of Charity of Saint Augustine

CSA Looks AheadWhen have we ever known what God has instore for those who love? Paul says inColossians (2:12-14) that "Eye has not seen,ear has notheard..." We,the Sisters ofCharity of St.A u g u s t i n e ,know ourselvesto be held inthe love and

the mystery of God. Since the moment of ourprofession of vows, each of us has placedherself trustingly in the heart of the "one who

is Love."We believethat ourchallenge isin the dailysurrender ofour plansand aspira-tions to theu n f o l d i n gwill of God.S c r i p t u r etells storiesof otherswho havetrusted in theHoly Spiritand dedi-cated them-

selves to God. The future of religious life and ofthe Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine unfoldswith each moment of prayer and each act ofministry. Our hope, as we stand with womenand men of many faiths and cultures strugglingto bring about the reign of God in our time, isthat we will allow the Divine Spirit to energizeand enliven us all.We believe we have the courage to try reallydifferent ways of serving God's people,collaborating with others, and reaching outto new frontiers with a spirit of adventureand trust. Our God loves surprises and wecertainly expect to find life-giving adventuresin our future.

OftraitA New Beginning - A New Leadership Team!

This Sesquicentennial year has included theinstallation of a new leadership team for theSisters of Charity of St. Augustine. On July29, Sr. Miriam Erb was installed as ourCongregational Leader along with CouncilorsSrs. Marian Durkin, Eileen Keating, CatherineWalsh and Cheryl Keehner. Each brings awealth of knowledge and experience,wisdom and spirituality to lead CSA into thefuture. Some of their visions and hopes are:

"CSA will continue to pour out our love uponGod's people, addressing the emerging needsof the times and standing with the people ofGod to make a difference in the world. Wecannot do tomorrow all that we have done in thepast, but as we work with our partners inministry and with our Associates, the missionof Jesus through CSA will continue."Sr. Miriam Erb

"We will work as a team to dream a challengingfuture and make the mandates of the Chapterpart of our CSA reality."Sr. Marian Durkin

"As a community of women we will deepen ourprayer life by choosing to share faith anddeveloping small faith-sharing groups amongCSA. We will invite people of variousbackgrounds to journey with us as we look fornew ways to experience and live out gospelvalues, to discover the challenge and joy ofgospel living!"

Sr. Eileen Keating

"I expect to help nurture spirituality, commu-nity and vocation development; to get to knoweach sister and learn her wisdom and payattention to the ecosystem."

Sr. Catherine Walsh

"I hope for a renewal of what has called ustogether - the desire to share with others theLove we have experienced. I hope that thedialogue about essential elements of religiouslife will lead us to value more deeply ourcommitments to God and to each other."

Sr. Cheryl Keehner

The new leadership team (1 to r) Sr. Cheryl Keehner, Sr. Miriam Erb,Sr. Marian Durkin, Sr. Eileen Keating, and Sr. Catherine Walsh

potlightCSA Chapter 2001 - Directions

The graced journey of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine (CSA) over the past 150 years has been long andsometimes very challenging. There have been bends in the road, hills to climb, and occasional dead ends. Allalong the way, however, we have been eager to search out and respond to new and blessed challenges. This yearCSA has taken a fresh look at the direction in which we are headed.

At the CSA Chapter of Affairs, March 22 - 25, the Community enthusiastically studied current issues andchallenges. Deep dialogue concerning the needs of God's people and our ability to respond led us to formulatethe following goals for strengthening community life and renewing the Congregation as a whole.

* We will more consciously attendto each others' needs in orderto strengthen relationships amongourselves.

* Our prayer life will be enhancedas we come together for faithand life sharing focused on theessential elements of religiouslife: spirituality, the vows, sharedlife in community, mission andministry.

* The Congregation will inviteand create space for others tojourney with us as Associates,volunteers and new members in acollaborative effort to extend theCSA charism to all who join us inour mission and ministry, andbeyond to those who are touchedby them.

* CSA will serve on a committeewith others to create and promotea "New Model Project" as alegacy for the future to explorethe possibility of a new paradigmof religious life in the Diocese ofCleveland.

* The Leadership team elected inMay 2001 will continue theprudent planning which has beenimplemented through the years inorder to realistically and appro-priately address the needs of CSAin the future.

RemembeiRejoiceRenew

Rev. Michael Willman

Srs. Ruth Ann Patrick, Regina Fierman, and Helen Mary Frank

Srs. Eileen Keating, Pauline Panik, and Carole DeCrane

As Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine we continue our journey into the future confident that God is leading us wherewe need to be. We remember the past, rejoice in the present and renew our commitment to follow God's call.

SISTERS OF

A Year of Blessings

With grateful heartsthe Sisters of Charity ofSt. Augustine wish to thankall the people who celebratedwith us in thisSesquicentennial Year

For your presence at:

The Sesquicentennial Liturgiesat Mount Augustine andour Hospitals

The Symposiums provided byour System, our Hospitals,our Foundations, and ourMinistries Corporation

CSA sponsored eveningson Eco- Spirituality byRuth Rosenbaum, TC andReligious Life in the NewMillennium by Nancy Schreck, OSF

The Local Houses and NeighborhoodGatherings and theMt. Augustine Picnic...

The prayer of remembrance atCalvary Cemetery

OF ST. AUGUSTINE

.

February 11 HomecomingSrs. Carole DeCrane and

Lillian FriesAudra Burns and Sr. Joan

Gallagher at the Joseph's HomeOpen House, March 18

CSA Homecoming - (front 1 to r)Sr. Catherine Walsh, Sr. JoanNicholas, Marie Romer and

Agnes Engel (standing)Sr. Cabrini Ferritto and

Sr. Elizabeth Schur

Sr. Coletta McNamee makes a pointat Chapter with the help of

Sr. Ruth Rosenbaum, TC PhD

Sr. Cabrini Ferritto at thededication of the new cemetery

monument (1 - r) Agnes Engel,Marcia Ferguson,Connie McAdamsand Marie Roemerreceived their 5 yearAssociate pins onJune 10

The blessing of the new St. Augustinestatue at Mt. Augustine by Most ReverandMartin Amos, August 26

June 24 SesquiCelebration Family

Picnic - Sr. KathyAndrews pushing

Sr. Dorothy Surgala

Karen Klott,Sr. Mary JeanEucker andSr. EugeniaHosfeld atthe June 24Family Picnic

Bishop MartinAmos greets

Srs. George Paytasand Regina

FiermanSrs. Stephanie Kovach and

Pauline Panik triedto stay dry at the cemetery

blessing on May 27

Sr. Mary Patricia Barrettreceiving the Caritas Award

from Sr. Miriam Erbat the August 26 Closing Liturgy

Clara Chmiel fromIrvine, KY andSr. Corinne Baker atthe Closing Liturgy

Sr. Mary Patricia Barrett

For your gifts of:

The bronze statue of St.Augustine provided by CSA HealthSystem and CSA Ministries

The Reflection Gardens atour hospitals

The Remembrance Wallsand the Quilt preparedby our hospitals

Your prayers, donations, letters,cards and congratulations.

As you have blessed uswe offer this prayer ofblessing for you:

May the Lord bless youand keep you,

May God's face shine uponyou and be gracious to you,

May God look upon you withkindness, and give you peace.

Numbers 6: 24-26

Six Celebrate Their Lives with Sisters of Charity

On Sunday, September 23, 2001, six Sisters of Charity ofSt. Augustine celebrated the many blessings of theirreligious lives. Family members and friends joined them ina Mass and reception. Rev. Michael Wittman, nephew ofSr. Joan Nicholas and pastor of Christ the King Parish inCleveland, presided.

Sr. M. Ruth Kerrigan, from Christ the King Parish,Cleveland celebrates 60 years in religious life. Sister hasserved in health care as a nurse, faculty member, instructor,and discharge planner. In addition to positions incommunity-sponsored hospitals and the Kaiser Founda-tion, she served on the faculties of St. John College,Ursuline College, and Bethlehem University in Israel. ARed Cross Volunteer for many years, Sr. Ruth now residesat Mt. Augustine.

Celebrating 50 years each are:Sr. M. Carleen Ackhart entered from St. Patrick Parish,Cleveland. Parmadale, St. Edward Home for Children,DePaul Infant and Maternity Home, and the CSA HealthSystem were ministry sites for Sr. Carleen. She served invarious clerical and supervisory roles at these institutions.Now retired at Mt. Augustine, Sister continues to dovolunteer work at the switchboard.Sr. Mary Ann Andrews (Sr. M. Francis Xavier) came toCSA from Annunciation Parish, Cleveland. She has servedas the Director of the Dietary Department at several CSAsponsored hospitals. She also has served in positions ofcommunity administration, on many Boards of Trusteesand as President and CEO of the CSA Health System. Sr.Mary Ann is currently a Tribunal Judge for the Diocese ofCleveland. She resides with other CSAs in Lakewood.Sr. Patricia Gardner (Sr. M. Laboure') is the Programand Volunteer Director for Regina Health Center. Shejoined CSA from St. Agnes Parish, Cleveland. Previousministries include Dietary at Parmadale, St. AugustineAcademy, and CSA hospitals. She has also served as anoffice assistant and Local Leader for the sisters living atMt. Augustine.Sr. M. Stephanie Kovach entered the Community fromSt. Ann's Parish, Cleveland. She served in clerical andbook keeping ministries at St. Augustine Academy and St.Vincent Charity Hospital. For many years, Sister was thereceptionist for Rosary Hall at Charity Hospital. Sherecently retired and now resides at Mt. Augustine.Sr. Joan Nicholas (Sr. M. Alphonsus) came to CSA fromSt. Matthew Parish, Akron. Her ministry in health carebegan as nursing supervisor at St. John's Hospital,Cleveland. Sister also spent many years at ProvidenceHospital in Columbia, SC serving in a variety ofsupervisory roles and in administration. Upon returning toOhio, she assumed roles of service at Mt. Augustine whereshe now lives in retirement.

Sr. M. Ruth Kerrigan, CSA

Sr. M. Carleen Ackhart, CSA

Sr. Mary Ann Andrews, CSA

Sr. Patricia Gardner, CSA

Sr. M. Stephanie Kovach, CSA

Sr. Joan Nicholas, CSA

impses

New Statue DedicatedSince late August visitors to Mt. Augustine havebeen greeted by a 7ft. tall bronze statue of St.Augustine positioned next to the driveway.Dedicated on August 26 by Bishop Martin J.Amos, the new statue replaces the original 109year old concrete statue that originally graced theMotherhouse in Lakewood. The concrete statuewas moved to Mt. Augustine when the buildingopened in 1957 but was disintegrating due to itsage and the weather.The new statue was a 150th anniversary giftfrom the CSA-sponsored organizations. TheDemetz Studio, located in Val Gardena, in theAlps of northern Italy, designed and made thestatue. It was sculpted in Ortisei, Italy thencast in Verona, Italy. The family run businesshas made statuary for several generations.

The statue was a gift of the following:Sisters of Charity Health SystemEarly Childhood Resource CenterHealthy LearnersJoseph's HomeMercy Medical CenterProvidence HospitalProvidence Heart InstituteProvidence Hospital NortheastRegina Health CenterSaint Ann FoundationSt. John West Shore HospitalSt. Vincent Charity HospitalSt. Luke's Medical CenterSisters of Charity Foundation of CantonSisters of Charity Foundation of ClevelandSisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

The Ohio Hospital Association chose to honor the Sisters of Charity of St.Augustine as this year's recipient of the Donald R. Newkirk Award. The awardrecognizes individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions tothe health care field and is the association's highest award. The award was presentedat OHA's annual meeting on June 19 in Columbus.

In honor of the 150 year anniversary, Mayor Bob Coble andthe Columbia South Carolina City Council declared May 15,2001 as "Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine Day." The mayorpresented a plaque to Sr. Nancy Hendershot.

Sr. Gilbert Bradish celebrated her 100th birthday in July.

Sr. Catherine Walsh was the keynote speaker for the TheCatholic Consortium of Stark County's 3rd Annual Dinnermeeting held May 10 at Walsh University. The Consortium'snew focus of ministry is to Hispanics. Sr. Gilbert Bradish

Srs. Stephanie Kovach, Venard Kline and Pauline Panik have moved to Mt. August! ne.

Srs. Evelyn Flowers and Carol Kandiko teamed up to present "ECOLOGY 101" tothe Incarnate Word Sisters at their Motherhouse during their Assembly gathering onApril 29th. The spirituality of our care for the environment was covered by Sr. Carol; Sr.Evelyn presented practical aspects along with cartoon illustrations.

Sr. Mary Jacob Yelcho received a Woman of Achievement Award from theGovernor's Commission on Women. The award is presented to recognize theoutstanding achievements of South Carolina women and was presented to her onMay 14 at a ceremony at the Governor's Mansion in Columbia, SC.

Sr. Joan Gallagher received a Special Recognition Award at the April NortheastOhio Fair Housing Alliance Awards luncheon. The award was presented to her inrecognition of her work at Famicos Foundation and Joseph's Home. She wasnomitated for this award by the Sisters of St. Joseph's Peace and Justice Committee.On May 3 Sr. Joan spoke at the First Friday Club luncheon in Cleveland. She spokeon the homeless of Cleveland and the mission of Joseph's Home.

RequiescatIn Pacem

Please remember

in your prayers

Sr. M. Lillian Fries, CSA

Sr. Clara Hart, CSA(Sr. M. Margaret)

4H^ xifImages is a bi-annualnewsletter published by:

Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine5232 Broadview Rd.Richfield, Ohio 44286

Reminder:visit our web site -http:www.srsofcharity.org

Staff for this issue:Sr. Miriam ErbSr. Regina FiermanSr. Cheryl KechnerMrs. Caryn KishSr. Coletta McNameeSr. Dcnise Stiles

Editor: Sr. Carol Kandiko

Photographers:,loe ClickMrs. Caryn Kish

Design and Production:ScripType Publishing

Sistersof Charityof Saint

AugustineMount Augustine, 5232 Rroadricw Road, Kichjield, OH 44286

RETURN SER VICE REQ VESTED

J

Si: Miriam Erb, CSAThe final public celebration to close ourSesquicentennial event took place onAugust 26,2001 with a beautiful Liturgywhere our partners in ministry, ourassociates, our sisters joined with thenewly installed Bishop Martin Amos togive praise and thanks to our God.Although this was a closing event it wasalso a beginning event. The Sesquicen-tennial Committee established the"Caritas Service Award",to mark our 150th year.

of loving service and to begin a traditionof honoring an individual who embodiesand exemplifies the CSA charism to thecommunity to an outstanding degreethrough generosity, untiring service,joyful witness of the love of God, andexpansion of ministry.The Sesquicentennial Committee unani-mously chose Sr. Mary Patricia Barrett,CSA to be the first recipient of the Award.The citation read to her at the Liturgy statesin part: "Sr. Mary Patricia, faithfilledwoman religious, gentle and compassion-ate leader, committed health care innova-tor, you embody the essence of charitycelebrated by all Sisters of Charity in thisone hundred and fiftieth anniversaryyear...faithful to the vocation to whichGod has called you, you personify themotto of the Sisters of Charity of St.Augustine, Tn All Things Charity' withgenerosity, integrity and humility."Sister Mary Patricia has served as a socialworker, leader in many positions in the

CSA congregation, president of the CSAHealth System Board of Trustees as well asvice-president for Mission and MinistryServices. In her 44 years as a Sister of Charityof St. Augustine Sr. Mary Pat has always lenta sensitive and listening ear, a gracious andwarm thank you, and a spirit of compassionand care to everyone. Congratulations Sr.Mary Patricia!Further recipients of the award will be chosenfrom outside the CSA Congregation and willbe made in August every four years starting inAugust, 2004.The final community celebration occurredon October 10, 2001, the 150th anniversary ofthe four original sisters stepping onto the soilin America to sow good seeds of lovingservice in Cleveland. In this CSA communitygathering we reminisced about the past andgave thought and conversation to the future.What has been accomplished is amazing!What can be accomplished in the future withthe same kind of energy, vision and God'sgrace is exciting!

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