This month we enter into our Advent time of waiting, preparing for the birth of Jesus. Let’s bring attention to our waiting and listening! We seem to be socialized against waiting in the fast-paced, demanding world of today. Let’s increase our listening and see where we are in the midst of so much unrest in our city streets and the cries for help globally.
In this issue of Charity in Motion, you will find articles and information reflecting opportunities to gather, celebrate and serve. Now we welcome the coming winter months, trusting to help end the death penalty in Ohio and inviting social justice activities as they relate to earth, climate change and improved humane conditions for immigrants on our southern border.
In these coming Advent days, let’s slow our pace, hear the unrest in our cities and take time to listen to the cries of the poor. “God of our journeying, make your ways known to us; teach me your paths” (Ps. 25). Know that the Sisters of Charity will be remembering you in prayer as we strive to live our lives more intentionally. Share what you learn or enjoy in this issue; pass it on to your friends, co-workers and family members. Assure them that the Sisters of Charity are continuing to serve others in need, counting on your supportive prayers. Let’s increase our listening in this ‘waiting space’ before Jesus’ coming at Christmas. Be blessed in 2024.
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Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Whitney Schieltz Professes Perpetual Vows |
Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Whitney Schieltz professed perpetual vows during a Mass on Nov. 4, 2023 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse.
Sisters, Associates and invited guests were present with S. Whitney for the ceremony. In their presence she vowed to “freely and wholeheartedly commit myself for life to the service of God, God’s people, and all of Creation as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. … I ask for the continuing grace of God and support of my Sisters, Associates, family and friends so that I may keep faith with the commitment I joyfully make today.”
Following her acceptance of vows, Sisters, Associates, family and friends joined in response, saying, “We thank you for your faithfulness to God’s call, for carrying forward Elizabeth Seton’s mission of service to all people, and for living your vows as a Sister of Charity with joy and humility. We pray that you will be a strong, courageous servant leader and a sign of hope and peace in our world. Today and throughout your life, may the Spirit inspire you, may Christ’s love impel you, and may God surround you with enduring care.” Read More.
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Important Dates
Dec. 6, 2023
Feast of St. Nicholas
Dec. 7, 2023
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Dec. 8, 2023
Immaculate Conception
Dec. 10, 2023
Second Sunday of Advent
Dec. 12, 2023
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Dec. 13, 2023
Feast of St. Lucy
Dec. 14, 2023
“Voices of Advent: Women’s Afternoon of Reflection,” Spirituality Center program, 1-3 p.m., Cedars Auditorium
Dec. 15-16, 2023
“Surprise Encounters: Sacred Encounters,” Spirituality Center program, Cedars Auditorium
Dec. 17, 2023
Third Sunday of Advent
Dec. 24, 2023
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Dec. 25, 2023
Nativity of the Lord
Dec. 28, 2023
Feast of Holy Innocents
Dec. 30, 2023
“Retreat to Complete 2023 and to Open 2024,” Spirituality Center program, 9 a.m.-noon, Cedars Auditorium
Dec. 31, 2023
Feast of Holy Family
Jan. 1, 2024
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God/World Day of Peace
Jan. 4, 2024
Feast of St. Elizabeth Seton
Jan. 5, 2024
Feast of St. John Neumann
Jan. 7, 2024
Feast of the Epiphany
Jan. 8, 2024
The Baptism of Jesus
Jan. 11, 2024
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Jan. 15, 2024
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan. 22, 2024
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn
Jan. 24, 2024
Feast of St. Francis de Sales
Feb. 2, 2024
Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
Feb. 10, 2024
Feast of St. Scholastica
Feb. 14, 2024
Ash Wednesday/
St. Valentine's Day
Feb. 24, 2024
“Walking with Jesus in Lent,” Spirituality Center program, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Cedars Auditorium
*For additional information on the above calendar items, or others, please click here.
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Season of Giving
During the Thanksgiving season, the Sisters of Charity hosted its annual Adopt-A-Family event on Nov. 16. The day was filled with the giving spirit as employees were invited to purchase raffle tickets and split-the-pot tickets with all proceeds going toward the Community’s Adopt-A-Family program. Employees were also encouraged to donate canned food items for Community Matters food pantry as well as gently used or new coats, hats and gloves to Our Daily Bread.
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Congratulations
S. Sally Duffy is one of four individuals honored as a Great Living Cincinnatian by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Great Living Cincinnatians are recognized for their business and civic attainment on a local, state, national or international level; leadership; awareness of the needs of others; and distinctive accomplishments that have brought favorable attention to their community, institution or organization.
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Service in Action
The Mother Margaret Hall Community Action Committee collected winter items (scarves, gloves, hats) as well as toiletries and diapers for two families in the SC Newcomers Transition Program. After gathering and wrapping, a few Sisters had the opportunity to personally deliver the gifts to the families.
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Associates Host Visioning Celebration
On Oct. 2, 2023, SC Associates hosted an all-day visioning celebration to remember our past, envision our future, and honor our ties. The gathering was facilitated by Vie Thorgren (an Associate of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth and Nazareth). Associates from England to Alaska and everywhere in between joined the celebration which included presentations, small group reflection and sharing as well as prayer and time to socialize.
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Welcome New Associates
On Sept. 2, 2023, the Sisters of Charity Community celebrated the commitment of three new Associates in Mission and honored two Associates celebrating their 25th anniversary with the Community. A warm welcome to Peggy Kleiner (left), Denise Morris (not pictured), and Felicia Bola Olakanmi (right) for making their commitments as Associates in Mission. Congratulations to Cheryl Roy and Mary Lou Straw upon the celebration of their silver anniversaries with the Community.
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S. Tracy Participates in Young Adult Synodal Pilgrimage |
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In September S. Tracy Kemme traveled to Italy with the Discerning Deacons Young Adult Synodal Pilgrimage. Discerning Deacons engages Catholics in reimagining women’s roles in the Church, specifically restoring women to the diaconate. Sixteen young adults from across North America were invited to Rome to celebrate and bear witness to the start of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. For the first time in the Church’s history, this assembly involved lay voting members, including women and young people. The meeting comes as part of the worldwide Synod on Synodality, a process of listening and dialogue initiated by Pope Francis in 2021 to hear from the whole People of God.
The mission of the Young Adult Pilgrimage, in addition to bearing witness to this historic moment as synodal ambassadors for U.S communities, was to encounter delegates in a posture of support and prayer. Throughout the experience and after the opening Mass of the synod on Oct. 4, the group met and prayed with more than 25 delegates, who were genuinely touched by the support. “Encountering women delegates was especially moving, for both them and us, as they prepared to enter spaces and roles never before filled by women,” S. Tracy recalled. “They seemed genuinely touched and buoyed by our cheerleading, and they were generous in entrusting their prayers to us. … Whether they requested it or not, we prayed courage and strength over each of them – brilliant, loving, prophetic disciples who are making a new way in the Church. I hold each one with deep affection, grateful that they were in the synod room.”
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Walking God's Path
In reflecting on her 25 years as a Sister of Charity, S. Sandy Howe sees how God’s blessings have been with her at every step of her journey. Read More.
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Doers of Justice and Makers of Peace
Over the past year, the SC Community has formed Justice Circles to collaborate around a focused issue and commit to participation in actions, educational opportunities and resource support. Read More.
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Following in Blandina's Footsteps
Associates Maria Gutierrez, Pat Grubelnik and Patti Traver are among those who continue the ministry of hospitality, charity and presence at the John Zay House in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Read More.
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Around the Campus: Spirituality Center |
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In December, throughout the Advent season, the Sisters of Charity Spirituality Center will be offering numerous programs to help you take time to pause, reflect and slow down. S. Marty Dermody explains the opportunities available in the video above. If you are interested in learning more or registering for one or all of the programs offered, please call the Spirituality Center at 513-347-5449 or email [email protected].
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Charity in Motion is an electronic newsletter of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. To join the Charity in Motion mailing list, contact Erin Reder at [email protected]. To unsubscribe, click here.
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