Proud and Pleased to Present...

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1 OF CHARITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE Spring Summer 1990 Proud and Pleased to Present... Pioneer Healers and To Bind Up the Wounds, two recently published books, are a source of great pride for the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine (CSA) because they bear the names of Sister Ursula Stepsis and Sister Mary Denis Maher, members of the community. Pioneer Healers: a History of Women Religious in American Health Care is edited by Sister Ursula. This book is the culmination of fifteen years of research involving some 200 religious congregations of women in health care. Sister Ursula collected archival material, letters, diaries, assignment books, necrologies and other historical documents from a variety of sources. Then, with a team of historians, archivists, statisticians, and health care professionals, the information was collated and worked into a coherent, readable and comprehensive narrative. Sr. Mary Denis Maher Sr. Ursula Stepsis The book spans time from the early 19th century to the present. The final chapter details the challenges posed by medical technology, professionalization, and increased roles of government and insurers in the ministry of health care as it strives to control its own future. (Continued on page 5) Welcome to IMAGES...The New CSA Newsletter The Image Committee of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine (CSA) was formed in September, 1988, to communicate our story as women religious. This publication is a direct Sr. Marian Durkin outgrowth of our initial discussion. IMAGESvj\\\e the vehicle through which we reflect to family and friends what CSA is doing... where the sisters are ministering... what changes are taking place in the community... what's happening in our health care ministry... news about our associate members... and our ongoing needs. We hope that IMAGES will touch your life; give you pause to remember your connection with the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine; prompt you to pray for vocations to CSA; and move you to join with us in ministry and prayer as we search together for ways to direct our energies to the existing and emerging needs in our community and our world. If you know of anyone who might like to receive IMAGES please have them contact me at Mount Augustine (Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, 5232 Broadview Road, Richfield, Ohio 44286). Thank you for taking the time to read IMAGES and please feel free to pass it on to a friend. Sr. Marian Durkin, CSA, Editor.

2 Portrait: The CSA Community St. Vincent Charity Hospital and Health Center celebrates 125 years of service as Cleveland's "downtown hospital" in On display at the hospital is a photo-history of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine (CSA) in service at that institution. It is a history of caring and devotion and a reminder of the vital role CSA has played not only in the establishment of a health care system but also in social service agencies and education at both the primary and secondary levels. Sandra Schneiders, in her book New Wineskins, states that" religious life itself is best understood as a movement rather than an institution or even a collection of institutions." The movement of CSA over the past 20 years has been characterized by collaboration - working with other religious Learn, and nursing homes. Our retired and infirm Sisters minister in a very special way through prayer at our mother house, Mount Augustine. In our future editions of IMAGES we will present "Portraits" of individual sisters in ministry. We have also experienced changes in government structures with an emphasis on shared responsibility. Sister Joan Gallagher, Major Superior, works closely with four members of the administrative Council, Sisters Mary Ann Andrews, Mary Bryan, Miriam Erb and Judith Ann Karam. To coordinate life in the various houses of the community, a local leader is chosen. Our concept of membership has broadened and in 1984 we accept a gathering of local leaders with Sr. Joan and Council.. Top Row: (I to r) ed our first asso Srs. Catherine Coan, Evelyn Flowers, Pat Gardner, Kathleen Barnes, Ciates - women MaryO'Grady, Loretta Spotila, Mary Ann Andrews. Middle Row: Agnes and men who be McMahon, Eugenia Hosfeld, Mary Bryan, Carole DeCrane, Cheryl Keehner, Joan ijpve jn our char Gallagher. Front Row: Miriam Erb, Betty Finn, SC (facilitator), Marian Durkin, Kathy Andrews ism and ChOOSe communities and with lay women and men. Since our number is smaller, collaboration with others assumes even greater importance and we seek creative ways to continue to respond to the signs of our times. We: serve in health care ministry at the corporate levels and as members of boards; continue our work in parishes as principals of schools, directors of religious education, and pastoral ministers; are involved in the pastoral care departments of our hospitals; are making a difference in the high school and college levels as educators; in the Canon Law offices of the diocese; and in the field of psychology. Other CSA's volunteer their time in AIDS ministry as well as hunger centers, Project to journey closely with us. Personnel in vocation and formation ministry continue to work with women interested in joining CSA and with those in initial stages of formation for religious life. The future is challenging and exciting. Words from a recent address given by Sr. Jean Meier, CSJ former vocation director of her community, apply equally well to CSA's mission: "We have come from a rich and diverse tradition; we have a history that has continued over a century of growth and change. Hopefully, we can look back with gratitude, and look forward with trust, echoing a familiar prayer in our own hearts - For all that has been - THANKS For all that will be-yes!

3 Glimpses With moving liturgies and a slide presentation, Srs. Eileen Keating and Mary O'Grady brought closure to St. John Hospital with a spirit of caring and love, CSA style... Sr. Judith Ann Karam, Temporal Affairs Councilor, is full-time at Mt. Augustine now, her mission as temporary CEO at Timken Mercy having been accomplished... Sr. Carol Kandiko has been accepted by the University of St. Louis to pursue a Master's degree in Spirituality. She will begin full-time studies this fall... the CSA Nuclear Free Zone (NFZ) Committee planted a tree for peace on April 21. This was part of the first of a series of Corporate Stance meetings... Sr. Coletta McNamee has completed her courses at Ohio State University and her internship at St. Augustine Manor. She is now certified as a nursing home administrator... Sr. Ruth Ann Patrick addressed the RCIA at St. Luke's in Lakewood on the topic of vocaton... Sr. Martha Connelly completed her studies and is now a certified diocesan pastoral minister... the greenhouse at Mt. Augustine is "alive and well" due to the efforts of Srs. Justine Sendelbach and Ruth Kerrigan who have become sparetime horticulturists... Sr. George Paytas made a retreat in Medjugorje, Yugoslavia... Sisters celebrating their Jubilees in CSA this year are Srs. Marie Estelle, * -v- - Srs. Clara Hart, Lillian and Maura (I to r) are enjoying retirement ministries at Mt. Augustine Sr. Catherine Walsh gets ready to set out for a trip to El Salvador 70 years; Gilbert and Annella, 60 years; Elaine Nimberger, 25 years... Srs. Annella Treber and Virginia Wampf ler volunteer as tutors for the Project Learn program in Cleveland... after receiving a grant from Ursuline College, Sr. Mary Denis, CSA, and Sr. Rose, OSU, spent a month visiting and learning about the "holy" places in northern India for incorporating into courses they teach at the college... new residents at Mt. Augustine are Srs. Maura, Clara Hart (formerly Margaret) and Lillian. All are volunteering in'yetirement" ministries... Sr. Catherine Walsh visited El Salvador to discern a possible call to mission work... after many years of dedicated service as President of CSA-HHS, Sr. Mary Patricia Barrett attended a renewal program at Notre Dame University in Indiana. Sister will now serve as the board chairperson for CSA-HHS... the sisters at E. 130th enjoyed an evening of celebraton and prayer when five associates renewed their membership with CSA (Lynn and Bert Bishop, Mary McKeown, and Helen and Len Govern). A tree is planted at Mt. Augustine to celebrate Earth Day

4 CSA Broadens Its Membership V* Mrs. Joan Weist Mrs. Joan Weist is an associate with the Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine (CSA). The following are her reflections on the associate program. An associate is defined as a person who shares in a variety of ways in the life and charism of CSA for a defined period of time without becoming a vowed member. For me, association with CS A has been a source of: encouragement to deepen my understanding of the faith we share; enthusiasm for becoming more involved in the work of ministry; enrichment for life skills and problem solving; comfort through the shared prayers of others for me and my intentions. It has also been a gift providing me with: new friends - the sisters and the other associates who welcome me; a home - at my contact house and Mt. Augustine, I always feel welcome; personal worth - through encouragement and involvement; guidance - from God through my association and my contact sister. The idea of welcoming Associates to the community was envisioned for years; however, it did not begin to take form until In 1984 the first application forms went out and in February of 1985 the first applicants were welcomed to gather for inquiry. From March through August of that year these people completed orientation and on August 25,1985 the first associates were received into the communi- Upper picture: Sr. Nancy Hendershot, director, Associate Program, celebrates with Rita Sossong and Ethel Petty (associates). Lower picture: Fausto Hidalgo (associate) joins CSA in ministry at Mt. Augustine as a project manager. ty and today CSA has 30 women and men in the program. The future of the associate program will bring the sisters and laity into ever closer involvement with the life of the church and with one another. This means the charism of CSA will truly enrich the experience of the Body of Christ - the world today and tomorrow. ' In Memory Of... Please remember in your prayers the following Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine who died since December 1, Sister Theodora Behlow Sister Julia Czumbil Sister Consoiata Walker Sister Rose Therese Auseort Sister Hubert Brandabur Sister Bernarda Neu May they rest in peace. N

5 Proud and Pleased (Continued from page 1) James Hennessy, SJ, who wrote the book's prologue, comments that the work is the "start of a library of fascinating studies illuminating the history of American religious, and since it is so largely their story, the history of American women." "Health care has indeed been one of the most significant ministries in which American Catholic men and women have engaged, Father Hennessy continues. "The volume is a fitting tribute to them. Sister Ursula, having worked in health care throughout her religious life, has been a health care executive at the private, municipal and federal levels. She has served on the staff of the Catholic Health Association and presently resides at Mount Augustine. To Bind Up the Wounds, writ ten by Sister Mary Denis, is a project that was originally conceived when Sister was working on her doctoral dissertation. She had always planned to explore some aspect of women in the 19th century and found that literature on women's contributions was sparse, and also that the contributions of religious women had been virtually ignored. She chose the Civil War as the focus of her work, especially the vital role plalyed by the sisters who nursed Union and Confederate soldiers between 1860 and To Bind Up the Wounds features the work of nearly 600 sisters from different catholic orders and presents a rich, detailed account of their experiences during the war. The work also examines the impact of the sisters in modifying negative pre-civil War attitudes towards Catholics and sisters, and in paving the way for development of the nursing profession outside Catholic religious orders. Since the publication of her book, Sister Mary Denis, an associate professor of English at Ursuline College, has presented a number of papers based on her research to meetings of the American Catholic Historical Society, the Midwest American Studies association and the Women Historians of Greater Cleveland. The Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine are pleased and proud of the accomplishments of Sister Ursula and Sister Mary Denis. Information on Pioneer Healers is available at Mount Augustine; for information on To Bind Up the Wounds, call the Ursuline College bookstore. Sr. Henrietta's Call to Work with the Poor Detailed in a New Book Sister Henrietta Gorris, CSA spent most of her years as a hospital administrator in Canton, Ohio. In 1962, sister returned to her hometown of Cleveland where she became director of nursing services at St. Vincent Charity Hospital and Health Center.5'- Henrietta of Hough It was here that she received a special invitation to "come to Hough". Sister Henrietta began in1965 to redirect her life as CSA to the poorest of the poor in Cleveland's worst slum. An account of Sister Henrietta's work at Our Lady of Fatima Mission Center at E, 86th and Quimby on Cleveland's east side recently has been written by Msgr. Robert Wolff. Simply titled, Sister Henrietta of Hough, the book is a detailed account of Sister's years in the Hough area from 1965 to With a foreward by Mother Teresa of Calcutta and many photographs of sister and the people of Cleveland who aided her ministry, the book is a personal took at Sister Henrietta, who as the subtitle states, "reclaimed a Cleveland slum". News anchor Ted Henry of TV 5 claims that "it is the most important book on poverty published this year." The book is now in its second printing and is available in bookstores throughout the Cleveland area. Msgr, Wolff's book may also be obtained from Mt. Augustine through Sister Rene, IMAGES Is a bi-annual newsletter published by the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, 5232 Broadview Road, Richfield, Ohio (216) Staff: Elizabeth Dougherty Patrick Dougherty Sr. Carol Kandiko, CSA Sr. Elaine Nimberger, CSA Mary Roberts Maria Tayek Editor: Sr. Marian Durkin, CSA Design: NISI Design Our special thanks to St. Vincent Charity Hospital and Health Center personnel for their assistance.

6 Reflections Sr. Joan Gallagher What does it mean to create your own future? Moses, in the book of Deuteronomy, instructed the Israelites in the desert to choose life. Jesus, as the "new Moses" changed death to life... Jesus prayed and touched the daughter of Jairus and the young girl arose from her deathbed. Certainly Jesus by choosing life giving actions enabled the people of his time to face the future with new hope. During , the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine (CSA), through countless hours of study and discussion, prepared themselves for a "chapter" weekend, a time of planning and serious decison making which will affect the total life of the community. The council formally adopted the theme: The future is in our hands - choose life! Give us life according to your promise; Give us life according to your justice; Give us life according to your word, we pray! (Ps. 119, 154, 156, p. 172 Womanprayer, Womansong) To implement decisions and to carry on the spirit generated by the chapter, a number of committees were created with specific directions. Each local community picked up on the theme of choosing life and focused its goals for the year, taking on personal and communal resposibilty by adapting actions which are lifegiving. The CSA committee members are working diligently with a freshness which speaks of confidence and creativity. In our planning we envisioned our life as energized by a charismcentered, diverse spirituality. Recent planning for the CSA Health Network, merging Saint Vincent Charity and St. John and Westshore Hospitals, made us intensely aware of our need for collaboration with various groups such as bankers, lawyers, administrators, and politicians. Working with all persons deepens our respect for their expertise and dedication. Truly God has spoken to us through all these friends who support us in shaping our future. THE FUTURE IS IN OUR HANDS CHOOSE LIFE! Events evolving throughout the world challenge our "global brain" to creatively expand the goals and directions of our congregation. How can we intensify our response to existing and emerging needs and are we willing to develop a diversity of membership? These are the challenges which need further reflection as we continue to choose life according to God's promise, according to God's justice and according to God's word. The call of Moses in 1990 is to choose life with all people so that the future will be fashioned by the hands of Jesus - our hands. / A/F SISTERS OF CHARITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE Mount Augustine, 5232 Broadview Road, Richfield, Ohio ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Non-ProfitOig. U.S. Postage PAID Cleveland, OH Permit No. 4028