Summer 2019 2017
Given to God, in Community, for the Service of Those who are Poor
Inside this Issue: 4
Daughters Called to Hardeeville - Poorest County in South Carolina
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Young Volunteers Continue to Prove Integral to the Vincentian Family
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Adapting Education and Health Care to 21st Century Needs
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2018 Jubilarians
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2019 Jubilarians
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Bidding Ogdensburg, NY, Farewell
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Although Daughters Depart from Gould; Ministries Continue
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Daughters of Charity End Many Years of Service in Archdiocese of Boston
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Daughters Depart from New Salem, Pennsylvania
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Search and Serve Filled with Blessings
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Province News
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In Memory
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Sister Kate McFall Incorporated into the Community
Faith Afire • Summer 2019
Dear Friends, As you read this issue of Faith Afire, you will notice – as always with the Daughters of Charity – much coming and going! In this issue, we share about a move in South Carolina and about how we continue to adapt our ministries to meet changing needs. You will see we bid farewell to missions where others in the Catholic Church now take the reins in service to those who live in poverty. Last fall and again in April, the Sisters of the Province gathered in St. Louis for Provincial Meetings. There, we shared, celebrated the Liturgy of the Eucharist, sang, and, turned our eyes toward the future. We, as Daughters of Charity, trust in Divine Providence. Things cannot remain as they were or even as they are. The needs of those who live in poverty must remain our primary focus. As such, we continue to move toward more public awareness and education about social justice issues, migrants, and trafficked persons. In addition, we have Sisters who serve on the Texas-Mexico border daily as well as Sisters who travel to the region to serve for weeks or months at a time. I close with a quote from our Province patroness, St. Louise de Marillac, “I gave myself to God to accept the designs of His Providence if He willed me to continue, …, in a state of interior abandonment and even affliction so as to honor the sufferings of Jesus Christ which the Church places before our eyes.” (Spiritual Writings of St. Louise de Marillac, Thoughts, A. 21, page 701.) We ask you to continue to pray for us but most especially for those whom we serve. Blessings to you,
Sister Catherine Mary Norris, D.C. Provincial
Dear Friends in Christ, I recently participated in the Daughters of Charity Affiliate Gathering in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The theme of the Gathering was “Meet our Vincentian Saints and Blesseds.” Over the course of the weekend, we discussed the life, work, and example of many of our Vincentian “heroes and heroines.” Although these Saints and Blesseds were from different countries and lived in different times, these men and women offer concrete examples of Vincentian spirituality. Without going into the life of each of them, I would like to offer a few reflections that I hope will be relevant to most if not all of us. The first reflection would be a deep sense of trust that God was always with them. In the face of dangerous overseas travel, in the face of persecution and imprisonment, through trials of all kinds, and, yes, even martyrdom, they trusted that God was their companion and source of strength. We may never be called upon to suffer as they did but in the difficulties and hardships of our everyday lives, whether it be chronic pain, limitations that come with aging, family or financial troubles, or misunderstandings and resentments, we take comfort from knowing who is our “Companion of the Journey.”
On the Cover: Sister Kara Davis, SpeechLanguage Pathologist at Marillac St. Vincent Family Services, Chicago, Ill., spends time with three preschool students in the classroom setting. As the children play, Sister Kara reinforces speech-language skills, such as requesting and turn-taking, within a natural environment with peers.
The second reflection would be that wherever they ministered and under whatever circumstances they had to minister (often in secret and on the run), they always showed great compassion for the poor and the sick. Often in our busy lives the poor can become “invisible” to us. It takes an effort on our part to seek them out, but, once we remove our blinders, we discover them all around us and ready to share their world with us and enrich our lives. Finally, these Saints and Blesseds all had a deep love for and devotion to Mary, whom they recognized as their Mother. Mary, the perfect Disciple, listened and pondered in her heart the words and example of her Son. Mary stood at the foot of the cross uniting her suffering to that of her Son. Mary reminds us “to do whatever he (Jesus) tells you.” May these summer months of sun and warmth, vacations, and family picnic times also be a time for each of us, like our Vincentian models, to deepen our trust in the Lord. He walks with us in our desire to serve Him in our brothers and sisters who are poor, with Mary always as our guiding star. In Vincent and Louise,
Father John Kettelberger, C.M. Provincial Director
Faith Afire is published by the Province of St. Louise. Comments, suggestions or address corrections may be directed to Nancy Katich, nancy.katich@doc.org: 314.561.4625; 4330 Olive Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63108. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior written permission. Graphic Designer: Katie Zeller; Advisors: Province Communications Committee.
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul
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Daughters Called to Hardeeville —Poorest County in South Carolina
“The Lord hears the cry of the poor; blessed be the Lord…”
Pictured, left to right: Sister Bonnie McHugh, Sister Mary Gerald McCloskey, and Sister Mary Francis Bassick pose for a photo in front of their home in Hardeeville.
The lyrics from Father John Foley’s song—a song often sung at Mass—ring true to Daughters of Charity throughout the world. Heeding the call to serve the poor is the fourth vow all Daughters of Charity make. In 2018, following conversations with the Diocese of Charleston Bishop, Robert E. Guglielmone, the Daughters were compelled to go further to the margins, to the poorest area of the Diocese—Hardeeville. In January 2019, three Daughters of Charity established a new mission. Sisters Mary Francis Bassick, Bonnie McHugh, and Mary Gerald McCloskey moved into the new Daughters of Charity Residence in Hardeeville. Located only 22 miles west of Hilton Head Island, and 15 minutes west of Brighton Beach, Hardeeville is just west of Interstate 95. The Sisters now reside in St. Anthony’s Parish in Hardeeville. There, the per capita income is $14,000; 26.3 percent of the people there live below the poverty level.
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St. Anthony’s is a mission church with a combined congregation of Hispanic and Anglo parishioners. Parishioners are very excited about the Daughters’ presence. Sister Mary Francis now serves at the Mercy Center, which is part of Catholic Charities. At Mercy Center, there is a food pantry, thrift store, as well as a laundry and shower facilities. Soon, Sister Mary Francis hopes to introduce the “Getting Ahead Program” to help parishioners with finances. Sister Mary Gerald, who recently returned from 56 years of foreign missionary service in Bolivia, and more recently was ministering to immigrants on the Texas-Mexico border, serves as a Parish Visitor to Spanish-speaking families; she also works in anti-human trafficking efforts. Sister Bonnie assists with religious education and other Parish needs— many still to be identified!
“The opportunity for Daughters to serve in Hardeeville parallels, in some ways, the opportunity we had about 18 months ago when we returned to Mississippi. These are both areas of the South where there is not a strong Catholic presence and there is tremendous need,” explains Sister Mary Beth Kubera, Councillor. “Our primary ministry right now is to listen with our hearts to those we encounter each day,” adds Sister Mary Francis. “The people have been very welcoming and eager to minister with us,” concludes Sister Bonnie. Spanish moss hangs from old tree in the front yard of the Daughters’ Hardeeville home in St. Anthony’s Parish.
St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Hardeeville, S.C., was established nearly 100 years ago and aims to serve all regardless of ethnic background or social status.
Left, in the early days, the Daughters visited the Mercy Center as part of their efforts to determine the greatest needs in the area; Mercy Ministries of the Lowcountry includes the Mercy Mission’s thrift store and pantry—all Catholic Charities of South Carolina works.
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Young Volunteers Continue to Prove Integral to the Vincentian Family
VLM in Kitale, Kenya 2018. Left to right: Bella Davila, Connor Hirsch, Jillian Kajdas, and Ana Davila.
Individuals who call themselves “Vincentian” do not only include women and men religious. Many Vincentians are young people. Values such as serving the poor, living in community, and fighting for social justice are not limited to the Daughters of Charity or Vincentian Priests and Brothers alone. These tenants also appeal to lay people hoping to make systematic change in the world. Through the Vincentian Mission Corps and Vincentian Lay Missionaries programs sponsored by the Daughters, the Vincentian charism is shared with young people from all walks of life. VMC is a yearlong, faith-based volunteer program for young adults. Corps members live in community and serve the poor at a variety of locations throughout St.
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Faith Afire • Summer 2019
Louis, Mo. Service opportunities include education, health care, and human services. Corps members are called to actively build community with their fellow volunteers. One night a week, current VMC members gather to pray and reflect, discuss the Vincentian mission, and examine social justice issues and society’s responsibility to the poor. Participating in this Vincentian tenant of living in community is often recalled as a highlight for VMC members. Some volunteers enter the VMC because of their desire to grow stronger in the Vincentian charism, doing so by working with the poor. Others desire a year dedicated to service, and are surprised to learn how the mission of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac supports
social change. Mary Pimmel-Freeman, Director of the Vincentian Mission Corps, has observed many stages of growth and change in this year’s group of volunteers. As the year of service began to come to a close, each VMC member was asked to reflect on their own growth. One question asked the individuals if they considered themselves a Vincentian. One corps member reflects, “I definitely would consider myself a Vincentian…I think if you asked me the same question a year ago I would have said no because I didn’t really have any idea what being a Vincentian meant. Through the help of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, the Daughters of Charity, my community, and different events throughout the year, I’ve really grown to understand what being a Vincentian means and love being part of such a great community.” Vincentian Lay Missionaries are men and women who serve for four-six weeks in communities in Ethiopia or Kenya. These individuals work alongside the Daughters of Charity providing educational opportunities to both children and adults in the communities. During their time serving in these communities, Vincentian Lay Missionaries are also called to live in community. For the duration of their trip, VLM live with the Daughters of Charity. Director of Vincentian Lay Missionaries, Jess Werner, observes that many VLM are encouraged by the opportunity to live with the Daughters. Even VLM who had no previous contact with Sisters, and were somewhat unsure of the situation, find the Daughters’ humility and vision inspiring. The Vincentian charism touches members of these service programs in an enduring manner. Two Vincentian Lay Missionaries who met while VLM volunteers in 2008 later ended up getting married. The couple have continued to keep the mission present in their family, and have even gone on to be Vincentian parents to three children. The work of Sts. Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac continues through the hands and spirit of young people in various communities. These Vincentians continue to live the charism as college students, missionaries, parents, and many more.
Top photo: Nya Brooks, Madeline Gemoules, Emily Edwards, Laura Mena, Elisabet Barrios, and Elizandra Martinez of VMC 2014-2015 with Sister Mary Beth Kubera, D.C. Second photo: Bahir Dar, Ethiopia 2018, Kayla Ortiz Third photo: Kitale, Kenya 2018, Kostyn Tyksinski Bottom photo: Katherine Pashkevich, Jake Pandolfi, and Lucy (Ellermann) Kuzemka of VMC 2016-2017.
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Adapting Education and Health Care to 21st Century Needs
Left, Sister Vincent Louise Wilcox helps a student with a lesson. Sister taught at St. Catherine LabourĂŠ School, Harrisburg, Penn., from 1969 to 1974. Above, Sister Kara Davis provides individual therapy sessions onsite at both Marillac St. Vincent locations, implementing literacy-based and play-based therapy modalities.
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Faith Afire • Summer 2019
St. Vincent, in 1653, in his 51st Conference to the Daughters of Charity, instructed the Sisters on the care of the sick and education for poor girls: “You must take the sick poor two kinds of food: corporal and spiritual, that is, to tell them some good thought from your meditation—five or six words to fulfill their Christian duty or to practice patience…another purpose of your Company, Sisters, is to teach the fear and love of God to children in schools…” For the next 366 years, the Daughters have cared for the sick with much more than medicine. They nursed the injured in hospitals and cared for soldiers during the Civil, Spanish-American, and World Wars. Many Sisters’ diaries reveal the Sisters’ concerns to assure the fatally injured were baptized. Sisters delivered thousands of babies in their roles as nurse midwives. The Daughters taught hundreds of thousands of students—not only reading, writing, and arithmetic, but also the love of God. The Sisters sponsored hospitals and hundreds of schools, and they established orphanages where they not only cared for children but also provided educations. Today, the Sisters continue to serve in education and health care ministries but in different ways than before. Sisters minister in early child development centers, elementary schools, high schools, and in many health care roles. Other Catholic lay women and men have come alongside the Daughters and filled the “usual” teaching and health care ministries so that the Daughters may be free to fill the most difficult roles.
The Daughters taught hundreds of thousands of students—not only reading, writing, and arithmetic, but also the love of God.
Top: Sister Doris Clippard, fourth from the left, with her team at Centro San Vincente. Bottom: Sister Mary Kay Tyrell, who served as a Nurse Midwife from 1976 to 1988, delivered more than 2,000 babies. Here, she is admiring a newborn she helped to deliver at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Montgomery, Ala.
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International Project Services Daughters of Charity International Project Services was established to help the Daughters in developing countries to carry out their mission of service to those who are poor. IPS facilitates international funding and other resources, and develops relationships that support Daughter of Charity projects that minimize human suffering and foster sustainable solutions to global poverty at the local level. In addition to the assistance IPS has provided, through donations, to St. Vincent’s Hospital in the Congo, the organization has funded 1,112 projects in 64 countries where the Daughters serve. One-hundred percent of all donations go directly to those in need. Visit daughtersips.org
In Chicago, Ill., Sister Kara Davis serves at Marillac St. Vincent Family Services (MSV). As a Speech-Language Pathologist, she assists children at both locations—St. Vincent de Paul Center and Marillac Social Center. She provides individual therapy sessions and classroom support for preschool children demonstrating speech or language deficits. She also assists parents in the referral process for Chicago Public Schools to continue services as the children transition into kindergarten. Sister Kara explains, “During the preschool years, children naturally develop critical speech and language skills which are foundational for the acquisition of literacy skills necessary for academic success. Children living in poverty are considered “at risk” for speech-language delays merely because of their low socio-economic status. Often these children are not identified early enough or do not have adequate access to therapy services, which place them further behind their typically developing peers. At MSV I am grateful to integrate my professional training with our Vincentian mission to serve those living in poverty. It is a privilege to provide access to specialized services that our children would otherwise do without.” For Sister Doris Clippard, a Nurse Practitioner who serves at Centro San Vincent in El Paso, Texas, each new day brings gifts from God—gifts of care that can vary greatly. “Our clinic at the border of Mexico allows us to serve the homeless, those without access to healthcare, and our immigrants. Their faith and trust in us and in God renews and strengthens us,” Sister Doris shares. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sister Mary Felice, Physician, works with local doctors, nurses and health care professionals at St. Vincent’s General Hospital to care for those who live in a 700,000-squaremile area around the small city of Lukolela situated on the Congo River. Sister Mary Felice, a missionary who cares for patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, shared this photo with the Daughters during their 2018 Provincial Meeting. The hospital, St. Vincent’s in Lukolela, has recently been painted and updated through the support of the Daughters’ International Project Services (IPS). Sister Mary poses next to Sister Mary John, a Congolese Daughter of Charity who serves in hospital administration, along with the other medical staff members, medical residents, and administrators of St. Vincent’s General Hospital.
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Faith Afire • Summer 2019
Sister Elyse Staab serves in several roles in Macon. They include Vincentian Family Coordinator for the Ladies of Charity, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Affiliates of the Company, and Former Daughters/Women of Charity. In addition, Sister teaches English as a Second Language Classes at Family Advancement Ministries.
In 2018, many Catholics there celebrated the 400th anniversary of the Vincentian Charism with a five-hourlong Mass filled with much dancing, singing, and more than 20 marriages! Cholera epidemics in February through August, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, severe malaria, and malnutrition are frequent diagnoses of the patients cared for at the 123-bed hospital. “At this moment we are in the midst of building a new Urgent Care/Intensive Care building to better serve the population by providing a building with more space and privacy,” adds Sister Mary. “I have found it a privilege to live and work amidst the poor, to experience what St Vincent said, that when we are close to them we are close to God. I also have experienced how God takes care of us when we are in need. I am thankful to those who came before us, whose inventiveness to infinity and courage established such ministries.” Sister Elyse Staab ministers in Macon, Ga., where among many roles, she teaches an English as a Second Language class at Family Advancement Ministries. On Thursday mornings, Sister works with Spanish-speaking students. “I love working with my students, most of whom are Hispanic moms who want a better life for their children. They come from Mexico and countries in Central and South America, fleeing poverty and violence. I admire their desire to learn English, despite its difficulty, and their willingness to persevere at this task. They inspire me with their openness, their deep faith, their trust, and the many obstacles they encounter in making a new life for themselves and their families. It is truly a privilege for me to be a part of their journey. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve those on the margins. Truly they are a reflection of the face of God for me,” says Sister Elyse. The Daughters of the Province of St. Louise continue to be called and to serve on the margins of society; it is on the margins where they find those who are most in need.
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2018 Jubilarians
From left to right, top to bottom: Sister Jeanne Parrish, Sister Annina Scharper, Sister Elle Mary Carroll Eby, Sister Mary Theresa Fox, Sister Mary Louise Hoeller, Sister DeChantal Patricia Anne Bossle, Sister Mary Louise Brown, Sister Jane Burger, Sister Helen Gertrude Marcella Ewers, Sister Florence Joseph Flaherty, Sister Karen Flaherty, Sister Sandra Gold Margaret Mary Hohl, Sister Kieran Kneaves. Fourth Row: Sister Annette LeDuc, Sister Je Irene Brassard, Sister Margaret Marie Clifford, Sister Teresa Daly, Sister Eileen Donoghue Thomas, Sister Consuelo Tovar, Sister Doris Clippard, Sister Kathleen McGuire, Sister Na
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Faith Afire • Summer 2019
en Marie Adams, Sister Carmella Augello, Sister Juanita Chenevert, Sister Mary Madeleine Drennan, Sister l LaRow. Second Row: Sister Ann Charles Martin, Sister André Aycock, Sister Julianne Blanchard, Sister e Carroll, Sister Mary Patrick Costello, Sister Barbara Ann Curran, Sister Barbara Dingman. Third Row: Sister dsborough, Sister Sharon Groetsch, Sister Judith Hebert, Sister Angele Hinkey, Sister Carol Hoelscher, Sister ean Maher, Sister Mary Francis Martin, Sister Germaine Price, Sister Renée Rose, Sister Nancy Stewart, Sister e. Fifth Row: Sister Mary Polutanovich, Sister Rose Marie Rizzo, Sister Mary Louise Stubbs, Sister Mary Ellen ancy Murphy, Sister Margaret O’Dwyer, Sister Irma Vargas.
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Province of St. Louise
Celebrating 2,455 Years of Serving Christ in Those in Need During 2018, 50 Daughters of Charity from the Province celebrate Jubilees. 75 Years Vocation Sister Jeanne Parrish, D.C. December 4, 1943 An Educator, Administrator, Counselor, Provincial Councillor, Local Community Superior and Spiritual Director, Sister Jeanne has ministered in Louisiana, Missouri, California, and Indiana. Sister currently serves in the Ministry of Prayer in Evansville, Ind. Sister Annina Scharper, D.C. February 1, 1943 Sister Annina served in Nursing and Hospital Administration, as Director of Nursing Schools, Hospital Educator, Missionary, and later, Chaplain to Vincent de Paul Society, Pastoral Care Associate, Local Community Superior, and Docent at Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine. She served in New York, D.C, Michigan, Virginia, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Georgia. Sister Annina spent 10 years in Taiwan as a Nursing Educator. Sister is currently serving in the Ministry of Prayer in Emmitsburg, Md. 70 Years Vocation Sister Ellen Marie Adams, D.C. March 10, 1948 As a Nurse and Social Worker, Sister Ellen Marie has served in Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama. Sister is currently serving in the Ministry of Prayer in Evansville, Ind. Sister Carmella Augello, D.C. July 23, 1948 Sister Carmella, as an Educator and Business Administrator, served as Children’s Home Director, Central Processing Director, Patient Advocate, Foundation Board Member, Local Community Superior, Construction Coordinator, Institutional
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Advancement, Local Community Superior, Provincial Treasurer and Hospital Administrator. Sister Carmella served in Michigan, Maryland, D.C., New York, and Massachusetts. Sister is currently serving in the Ministry of Prayer in Albany, N.Y. Sister Juanita Chenevert, D.C. November 19, 1948 Sister Juanita served as an Elementary School Educator and Administrator, Local Community Superior, and in Health Ministry at the Daughters of Charity Services in New Orleans, La. Additionally, she has served in California, Iowa, and Missouri. Sister Juanita is currently serving in the Ministry of Prayer in New Orleans, La. Sister Mary Madeleine Drennan, D.C. January 28, 1948 Sister Mary Madeleine ministered in Education, Child Care, Home Visiting and Pastoral Care in Maryland, D.C., Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Sister serves in the Ministry of Prayer in Albany, N.Y. Sister Mary Carroll Eby, D.C. December 4, 1948 As an Educator, School Administrator, Local Community Superior, Provincial Councillor, and a Nurse, Sister Mary Carroll has ministered in New York, Maryland, D.C., Florida, Virginia, and South Carolina. Sister currently serves in the Ministry of Prayer in Emmitsburg, Md. Sister Mary Theresa Fox, D.C. June 8, 1948 Sister Mary Theresa served in Health Ministry as a Psychiatric Nurse, Instructor, Mental Health Clinical Specialist and Program Director. Sister
also served as a Local Community Superior. She has ministered in Illinois, Tennessee, Missouri, Texas, and Louisiana. Sister Mary Theresa currently serves in the Ministry of Prayer in Evansville, Ind. Sister Mary Louise Hoeller, D.C. February 7, 1948 Sister ministered as a Nurse and Health Educator and has served in Missouri, Illinois, Louisiana, California, Tennessee, Texas, and in Wisconsin. Sister is currently serving in the Ministry of Prayer in Evansville, Ind. Sister DeChantal LaRow, D.C. December 4, 1948 Sister DeChantal ministered as a Nurse, in Health Education, Hospital Administrator, Provincial Councillor, Local Community Superior, and served as a Hospital Board Chair. Sister served in D.C., Florida, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and in Pennsylvania. Sister DeChantal is currently serving in the Ministry of Prayer in Albany, N.Y. Sister Ann Charles Martin, D.C. December 4, 1948 As an Elementary School Teacher, Sister Ann Charles has ministered in Maryland, Virginia, New York, and Delaware. Today, Sister is serving in the Ministry of Prayer in Albany, N.Y. 60 Years Vocation Sister André Aycock, D.C. June 5, 1958 Sister André has ministered as a Nurse, Supervisor and Director in various Health Care settings, as a Missionary in Taiwan, Local Community Superior, and in Pastoral Ministry. Sister has served in Indiana, Missouri, Louisiana, and in Texas. Sister André is currently
serving in the Ministry of Prayer in Evansville, Ind. Sister Julianne Blanchard, D.C. January 25, 1958 Sister has served as a Teacher, Department Chair, and Missionary. She served in Missouri, Nevada, Iowa, Louisiana, and in Taiwan. Sister volunteers to teach Theology II and Mandarin at St. Augustine High School and serves in the Ministry of Prayer in New Orleans, La. Sister Patricia Anne Bossle, D.C. April 2, 1958 Sister Patricia Ann has served in Education and in Finance. Sister served as a Teacher, Principal, President, Director of Development and of a Soup Kitchen, Financial Analyst, Provincial Treasurer, Director of My Brother’s Keeper, and Local Community Superior. Sister Patricia Anne ministered in New York, Maryland, Georgia, and Virginia. Today, she serves in the Ministry of Prayer in Emmitsburg, Md. Sister Mary Louise Brown, D.C. April 2, 1958 Sister has ministered in Education, Pastoral Care, Child Care, Adult Literacy, as a Local Community Superior, and as a Docent. Sister ministered in North and South Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, and in D.C. Sister serves in the Ministry of Prayer in Emmitsburg, Md. Sister Jane Burger, D.C. June 5, 1958 Sister Jane has served in Health Care as a Clinical Nurse, Hospital Educator, Hospital Pastoral Care Director, Mission Integration, Clinical and Health Care Business Ethics Coordinator, Local Community Superior, and in Health Care and Social Agency Governance. Sister ministered in Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, and in Michigan. Sister Jane is currently serving as Vincentian Spiritual Advisor to the Ladies of Charity in Evansville, Ind.
Sister Helen Gertrude Carroll, D.C. April 2, 1958 Sister Helen Gertrude has served in Elementary and Secondary Education, Director of Religious Education, Local Community Superior, Diocesan Lay Ministry Faith Formation, Hospital Outreach, and as a Docent. Sister has ministered in D.C., Maryland, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania. Sister Helen Gertrude is currently serving in the Ministry of Prayer in Albany, N.Y. Sister Mary Patrick Costello, D.C. April 2, 1958 As an Educator, Sister Mary Patrick has ministered as a Teacher, Assistant Principal and Principal, as well as Local Community Superior. Sister has also ministered in Pastoral Care. Sister served in New York, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and in West Virginia. Sister Mary Patrick is currently serving in the Ministry of Prayer in Emmitsburg, Md. Sister Barbara Ann Curran, D.C. April 2, 1958 Sister Barbara Ann served as a Teacher, Local Community Superior, and Principal. Sister has ministered in Ohio, Maryland, New York, Delaware, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Currently, Sister Barbara Ann serves in the Ministry of Prayer in Albany, N.Y. Sister Barbara Dingman, D.C. June 5, 1958 Sister Barbara ministered in Early Childhood Education, as a Social Worker, Local Community Superior, and in Parish/Pastoral Ministry. Sister has served in Louisiana, Alabama, Missouri, New York, Texas, and Indiana. Sister Barbara is currently managing Hospitality at Seton Residence, and ministering to the senior Sisters, in Evansville, Ind. Sister Marcella Ewers, D.C. January 25, 1958 As a Teacher, Principal, Local Community Superior, School Administrator, and Provincial Councillor, Sister Marcella has served in Louisiana, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois,
and Texas. Today, Sister Marcella is serving in the Ministry of Prayer in St. Louis, Mo. Sister Florence Joseph Flaherty, D.C. April 2, 1958 Sister Florence Joseph is an Educator, and has served as a Director of Religious Education, Local Community Superior, and Parish Pastoral Associate. Sister has ministered in Delaware, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Sister Florence Joseph is currently serving in the Ministry of Prayer in Albany, N.Y. Sister Karen Flaherty, D.C. June 5, 1958 In Education and Counseling, Sister Karen has served in Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Sister served as a Missionary in Kitale, Kenya for six years. She has also served as a Local Community Superior. Sister Karen is currently ministering at All Saints Parish and at St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in Evansville, Ind. Sister Sandra Goldsborough, D.C. April 2, 1958 As an Elementary School Teacher, and Local Community Superior, Sister Sandra has served in Pennsylvania, Virginia,, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and D.C. Sister also served as Principal and in Pastoral Ministry. Sister is currently serving in the Ministry of Prayer in Emmitsburg, Md. Sister Sharon Groetsch, D.C. June 5, 1958 Sister Sharon has served in Middle and High School Education, Local Community Superior, and Pastoral Care Ministries. She has served in Utah, Arizona, California, Missouri, and Texas. Sister Sharon is serving in the Ministry of Prayer in Evansville, Ind. Sister Judith Hebert, D.C. June 5, 1958 As a Primary School Teacher and Administrator, Sister has taught and evaluated children with learning
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disabilities. She has also served as a Counselor, Local Community Superior, and Child Advocate. Sister Judith served in Texas and Missouri. Today, Sister is serving in a Criminal Justice Ministry in St. Louis, Mo. Sister Angele Hinkey, D.C. June 5, 1958 Sister Angele has ministered in Early Childhood Education, Foster Care, Art Ministry, Prison Ministry, and in Pastoral Care. Sister served in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Currently Sister Angele is serving in Prison Ministry in Chicago, Ill. Sister Carol Hoelscher, D.C. June 5, 1958 As an Educator, Sister Carol has taught Elementary and Secondary classes, and served as Librarian. Sister served as a Local Community Superior, and Provincial Secretary. Sister ministered in Illinois, Louisiana and in Missouri. Sister Carol currently serves as the Provincial Office Receptionist and manages Hospitality for the Province in St. Louis, Mo. Sister Margaret Mary Hohl, D.C. April 2, 1958 Sister Margaret Mary has served in Elementary Education and Parish Ministry, as well as a Local Community Superior. Sister has ministered in Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and in New Jersey. Currently, Sister Margaret Mary is the Director of Cathedral Social Services/Food Pantry in Albany, N.Y. Sister Kieran Kneaves, D.C. January 25, 1958 Sister has served in Education, Health Care Ministries, and as a Local Community Superior. Sister Kieran taught High School, was Director of an Inner-City Youth Program, and led Mission Integration for DCNHS and Ascension Health. Sister served in Utah, Louisiana, and Missouri. Today, Sister Kieran serves as the Director of Vincentian Formation for the Society
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of St. Vincent De Paul’s National Office in St. Louis, Mo. Sister Annette LeDuc, D.C. June 5, 1958 Sister served as an Accountant in Health Care Ministries and for the Daughters. An avid photographer, Sister served in Missouri, California, Louisiana, and in Texas. Currently, Sister Annette is in the Ministry of Prayer in St. Louis, Mo. Sister Jean Maher, D.C. June 5, 1958 As a Nurse, Local Community Superior, and Administrator, Sister has served in Health Care, Homeless Services, and in Missions in Haiti and China. Sister Jean served as a Provincial Councillor. Sister has ministered in Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Today, Sister Jean is a Community Liaison at St. Athanasius School in Philadelphia, Pa. Sister Mary Francis Martin, D.C. April 2, 1958 Sister Mary Francis ministered as an Educator, Local Community Superior, in Campus Ministry, and in Spiritual Direction. Sister served as Councillor and Visitatrix. Sister Mary Francis has ministered in Maryland, New York, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Today, Sister serves in the Ministry of Prayer in Albany, N.Y. Sister Germaine Price, D.C. June 5, 1958 Beginning her ministry as a teacher in Utah and Missouri, Sister Germaine also taught in Puerto Rico, Turkey, and Africa. Sister served in France, Haiti and Romania. She served as Provincial Councillor, Local Community Superior, Provincial Assistant, AIM Executive Director, and Seminary Directress. Sister also represented the Daughters of Charity at the United Nations-NGO. Currently, Sister Germaine serves as Pastoral Associate at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in St. Louis, Mo.
Sister Renée Rose, D.C. January 25, 1958 A Nurse, Local Community Superior, Social Services Provider, and Health Care Administrator, Sister Renée has served in Indiana, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Louisiana. Sister currently volunteers at Hotel Hope in New Orleans, La. Sister Nancy Stewart, D.C. April 2, 1958 Sister Nancy has served as an Educator in Elementary School, in Parish Ministry, Prenatal Care and Delivery, Financial Coordinator, Hispanic Ministry, ESL, and Bilingual Medical Interpreter. Sister has served in New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, D.C., North and South Carolina, West Virginia, and Texas. Sister Nancy serves in the Ministry of Prayer in Emmitsburg, Md., where she volunteers at the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. 50 Years Vocation Sister Irene Brassard, D.C. March 30, 1968 Sister has ministered in Child Care, as a Local Community Superior, and as a Clinical Social Worker. Sister Irene has served in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and in Montreal, Canada. Sister currently serves at Nativity Parish and as the Local Community Superior in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sister Margaret Marie Clifford, D.C. June 5, 1968 A Nurse, Sister Margaret Marie continued her Education to serve in Health Care Management, Grant Writing and Fundraising. Sister has served as a Local Community Superior. Sister ministered in Alabama, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, New York, and in Pennsylvania. Currently, Sister is the Advancement Coordinator for the International Vincentian Family Office in Philadelphia, Pa.
Sister Teresa Daly, D.C. March 30, 1968 Sister Teresa has taught Elementary School and High School Religion. She has served in Pastoral Ministry, Parish Administration, as SVDP Society Formation Directress, and as Local Community Superior. Sister served as Director of Vincentian Service Corps, and as Vocation Directress. She has served in Missouri, Texas, Iowa, Arkansas, Illinois, North Carolina and Louisiana. Today, Sister Teresa’s ministry involves the Stepping Stones project with Family Promise, a program sheltering and mentoring homeless families in New Orleans, La. Sister Eileen Donoghue, D.C. March 30, 1968 Sister Eileen has served as a Teacher, Nurse, Nursing Administrator, Local Community Superior, and Pastoral Care Director. Sister ministered in West Virginia, Virginia, Florida, D.C., and Maryland. Sister Eileen is currently serving in the Ministry of Prayer in Emmitsburg, Md. Sister Mary Polutanovich, D.C. March 30, 1968 A Nurse, Artist, Local Community Superior, Provincial Councillor, and Spiritual Director, Sister Mary has ministered in Illinois, Indiana, Alabama, and Wisconsin. Today, Sister Mary serves as Retreat Director and in Art Ministry for the Daughters in Evansville, Ind. Sister Rose Marie Rizzo, D.C. March 30, 1968 Sister Rose Marie served as an Elementary Teacher, taught Computer Skills to the Emotionally Disturbed, served in Pastoral Care ministry, and CCD Instructor and Coordinator. Sister ministered in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Currently Sister Rose Marie lives in Albany, N.Y.
Sister Mary Louise Stubbs, D.C. June 5, 1968 A Nurse, Hospital Administrator, Fund Developer, Director of Catholic Charities, Local Community Superior, and Early Childhood Center Director, Sister Mary Louise has ministered in Louisiana, Missouri, Texas, D.C., Arkansas, New York, Indiana, and Michigan. Today, Sister serves as the Executive Director of the Daughters International Project Services in Southfield, Mich. Sister Mary Ellen Thomas, D.C. March 30, 1968 As a Social Worker and Local Community Superior, Sister Mary Ellen served in schools and through Catholic Charities, in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. She also served as Pastoral Associate in New York. Currently, Sister is serving at St. Charles Lwanga Parish, in Detroit, Mich., and as a Volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Archdiocese of Detroit. Sister Consuelo Tovar, D.C. June 5, 1968 An Educator, Sister Consuelo taught High School and was involved in Social and Pastoral Ministry for Hispanic Communities. Sister has served in Missouri, Texas, Kansas, California, and New Mexico. Currently, Sister Consuelo serves at the Daughters of Charity Services of San Antonio at DePaul Center and La Mision, in San Antonio, Tex. 25 Years Vocation Sister Doris Clippard, D.C. July 30, 1993 A Nurse Practitioner and Clinic Manager, Sister Doris served in Wisconsin, Indiana, Tennessee, and Texas. Sister served as a mentor to High School Students and other Nurse Practitioners. Today, Sister Doris is serving as a Nurse Practitioner at Centro San Vicente in El Paso, Tex.
Sister Kathleen McGuire, D.C. August 8, 1993 Sister Kathy serves as a Social Worker, in Prison Ministry. Sister has served in Philadelphia, Massachusetts, Delaware, New York, and Illinois. Sister Kathy is currently ministering as a Social Worker at Saratoga Hospital Health Systems in Albany, N.Y. Sister Nancy Murphy, D.C. August 8, 1993 Sister Nancy has ministered in Prison Ministry, Parish Ministry, as a Physician Assistant in Clinics and Emergency Departments, in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, and New York. Sister Nancy has served the Daughters as Vocation Director and is currently serving as a Provincial Councillor, in St. Louis, Mo. Sister Margaret O’Dwyer, D.C. July 30, 1993 With an Education and Legal background, Sister Margaret has served as a Patient Advocate, Education Specialist, in Prison Ministry and as an After-School Coordinator, in Tennessee, Illinois, and South Carolina. Sister served as a Missionary for 10 years in the Cook Islands (New Zealand) in the South Pacific. Currently Sister Margaret is representing the Daughters of Charity at the United Nations-NGO. Sister Irma Vargas, D.C. August 1, 1993 Sister Irma has ministered in Health, Education, as a Local Community Superior, and in Parish Ministry. Sister served in Maryland, Texas, Arizona, and Missouri. Sister Irma is currently ministering in New Orleans, La.
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2019 Jubilarians
From left to right, top to bottom: Sister Eileen Davis, Sister Joan Angermaier, Sister Rosal Sister Mary Louise Happich. Second Row: Sister Elizabeth Ann Lingg, Sister Josephine O Sister Anthony Prugger, Sister Mary Ruth Rault, Sister Alice Marie Smith, Sister Edith Th Francis Bassick, Sister Judith Bright, Sister Mary Kevin Callahan, Sister Sheila Carney, Sist Dubovsky, Sister Claire Edwards Fourth Row: Sister Patricia Endres, Sister Isabel Fierro, S Gallant, Sister Julia Huiskamp, Sister Mavis Jewell, Sister Madeline Kavanagh Fifth Row: Warmbold, Sister Vincent Louise Wilcox, Sister Joanne Dress, Sister Kathleen Natwin, Sis
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lie Brocato, Sister Mary Anne Digenan, Oldani, Sister Mary Agnes O’Neil, hompson Third Row: Sister Mary ter Rita Downey, Sister Margaret Ann Sister Catherine France, Sister Paula Sister Cecile Matushek, Sister Judith ster Iliana Aponte, Sister Mary Felice.
Province of St. Louise
Celebrating 2,015 Years of Serving Christ in Those in Need During 2019, 33 Daughters of Charity from the Province celebrate Jubilees. 75 Years Vocation Sister Eileen Davis, D.C. December 5, 1944 A Teacher, Nurse, Seminary Directress, Vice President of Mission Services, Chaplain, Local Community Superior, and Pastoral Care Staff Member, Sister Eileen has served in New York, Maryland, D.C., Connecticut, Florida, and Virginia. Sister now serves in the Ministry of Prayer in Emmitsburg, Md. 70 Years Vocation Sister Joan Angermaier, D.C. December 18, 1949 A Teacher, Principal, Docent, and Archives Assistant, Sister has served in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia, and D.C. Today, Sister lives in Emmitsburg, Md., where she serves in the Provincial Archives. Sister Rosalie Brocato, D.C. December 18, 1949 A Child Care Worker, Administrator, Outreach Minister, Social Worker, Local Community Superior, Pastoral Care Director, and Volunteer, Sister Rosalie served in Michigan, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Sister lives in Emmitsburg, Md., where she serves in Pastoral Care. Sister Mary Anne Digenan, D.C. January 1, 1949 A Nurse, Nursing Supervisor, Local Community Superior, Director of Nursing Services and Nursing Education, Lecturer, Provincial Councillor, Director of Pastoral Care, Vice President of Mission, and Spiritual Director, Sister Mary Ann has served in Missouri, D.C., Louisiana, and Texas. Today, Sister Mary
Ann resides in Evansville, Ind., where she serves in the Ministry of Prayer. Sister Mary Louise Happich, D.C. July 7, 1949 Elementary Teacher and Principal, Local Community Superior, Administrative Assistant, Docent, and Receptionist, Sister served in Missouri, Mississippi, California, Louisiana, Texas, Maryland, and Oklahoma. She lives in Evansville, Ind., and serves in the Ministry of Prayer. Sister Elizabeth Ann Lingg, D.C. December 18, 1949 Pharmacist, Administrator, Provincial Councillor, Local Community Superior, and Pastoral Care Director, Sister Elizabeth Ann served in New York, Florida, Maryland, and D.C. Now serving in the Ministry of Prayer, Sister lives in Emmitsburg, Md. Sister Josephine Oldani, D.C. January 1, 1949 Child Care Worker, Elementary and Secondary Teacher and Principal, Local Community Superior, Provincial Councillor, Provincial Treasurer, and many roles at Catholic Charities. She served in Alabama, Utah, Missouri, Louisiana, and Iowa. Sister lives in Bridgeton, Mo., and serves in the Ministry of Prayer. Sister Mary Agnes O’Neil, D.C. January 3, 1949 Nurse, Director of Nursing Services, Hospital Administrator, Health System Board Member and Chair, Docent, Local Community Superior, Provincial Councillor, and Provincial Assistant, Sister Mary Agnes has served in
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Maryland, Massachusetts, Florida, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. Today, Sister serves in the Ministry of Prayer in Albany, N.Y. Sister Anthony Prugger, D.C. February 2, 1949 A Social Worker, Administrator, Local Community Superior, Planning Consultant, and Retirement Coordinator. Sister Anthony has served in Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Sister Anthony lives in Evansville, Ind., and serves in the Ministry of Prayer, Sister Mary Ruth Rault, D.C. July 9, 1949 Secondary Teacher, Business Manager, Pastoral Care Associate, Prison Chaplain, Local Community Superior, and Director, Sister Mary Ruth has served in Missouri, California, Alabama, Michigan, and Indiana. Today, Sister serves in the Ministry of Prayer in Evansville, Ind. Sister Alice Marie Smith, D.C. December 18, 1949 Sister Alice has served as an Elementary and Secondary Teacher, Guidance Counselor, Docent, Registrar, Gift Shop Manager, and Patient Advocate. Sister served in Maryland, New York, West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia, and D.C. A resident of Emmitsburg, Md., Sister now serves in the Ministry of Prayer. Sister Edith Thompson, D.C. April 24, 1949 An Elementary, Middle, and Upper School Teacher, Missionary, Chaplain, Director of Pastoral Care, Docent, and Receptionist, Sister Edith ministered in Missouri, Texas, Puerto Rico, Louisiana, and Maryland. Serving now in the Ministry of Prayer, she lives in Emmitsburg, Md. 60 Years Vocation Sister Mary Francis Bassick, D.C. April 15, 1959 Elementary and Special Education
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Teacher, Director, Assistant Program Director, Local Community Superior, Social Worker, Executive Director, and Outreach Coordinator, Sister Mary Francis has served in Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. Today, she serves in Outreach in Hardeeville, South Carolina. Sister Judith Bright, D.C. January 25, 1959 A Housemother, Pastoral Minister, Social Worker, Local Community Superior, Human Resources and Mission Coordinator. Sister Judith has served in Missouri, California, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Indiana. She currently ministers as the Local Community Superior for the senior Daughters in Evansville, Ind. Sister Mary Kevin Callahan, D.C. April 15, 1959 A Nurse, Nursing Supervisor, MedicalSurgical Coordinator, Docent, Inservice Coordinator, and Outreach and Hospice Volunteer, Sister Mary Kevin has served in Maryland, Maine, Virginia, and Florida. She currently resides in Emmitsburg, Md., where she serves in the Ministry of Prayer. Sister Sheila Carney, D.C. April 15, 1959 Sister Sheila, an Elementary and Secondary Teacher, Elementary Principal, Business Manager, Secretary, Local Community Superior, and Business Office Volunteer, has served in D.C., Ohio, Alabama, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, and Texas. Sister Sheila currently minsters as a Volunteer at Mater Dei High School in Evansville, Ind. Sister Rita Downey, D.C. January 25, 1959 An Upper and Elementary School Teacher, School Coordinator, Local Community Superior, Elementary School Principal, Provincial Secretary, and Administrative Assistant, Sister
Rita has served in Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, and Iowa. Sister lives in Maryland Heights, Mo., and serves as an Assistant at a residential center for children and adolescents. Sister Margaret Ann Dubovsky, D.C. April 15, 1959 An Primary, Middle and Secondary Educator, Local Community Superior, Catechist, and Missionary, Sister Margaret Ann has served in New York, Virginia, North Carolina, and Bolivia. Today, Sister ministers as a English Professor at the Catholic University while on mission in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Sister Claire Edwards, D.C. April 15, 1959 A Nurse, Hospital Administrator, Vice President of Mission, Parish Volunteer, Pastoral Associate, and Spiritual Director, Sister Claire has served in D.C., Michigan, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Louisiana. Sister currently lives and serves in New Orleans, La., as a Pastoral Associate and Spiritual Director. Sister Patricia Endres, D.C. April 15, 1959 An Elementary Teacher, Principal, Parish Minister, Coordinator for Christian Formation, and Assistant, Sister Patricia Endres has served in Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia. Sister lives in Emmitsburg, where she serves in the Provincial Archives. Sister Isabel Fierro, D.C. June 5, 1959 A Nurse, Maternity Supervisor, Nursing Instructor, Missionary, Local Community Superior, Assistant Professor of Nursing, Director of Nursing School, Clinical Coordinator, Midwife, Director of Mission, and Liaison for Women Religious, Sister Isabel has served in Missouri, Indiana, Ecuador, Texas, and Bolivia. Today, Sister Isabel lives in El Paso where she serves Migrants and Refugees.
Sister Catherine France, D.C. April 15, 1959 A Middle School Teacher, Assistant Principal, Guidance Counselor, Vocation Director, Registrar, Director of Religious Education, Campus Minister, Workplace Spirituality and Vincentian Family Minister, and Parish Outreach Worker, Sister Catherine has served in Maryland, New York, D.C., Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, and Arizona. Sister currently resides in Tuba City, Ariz., where she serves in Parish Outreach on the Navajo Reservation. Sister Paula Gallant, D.C. April 15, 1959 An Elementary and Secondary Teacher, and Rural Outreach Minister, Sister Paula has served in New York, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Today, Sister lives in Utica, N.Y., where she serves in a Secondary School. Sister Julia Huiskamp, D.C. June 5, 1959 An Elementary Teacher, Social Worker, Local Community Superior, and Human Resources Coordinator, Sister Julia has served in Missouri, Utah, and Illinois. Sister currently serves in East St. Louis, Ill. Sister Mavis Jewell, D.C. April 15, 1959 A Nurse, Director of Surgical Services, Hospital System Board Member, and Vice President of Mission Integration, Sister Mavis has served in Maryland, D.C., Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New York. A resident of Albany, N.Y., Sister Mavis serves Refugees and Immigrants. Sister Madeline Kavanagh, D.C. April 15, 1959 Sister Madeline, an Educator, Social Minister, Prison Minister, Missionary, Parish and Hispanic Minister, has served in Massachusetts, Bolivia, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, South Carolina, the Cook Islands, and Mississippi. Today, Sister lives and
serves in Durant, Miss., where she serves at the local correctional facility. Sister Cecile Matushek, D.C. January 25, 1959 Primary Teacher and Principal, Vice President of Mission Integration, Local Community Superior, Hospital and Ministry Board Member, and Learning Club Teacher, Sister Cecile has served in Missouri, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. Sister lives in Bridgeton, Mo., where she serves as a Volunteer and in the Ministry of Prayer. Sister Judith Warmbold, D.C. June 5, 1959 Elementary Teacher, Chair of Religious Education Department, Secondary Teacher, Local Community Superior, Parish Worker, Counselor, and Director of Mission Development, Sister Judith has served in California, Illinois, Louisiana, Nebraska, Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas. Sister lives in Chicago, Ill., where she serves as a Counselor. Sister Vincent Louise Wilcox April 15, 1959 Elementary Teacher, Parish Minister to the Homebound, and Catholic Charities Senior Housing Manager, Sister has served in Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, and Michigan. Today, Sister lives in Farmington Hills, Mich., where she serves in Parish Ministry. 50 Years Vocation Sister Joanne Dress, D.C. March 11, 1969 As an Elementary Teacher, Director of Religious Education, Pastoral Associate, Case Manager, Director of Catholic Charities, Local Community Superior, CEO and Vice President, Executive Director of Catholic Social Services, and in Provincial Administration, Sister has served in New York, Delaware, New Jersey, and Missouri. She lives in St. Louis, Mo., where she serves as the Provincial Sponsored Works Coordinator.
Sister Kathleen Natwin, D.C. March 11, 1969 Community Neighborhood Organizer, Nurse, Provincial Councillor, Local Community Superior, Board Member and Chair for hospitals and health systems, and Parish Minister, Sister has served in Massachusetts and New York. Today, Sister Kathleen lives in Albany, N.Y., where she serves in the Ministry of Prayer. 25 Years Vocation Sister Iliana Aponte, D.C. February 11, 1994 Social Work, Health Service Liaison for the Latino Community, and Pastoral Associate, Director of Adult Catechesis, Advocate for the Metropolitan Tribunal (Annulment), Director of Pastoral Care and Volunteers, Case Manager, Supervisor of Social Work Students, Local Community Superior, Pastoral Vocational, Vincentian Marian Youth Advisor. Sister Iliana has served in San Juan, Arecibo, and Ponce, Puerto Rico, and in Florida, South Carolina, and Arkansas. She currently is on mission in Little Rock, Arkansas where she serves in Parish Ministry. Sister Mary Felice, D.C. August 7, 1994 A Physician and Missionary, Sister Mary has served in Connecticut, New York, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She continues to serve in Kinshasa, DRC today providing needed health care.
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Top left, Sister Donna Franklin helps unload a truck during the 1998 ice storm which ravaged the North Country; top right, Sister Pat Collins at her desk in the Ogdensburg regional office of Catholic Charities as she takes on extra Christmas responsibilities; bottom left, Sister Donna was honored with the Dioceses’s Caritas Award; bottom right, Bishop Terry R. LaValley presents Sister Donna with the Papel honor of the Cross Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice, the highest medal that can be awarded to the liaty by the Pope.
Bidding Ogdensburg, NY, Farewell The Daughters first arrived in the Diocese of Ogdensburg at the invitation of Bishop Paul S. Loverde in 1994 to serve in rural New York where there were few women religious. The first Sister to arrive was Sister Molly Smith who served as a Regional Director of Religious Education. Through the years, 13 Daughters lived and served in the Diocese. Sisters served at Catholic Charities, in parishes in St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties; at Holy Family School in Malone; St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center in Ogdensburg; St. Vincent de Paul Center (later known as St. James Outreach Center) in Gouverneur; the Gouverneur Outreach Foundation and Deacon Programs; Seaway House; the society of St. Vincent de Paul, Massena; and more.
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Following nearly 24 years of service in the Diocese of Ogdensburg, N.Y., the Daughters bid farewell to theirfriends. In April 2018, the last two Daughters to serve in the Diocese, Sister Donna Franklin, Diocesan Director of Catholic Charities in Ogdensburg for 22 years; and Sister Patricia Collins, who worked for Catholic Charities for the Ogdensburg regional office, were missioned—Sister Patricia to Utica, NY, where she serves at the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for refugees, and Sister Donna to Albany where she serves in the Ministry of Prayer. The Sisters miss the devoted and caring community in which they served.
Looking back to 2006, Sister Evelyne Franc (left), then Superioress General of the Daughters of Charity, and Sister Margaret Barrett (second from left), then the Daughters’ English-Speaking Councillor from France, met for a tour with Jeanne Richards (red jacket), then the CEO/President of the Centers in Gould and Dumas, and with Sister Judy Warmbold, then a Mental Health Counselor.
Although Daughters Depart from Gould; Ministries Continue Tasked to find “just where” Arkansas Delta residents had the least access to doctors and transportation, Sister Mary Walz, Social Worker, and Sister Joan Pytlik, Nurse Practitioner, spent much of 1989 determining just that—all at the request of the former Daughters of Charity National Health System’s West Central Region. After much investigation, the counties of Lincoln and Desha were pinpointed. In 1990, the former Gould, Ark., jail was remodeled and opened as St. Elizabeth Health Center. Two years later, in response to additional needs, the Sisters opened DePaul Health Center in Dumas. Both are now part of the Daughters of Charity Services of Arkansas (DCS-ARK). Both centers, as well as the wellness center in Gould, offer services to people of all ages. This past September, the Daughters—again following much prayer and assessment--withdrew from Gould and Dumas, Ark. The three Sisters most recently on mission in Gould have new missions: Sister Cecillia Tsao now serves as a physician in Washington, D.C.; Sister Marilyn Perkins serves in parish ministry in Niagara Falls, N.Y.; and Sister Marilyn Moore is a member of the staff of Seton Harvest, a natural farm sponsored by the Daughters, in Evansville, Ind. “I miss a lot of things about rural Arkansas,” shared Sister Marilyn. “The diversity –racial, ethnic, religious—I don’t think I’ll find that again.”
Sister Doris Moore poses with Affiliate Gayle Priddy during the 40th anniversary celebration of the Daughters ministering in Arkansas during 2014.
DCS-ARK will continue to operate as part of Ascension Health; Daughters will continue to serve as members of the DCS-ARK Board. What is more, Daughters will continue to live and serve in the Little Rock area. However, they will no longer serve in daily ministry or live in the Delta. During the past 28 plus years, 23 Daughters have served in Dumas, Gould, Grady, Hamburg, Pine Bluff, and Star City. Sister Joan, one of the founding Sisters, shared that she “hopes the clinics will continue to thrive because although more clinics have been established in southeast Arkansas in the past 28 years, transportation is still hard for Sister Teresa Daly and Sister Mary Louise people in Gould. I will miss going south to Gould from Little Rock. The Stubbs took part in the 2014 celebration of Sisters where I lived in Little Rock and the Delta Daughters would ‘meet together’ one weekend a month for the past 28 years!’” Sister Joan said she the Daughters’ 40 years in Arkansas. is very proud of the legacy of the Sisters in Gould. Sister added, “I think Sister Mary, the other Daughters, and I had a part in bringing this racially diverse community together.”
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Many Daughters who served in the Archdiocese of Boston joined Cardinal Seán O’Malley for a posed photo following the March 28, 2019, Mass of Thanksgiving: Front row, 1. Sister Nancy Murphy; 2. Sister Margaret Ann McSweeney; 3. Cardinal O’Malley; 4. Sister Catherine Mary Norris; 5. Sister Louise Macchia; Left of Cardinal, 6. Sister Barbara Ann Curran; 7. Sister Mary Vincent Haggerty; 8. Sister Nancy Cassidy; 9. Sister Joanne Donovan; 10. Sister Janet Keim; 11. Sister Kathleen McGuire; Right of Cardinal, 12. Sister Catherine Marie Lowe; 13. Sister Maura Hobart; 14. Sister Joan Curran; 15. Sister Virginia Ann Brooks; 16. Sister Kathleen Natwin; 17. Sister Margaret Palmer; 18. Sister Claire Edwards; 19. Sister Florence Joseph Flaherty; 20. Sister Linda O’Rourke; 21. Sister Mary Beth Kubera; 22. Sister Mary Frances Barnes; 23. Sister Margaret Walker; 24. Sister Louise Gallahue; 25. Sister Margaret Tuley; 26. Sister Mary Powers; 27. Sister Patricia Nee.
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Daughters of Charity End Many Years of Service in Archdiocese of Boston November 17, 2018, the St. Joseph School and Catholic Church in Holbrook, Mass., gathered to bid farewell to the Daughters at a special Mass and reception. At the end of November, the Daughters of Charity ended their 186 years of ministry in the Archdiocese of Boston. The Sisters were first missioned to Boston in 1832 to assume sponsorship of St. Aloysius Day School founded by Bishop Fenwick in Cambridge. During the 1832 cholera epidemic, Sisters serving at the school cared for orphaned children and established St. Vincent’s Home for Girls. Through the years, the Sisters ministered in many different works—among them are St. Vincent’s Home for Girls in Cambridge; Carney Hospital in South Boston; Temporary Home for the Destitute Catholic Children of Boston that later was known as Home for Catholic Children, then opened in 1953 in Jamaica Plain as Nazareth Child Care Center; St. Mary’s School in Dedham; St. John’s Hospital in Lowell; Catherine Labouré School of Nursing; St. Mary’s Asylum and St. Margaret’s Hospital in Dorchester; St. Mary’s School in Franklin; Columbus Day Nursery in South Boston; St. John of God Hospital; and St. Joseph’s School and Parish in Holbrook.
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March 28, 2019, Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston, celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Daughters of Charity at the Boston Parish Center. Cardinal O’Malley gave thanks for the 1,117 Daughters of Charity who ministered to the people of Boston for more than 186 years. The Mass was followed by a luncheon where the Daughters, and many of their friends and relatives, enjoyed fellowship, the sharing of stories, and a look at some photos from past years.
The Daughters most recently on mission in Holbrook, left to right, include Sisters Patricia Nee, Michelle Nguyen, Florence Joseph Flaherty, and Barbara Ann Curran.
Daughters Depart from New Salem, Pennsylvania September 28, 2018, Bishop Edward C. Malesic, JCL, of the Diocese of Greensburg, Penn., celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Daughters and Sisters of Charity who, for the past nearly 20 years, have ministered at Rendu Services in nearby Dunbar, Penn. The Daughters, along with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill ended their work at Rendu Services in Fayette County at the end of 2018.
Bishop Malesic blesses the Sisters including two Daughters, front right, Sisters Mary Francis Bassick, and Nancy Cassidy.
Arriving in the Diocese of Greensburg, Pennsylvania in 2000, the Daughters ministered not only at Rendu Services but also in prison ministry and at the St. Vincent DePaul Store in Uniontown. During the 18 years missioned there, 10 Daughters of Charity served the rural residents of Pennsylvania. They were true witnesses and presences of the Church in Fayette County. The last three Daughters to serve in this area, Sisters Nancy Cassidy, Mary Ann Woodward, and Ellen McRedmond have been missioned. Sister Nancy now serves at Jericho Way, a daytime homeless ministry in Little Rock, Ark.; Sister Mary Ann serves at Face to Face a resource center for struggling families, individuals, and the homeless in the Germantown area of Philadelphia; and Sister Ellen now lives and serves in Evansville, Ind. Fortunately, the Sisters from all three congregations fostered collaborative relationships with many agencies and individual volunteers who have been entrusted to carry on the work. “May God bless you always,� concluded Bishop Malesic at the close of the Mass. The Daughters who attended the Mass of Thanksgiving in New Salem, included (left to right, front row): Sisters Eleanore Marie Shea, Kathleen Marie Christopher, Carol Durkin, Grace Marie Dunn, Margaret Tuley, Mary Francis Bassick, Ellen McElroy, Mary Ann Woodward, and Karen Flaherty; (left to right, back row): Sisters Janet Keim, Nancy Cassidy, Mary Walz, Nora Sweeney, Julie Cutter, Joanne Dress, Patricia Dunne, Catherine Mary Norris, Mary Frances Barnes, Maureen Schmalzried, and Louise Gallahue.
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Search and Serve Filled with Blessings
Search and Serve 2019 participants with Sisters Jean Rhoads, Trinitas Hernandez, Regina Hlavac, and Lisa Laguna.
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Held annually in the summer, Search and Serve allows women discerning a call to consecrated life to experience life as a Daughter of Charity. The week offers each participant the chance to integrate prayer, service and, community life as each discerns God’s path for her. While Search and Serve is typically held in a city in the Midwest, this year’s retreat took place in San Francisco, California. Each day, the six discerners joined Sisters in Morning and Evening Prayer as well as the Eucharist. Everyone took part in all aspects of community life, including cooking and cleaning. Most days were spent serving the poor in the San Francisco area. Discerners ministered at Epiphany Center, Rosalie Rendu Center, and Laboure at the Provincial House for the Daughters of Charity in the Province of Elizabeth Ann Seton. Each service site created opportunities to experience God in those served. This idea of God’s presence was a point of reflection on the fourth day of the retreat, a day set aside for apostolic reflection. Whether a college student or someone working in a job or ministry, Search and Serve leads all participants to discern while directly serving God’s people. If you are interested in learning more about discerning with the Daughters of Charity, please visit: www.daughters-of-charity.com or download our app “Daughters of Charity Vocations” in the App Store or Google Play Store.
First, some of the 2019 Search and Serve participants organized a game of bingo for the retired Sisters at Labouré Residence at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Provincial House, Los Altos Hills, Cal.; second, weeding an overgrown garden at the Epiphany Center, San Francisco, Cal., was a challenge for some participants; third, prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist were important parts of the Search and Serve days; fourth, at the Rosalie Rendu Center in East Palo Alto, Cal., participants helped to clean, organize a classroom, and collate educational packets.
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Province News Seton Center Moves to New Location Seton Center in Emmitsburg, Md., dedicated its new building and held a ribbon cutting ceremony in July 2018. The new Center, bright and ecologicallyfocused, is located at 226 East Lincoln Avenue. Through the Center, clients find resources, financial planning, dental, a family store, job assistance, and more. Visit setoncenter.org
St. Vincent Early Learning Center, Evansville, Celebrates 100 Last November, Kim Mulfinger, Executive Director at St. Vincent Early Learning Center in Evansville, Ind., accepted a Proclamation from Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke declaring November 13, 2018, St. Vincent Early Learning Center Day in Evansville. Many state and city elected officials, local dignitaries, Ladies of Charity, Daughters of Charity and board members were on hand to mark the Center’s 100th anniversary. Begun by the Ladies of Charity during World War I to assist local women with the care of their youngsters while they worked, the Early Learning Center today provides education programs with curriculums to help children grow and succeed in their years to come. Visit stvincentearlylearningcenter.org/
Proyecto Juan Diego to Dedicate New Community Center Soon Daughters, staff members, clients, and community members will, on July 30, 2019, celebrate the Center’s Dedication and Open House. Empowering low-income families to be healthy and self-sufficient community members, the Center will soon occupy an easily-accessible, ecologically-friendly building where many clients will find family resources, healthcare services, diabetes and citizenship classes, and more. Visit proyecto-jd.org 28
Faith Afire • Summer 2019
Kansas City Seton Center Honors Daughters at 50 Years January 30, the Daughters of Charity and the Ladies of Charity were honored as the founders of Seton Center in Kansas City. A celebratory Mass, reception, and dinner all paid tribute to the founders. Included in the celebration booklet, was a short history of the Center. Seton Neighborhood Services began providing services in the inner city of Kansas City on October 1, 1969 under the direction of Sister Mathilde Comstock and along with other Daughters of Charity and the Ladies of Charity. In 1975, Seton Neighborhood Services relocated to 23rd Street and was renamed Seton Center. The Center provides social services to more than 4,000 neighbors and dental services to more than 2,500 patients annually. Daughters in attendance at the 50th anniversary celebration included: (left to right) Sisters Catherine Mary Norris, Patricia Bachman, Carol Schumer, Mary Catherine Dunn, Teresa George, Mary Louise Stubbs, Julie Cutter, Barbara Dingman, Rosalie Digenan, Leah Holzum, and Ellen Kron. Visit setonkc.org
Daughters Honored as St. Vincent & Sarah Fisher Center Reaches 175 The Daughters of Charity were recently recognized at the 175th Anniversary Celebration of the St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Begun by the Daughters in 1844 as St. Vincent’s Academy, the Center currently operates five campuses in and around Detroit. The Daughters were recognized with gratitude for the founding of the organization and presented with an engraved commemorative. Attending Daughters, left to right, Sisters Kathleen Stafford, Joan Drega, Susan Sheehan, Catherine Mary Norris, Mary Ellen Thomas, Sharon Hagen, Therese MacKinnon, Vincent Louise Wilcox, and Marie Judith Haupt. Visit svsfcenter.org
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul
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“Remain faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10
In Memory We remember the 23 Daughters of Charity who, in recent months, have gone to their Eternal Home.
Sister Clara Pedo
Sister Alicia Whatley
January 28, 1936 May 25, 2018 53 years vocation Secretary, Medical Records, Medical Transcriptionist
Sister De Sales Wisniewski
November 19, 1929 September 8, 2018 70 years vocation Nurse, Nursing Supervisor, Volunteer Director, Vice President Mission Integration
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Sister Elizabeth Ann Baldino
Sister Dorothea Moll
Sister Ruth Ellen Dean
Sister Anne Black
Sister Janice Niemeyer
Sister Diane Louttit
Sister Phyllis Nolan
March 2, 1943 April 2, 2018 55 years vocation Teacher
September 6, 1935 June 6, 2018 65 years vocation Teacher, Professor, Director of Religious Education
April 23, 1946 September 13, 2018 45 years vocation Teacher, Chaplain
Faith Afire • Summer 2019
February 27, 1917 April 6, 2018 81 years vocation Child Care Provider, Teacher, Parish Ministry
December 13, 1931 August 22, 2018 66 years vocation Teacher, Librarian, Receptionist
June 13, 1935 October 9, 2018 64 years vocation Teacher, PSR Coordinator, Foreign Missionary, Pastoral Minister
August 29, 1943 May 23, 2018 53 years vocation Business Administration., Fund Raising, Social Worker, Board Member, Spiritual Moderator of Ladies of Charity
July 1, 1933 August 30, 2018 66 years vocation Teacher, Social Worker, Director
Sister Mary Raphael Collazo December 7, 1930 October 21, 2018 66 years vocation Teacher, Lab Technician, Foreign Missionary, Provincial Secretary and Councillor
Sister Mary George Barlow
February 19, 1929 October 25, 2018 69 years vocation Teacher, Social Worker, Provincial Councillor, Local Community Superior
Sister Mary Quinn
December 23, 1935 December 30, 2018 65 years vocation Teacher, Social Worker, Local Community Superior
Sister Elizabeth Merkel
February 16, 1931 April 14, 2019 70 years vocation Teacher, Principal, Docent, Local Community Superior, Religious Education Tutor
Sister Kathleen Burke
Sister Mary Patricia Murtagh
Sister Mary Clement Hemler
Sister Bertha O’Neill
Sister Mary Ellen Seo
August 4, 1924 January 8, 2019 72 years vocation Educator, Nurse, Chaplain
May 21, 1927 February 8, 2019 71 years vocation Bookkeeper, Secondary Teacher, Local Community Superior, Librarian
Sister Patricia Rehm
Sister Sheila O’Friel
Sister Jane Marie Otterson
January 14, 1943 October 26, 2018 57 years vocation Librarian, Outreach Worker, Pastoral Associate, Local Community Superior
Sister Helen Edward Dodd
April 29, 1936 April 20, 2019 62 years vocation Teacher, Counselor, Principal, Pastoral Care Associate, Local Community Superior
July 28, 1931 November 23, 2018 66 years vocation Teacher, Nurse, Pastoral Care Associate
October 9, 1929 April 28, 2019 65 years vocation Teacher, Administrator, Director, Pastoral Associate, Docent, Local Community Superior
June 24, 1932 December 22, 2018 68 years vocation Teacher, Nurse
December 25, 1938 February 27, 2019 62 years vocation Primary and Learning Disability Teacher, Local Community Superior, Volunteer
April 27, 1926 April 29, 2019 71 years vocation Teacher, Librarian, Outreach Worker, Administrative Assistant
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul
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Please send changes of address to: Nancy.Katich@doc.org 314.561.4625
Sister Kate McFall Incorporated into the Community
September 1, 2018, the Daughters welcomed Sister Kate McFall to the Seminary as she was incorporated as a member of the Daughters of Charity. Sister Kate’s parents and sister attended along with about 40 Daughters from the St. Louis area. It was a beautiful day in St. Louis and a wonderful ceremony! Sister Kate is now one of five Sisters from both U.S. Provinces who are in the Seminary.