HM History & Heritage

The Sisters of the Humility of Mary: A Legacy of Social Justice

Sr. Josie Chrosniak, HM ’66L and Sr. Ruthmary Powers, HM ’60L have been familiar faces in supporting the peace and justice work of Magnificat for more than twenty years. In the late 90s, Sr. Josie’s and Sr. Ruthmary’s involvement in justice work drew them back to Magnificat. Through their efforts, they both seek to impart to students the importance of creating opportunities for those without a voice to speak and be heard. “Instead of being the voice for the voiceless,” Sr. Josie hopes students will use their positions and privilege to “give a voice to the people, to help guarantee that they have a voice and can speak for themselves. If they want to make a difference, look for ways to do that.” Reflecting on their high school experience at Lourdes Academy on Cleveland's near West Side, both described the profound impact the Sisters of the Humility of Mary had on their lives by the example of service they set in the community. “The example of the Sisters and the call that they responded to was a draw for entering the community,” explained Sr. Ruthmary, describing the active involvement of the Sisters in the neighborhood and how they encouraged students to do the same. For Sr. Josie, her experience at Lourdes echoed the focus on service in her family. “So much of this focus started growing up in a Catholic family with a focus on service and then going to Lourdes Academy with the HM Sisters and their focus on how you make a difference,” explained Sr. Josie. “We’re born for service and a lot of what both of us are doing was inspired by the Sisters at Lourdes.” Sr. Josie and Sr. Ruthmary have supported Magnificat students, faculty, and staff through their faith-filled witness, their prayerful presence, and their educational efforts. Beginning in the late 90s, they and other HM Sisters have met and prayed with students participating at the School of the Americas Watch annual vigil and protest. In recent years, they have spoken to Students for Peace and Justice about the work the Sisters are currently doing on social justice issues, including how the Sisters practice responsible investing and lobby for an end to human trafficking and gun violence. “Sr. Josie and Sr. Ruthmary have been a wonderful support to our students,” notes Liz Albanese Hjort ’05, Campus Minister. “I am grateful to Sr. Josie and Sr. Ruthmary for always saying ‘yes’ when we need their help educating our young women about the importance of working for justice in our world. They have been wonderful mentors and continue to leave an impact on Magnificat students who encounter them.” Throughout their diverse work and ministries, Sr. Josie and Sr. Ruthmary have embodied a commitment to service and justice by making a difference in the lives of others. “The whole message of our community, to bring more abundant life to those who are marginalized, to those living in poverty, that’s the real draw for us and how we try to make change,” explained Sr. Josie. For Sr. Josie, this call to make a difference in the lives of others involved teaching Theology and Math at Magnificat High School and then at Erieview High School, before

Students and Faculty pray together with HM Sisters at 2016 School of the Americas Watch Vigil & Protest.

HM Sisters from left to right: Sr. Dolores Lucas, Sr. Catherine Cassidy, Sr. Ruthmary Powers, Sr. Mary Laurel Smith, Sr. Josie Chrosniak, Sr. Loretta Rafter.

Sr. Josie speaks to students at the SOA Watch Vigil & Protest.

becoming the Assistant Principal. Sr. Josie then moved into Heartbeats, an HM ministry focused on Fair Trade and supporting women artists around the world. She currently works for the Coalition for Responsible Investing, partnering with more than 22 religious congregations in Ohio and Kentucky to use their community’s investments to bring about change in corporate policies and practices that prioritize human dignity over profit. Since 2011, she and Sr. Ruthmary have been working with the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking, facilitating presentations to elementary and high school students, including at Magnificat, to raise awareness about the reality of human trafficking. For the past several years, Sr. Josie has also served as the coordinator for the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Team for the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. Sr. Ruthmary has answered this call to make a difference primarily in the field of education. Pulled into teaching before she had completed her degree, Sr. Ruthmary began teaching at St. Ambrose School, then moved to St. Albert School, and later returned to St. Ambrose as Principal. She taught parttime at St. John’s College before moving to a position at Mt. Pleasant Catholic on the East Side of Cleveland where she taught and later served as principal. Sr. Ruthmary also worked in the Office of Women for the Diocesan Chancery and in the First Lady’s Unit as the policy liaison for Dagmar Braun Celeste. While working on her PhD, Sr. Ruthmary received a call asking her to serve as superintendent of Catholic schools in Tucson, Arizona. Sr. Ruthmary was elected as Major Superior of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary in 1997. In recent years, she has worked with the Sisters of Charity Foundation, Rivers’ Edge, and Metro Catholic School. Of the diverse communities she worked with throughout her career, Sr. Ruthmary noted, “There were challenges, but it was really a blessing to work with a variety of populations.” Particularly impactful was her time working at Mt. Pleasant, a predominantly African-American community, navigating the merger of four parish schools into one in addition to the community’s fears around bussing their children into white schools across the city. “It opened my eyes to the kind of situations that African Americans faced,” noted Sr. Ruthmary of witnessing firsthand the sacrifices parents made to send their children to Catholic school and the value they placed on the religious education. “Being at Mt. Pleasant was one of the greatest blessings of my life,” explained Sr. Ruthmary. “I learned so much more than the students ever did.” Like the Sisters who came before them, Sr. Josie and Sr. Ruthmary hope that their involvement with Magnificat students and faculty and staff help inspire students and adults to answer the call to make a difference in the world. “Magnificat is reaching a whole new generation. That’s an inspiration,” shared Sr. Josie. “It helps me to realize the influence that we as Sisters have on the students and faculty we interact with by being authentically who we are.”

Sr. Josie speaks to students at the SOA Watch

Sr. Josie speaks during a walk-out planned by Peace & Justice Club in the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018.

Sr. Ruthmary Powers with students at the SOA Watch Vigil & Protest.