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OPJCC

A Call to Action

By Debbie Weber, OPJCC director

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The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati is one of 14 congregations of women religious that is a member of the Sisters of Charity Federation of north America. The Federation reflects the original values of Saints Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac and Elizabeth Ann Seton.

To be more effective advocates on peace and justice issues, the Federation gained recognition as a nonGovernmental Organization (nGO) at the united nations (un) in 1997. Our S. Caroljean Willie served eight years as the Federation nGO representative at the un.

Currently, S. Teresa Kotturan, Sister of Charity of nazareth, represents the Federation nGO. Each Federation congregation has a liaison to S. Teresa to help keep congregational Sisters and Associates updated on the work of the un. Debbie Weber of the Office of Peace, Justice and Care for Creation is the Cincinnati liaison to S. Teresa.

One aspect of S. Teresa’s work involves the un Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals that are a call-toaction for people worldwide to address five critical areas of importance by 2030: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership.

Debbie works to integrate the SDGs with our Catholic Social Teachings, offering advocacy and action opportunities for our SC family. She also works with our Communications Office to get un news from S. Teresa out to our Sisters and Associates as well as highlighting important un days of observance that reflect the SC mission and charism.

The SDGs provide a critical framework for COVID-19 recovery. They are vital for a recovery that leads to greener, more inclusive economies, and stronger, more resilient societies. They may be our best hope – for people, Earth, prosperity, peace, and partnerships.

the SDGs are as follows:

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere. Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. Goal 10: reduce inequality within and among countries. Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. Goal 15: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss. Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. Sources: Sisters of Charity Federation of North America United Nations

Life Changing:

Erna Gray celebrates 25 years as an Associate

By Associate Vicki Welsh

Erna Gray’s story of becoming an Associate of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati is as unique as Erna is herself! Erna is 93 years old and lives independently in Falcon, Colorado, a small town outside of Colorado Springs. She has her own home on a large tract of land that also includes her daughter’s home.

As we begin our conversation, she offers an apology. Erna explains that mornings can be difficult. She wakes up many times thrust into traumatizing memories of Dec. 6, 1944. So many bombs, so much noise, so many deaths. You have to know that Erna was born in Karlsruhe, Germany and in 1944 that town was bombed by Allied Forces killing 375 friends, family and neighbors. Erna was a young girl at the time of the bombing and continued her young life, with the help of her family, seemingly unphased by the event. She grew up only understanding the American kindness of the Marshall Plan and the lifesaving food that came with it.

In 1960, while working for a firm in Germany, a young American GI began visiting her, they fell in love and were married. They moved to America and to Colorado Springs. There they made a nice home and raised a family. But then her husband, James, died, throwing her into the throes of loneliness. As a way to combat this loneliness she began to volunteer at Penrose Hospital in the Gift Shop. At the shop she would meet many people, among them many Sisters of Charity. One Sister in particular was S. rose Virginia Brown.

One day Sister invited Erna to attend a Small Group Meeting held at her home. Erna went and it was wonderful! They shared their stories, lunched, and had Bible Study. Erna says, “Getting to know the Sisters was like someone pulling me out of the hole I was in!” It was just what she needed after losing her husband. She remembers other Sisters, Emily Anne Phelan, Barb Huber and Janice Ernst. There were also Associates there. Sister asked if Erna would like to become an Associate. Erna replied that she wasn’t even Catholic. To which Sister said, “We all pray to the same God!” Erna went through rCIA, joined the Catholic Church, and then became an Associate on Dec. 8, 1996. “Getting to know the Sisters changed my life!” Associate Erna Gray celebrates 25 years as an Associate of the Sisters of Charity in Today, if you sit with Erna, she would 2021. bring photos of her life and family to show you. She is humble, gracious, and is quick to share her story. While she doesn’t feel like she can attend Associate functions any more, most afternoons you can find her in prayer at Our Lady of the Pines in Black Forest, thanks to her daughter. When she returns home, a glance up over the TV reminds Erna and all of us: Imagine Peace. Yes, Erna, we will. Colorado Associate Erna Gray (third row, fourth from right) has enjoyed friendships and faith-filled conversations with Sisters and Associates in the Colorado Springs area throughout the past 25 years.

Hazard Yet Forward

The Sisters of Charity celebrated national nursing Home Week (nnHW), May 9-14, 2021, with a variety of activities that recognized employees’ hard work and dedication to the SC mission and Sisters of Charity. Activities were planned throughout the week, including a blessing of hands, patio grill-out and Bingo. In addition, SC employees donned blue T-shirts with the words ‘Hazard Yet Forward’ on their backs.

To the average onlooker, the saying may be unfamiliar, but to the Sisters and many staff at Mount St. Joseph, the words have special meaning. Ellen Dillon, administrative director of residential Services, says nnHW coordinators at the Mount felt the motto was fitting after experiencing the pandemic this past year. “Longtime employees are very familiar with the motto,” she added. “We also realized that it would be a great opportunity to educate our newer staff persons on the meaning of ‘Hazard Yet Forward.’ It is an opportunity to share a bit of Mother Seton’s history as we look to her for inspiration.”

To the Sisters of Charity, the saying ‘Hazard Yet Forward’ has long served as inspiration in their lives and ministries. The motto is on the Seton family crest and has been used at various times in relation to Elizabeth as it seems, to many, to exemplify her spirit of carrying on through illness, bankruptcy, death of family members, making tough decisions, etc.

Charity Family

raiSinG awareneSS

Sisters Joyce richter, Sally Duffy and Associate Karen Martin participated in Cincinnati’s spring virtual Flying Pig while raising funds for the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center. S. Joyce and Karen joined IJPC Flying Pig fundraisers for a 5k walk/run on May 8, 2021 at the Loveland Bike trail. In (Second row, from right) S. Joyce Richter and Associate addition, Karen completed the Karen Martin participated in a Team IJPC 5k Fun Run on May 8, 2021. virtual Flying Pig 10k at Miami Meadows as well as a half-marathon on the Miami Bike Trail. S. Sally completed her virtual half marathon on May 21.

floriDa aSSoCiateS Gather

Associates in the Spring Hill, Florida area gathered in person on April 10, 2021 for fellowship, a meal and prayer. During the gathering they also celebrated the lives of the Sisters and Associates lost in 2020.

reCoGnizinG our employeeS

The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati honored employees celebrating special milestone service anniversaries in June. Human resources hosted three events to celebrate the honorees. Those employees were invited to a luncheon program where they were individually recognized. Congratulations to those employees and a heartfelt thank you for your dedication and service to the Sisters of Charity!

ConneCtinG anD CollaboratinG

The first-ever Sisters of Charity Federation virtual leadership meeting was held June 9-12, 2021. More than 90 congregational Leadership team members, including our own Cincinnati Sisters, gathered via Zoom with the goal of “Connecting and Collaborating with Compassion and Courage.”

ConGratulationS, S. traCy

Congratulations to S. Tracy Kemme, who graduated from the Catholic Theological union on May 20, 2021 with a Master of Divinity and a Certificate in Biblical Spirituality. S. Tracy was elected the student speaker for the virtual graduation. To view her speech, visit https://vimeo.com/554842580.

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