A Letter From Our Sister
in
Leadership
Dear Sisters, Associates and Friends,
G
enerations of Sisters of Charity have graced the halls of our Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse. In this place, strong, gifted, and loving women have journeyed into an unknown future, filled with hope and a deep-down abiding confidence in God’s enduring graciousness.
Contents Features Înventive to Infinity........................... 4-5 Sisters of Charity respond to homelessness. Never Alone....................................... 6-7 S. Pat Dittmeier provides listening, guidance and support to her clients at IKRON. A Fond Farewell............................. 10-11 The Community pays tribute to Seton Hall.
Generations of Sisters have come to this sacred place in response to God’s words of invitation, “Come my beloved.” It is indeed a sacred place. A place of encouragement. A place of rest. A place where life, death, and new life meet across the horizon. This is home, where faith flourishes and love deepens. From this home, generations of Sisters have gone into the world as educators, healers, caregivers, change-agents, visionaries, companions to those living in poverty, wisdom figures, artists, spiritual guides, weavers of hope. Women on fire for our world! Recently Pope Francis wrote, “Faith is not water that extinguishes flames, it is fire that burns; it is not a tranquilizer for people under stress, it is a love story for people in love.”
Signs of Hope................................. 12-14 S. Tracy Kemme professes final vows.
Generations of faithful women have experienced the fire burning deep within, responding with a wholehearted “yes”—commitments made for life, sharing in a way of life that is mysteriously, wonderfully, “on fire” with the love of God.
Lifelong servant to the Latino immigrant community..................................... 18-19 S. Juana Mendez’s 25 years of service as a woman religious.
Today, our generation of Sisters, like every generation before us, is making space for an emerging future that will add new chapters to the love story we so cherish. This is a season of hope. We are paying attention to the tender ways God is folding yesterday’s graces into tomorrow’s possibilities. The fire burns and the love story continues.
A Marvelous Journey...................... 24-25 S. Regina Kusnir celebrates 60 years of religious life.
Generations of Sisters have professed their life-long commitment. In this issue we read about S. Tracy Kemme’s “yes!” Her final profession of vows puts an exclamation point on the commitment she sensed with her first inkling of becoming a Sister of Charity. The fire burns and the love story continues.
Departments OPJCC................................................22 Conversations About Racism EarthConnection.................................23 Deepening Our Connection to Creation Timeless Treasures................................27 St. Joseph House
On the Cover: Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Tracy Kemme professed perpetual vows during a Communion service on July 25, 2020 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse (Delhi Township). Read more on pages 12-15. Disclaimer: The information contained in Intercom is intended for general information and educational purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are the views of individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.
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Finally, generations of Sisters have taken turns shaping and reshaping the Motherhouse’s footprint of brick and mortar for the congregation’s needs at a given time. Buildings have been erected, renovated, expanded, taken down, repurposed, and repaired. As you will read in this issue, the present generation of Sisters of Charity is no exception. The Motherhouse is again being transformed for life! The fire burns and the love story continues. Be assured of our prayers as our world heals. May you and your families be wrapped in the tender graces needed for this time. Sister Marge Kloos, SC In Memoriam May our Sisters and Associates enjoy the fruits of their labor as well as peace with their God. Associate Rita Wesseling June 28, 2020
S. Lorraine Delisle October 27, 2020
S. Benedicta Mahoney December 5, 2020
S. Florence “Rose” Izzo July 11, 2020
S. Jane Bernadette Leo October 29, 2020
S. Roberta Westrick December 11, 2020
S. Bernadette Marie Shumate July 23, 2020
S. Bernadette Kambeitz November 10, 2020
S. Michael Mary Eagan December 13, 2020
S. Mary Doherty December 3, 2020 I n t e rc o m
