A Fond Farewell

By S. Georgia Kitt develop an enlarged area for a college campus and enhanced physical facilities due to increasing enrollment. With the naming of S. Maria Corona Molloy as president of the college in 1959 plans moved ahead; a new campus across Delhi Road became a reality in the 1960s. The cramped quarters in the college’s last year (1961) in Seton Hall served 761 students with 342 being boarders. The all-new College of Mount the college vacated the space in Seton Hall, formation groups, young women considering a vocation to religious life, lived and studied there in addition to working toward their degree across the road. Groups of young women entering the Sisters of Charity between 1959 and 1968 called Seton Hall ‘home.’ S. Pat Malarkey, as a member of the Band of 1964, fondly remembers the fun gatherings on the Seton Hall roof. “It

We say farewell to a key facility that has served the congregation for more than 90 years. Sisters are moving from and deconstructing a most faithful servant, Seton Hall. The following article highlights how Seton Hall has served many in its lifetime. We say ‘goodbye,’ appreciating the building’s years of service and the many Sisters who found this site the center of where/how they ministered as Sisters of Charity.

Seton Hall was home to the College of Mount St. Joseph from 1927 until 1962.

1920-1960 establishing a college for women at Mount St. Joseph came to life in the early 1920s. The College of Mount St. Joseph became a reality the very year women received the right to vote, opening its doors in September 1920. The work of excavation for Seton Hall to serve the college community began in March 1926, with one request: “Don’t touch a tree!” The first class that convened in Seton Hall was in journalism in March 1927 and that summer retreats and classes were offered there.

S. Victoria Marie Forde recalls that when the young Junior Sisters came home for the summer from the school missions, they were assigned to clean the areas where the college girls had lived during the school year. As a reward from their hard work, they went off to the roof for an evening of square dancing with music and their own caller. Mount graduate Betsy Gabriell ’58 adds, “[I] remember S. Margaret Agnes and her absolute passion for accuracy in all things, Dr. orlando and his baton, and Fr. Robillard and his mindseemed in charge of everything to do with food, bustling about the dining room. We loved the incredible sweet rolls, especially the ones dripping caramel and butter, baked by one of the many displaced persons who had found refuge through the Sisters at the Mount.”

1960-1970 In the late 1950s the Sisters of Charity were looking to St. Joseph-on-the-ohio opened the fall semester of 1962. As

blowing theology classes. I also well remember Jarvis, who was a long walk up those stairs, especially carrying the party supplies – and with long skirts – but it was worth it all. The

S. Pat Malarkey (back, third from left) and her Band members were some of the first in formation to live in and explore Seton Hall, including its infamous rooftop views.

enjoyable times with each other, the fireworks seen at every angle on the Fourth of July and prayer experiences were all enhanced by the beautiful views.”

1970-1990 In the early 1970s, S. Barbara Geoghegan, a member of the college staff, suggested that Seton Hall could provide an ideal setting for dual learning – college women learning to become teachers and young people, pre-K through eighth grade, benefitting from the most recent learning methods. The college boasted strong teacher-education programs and the early Learning Center’s work could be re-directed into a K-8 model. S. Marilyn Joseph Czarnecki served as the director of what became known as the Mount Campus School where Seton Hall’s first and second floors were used as well as the surrounding grounds. The upper floors of the building came to serve overnight accommodations for Sister-guests, family members and retreatants, when in 1981 the Spirituality Center opened in Seton Hall (first floor) with Sisters esther Marie Humbert and Joseph Marion Shappelle as directors; weekend and overnight programs made use of the bedrooms. The centrality of prayer in one’s life brought lay as well as religious to Seton Hall to deepen their spirituality.

S. Carol Brenner joined the Spirituality team in 1991 and became co-director in 1992. one of her favorite memories from Seton Hall involves a weekend retreat for a group doing a long process called Finding God in Daily Work; Sisters esther and Carol facilitated. Rich sharing and changing perspectives were the fruit of that time together and friendships grew as well. Both Sisters Carol and esther remain grateful to Micki Trentman, administrative assistant in the Spirituality Center, who continues to serve in that capacity today.

1990-2010 With the Mount Campus School closing in 1988, the SC Leadership Council looked to renovate the first and second floors of Seton Hall to serve the expanding needs for congregational offices. In 1990 the building welcomed and gave convenient space to offices for Communications, Retirement, Ministry, Formation, Archives, Transportation, Life Development, Associates, Foreign Missions, Finance, Campus Services, Health Insurance and a Bayley planning group. Several Motherhouse living groups moved to the third and fourth floors of Seton Hall, starting in the mid-1980s, creating a welcoming atmosphere for Sisters staying overnight, retreatants and other visitor guests.

S. Rita Hawk shares, “My major memories [of Seton Hall] come as I spent five years (1992-’97) as our first congregational director of the Associate program. I began with one inquiry on my desk, thus starting the chain of events: contacts, interviews, inquiries, committee meetings, small gatherings of those interested. During these initial five years, interest and clarity emerged as to what was desired. Seton Hall can surely be responsible for the birthing!”

The Mount Campus School operated from the mid-1970s to 1988 out of Seton Hall offering continuous learning through a preschool for ages 3 to 5, full day kindergarten and grade levels one through eight.

At the same time, down the first floor hall, compatible congregational offices of Archives, Retirement, Formation and Ministry (1985-’92) were moving in. S. Katrinka Gunn remembers when the Sisters’ Retirement office was moved to the first floor of Seton Hall. “The view from the offices was to the cemetery and it was always a source of inspiration for me as I worked with our older Sisters anticipating retirement. Besides the environment my Sister neighbors were a constant source of support and spirit-lifting. Sisters Judith Metz (Archives), Rosemarie Hewitt (Ministry) and Maureen Heverin (Formation) were the best colleagues anyone could hope for. S. Rosemarie and I planned and executed a program for SCs to share their gifts and talents with each other called ‘Quilting the SC Spirit.’ The location in Seton Hall facilitated a wonderful ministry experience.”

2010-2020 Since the arrival of the 2000s much has continued. Information Services and the Seton enablement Fund offices were important additions. To meet the growing needs of veterans suffering from PTSD, S. Kateri Maureen Koverman established an office in Seton Hall for a number of years to offer counseling services. Since 2008 six international students from a variety of religious congregations have benefitted from living in Seton Hall’s third floor with Sister of Charity residents while earning degrees at Mount St. Joseph university. Sisters Marie Irene and Mary Dolores Schneider are quick to share that the learning and appreciation among the Sisters has been mutual.

In the coming weeks all the Seton Hall offices will be moving to Marian Hall and adjoining spaces on the expanded Motherhouse campus. Memories will linger and the newly open space will become a new reality. We bid farewell to our beloved Seton Hall and the many ways she has served us.

editor’s note: To view additional articles, remembrances and photographs related to Seton Hall, please visit the Sisters of Charity website at www.srcharitycinti.org/news-and-events/featurestories/#setonhall