Corporation Board for Sponsored Ministries

Sharing Resources with Those in need

By S. Patricia Hayden

The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati (SC) sponsor five institutions that address education, health care and social service needs, with direct services to the poor. The SC Corporation Board for Sponsored Ministries (CBSM) is an organization which supports the mission of these institutions.

There is a Sister of Charity liaison for each of these ministries and she also sits on their Board. A special thank you to those who serve: Barbara Davis, SC (DePaul Cristo Rey High School); Mary Ann Flannery, SC (Mount St. Joseph university); Franette Hyc, SC (St. Joseph Home); Annette Paveglio, SC (Seton High School); Christine Rody (Senior Care Corporation at Bayley); Tim Moller (Sisters of Charity CFO) and assistant Diane Geiser; Joanne Burrows, SC (SC Leadership) and Patricia Hayden, SC (SC Leadership); Jeanne Bessette, OSF (CEO of DePaul Cristo Rey High School); H. James Williams (CEO of Mount St. Joseph university); Dan Connors (CEO of St. Joseph Home); Kathy Ciarla (CEO of Seton High School); and Adrienne Walsh (CEO of Senior Care Corporation Bayley).

There are existing growth opportunities happening in all five of our sponsored ministries, and each are looking toward the future and how they will meet those needs. Every year the sponsored ministries focus on an aspect of the Sisters of Charity Mission Statement. This year they reflected and took action around the phrase, “sharing our resources with those in need.” This was never more true than in 2020 as they all responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

DePaul Cristo Rey High School expanded their campus with a new student center, academic and administrative building.

DePaul Cristo Rey High School

DePaul Cristo Rey High School in Cincinnati continues to provide their students the opportunity to prepare for success in college and in life, through an affordable Catholic, college prep curriculum combined with a unique work study program. By design, their high school only serves students from families with limited financial resources. The average household income of their ninth grade class was $24,200, the third lowest out of 37 Cristo Rey network high schools around the country.

The Gospel values of community and gratitude are important for their culture and incorporated into the life of their school. They created a culture of gratitude through a practice they call “Paws for Gratitude.” This practice is an opportunity for students and all members of their community to pause and reflect on the people they are most grateful for and why. To support their students they undertook and expanded their campus with a new student center, academic and administrative building.

Mount St. Joseph university

Mount St. Joseph university celebrated its centennial year with Mass and a huge kickoff celebration, ending with fireworks. MSJu is a Catholic university providing a liberal arts and professional education emphasizing values, integrity and social responsibility. Founded in 1920 as Southwestern Ohio’s first Catholic university for women, the university today is a coeducational institution serving traditional, adult and graduate students and is nationally recognized for academic quality, innovative technology, career preparation, and character development.

Mount students continue their outreach and sharing of their resources with those in need. The university has continued the following mission-support programs: new Orleans Mission Service Trip for students; new Student Orientation’s “Heritage WalkAbout” around the Motherhouse grounds, during which the students meet five of the important characters in the history of the Sisters of Charity; history and tours,

In September 2019, Mount St. Joseph University celebrated its centennial with Mass and a kickoff celebration.

respectively, of the Sisters of Charity and the Motherhouse during the year for faculty and staff orientations; and the presentation of “Mission Mugs” to a faculty member, a staff member, and a student each month.

The university continues to subsidize the Children’s Center to allow students, primarily single moms, to attend the university. MSJu continues to hold an annual Employee Service Day. Service sites often include Anderson Ferry Food Pantry, Be Concerned food pantry, Oyler School, Imago Earth Center, Sayler Park Recreation Center, Western Wildlife Corridor, and Habitat for Humanity.

Because of COVID-19, Mount St. Joseph university realized, like others, they needed to respond to their own students and families. Much of the university’s human and financial resources are being redirected to assist students in addressing their emotional and financial needs that are resulting from the COVID-19 siege they have experienced over the past five months.

Saint Joseph Home

St. Joseph Home of Cincinnati (SJH) creates a home for adults and children with developmental disabilities who have complex support needs and use a wheelchair for mobility. The Home offers a creative, loving environment for those in residential, respite programs and adult day programs. Attention to the individual’s medical, social, educational and spiritual development reveals the unique giftedness of each person. Compassionate care and respect for the dignity of life are the hallmarks of St. Joseph Home.

St. Joseph Home continued its commitment to staff as the pandemic struck in the last quarter of the year. As revenues fell dramatically, SJH committed to make sure all impacted staff were offered

Nationally recognized speaker Teepa Snow presented an educational program called Dementia, A Positive Approach to Care on Sept. 11, 2019 for the community.

a position within the agency and not furloughed or laid off.

Th Respite Center continued to provide scholarship funds for families who needed financial assistance in paying for their stays. FY 2020 saw a continuing trend of guests needing respite who have increased medical support needs, increasing the cost of their respite services. St. Joseph Home has remained committed to these families.

Seton High School

Seton High School in Cincinnati provides a Catholic education to young women centered in the values and charism of the Sisters of Charity. The coursework challenges students and engages them in learning and their faith-centered curriculum gives students the foundation they need to be successful. A competitive athletic program, thriving fine arts, and 25 extra-curricular clubs provide students with exceptional opportunities for personal growth.

The school has 100 percent participation in community service experiences which encourage students to serve others in need in Price Hill (Cincinnati). They host several events with community organizations and open their campus to help others. Seton hosted the Kindervelt Christmas Kraft Sale which raised money for Children’s Hospital and Holiday on the Hill, an outreach for the Price Hill community to kick off the Christmas season and build community engagement. The school also engaged in events for the Price Hill initiative “Belong, Be Strong,” which focuses on improving the entire Price Hill neighborhood. Service is just a part of the fabric of Seton.

Senior Care Corporation (Bayley)

Bayley (1989) is a continuing care retirement community in Delhi (Cincinnati) that offers a full spectrum of lifestyle options that promote engagement, wellness and vitality. Bayley offers progressive services for adults through two service lines: Bayley Access, a collection of programs enabling older adults still living at home to enjoy community and fellowship, and Bayley Living, which provides varied residential options for mature adults of all faiths.

They sponsored an educational program called Dementia, A Positive Approach to Care, with nationally recognized speaker Teepa Snow on Sept. 11, 2019. Program sessions were open to all members of the Bayley community, Sisters of Charity, and university campus, as well as to the greater community at no charge to support caregivers and those learning about or dealing with dementia.

Responding to community needs, Bayley continued with its sustainability efforts; equipment and fixtures were repurposed or donated to appropriate organizations throughout the year.

The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati are grateful to the dedicated leaders and staff of all five SC sponsored ministries. Through their commitment and service they have touched the hearts of many and greatly impacted the lives of those in our communities.