Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine

The creative Spirit of God has beenevident throughout the history of the Sisters ofCharity of St. Augustine. When one reflectsback, names such as Sisters Rosalia, MarieCecile, Mary Elise, Jean Andre, Theodora,and DeSales come to mind. Just a fewexamples of women who used their creativetalents in the world of music, art, writing,and leadership, to enhance their ownpersonal lives and the lives of those withwhom they came into contact.

This same creative spirit of God is presentin CSA today. This issue of Images is

focused on a few sisters who represent all ofus who have within us a touch of the creativeGod, each in our own unique way.

When one visits Mount Augustine andwalks around the building or through thehallways one becomes aware that creativeartists are at work. Sister Justine Sendelbach,spends many hours a week working in thebeautiful gardens that surround themotherhouse. The creativity, for SisterJustine is in the planning of the gardens andthe buying of the seeds. She also enjoysworking with dried flowers and is noted forher beautiful bookmarks, note paper,

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Portrait:Fifty-one years as aSister of Charity ofSt. Augustine havenot diminished thespirit and enthusiasmwhich characterizesSister Bernard Rostasin all her activities.

Early in life shedeveloped an

appreciation for beauty as she observed theexquisite original needlework creations ofher mom and the loveliness of nature as shetook walks with her dad. It was her WestHigh School art teacher who introduced herto pen and ink sketching and water colorswhich brought to the surface her artistic andcreative gifts.

When Sister Bernard entered the convent,she continued to work with water colors,creating beautiful spiritual bouquet cards.She remembers how pleased she was whenone of her hand-painted cards was sentby the congregation to the Holy Fatherin Rome.

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When Sister prepared for her ministry ofteaching, she continued to enhance herartistic skill and enjoyed working with oil,charcoal, hard pastels, pen sketching andSwedish paper cuttings. It was one of herpaper cuttings that was chosen as the best inan art show.

As a teacher, Sister became involved inconducting art workshops for teachers ondifferent levels and creating projects forstudents. An especially interestingexperience for her was teaching space andtexture by radio.

Following her retirement from teaching, shecontinued to be available for art projects atMount Augustine while assisting in thetransportation department. When shebecame a volunteer at Timken MercyMedical Center she became involved innumerous activities but continued to use herartistic talents whenever the opportunitywas presented.

Now in retirement at Mount Augustine,Sister still finds an outlet for herconsiderable talent. Between her manyvolunteer driving trips to meet the needsof the sisters, she still finds time to enjoywrapping gift packages that are originalcreations and objects of beauty. Shefrequently is called upon to work onspecial projects involving her talents as acalligrapher and artist. With it all,Sister hasn't given much thought tofinding that proverbial rocking chair.

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Christmas tree decorations,and dried flower arrange-ments. Sister is a retiredpharmacist who alwayshad a garden and stated,"I enjoy gardening andwant the residents ofRegina Health Center tosee something beautifulwhen they gaze out thewindow from the secondfloor dining room."

On another visit toMount Augustine, youmight see Sister MaryDenis Maher taking a quiet

O ~L

Sister taught creative writing atUrsuline College, and it was therethat she first began seriouslycomposing poetry. Among Sister'ssuccesses as a poet are awards from"Verse Writers of Ohio" and "YankeeMagazine" as well as awards innational and state poetry contests.One of her most recent poems isentitled #2.

In her present position on theadministrative team, Sister findsthat time to write is in short supply."For inspiration", she muses,"one needs a block of quiet time

Sister Mary Denis with pen in hand. in a park, or a library, or by thelake at Mount Augustine." So, on a

moment by the lake to fashion a poem. Sister is rare day, you may just spot her sitting by the lake,one of the most talented writers in the community.

My grandfathersharpened a pencil

the old fashioned way,carefully,

"with a pocket knife.The points 'were airwayscarved, the 'wood shaped

like a volcano, out of whichthe lead burst forth,

black and sure,rising to make a

bold statement on the landscapeof the brown butcher paperon 'which he always 'wrote

the grocery listsof his life's dreams.

Pictured on front cover are from bottom leftclockwise: Sisters Carolyn, Corinne, Carolyn,Judith and Justine.

pencil in hand.Regular visitors to the Mount Augustine gift

shop are familiar with the beautiful work of two"artists in residence" at Mount Augustine...SistersCorinne Baker and Sister Judith Labbe.

Sister Corinne has ministered in the "businessworld" most of her life and now, in her 50th year asa religious is enjoying retirement at Mount Augustine.Sister Judith, who is 90 years of age, did a varietyof ministries but perhaps is remembered most forher work as a seamstress in the sewing room atMount Augustine.

Sisters Corinne and Judith have a commonlove..painting. They shared that love for years inthe 1960s as they traveled together first by bus andlater by car to Cudell Center in Cleveland wherethey took their love of art to another level. SisterCorinne has done a variety of works from adepiction of "the Alamo" to serene seascapes andshe claims many ribbons for her work. Sister Judithhas been asked to create over 100 original cards forthe sisters' feast days and has finished the project.Each sister will be gifted with a very "personal"card from this amazing 90 year old woman.

Sister Carolyn Fradette enjoys playing the pianofor the enjoyment of others and also designs andcreates lovely note cards with dried flowers. The cardsare available in the Mount Augustine gift shop.

Sister Elizabeth Schur, who devoted her lifeto the teaching of art and now works with theRegina Health Care residents, says that "Creativityis expressing oneself in one's own unique way",a reminder that we all have within us a spark ofGod's creativity.

Sisters Cheryl Keehner and Carole DeCrane enjoying a meal.

Associate Elizabeth Dougherty proclaiming the Wordat Liturgy.

are Women attransformed by C

Water, collaboraifulfillment ofGworld, flowing

be" (John 4/Woman R

Sister Virginia Durkin with Associates Mary and Fausto Hidalgo. Sister Nancy Hendershot exchanging ideas with Associate, R<Hank DiCato.

SisterDoris Gottemoeller, RSM, presenting thekeynote address.

the Wellybrist the Livingr * * /Jing in theod's work in thein to what is yet toher)

• andSister Eileen Keating sharing herreflections at the Liturgy.

/T^ )n Saturday and Sunday,Cx/August 19-20, The Sistersof Charity of St. Augustine andAssocia tes ga the red for"Assembly" at Mount Augustine.

The days began with apresentation by Sister DorisGottemoeller, RSM who spoke on"Religious Life as a Gift for theChurch and the World." Sisterchallenged all present to learnfrom the changes of the past tocreate a new future for religiouslife in the Church and in theWorld. With Sister Doris's wordsas a backdrop, the Assembly wasdevoted to reports by Sister JudithAnn Karam and Council; theDirector of Formation andAssociate Membership and theVocation Director. Saturdayconcluded with a celebration ofour ministries at Eucharist withFr. Tony Schuller, SSS celebrating.Sister Eileen shared her personalreflections as part of the homily.On Sunday, a creative discussionled by the Core Values Committeeled into an open forum wheresisters and associates came forwardto present personal insights andtopics for further study.

The assembly was another"Creative Moment" for CSA.

Sister Carol

Nine Sisters ofCharity of St.Augustine celebratedjubilees at MountAugustine on September24th in Richfield alongwith their sisters,friends, and relatives.

A wide variety ofministries is reflectedin the lives of the celebrants as well astheir dedication to a life of charity in thefields of education, health care, and social____^_^__^^__ services. Sister Carol

Massek, now retired, iscelebrating 60 years asa religious. She wassteadfast in her workthese many years as abuyer, storekeeper,and treasurer primarilyat the motherhouseand Parmadale.

•

Sister FrancescaThree golden

jubilarians whose lives focused on Catholiceducation are Sisters Francesca Reardon,Martha Connelly, and Coletta McNamee.Sister Francesca left her mark on theparochial system as a teacher, principal,supervisor, andconsultant to theCatholic Board ofEducation. Herpresent ministry is inPastoral Care at St.John West Shore

\. After years \s a teacher and /,

librarian in the schoolsystem, Sister Martha Bister Marthanow works at Pastoral Ministry in St.PatrickParish on Bridge Avenue. Sister Coletta, who was

'

A.Sister Coletta

a teacher and principal, now specializesin nursing home administration and isan AssistantAdministrator of St.Augustine Manor.

° ^M s?1 »Jfc

The remainingfive goldenjubilariansare Sisters HelenMary Frank, RitaLouise Neader ,Maura Hannam,Mary Agnes Nelan,and Pauline Panik.Their ministries center in health care andsocial service institutions. Sister HelenMary, originally a teacher, spent many yearsat Parmadale as a cottage supervisor before

transferringto health careinstitutions. She isnow a volunteer atTimken MercyMedical Center.

A \r Rita Louise, a^^^^^ *"rJlB i nurse, has devoted her

•k * "vH I apostolate primarily to™**^^™ * '»• the sick and elderly inSister Helen Mary cgA hospitals and at

the motherhouse. She was coordinator ofretired sisters and activities director at MountAugustine and a nurse supervisor in CSAhospitals. Presently, Sister volunteers as areceptionist in the^ rEmergencyDepartmentof Timken MercyMedical Center.

For 12 years SisterMaura was responsiblefor the novitiate ofthe Congregation andformation of the Sister Rita Louise

Sister Maura

novices and postulants.She was then appointedDirector of theAdmitting Office andPublic Services at St.Vincent CharityHospital where sheworked until herretirement to MountAugustine. Sister MaryAgnes is now retired but shespent most of her religious lifeworking at the motherhouse andat Mercy and Timken MercyHospitals in Canton. She didclerical work, operated the

switch-board, and

; assistedS| in the

"' ] * * Medical

• Depart-" ment.

Parmadaleand St.VincentCharity

Hospital were centers for Sister

Sister Mary Agnes

Images is a bi-annual newsletterpublished by:Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine5232 Broadview RoadRichfield, Ohio 44286(216) 659-4161

Staff for this issue:

Sister Lillian Fries CSASister Elaine Nimberger CSA

Editor: Sister Marian Durkin CSA

Design Layout: Elite Publishing &Imaging Center, Inc.

Printing: Cowgill Printing

• Pauline's ministry. Sher; served as a cottage.-! parent at Parmadale

: and was receptionist inI the Surgical Lounge inI the hospital where she

i now volunteers. FriendsI and relatives of the

jubilarians gathered inthe Mount Augustine

chapel at 2:30 to cele-brate a Mass of Thanksgiving.Father John Mucha, a nephewof Sister Coletta, was the maincelebrant and Father WilliamYoung, SSS, a cousin of SisterMaura concelebrated. FatherJoseph McMahon, Chaplain ofSt. VincentCharityHospital,gave thehomily. TheMass wasfollowed bya reception.

Sister Pauline

Do you kno'w someoneinterested in becoming a

Sister of Charity ofSt. Augustine?

Please have her contactSister Ruth Ann Patrick

c/o Mount Augustine5232 Broadview Rd.,

Richfield, OHor by phone at

979-0943 (home)or 861-6200 (work).

"Angel of Hope"New video on the Life of

Sr. Mary Ignatia

A new 40 minute video on the storyof Sr. Ignatia Gavin, CSA and herwork with the founding of AlcoholicsAnonymous is now available forpurchase.

For more than 40 years, Sr. Ignatiawas a messenger of hope for alcoholicsand their families. Her courageousstand for medical treatment and hercaring devotion to the victims ofalcoholism helped Dr. Bob Smithand Bill Wilson, founders ofAlcoholics Anonymous - andthousands who came after them.

You are invited to help make thestory of Sr. Ignatia and the ministryof CSA better known by tellingyour family, friends, parishioners, etc.about this NEW video, and encour-aging them to buy it through CSA.

Sister Ignatia

Cost: Videos are $19.95 and can bepurchased at the Gift Shop at Mt.Augustine and/or through Sr. MaryDenis. Checks should be made out toSisters of Charity of St. Augustine.If videos must be mailed, pleaseuse the Order Form enclosed withthis issue of IMAGES. Thank youfor any help which you can give tothis project.

Reflections

Sister Judith Ann Karam

Recently, a physicianfriend asked me howmy water colorpainting was going.I told him that mypaints and brusheswere "in storage" andsadly drying up. Sincehe was my teacher,he immediatelyresponded with dismay

and encouraged me to "get back to it!"

When I reflect on what "creativity"means, I think of my own life and knowthat the gifts God has given me need tobe brought forth from storage, experiencedand proclaimed. As this gift is used inpainting, it is expressed in different waysbased on skills and the vision shaping theimage. The gift of the artisan is the same.The expression changes with time.

Pope John Paul II invites religious tocreative fidelity. To the Superiors Generalon November 27,1993, he said:

"The founders knew how to incarnatein their time, with courage and holiness,the evangelical message. It is necessarythat, faithful to the breath of the Spirit,their spiritual children continue in timethis witness, imitating their creativitywith a mature fidelity to the charism ofthe origins, in a constant listening to theneeds of the present moment."

Throughout our history, CSA hasopened our hearts, taken our charism(gift) of charity, and attentively read the

SistersofCharity

' of SaintAugustine

Mount Augustine, 5232 Broadview Rand, Kidjfwld, Ohio 44286

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

signs of the times. We have experiencedthe power of the Spirit and searched forthe will of God in creating new potentialto serve others.

Since its founding in 1851, theCongregation has been in service inhealth care, attentively meeting the needsof the times. We have served in homehealth and hospital care, care for thealcoholic, clinics for the underserved, etc.Today, health care is changing rapidly.A new response is needed by CSA tocreatively continue the mission.

In May, 1995, the Sisters of Charityof St. Augustine Health System signed aletter of intent with Columbia/HCA toform a 50/50 joint venture partnership tooperate the hospitals sponsored by CSA.The provisions of the partnership includeterms which meet all of our Catholicethical, canonical and faith obligations.In addition, funds will be received byCSA HS which will enable theCongregation to develop new ways ofresponding to meeting the needs of theunderserved through foundations inCanton, Cleveland, and Columbia, SC.We are in a process of continuing to planand evaluate the partnership. We haveengaged staff, physicians and trusteesfrom our CSA sponsored institutions inthe process. Their commitment to findways to journey with CSA in preservingCatholic health care ministry is a gift.

The changes that will happen in ourhealth care system are both creative andtransformational. They are a response toour commitment to live an experience ofGod at the very heart of the rapidlychanging world. The proposed partnershipbetween CSA HS and Columbia/HCAis the first such joint venture between aCatholic health care system and aninvestor owned corporation. Being "first"in painting such a new picture, bringschallenges as well. Yet, it is believed thatthe partnership will strengthen theCatholic health care ministry in order tosurvive well into the future. All of theseefforts are to assure that the apostolicmission of CSA will be fulfilled, i.e."responding as our founding sisters didto the physical, emotional, intellectual,and spiritual needs of God's people."(CSA Constitution, page 7)

In Memory Of...Please remember in your prayersthe following Sisters ofCharityof St. Augustine who have died

since February 1,1995...Sister M.Maurice Joliet

Sister Ellen SlatterySister Marie Mott

associate Mary Alice Jones

May They Rest in Peace.

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