Golden Opportunities

By S. Georgia Kitt

Call them opportunities or call them challenges, S. Teresa Dutcher seems to sense the appropriate moment and the favorable time. A Golden Jubilarian S. Teresa agreed to look back at some of her life opportunities and the persons of influence who crossed her path.

During high school in Leslie, Michigan, in 1965, a new opportunity was made available to students who wished to enroll as full-time students at Michigan State university for their senior year. S. Teresa said to herself why not? While at MSu she met a group of Sisters of Charity at the Campus Parish Center: Sisters Ann Seubert, Daniel Miriam (Helen) Flaherty and Annina Morgan. not being a Catholic she wanted to learn and know more; they did not disappoint. She developed a friendship with S. Ann, and soon after became Catholic, all while pursuing her studies at MSu. She still desired to learn more about this “Sister life” they were living. They were authentic, real human beings!

In the late 1960s, post Vatican II, the Sisters of Charity were not admitting new Sisters, particularly a convert to the faith. S. Teresa corresponded with Mother Mary Omer on several occasions and after asking again she was offered a living opportunity at St. Joseph House and teaching at Marian High School. She entered the Community on Aug. 24, 1971. During this time Sisters Jane Grosheider, Maria Garlock, Laura Mary Liegibel and Mary Ann Humbert entered her life. What followed was the SC Formation Program (Intercommunity with the Oldenburg Franciscans) and the opportunity to learn from an outstanding high school educator, S. Laura Mary, for whom she developed great respect. S. Claire Foken became an important teacher of master scheduling which S. Teresa put to good use.

When an opening was posted at Seton High School in Cincinnati, S. Teresa saw this as the favorable time to apply. She liked that it was ‘ours’ [a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Charity] as well as close and convenient, and she could apply her knowledge of preparing the master schedule, a ‘puzzle’ she enjoyed. This began a career-long 25 years of dedicated service

S. Teresa Dutcher (far left) was one of the many Sisters of Charity in Poland in the mid1990s tasked with teaching the indigenous Sisters English. at the school (1993-2018), which included ministering as social studies and religion teacher, department chair, administrator and theology chair. When thinking about her years S. Teresa Dutcher ministered at Seton High School in working with teens, especially juniors Cincinnati for 25 years, serving as social studies and religion teacher, department chair, administrator and theology chair. and seniors, S. Teresa said she enjoyed their curiosity, energy and ability to keep her young. They laughed at her jokes. She shared, “It is a delightful time of life. They gave me credit for having life experiences behind me. In the classroom they understood that they could disagree, but not be disagreeable.” In 1995 the Archdiocese of Cincinnati offered the possibility of volunteering as an educator in eastern europe. S. Teresa saw this as a favorable time to offer her services as an educator to Polish Sisters. She had an earlier experience in 1978 while at Marian High School to visit five Republics in the Soviet union which lingered in her heart. After one five-week program in Poland she saw that there was still much to be done. With residual feelings of a task unfinished, she volunteered for a second year. She viewed this opportunity as part of the harvest and promise that our growth in understanding and friendship can be promoted across the world. For S. Teresa, Michigan is home and where a few family members remain; her two brothers reside in Arizona and Colorado. Her mother’s advice when she informed her family of her decision to enter the Sisters of Charity, “If you are going, become true.” Her family did not stand in the way. The opportunities to come to know the Sister of Charity women who crossed her path have made all the difference. She values their goodness, their influence and the ways in which they give energy to causes greater than themselves. The initial invitation to be open to Catholic and religious life while at Michigan State university was a most favorable time for a lifetime commitment. It has made all the difference.

Celebrating Our 2021 Jubilarians

Atotal of 10 Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati celebrated golden or diamond anniversaries with the Community in 2021. The women represent 590 total years of service in the Cincinnati Archdiocese, in dioceses throughout the united States and beyond. In addition, more than 30 Sisters of Charity celebrated anniversaries of 65, 70, 75 and 80 years of service. On Aug. 15, 2021, the Congregation honored these Sisters and their faith-filled years of service with a Mass in the Motherhouse chapel followed by dinner.

We congratulate Golden Jubilarian, S. Teresa Dutcher, and Diamond Jubilarians Sisters Brenda Busch, Mary Dugan, Sheila Gallagher, Karen Hawver, Teresa Marie Laengle, Jacqueline Leech, Judith Metz, Annette Paveglio and Mary ellen Roach 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 our Sisters, their special milestones and their lives of service and love. To view visit: https://vimeo.com/585887500. “Those 39 years at Holy name in Cleveland were blessed ones, cementing my relations with family and friends. I was the last in the line of 428 Sisters of Charity to share elizabeth Seton’s legacy with thousands of ‘namers.’”

- S. Sheila Gallagher, 60 years

Diamond Jubilarians, celebrating 60 years of religious life, are: (front row, from left) Sisters Mary Dugan, Sheila Gallagher, Jackie Leech, (back row, from left) Karen Hawver, Judith Metz, Mary Ellen Roach, Brenda Busch, Annette Paveglio and Teresa Marie Laengle. Diamond Jubilarian S. Mary Dugan

S. Teresa Dutcher celebrated 50 years with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Community in 2021.

“In belonging to a community and pooling our resources, we are able to help others much more than independently. The fact that I belong to a larger group gives me the desire to contribute to the building of our Community, and to be a responsible, loving

member.” - S. Jackie Leech, 60 years

Diamond Jubilarian S. Karen Hawver S. Catherine Erger (center) enjoyed visiting with Sisters (including Sisters Marcel DeJonckheere (left) and Diamond Jubilarian Mary Ellen Roach) during the August celebration.

Diamond Jubilarians process into the Immaculate Conception Chapel together on Aug. 15.

“The gift of my Congregation has always been to work to build the Kingdom of God, and to respond to the needs of the time. I trust in this time the Spirit will continue to lead

us.” - S. Annette Paveglio, 60 years

S. Anna Maria Ahl (pictured with S. Peggy Deneweth in back) was celebrated during Mass and a reception on Aug. 15. The Immaculate Conception Chapel was filled to honor all Sisters celebrating anniversaries in 2021.

“I entered religious life because, after prayer and reflection, I felt that it was what God was asking of me. … My happiest memories are of working with my Sister-friends on activities and projects that I feel accomplish significant things.”

- S. Judith Metz, 60 years

additional anniversaries

80 yeArS oF Service

S. Rita Schmutte

75 yeArS oF Service

S. Anna Maria Ahl S. Margaret Marie Anthony S. Ruth Bockenstette S. Rose Cheng S. Helen Cranley S. Jane Frances Diba S. Marie evelyn Dow

70 yeArS oF Service

S. Grace Catherine Aufderbeck S. Marion Agnes Boeddeker S. Mary Frances Boyle S. Kathryn Ann Connelly S. Mary Ann Donovan S. Catherine erger S. Helen Fox S. Helen Julia Hahn S. Kathleen Houck S. Mary Kathleen Pagac S. Jacqueline Riggio S. Jeanne Roach S. Marie Vincentia Roney S. Rita Maureen Schmidt

65 Years of service

S. Jeannette Cochran S. Barbara Counts S. Dorothy William englert S. Rita Hawk S. Patricia Hill S. nancy Hoffman S. esther Marie Humbert S. Margaret Mach S. Patricia McQuinn S. Sarah Mulligan S. Patrick Ann O’Connor S. Mary Dolores Schneider

S. Marie Vincentia Roney (pictured with S. Romina Sapinoso on right) entered the Sisters of Charity 70 years ago on Sept. 8, 1951.

Cruisin’

On Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, Sisters of Charity enjoyed a riverboat cruise down the Ohio River. More than 150 Sisters, including many from Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility, had the opportunity to gather together for a meal, fellowship and to celebrate the 2021 Jubilarians and S. Andrea Koverman’s final vows.