never Alone

By Erin Reder

As she looks back on her years of ministry as an educator and counselor, S. Patricia (Pat) Dittmeier says that she sees a common link between them. A teacher and healer to those she has ministered with, S. Pat has provided deep listening, encouragement, guidance and support to students and clients, assuring them that they are never alone in their journey in life. Her positive, loving presence has blessed many throughout her 28 years as a Sister of Charity.

S. Pat began her years of service as a youth minister at St. Peter’s Church in new Richmond, ohio. The formation process eventually moved her out of that ministry and into novitiate. At the end of that year she was hired again as a youth minister; this In her current role at IKRON, S. Pat Dittmeier is a clinical supervisor, individual counselor, and also responsible time on the east side of town, in a for IKRON’s Getting Out of Depression group. more suburban parish. After seven studying full time to become a licensed professional clinical years, and as the ministry became more demanding on her counselor.” physically, S. Pat began asking God what was next. “At the time there was an opening for director of religious education It was during S. Pat’s studies, in 2009, that she began at the parish,” she recalls, “and I had my master’s degree in serving as a practicum student at IKRon, an organization religious studies. The pastor at the parish said it’s yours and I that provides integrated quality behavioral health services to transitioned into religious education. I had always loved the the Greater Cincinnati area. After six months she was offered teaching side of things, even as a youth minister. Moving into an internship and eventually hired full time. “I felt that was religious education seemed like a logical move.” where I was meant to be,” she says. “I felt like my skill set was being used, and it was meaningful to me to be able to help

After six additional years S. Pat began to once again people living in poverty and improve their lives. everybody discern what was next. She thought hard about what she has their barriers, their own limitations, and we all have our loved most about her ministry and what stayed with her own abilities. every client is unique, it’s about seeing each were the long, meaningful conversations she was having with meet their own goals that is life-giving.”those around her. She recalls God would send her people who needed to talk, and what started as short, five-minute S. Pat continues in this role today. In addition to being conversations would turn into hour-long, deep discussions. a clinical supervisor to three young interns, she has her own “I realized I was getting out of my depth,” she explains. individual counseling list of clients and is also responsible “I called a friend that I had known as a youth minister and for IKRon’s Getting out of Depression group, which who was head of the pastoral counseling program at The meets weekly. What feeds her soul is seeing clients grow and Athenaeum of ohio and said I needed training. I started succeed. So often when her clients first come to her, they are taking pastoral counseling classes there and eventually began feeling hurt and broken, and have been dealing with such

heavy burdens. Watching them be able to let go of those burdens and to heal have been graced moments for her. But she is careful to note that although the success stories are heartwarming, what also touches her heart are the moments when hurting clients let her know they are grateful to have the opportunity to talk with her. “It’s a graced place to be in when you know what you’re doing for folks is helping,” she says.

This year has provided many new challenges for S. Pat and her clients. She credits IKRon with quickly adapting to the challenges and making sure that those most in need are still able to receive S. Pat Dittmeier (right) has provided deep listening, encouragement, guidance and support to students and clients the services so necessary to their throughout her 28 years as a Sister of Charity. mental health. S. Pat and all staff were immediately trained to begin telehealth work, and to ensure it is done ethically, legally and responsibly. She meets virtually with clients and staff weekly to keep those connections and relationships from suffering. figure out the housing system in our city. She explains: “I may have a client who is homeless but I don’t have the credentials to refer them to Tender Mercies. They must have an identified case manager.” And while she understands that the process not only does the pandemic affect the daily operations limits the number of calls and referrals coming in, it can be at IKRon but it also is directly affecting its clients. Rates frustrating to her as a counselor because it makes helping a of anxiety and depression have skyrocketed. When you client even more difficult. If she has a client with multiple take a person who is already living on the margins, and barriers to overcome – issues with their physical health, add in the new complexities of the pandemic, it provides substance abuse, mental illness, lack of employment, to name even more barriers to their ability to find employment. a few – as a counselor, S. Pat will spend hours, days, even Increased demands, fewer employees working, and reliance on weeks helping sort through it all, guiding a client through technology have added new obstacles. “We work hard to help the systems, advocating for him or her and empowering them,” S. Pat explains. “It takes longer to resolve court issues, along the way. to resolve medication problems, to get them into an interview, or even the technology needed to successfully interview.” To remain balanced, in her quiet time S. Pat enjoys being outside in the beauty of nature. She loves to swim in

In addition to the pandemic, many of S. Pat’s clients are the summer and take daily walks around the Motherhouse living on the margins. She notes that for those struggling with campus. Recently she has enjoyed the company of other homelessness their mental health issues become much more Sisters as they meet in the evenings and talk about their days. complex. “While no one tells you as a counselor you’re going “This is what I enjoy,” she says of her evening meet-ups, “that to become part social worker if you work with people living moment of community. It gives us a chance to be together.” in poverty, the fact is that you do,” she explains. “They are living on the edge. one day the client may have housing and the next day they may not.” Being together with her Sisters or her clients, one thing is for certain, S. Pat’s deep desire to serve God and to be a positive, loving presence to all she encounters have sustained

In her role S. Pat has spent many hours connecting clients her relationships throughout the years. The joy, concern for to support systems they need, it might be a housing case others, generosity and genuineness that she first witnessed manager, a shelter, or a psychiatrist to receive medication when she met the Community almost 30 years ago have shined regularly. She says the issues are so numerous and vary from as through in every ministry and relationship she has built and simple as washing a client’s clothing to as complex as trying to serve as a reminder to others that they are never alone.

2020 Ju BIL ee Celebrating Our Jubilarians

Atotal of 17 Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati celebrated 25 or 60 years as women religious this year. They represent 985 years of service to God’s people. Celebrations looked a little different at the Motherhouse this year as restrictions were put in place to keep Sisters healthy and safe. on oct. 1, 2020, Sisters at the Motherhouse and Mother Margaret Hall enjoyed a special lunch. A prayer service celebrating this year’s jubilarians was also livestreamed for Community members and their friends and family to take part in.

We congratulate silver jubilarian, S. Juana Mendez, and diamond jubilarians Carol Bauer, Josetta Marie Chu, Joan elizabeth Cook, nancy Crafton, Jean Marian (Cookie) Crowley, Barbara Davis, Mary Marcel DeJonckheere, Mary Jo Gasdorf, Ann Hunt, Regina Kusnir, Barbara Jean Maniaci, Mary Caroline Marchal, Mary ellen Murphy, Margaret Rein, Marie Karen Sammons, and Marie Pauline Skalski on their lives of service and their commitments to God’s people. The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati are most grateful for these women; a video was created to offer those near and far the opportunity to come together to celebrate these Sisters, their special milestones and their lives of service and love. To view visit: www.srcharitycinti.org/2020/09/17/celebrating-our-2020-jubilarians/. Motherhouse Sisters Mary Jo Gasdorf (second from left) and Mary Ellen Murphy (second from on Oct. 1 in the Motherhouse Dining Room.

S. Marjorie Farfsing celebrated 80 years of religious life in 2020.

“I was always proud of the Sisters I lived with and shared ministry with. The years working with students (young and adult) in the Reading Lab at the College of Mount St. Joseph stand - S. Marjorie Farfsing

right) had the opportunity to celebrate their jubilee out as happy memories.”

Jubilarian S. Mary Loyola Mathia entered the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati on Feb. 2, 1941.

additional anniversaries

80 yeArS oF Service

S. Marjorie Farfsing S. Claire Foken S. Bernardine Kandrac S. Mary Kormanec S. Mary Loyola Mathia

75 yeArS

S. Michael Mary eagan S. Florence Sliva

70 yeArS

S. Mary Alicia Bomya S. Maria Dolorata Felix S. Roslyn Hafertepe S. Ann Christopher Joseph S. Michael Clare Mauntel S. Carol Joan McCarthy S. Dolores Maureen McDonald S. Mary Laura Miceli S. Jo Anne Termini S. Sue Verbiscus S. Vincent Marie Willman

65 yeArS

S. Helen Berson S. Carol Brenner S. Mary Doherty S. Betty Finn S. Annette Frey S. Martha Glockner S. Paula Mary Russell S. Patricia Ann Sabourin S. Bernadette Schmitt S. Rosaleen Simpleman S. Katherine Tardiff S. Ann elizabeth Von Hagel S. Ann David Wojtylka

S. Vincent Marie Willman was recognized for celebrating 70 years as a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati in 2020.

In October Sisters celebrating anniversaries in 2020, including S. Jo Anne Termini (seated), were recognized by Leadership Team members with a special lunch and celebration.

“My life has been made full and rich by the ministry opportunities offered to me. It is a blessing to have been able to respond to the call. I cherish the friendships and all the opportunities life as a Sister of Charity has given me.” - S. Mary Caroline Marchal “As I look back over my years of ministry, I am grateful for an incredible diversity of opportunities and adventures that enriched my perspective and challenged my skills for service. The richness of persons whom I have come to know, the challenges of needs within our communities, and the care and concern exhibited by others to respond to human need have been enriching inspiration.” - S. Carol Bauer

S. Monica Gundler (left) congratulates S. Roslyn Haftertepe (right) on 70 years as a member of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati during a special luncheon in October. S. Anne Christopher Joseph celebrated 70 years of religious life in 2020.

“Throughout my 60 years, I have never doubted my call to religious life. That doesn’t mean that there haven’t been challenging times, personally and in ministry. I have always believed in and been supported by the grace of the present moment, which has supported and encouraged me in all ‘seasons’ of my life.”

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