation Congregations, and the Vincentian Family in the work of the United Nations. A gifted

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communicator, she creates awareness through multimedia presentations, social media postings, newsletters, and issue alerts.

Prior to accepting this position, Sister Teresa was vice president of the SCN Congregation. She has also served as the provincial of India and Nepal. With her background as provincial and being in ministry in many areas of India, she brought a concrete understanding of the realities confronting those who live in poverty. While a vice president, she collaborated as an NGO Liaison for five years and presented systemic change and United Nations initiatives to membership and collaborators for implementation.

When asked about why she was drawn to this ministry, she speaks of how she believes in the ideals of the United Nations, and the concerns and issues it upholds for peace and development in our world.

The Sisters of Charity Federation, as an official nongovernmental organization (NGO) at the United Nations, also has special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council. As the main representative of the Federation at the United Nations, Sister Teresa’s primary objective is to bring the concerns of Charity Federation members and all those with whom and to whom they minister throughout the world to this global stage. And in doing so, to connect the lived experience of Federation members at the grassroots with world decision-makers.

Sister Teresa feels a strong calling to this latest ministry. “As a person from the global south I have lived most of my life amidst people who have faced poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, and denial of basic human rights, especially for the women and girl children. I have also seen and been a part of the issues the developed world is facing,” reflects Sister Teresa. “We cannot right all the wrongs in this world; 12

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As part of her ministry, Teresa

we can attempt to do Kotturan, SCN, speaks out about a little at a time…the systemic change and care for the earth. She attends prayer vigils.

Charity Federation UN NGO Representative position offers that opportunity, to engage a wide range of people – within the Federation, the Vincentian Family, and beyond – to make a difference, create a web of relationships, and harmony.”

Among the groups in which Sister Teresa is active, an informal group called Religious at the United Nations (RUN). The members of RUN (55 Catholic religious Congregations of which 40 have full-time representation at the United Nations) increasingly recognize the importance of collaboration, not only among themelves, but also among members at the grassroots level. Collectively they represent 159 countries.

In addition to her engagement with and participation on a number of committees and panels, Sister Teresa oversees United Nation Orientation sessions for members of the Federation as well as Associates and students. When SCNs Joicy Joy and Suchita Kullu were visiting from India and traveled to New York, they were able to share their first hand experiences S C N FA M I LY.O R G

In their global ministries and daily lives, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are committed to addressing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

These goals were adopted by the 193 Member States of the United Nations on Sept. 25, 2015. They are a call to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 17 Goals build on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals, while including new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice, among other priorities. The United Nations hope to attain these goals by 2030.

Teresa Kotturan, SCN, discusses her ministry with Bethlehem High School students in Bardstown, Kentucky. She talked about the Charity Federation and speaking up for the marginalized.

and outreach efforts at the United Nations. “It was an overwhelming experience and a blessing to take part in the conferences on different issues being dealt by the United Nations,” shared Sister Joicy. “As women religious, moreover as SCNs with international and multicultural traits, our exposure to the United Nations was a great way of mentoring the young leadership...to take up grass-root issues to the international level.”

Sister Teresa’s ministry keeps her on the move. She has spoken to dozens of groups about the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals — 17 global goals agreed SISTERS OF CHARIT Y OF NA ZARETH • VOL. II 2018

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Teresa Kotturan, SCN, speaks before Presentation Academy students. She inspired the students to discuss the Sustainable Development Goals and to learn more about the United Nations.

to by United Nations member states to reduce poverty and promote a sustainable environment through the year 2030. She often emphasizes the need for global cooperation and for every person to embrace global citizenship. “I care about the human rights of everyone, and strive to ensure that no one is left behind,” says Sister Teresa.

Sister Teresa’s predecessor says religious men and women do indeed have something to say to the world today. “Daily at the United Nations they are reminding world leaders to ‘wake up’ to the realities of poverty and environmental degradation as well as the very concrete connection between climate change and poverty. They truly are witnesses to a different way of doing things and remind those around them that it is possible to live differently in this world, not only through their words, but by sharing concrete examples from their members and those with whom and to whom they minister in more than 150 countries.”

In a presentation Sister Teresa gave before the Vincentian Family in Seoul, South Korea, about global

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citizenship and the work of the United Nations, she highlighted Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical, Laudato Si’, in affirming the need for education that promotes global citizenship. “Good education plants seeds when we are young, and these continue to bear fruit throughout life,” the encyclical says.

From traveling the world to highlight pressing needs to attending and monitoring meetings, to giving presentations, Sister Teresa is committed to planting seeds. And the seeds are taking root. When students from Vincentian Academy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, visited the United Nations they learned about standing up for human rights, poverty, care of the earth, and climate change. And when Sister Teresa recently visited Kentucky, she visited two schools, Bethlehem High School in Bardstown, Kentucky and Presentation Academy in Louisville, Kentucky.

She fielded questions about what it was like to be in ministry at the United Nations and how students might help with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ending both school visits with a challenge to the students – to help change the world in their own way.

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PRAY WITH US

Join With Us

An integral part of the life of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth is prayer. You are welcome to join the Sisters for daily Mass at St. Vincent Church on the Nazareth Campus if you are nearby.

Check scnfamily.org/mass for the Mass schedule.

If at a distance, please join the Sisters through your daily prayer for the needs of our world. If you have a special prayer intention, you can send it to the Sisters at scnfamily.org/prayers.

Your intentions are remembered by the SCN Office of Mission Advancement during their daily prayer, and placed in a book for the Sisters to remember in personal prayer.

BECOME AN ASSOCIATE SCN Associates are lay people who commit to living out the SCN Mission in their own lives, to deepen their spirituality, to build community with other Associates and Sisters, and to reach out in compassionate service in the tradition of St. Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac, and Catherine Spalding. Visit scnfamily.org/associates to learn more.

LEAVE A LEGACY

DISCERN A RELIGIOUS VOCATION

Catholic Sisters are dynamic and passionate, dedicated to diverse ministries and their charism, lived out in community. Their devotion is carried out in prayer, action, leadership, or service. Do you feel called to discern a call to religious life as a Sister of Charity of Nazareth? Visit scnfamily.org/sisters to learn more about the Sisters entering the Congregation today and how you can be in touch with a Sister to discuss your vocation further.

REFRESH YOUR SPIRIT Nazareth Retreat Center, housed on the Nazareth Campus near Bardstown, Kentucky, offers opportunities for spiritual reflection in a holistic approach which reverences the human spirit and all of creation. The campus, with over 300 acres of walking paths and lakes, a labyrinth, gazebo, and comfortable benches, is a perfect environment for prayer, and a time apart from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Visit nazarethretreatcenterky.org.

STAY IN TOUCH

Do you want to support the ministries of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth even beyond your lifetime? Contact Leslie Wilson, director of development, at (502) 348-1551 or lwilson@scnky. org, to learn more about how you can remember the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in your estate plans.

Have you already done so? Let us know so we can say thank you.

Sign up for a regular e-newsletter with updates on congregational happenings.

Visit scnfamily.org to subscribe. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and help spread the news to your family and friends. If you have a story to share about how the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have been a part of your life, share it with Diane Curtis, director of communications, (502) 348-1564 or diane@scnfamily.org.

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BRINGING WATER TO KOSHIDEKHA It’s a long and often arduous walk daily for those living in Koshidekha, Nepal, to get access to something many take for granted – water.

The 2015 earthquake affected the course of underground water, causing many of the natural water sources to dry up. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Kathmandu and staff of Navjyoti Center have witnessed the water shortage, and are working with others to solve the crisis.

SCNs have been leaders in relief efforts since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal in April 2015, causing over 9,000 deaths and catastrophic damage. They have provided supplies for temporary shelter and food, child-care services, counseling and emotional support, and have assisted with building permanent homes. The Sisters say their faith in God and the faith of the people have guided them during trying times.

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Since the earthquake affected the course of underground water and access to it, it is now common to see women and young girls with pots and containers spending most of their days walking miles to find and fetch drinking water.

The people depend on water not only for meals and hygiene, but for irrigation of crops and to care

This location was chosen for a tank infiltration site. Construction is underway.

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for their animals, as they rely on agriculture for their livelihood.

Koshidekha is about 47 miles from Kathmandu, and that is where Aisha Kavalakattu, SCN, is working with her team at Navjyoti Center to address access to water.

They have initiated a project to bring water to the mountain village from the Sunkoshi River, at the foothills of the Himalayas.

It is an enormous project as it entails installing piping and four pumping stations at various levels to transport water up the mountainside. Once completed, this system will provide more than 800 families with water for drinking, agriculture, farming, and household use.

Grassroots involvement of people in the village is an S C N FA M I LY.O R G

As part of a process to bring water to Koshedekha, Nepal, roads are being widened.

integral component to all these undertakings. Through regular meetings with elders, officials and villagers, the Sisters have come to know of the hopes and needs of the people and together they have orchestrated a recovery plan.

This water project is a collaborative effort of Navjyoti Center with the local government and people living in the area. Sister Aisha, director of Navjyoti Center, points out, “Though Navjyoti staff is around to supervise … the people themselves take

responsibility to see who gets what and when, and whose house they would work on as a group. We have been fortunate to see such visible signs of systemic change among our people through the last most difficult years of their lives.”

Committees have been set up to oversee every aspect of the water project from construction to ongoing maintenance to insure sustainability. The first tangible progress is the expansion of the road to the village by the local government to allow for easier transport of materials up the mountainside. On Feb. 13, 2018, a formal inauguration ceremony was held, and officials from the government, the village leaders and a large group Aisha Kavalakattu, SCN, at the foundation laying of

villagers gathered for the one-hour program.

Though the project will take many months to complete due to the complexity of the work, the villagers are encouraged by the signs of progress and grateful for all those involved in making this dream a reality.

ceremony with local leaders.

Because of the 2015 Earthquake in Nepal, the course of underground water was changed and many natural water sources dried up. This left women and children to walk miles to gather and transport water.

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PRAYER AND PRESENCE FOR THE PEOPLE OF SALE Sister Leena says Jesus is her protective companion as she walks the muddy village roads alone through the jungles bringing communion to remote villages in northern India.

For Leena Toppo, SCN, it is a time of reflection as she travels on foot long distances to take communion to the sick and elderly, to pray with them, and be present. She says the people are happy when they see her and her heart is full. Sister Leena often talks with those who are struggling, and cares for those who are ill. She leads prayer and comforts family members.

The people of the Daltonganj diocese in Sale, India wanted a pastoral presence in their parish 18

for a long time. Their prayers were answered two years ago with the appointment of Sister Leena in December 2016. Parishioners took no time in accepting her as one of their own, as she immediately began visits to those unable to leave their homes or to travel. As she makes these visits, she always exchanges the formal greeting of ‘Jai Yesu’ (Praise be to Jesus) with a handshake. Sister is often asked if she has brought Jesus with her.

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Over the last two years, Sister Leena’s pastoral presence has had a powerful impact. She has initiated a half-hour adoration in addition to Sunday Mass for prayer and confession, during which time she shares the Blessed Sacrament, and leads the faithful in prayer. During the holy season of Lent, she organizes retreats and prayer meetings in every village, and on Sundays, parishioners are able to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The Sisters in ministry in Sale often note that Catholic women are very active in the parish.

Sister Leena encourages their conversations and questions, and a voiced desire to preserve age-old Tribal cultural values and customs. The concerns are many and varied. Most strive to safeguard a most

cherished Constitutional right - Tribal Land Act (rights of forest-dwelling communities to land and other resources), which many feel to be endangered.

Described as a nature loving people, the Sisters say the tribals often live in close proximity with nature, believe themselves to be part of nature, and likely to perish if they are apart from nature. The Tribal people are always careful never to exploit Mother Earth, and cultivate only what each family requires. This deeply moves the Sisters.

Sister Leena says she is grateful to the SCN community for having called her to be in ministry among her people in Sale. And she adds, how blessed she is to serve a group of people who deeply long to experience God’s healing presence.

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Deepening Oneness in Christ with Hope for Joyful Commitment

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CONVERSION IN A COMMUNITY OF MISSION The 2018 General Assembly called the Congregation to be a transformative presence and witness across the globe.

As the Congregation came to the end of the jubilee year celebrating the 400th anniversary of its charity charism tied to St. Vincent de Paul, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth began their General Assembly.

Sisters from all parts of the world gathered to reflect upon and discuss various aspects of the SCN mission and to elect future congregational leadership. The values and principles of simplicity, inclusiveness, and oneness guided all of their work under the theme, “Deepening oneness in Christ, with hope for joyful commitment.”

NEW LEADERSHIP After a process of personal reflection, responding to questions, and contemplative dialogue, the assembly members elected Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN, as the new president.

“With trust in my God and the spirit of Catherine and the support of all of you my Sisters, I accept,” was the response from Sister Sangeeta as she accepted this call. On the following day, after a day-long process that included all six nominees sharing their reflections, the new Central Leadership Team was complete.

SCNs Jackulin Jesu and Adeline Fehribach accepted the invitation to serve as vice presidents.

“Trusting in God and the prayers of our Sisters who have gone before us and the support of you my dear Sisters and Associates, I say yes,” said Sister Jackulin, as she formally accepted the invitation to serve. And, when asked to accept to position of

The new Central Leadership Team, President Sangeeta Ayithamattam, SCN, middle, Vice Presidents Adeline Fehribach, SCN, left, and Jackulin Jesu, SCN, right.

second vice president, Sister Adeline replied, “Depending upon the grace of God and the loving service of our Sisters, I do.”

This is a historic moment for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, as the three-person Central Leadership Team will include two Indian Sisters for the first time. The fiveyear term begins Sept. 1, 2018.

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SUPPORTING THE MISSION Changes in the government structure were proposed at the General Assembly after two and a half years of study and learnings.

With this research, Sisters prepared to reshape some of these structures to support all that is yet to come, honoring a shift in demographic realities while staying true to the spirit of the Congregation. It was also noted that rapid changes in the world’s socio-political realities also necessitate decisions that will provide openness and flexibility.

MISSION IN KENYA The Spirit continues to urge the Sisters to widen their horizons in the pioneering spirit of Catherine Spalding and to ignite the flames of love in new ways. In 2017, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth began exploring the feasibility of beginning a mission in Kenya, Africa.

Following a presentation and discussion, members of the assembly voted to continue to explore the feasibility of moving into Kenya, with the goal of beginning a new mission there.

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S C N FA M I LY.O R G

DEEPENING DIRECTIVES The 2018 General Assembly called the Sisters to be a transformative presence across the globe and for a Congregation-wide reflection on how Sisters live their constitutions with a renewal of heart and a deeper commitment to them.

The Sisters looked back on the directives from the 2013 Assembly and reflected on ways that the directives were lived across the Congregation. They also looked to deepen these directives that guide them in their mission. The theme “Deepening oneness in Christ with hope for joyful commitment,” continued as the guiding force.

Sisters will deepen the living of their directives with an invitation for theological insights from various cultural perspectives. They will continue educating themselves regarding the equality of women and their leadership role in the church and society.

In order to strengthen their efforts in ministry, Sisters will continue education around the common understanding of systemic change, to work with every part of a system and effect change for those on the margins. They will continue their efforts across the Congregation to address the destruction of natural resources and the ecological and environmental crisis.

Sisters will also be looking at formation, vocation promotion, and other forms of membership across the Congregation for the purpose of responding to the emerging demands of living a prophetic life.

TO LIVE ANEW The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are women rooted in faith who have answered the call of Jesus Christ to ongoing conversion to Gospel values in a vowed way of life. With a renewal of leadership and governance, growth in mission, and a deepening of their directives at the 2018 General Assembly, Sisters are now impelled to live anew, with passion and hope, for personal, communal, and societal transformation.

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Highlights

h g i H Barbara Ann Lengvarsky, SCN, has received the Christ the King Medal. It is the most prestigious recognition given by the Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama. She has been in ministry for 34 years at the City of St. Jude in Montgomery, Alabama. She currently ministers in social services.

Trenton Mattingly has been appointed as the new director of Nazareth Retreat Center on the Motherhouse Campus, Nazareth, Kentucky. He began his role as the new director in July.

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A new director of the Associate Office has been announced, Andy Meyer, who has has been an SCN Associate since 1998. Andy has led the School of Professional Psychology and the College of Social Science and Humanities at Spalding University. He has also served as the director of the Pain Management Center at Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital.

The Sisters of Charity in the Bangalore Province, India celebrated the perpetual vows of Sisters Beronika Bilung, Bincy Joseph and Josephine Antony Mary at a Eucharistic Celebration, May 12, 2018, at Nazareth Convent, Chandapura, Bangalore. Susan Gatz, SCN, received the vows, with Monsignor S. Jayanathan, vicar general present.

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Dozens attended the Doors to Hope fundraiser “Mother’s Day Sweet Delight” in May. Doors to Hope is a Sisters of Charity of Nazareth ministry.

Sisters and People Against Trafficking Humans (PATH) Coalition of Kentucky joined for a prayer service remembering victims of human trafficking on May 1, 2018. The vigil in Jefferson Square Park in Louisville, Kentucky, displayed signs to increase awareness of human trafficking.

Sisters and Associates hosted vigils in Louisville and Nazareth, Kentucky in April in which they prayed and held signs in support of those who are immigrants and refugees.

The vigil took place along the highway in front of Nazareth Campus in early April, and later in the month in front of Nazareth Home by Newburg Road.

Eight students from Vincentian Academy led by Luke Boiarski, SCN, Tootsie Gish, SCNA, and Vincentian Academy Principal, Rita Canton, built a house in Belize in April. The group was commissioned and left for Belize on April 20, 2018.

The volunteers worked in collaboration with Hand in Hand Ministries to build a home for a young family in need.

S C N FA M I LY.O R G

h g i l h Susan Gatz, SCN, traveled to South Korea with other members of the Charity Federation Board for their spring meeting from April 2230, 2018. The members also had an opportunity to meet the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in the Korean Province and the Daughters of Charity who minister there.

Sisters gathered at Nazareth, Kentucky for an Earth Day Celebration April 20, 2018, in St. Vincent Church. The topic was “Ending Plastic Pollution,” and featured a speaker from the Kroger Company that talked about what Kroger is doing to reduce plastic before products come into the store.

Carolyn Cromer, director of ecological sustainability for the Congregation also gave tips on how to reduce use of single-use plastics or find ways to reuse them.

The SCN Archival Center hosted an exhibit and talk on the SCN response to major disasters on April 7. The exhibit featured materials highlighting SCN disaster response from the cholera epidemic of 1832 to the present. Luke Boiarski, SCN, gave a talk about the SCN Disaster Response Team.

A group of disaster relief team members has been working in West Point, Kentucky, for several months to help people in the area recover from flooding. The area, located 25 minutes outside of Louisville, Kentucky on the Ohio River, was hit hard by flooding last winter. The volunteers have been engaged in a number of activities including replacing drywall in several houses.

Elaine Belflowers, SCNA Candidate and Visitor Center volunteer, has started a sewing ministry at Nazareth, Kentucky to support the Lay Mission Volunteer Program.

Paschal Maria Fernicola, SCN, is the liaison for this ministry.

This ministry is patterned after the St. Joseph Church Haiti Sewing Ministry, of which Elaine has been a part of since it was started. The first meeting was March 3, at which time they collected 28 dresses and seven pairs of shorts. Clothing is being donated to Houston, Belize and Appalachia.

Sisters and Associates volunteered at area hospitals in Louisville and Bardstown, Kentucky for National Catholic Sisters Week in March. Volunteers hosted prayer request tables at Flaget Hospital, Sts. Mary & Elizabeth, Our Lady of Peace, and Nazareth Home.

As the Congregation moves toward a goal of becoming carbon free, they have started adding electric vehicles to their fleet. They are also trying to educate the larger community about these environmentally friendly vehicles. In July, residents of Bardstown, Kentucky, were invited to the Motherhouse Campus, Nazareth, Kentucky, to learn more about and test drive electric vehicles.

Sisters and supporters participated in the Louisville Earth Walk. It is a familyfriendly 5K walk in Iroquois Park, Louisville, Kentucky. The event’s goal was to celebrate the planet and raise awareness about ways members of the community can take steps to create a more sustainable city.

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JOURNEYING ON

Audrey Drap, SCN, 93, died at St. Louise Convent, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 13, 2018.

She was in her 75th year of religious life.

Sister entered the Congregation of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from St. John the Baptist Parish in Unity, Pennsylvania in 1943. She received her B.Ed. degree from Duquesne University and an MBA degree from Notre Dame University.

She served the Church as an elementary and high school teacher for 29 years in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg, Pennsylvania and Mobile, Alabama. In 1975, she was elected treasurer of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity, a position that she held for eight years. Sister Audrey also ministered in the Accounting office of Vincentian Regency Nursing Home where she managed the finances for 14 years and later became an aide in the Adult Day Care Center. She retired from Vincentian Regency in 2007.

Sister Audrey was an avid sports fan. Those who watched or listened to a baseball, football or hockey game with Sister Audrey would be educated in all the details of that sport.

Julia Clare Fontaine, SCN, 97, a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Kentucky, Feb. 22, 2018. She was in her 76th year of religious life.

Maria Sampson, SCN, 88, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Kentucky, June 11, 2018. She was in her 65th year of religious life.

Lucille Phipps, SCN, 86, a native of Fancy Farm, Kentucky, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Kentucky, July 10, 2018. She was in her 65th year of religious life.

After making First Vows, Sister Julia Clare served in educational ministries. She taught grade school at St. Catherine in Lexington, Kentucky; St. Cecilia School in Louisville, Kentucky; and LaSalette in Covington, Kentucky. She was a high school teacher at St. Frances in Owensboro, Kentucky and St. Mary in Leonardtown, Maryland.

After making First Vows, Sister Maria served in educational ministries. In Kentucky, while in Colesburg, she taught at Lebanon Junction, and also LaSalette Academy in Covington, St. Agnes School in Louisville, Bethlehem Academy in Bardstown, St. Mary’s in Paducah, and Owensboro Catholic High School. In Memphis, she ministered at Little Flower, Sacred Heart High School, Memphis Catholic High School and St. Michael. Also in Memphis, she served in the SCN Regional Office and at Holy Rosary Parish.

After making First Vows, Sister Lucille served in educational ministries. In Kentucky, she taught at St. Joseph in Bardstown and St. Agnes in Louisville. She also served as principal at Immaculate Conception in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and St. Brigid in South Boston. For several years, Sister Lucille led the Catherine Spalding Retreat Center at Nazareth.

From 1985-1996, she served in pastoral care ministry at Our Lady of Peace. Sister Lucille was interested in wellness, massage, and holistic care, serving her Sisters and others in this ministry from 1996-2012.

She served as a college instructor in the Biology Department of Nazareth College from 1959-1967; she later served as Department Chair (Spalding University).

She earned her Ph.D. in Anatomy from the University of Louisville, serving as an Associate Professor. For many years, Sister Julia Clare also served as director in Community Service for the SCN Congregation.

Survivors include nieces, nephews and their families; and members of her religious community.

Survivors include her sisters Mary Kulick and Cecilia Liko; nieces and nephews; and members of her religious community.

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She earned her Bachelor’s in Music at Nazareth College, a Master’s in Music from Catholic University, and a Master’s in Religious Education from Loyola University, Chicago.

For many years, Sister Maria taught music and religion.

After Vatican II, when the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) came into being, she often spoke of what a privilege it was to be part of religious formation and to share each person’s journey. She ministered with RCIA for 25 years.

In 1965, Sister Lucille was chosen to serve her SCN Community as 3rd councilor and secretary for the St. Joseph Province when it was established. She was reappointed for a term of three years.

Survivors include her sisters Georgia Uyder and Mary Nagel; nieces, nephews, and their families; and her religious community.

Survivors include a brother, Louis Anthony Sampson; her nieces and their families; and her religious community.

S C N FA M I LY.O R G

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

Alice Casper, SCN, 92, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, died at Nazareth Home, Louisville, July 10, 2018. She was in her 68th year of religious life.

Sister Alice served in educational ministries in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas. From 1954-1966, she taught at both Nazareth Academy and Nazareth College.

She spent many years as administrator at St. Thomas-St. Vincent Home in Anchorage, Kentucky. Sister Alice served as pastoral associate for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Louisville from 1983-2003.

From 2003-2015, Sister Alice served the SCN Community as a volunteer at Nazareth Home.

Jeanette Mudd Pranger Nazareth College

Sharon Hall Nazareth College, Nazareth

Betty Sipes Payne St. Cecilia Elementary School

Elizabeth Stenfenagel Egan St. Joseph Infirmary

Mary Jo Hofstetter Frohlich LaSalette Academy

Marilyn Mackin Nazareth College, Nazareth

Joan Shedwell Swift, SCNA Nazareth Academy

Elizabeth Whelan Seay St. Joseph Infirmary

Mary William Hancock Nazareth Academy

Ruth Howe Sacred Heart Academy, Helena, Arkansas

Mary Lou Sears Harrod St. Joseph School of Nursing

Carol Colbert Noonan Nazareth Academy, Nazareth

Survivors include a sister, Carol Pohlman; her nieces, nephews and their families; and her religious community.

Honorary and Memorial Donations With gratitude, we acknowledge gifts to support ministries of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in memory or in honor of others.

To view a listing visit: scnfamily.org/hons

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Nonprofit U.S. Postage

PAID

Louisville, KY Permit No. 715

Office of Mission Advancement P.O. Box 9 Nazareth, Kentucky 40048-0009 scnfamily.org twitter.com/scnfamily facebook.com/scnfamily

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Join the Journey

Noon - 1 p.m.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel - Airport 830 Phillips Lane - Louisville, KY 40209

a fundraising luncheon Please join us for an hour to hear the stories of how the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are transforming lives in Kentucky and around the world.

Be inspired.

ur R eserve yaoy! seat tod

To make reservations or for more information, please call (502) 348-1586 or email lwilson@scnky.org.

RSVP by Oct. 16, 2018

There is no cost to attend. Attendees will be asked to consider a donation.

Proceeds from the luncheon will support SCN ministries in the U.S., India, Nepal, Belize and Botswana.