Blessings | Sisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester

Blessings News from the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester

Traci DeLario (right), Program Coordinator of St. Joseph’s Northside, along with Sister Barbara Lum (back) and members of Brightstar Community utilize the front porch to safely serve Northside guests

Also Inside:

Ministry Updates Fight Against Racial Injustices

A Beacon of Hope

How your support helps us bring new hope to those we serve and pray for every day, even during the most challenging of times

A Family Connection

Dear Friends,

This autumn many of us are wrestling with the twists and turns and uncertainties of COVID, as well as other challenges placed on our families, our community, our nation, and our world. Where do we look for God’s intervention?

We find God’s care in great expressions of kindness and generosity. Our Congregation and its ministries continue to grow in new and exciting ways to help those in need, thanks to YOUR partnership and support.

We also see God’s guidance as this moment in time seems to be calling us to slow down, reassess and look at life in new ways. Perhaps you have thought about a reset to your own goals or priorities? We, as women religious, feel inspired by a call to reimagine our life, mission, and ministry. This call was further ignited by a virtual gathering our leadership team attended this summer. Sponsored by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, 900 women religious leaders came together to join our voices, our realities, and thoughts. As a collective group, we recognized the same reality - that the world has been irrevocably changed through the experiences of recent months. The pandemic, racism and climate change coupled with the concern for the future of religious congregations, have converged to create a period of “daunting challenge.” We now ask ourselves, how do we as congregations respond to these challenges?

The answer - we are exploring ways to reimagine religious life from how we minister and utilize our buildings and properties, to how we respond to racial injustice and global warming. In this issue and in the months to come we will share 2 SISTERS OF SAINT JOSEPH OF ROCHESTER

with you more details about this reimagining, while placing our hope and trust in God’s love and guidance.

We thank you for your continued support, faith, and friendship. May your own “reimagining” coupled with the anticipation and goodness of the season to come give you pause to reflect on all that is good in your life.

Joy and Blessings, Sister Eileen Daly, SSJ Congregational President

BLESSINGS • FALL 2020

Outreach Continues During this time of the pandemic, the Sisters have continued to reshape how we minister so that we can serve our communities in the safest ways possible.

Education

In September, Nazareth Elementary and Nativity Preparatory Academy returned to full-time in-person learning while Hope Hall started the school year with a mix of hybrid, in-person, and full-time virtual learning.

The schools put several safety measures in place to help keep students and staff socially distanced. Hand sanitizing stations were also set up throughout the schools and cleaning procedures were increased.

Plexiglass dividers were added to desks at Nazareth Elementary to help ensure the safety of students and staff (Catholic Courier photo by Jeff Witherow)

Social Services

St. Joseph’s Northside was able to expand its outreach thanks to a large outdoor canopy. Before COVID-19, guests, many of whom are homeless or living on the edge, would come inside the house for a hot breakfast, to use the phone, talk to a caring person, or get information on resources to support their needs. However, due to social distancing guidelines, the ministry began utilizing the front porch to tend to guests. Northside quickly realized it needed a bigger space to accommodate many new faces.

The canopy has allowed the ministry to continue providing assistance to those they serve in a safe manner.

Health Care

St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center was able to stock some of their wish list items thanks to a drive-by, drop-off campaign in June organized by the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford and the Christ Church Pittsford

St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center has remained open for regular services. Aside from limited on-site visits, the ministry has also been able to tend to patients’ needs via phone and video conference. Sister Christine Wagner, SJNC Executive Director, said one of the challenges that has erupted from the pandemic is the increase in requests for grocery cards, gas cards and bus passes from those they serve. “The pandemic, unemployment and the economy are bearing down seriously on the most vulnerable in our community,” said Sister Christine. “These cards are a matter of survival on a day-today basis.” Thanks to generous donations, the Center has so far been able to meet the demand.

For status updates on SSJ ministries during the pandemic, visit www.ssjrochester.org/ministries.

SSJ Christmas Sale Canceled We have decided to cancel the 2020 SSJ Christmas Sale.

We know what a welcoming event this has been over the years and a wonderful way to come together with friends and family to share the spirit of the season. However, after much thought and consideration, we have decided it is not prudent for the safety of our Motherhouse residents and guests to hold the sale as we have done so in the past. We remain grateful to all who have supported this event over the years. We pray that we can welcome you back for an inperson Christmas sale in the fall of 2021.

SSJ Jubilarian Celebration

The pandemic has changed the way we celebrate Congregational events. Typically, we celebrate our Sister Jubilarians in the summer. This year we moved the celebration to the fall and took it online. We were fortunate to share in a special Mass in their honor on September 8. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only a small group of Motherhouse residents gathered for the service in the Chapel. However, thanks to technology, all the Sisters, families and friends were able to share in the celebration as it was livestreamed on the Motherhouse TV’s as well as on the SSJ Facebook page.

The Mass also honored our Motherhouse priests celebrating Jubilees in 2020. A small reception for the Jubilarians

followed.

Sisters and Motherhouse priests celebrating 2020 Jubilees gather in Chapel for a special Mass

St. Joseph’s Northside is accommodating more guests during the pandemic thanks to an outdoor canopy

BLESSINGS • FALL 2020

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Upholding Equality for All

Letter to Ours

elves in

Light of the Sig “What if the grea ns of the Time te st co nt rib ution from religio s…

2019 Chapter (a m us lif e aj ha or s not happened ye Congregational ev culminates in the t? en ” At our t th at sets el

by Nancy Schreck, ection of a new Leadership Team) the course for the next four years an w given. The questio OSF and wondered what the contrib e were struck by this question po d se n be open to the Sp was compelling and the answer amution could be that we had not ye d irit and open to w t or ph ou s.

We prom with our lives and ha ministries as we ha t might be calling us to action. An ised to wait, pray, The Sisters of Saint Joseph d th ve known them lo We could not have oking at a very pr en we carried on predicted a global edictable future. pe op le vir and physically dist us that would kill join the nation in its fight against hu an ce nd re us ds fro have anticipated of thousands of m one another fo a r racial injustices. In July of 2020, days, ways we co virulence that would change our liv the sake of our lives. We could no mmunicate, and ou t es r adjusted prioriti , relationships, the patterns of ou we penned this letter to ourselves, Likewise, though r es. ra cis m has been simmer people of color ha in g in th e ve United St calling the Congregation, and all the brut lived in al death of George fear for their lives all those years, ates for over 400 years and no one could pred Flo yd w ou is condemning bias ld set off a global those affiliated with us, ict that actions and attitu , structural oppression, discriminati outcry. A worldwide outcry which de on s , bigotry, hatred, that squeeze the to prayer and action on skin – and deman ding justice and eq life out of a whole people becaus violence and all e of the color of th ui ty for all. the multiple issues of racism What do we d eir o n ow?

• Could it be any cle and its consequences. arer that life cannot go forward as we ha • Do we want to liv ve known it? Is that e in a world that va what we want? lu es the wealthy over th • Do we want to w e vulnerable? atch people of colo r be murdered and brut • Do we want to liv alized in real time? e in a world where children are hungry • Do we want to fo and homeless? llow leaders who fo ment discord and • Do we want to co division; who lie to ntribute to the destr fit their reality? uction of our envir • Do we want to sh onment? ield ourselves from hard realities we do Of course, we not know how to ta d o ckle? n o t.

S o, w • As a Congregatio n that has a history hat do we do now? of and then build the road to that future working with others, we can envisio n a different future together.

• As a Congregatio nw and eliminate any e can commit to looking at the struc trace of bias or privi tures of our institu tion to discover lege.

• We can learn ho w just being white affords privileges in privileges that are society that we take denied to others. for granted – • We can examine/ evaluate our resour ces and realign their • We can look deep use to Continuing the Conversation • We can examin er at our environmental impact and adjust creating equity for all people. e/evaluate how w our lifestyle.

Sister Donna Del Santo (left) and e live the Gospel an • We can, individua d our charism in lig lly an d to ht of world realitie Betty Smith (right of Sister Donna), gether, exam others and the wor s. ld and change wha ine our own beliefs, biases, and beha Motherhouse employee, facilitate a t we need to beco viors towards Our 2019 Chapte m e more loving, just an r Direction Statem conversation among SSJ staff about focus and d respectful. ents their thoughts and feelings surrounding with othe frame our response to the compeprovide a call and challenge, a gi ft to help rs, can create th lli ng issues of our day. at new future. racial equality.

The Congregatio n, The Justice and Pe ace Office, the Ch Charism, and the ap te r Direction Ad been working to cr visory Committee to the Leadersh Group, Re-Imagine Mission & ea ip Team for Co te an d align proactive step participate for this s in which we Siste ngregational Life have tra ns fo rm ati rs an on al work “so that al grace lights our w l may be one.” Le d our affiliates can ay.

A Peaceful Presence t us move forwar d as The Sisters were among nearly 100 Elders and Allies who stood as peaceful buffers during the protests in the City of Rochester. In late summer, protests erupted in the city after police body cam footage of Daniel Prude’s arrest was released to the public. Prude, an unarmed Black man, died following the incident. The Sisters joined dozens of local clergy men and women and other local officials in bridging the humanity of the police and the humanity of the A Community Prayer protesters. Sister Donna Del Santo shared a (L-R) Sisters Anita Kurowski, Rita story of how she and another Elder deterred Jongen, Joan Sobala, Mary Ann Sisters Marilyn Pray, Barbara Staropoli, a young protester from climbing over the and Donna Del Santo gather in Mayer, and Alice Marie Kurtz hold downtown Rochester to serve as fence. Instead, the youth joined them in a community prayer for the “Dear peaceful buffers between police and helping keep everyone safe.

Neighbor” in the front lawn of the protesters on September 6, 2020 Blessed Sacrament Convent.

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BLESSINGS • FALL 2020

Hope . . .

Hope has been our beacon these last several months. Knowing of God’s care, we seek hope in the most trying of times.

Thanks to YOUR support we continue to bring new hope to those we serve and pray for every day, even during the most challenging of times.

Hope means…

Programs are continuing…

In lieu of a week of service, the SSJ Volunteer Corps hosts a youth group from Pittsford’s Church of the Transfiguration in August for conversation on how they are doing and their hopes for the future

Our schools are reopening…

Nazareth Elementary music teacher Sister Anita Kurowski shares a lesson on rhythm as singing is not allowed in class during the pandemic

Our Sisters are continuing ministry in any way they can…

Sisters making more than 100 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for St. Peter’s Kitchen in Rochester

As our Partners in Hope, The Sisters of Saint Joseph invite you to renew, or even increase, your Annual Fund gift today and help us continue extending our reach well beyond what we could ever do alone: • Write a check to The Sisters of Saint Joseph and mail it to the attention of Dawn Gruba, Director of Advancement, using the envelope provided in this issue.

• Use our secure online donation page at www.ssjrochester.org/donate-online.

What a blessing it is to have you in our lives, and as part of our SSJ family. ~ Office for Mission Advancement BLESSINGS • FALL 2020

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the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Strong Hospital where O’Hara has worked for 30 years. Sister Virginia spent more than 20 years at the hospital providing comfort and love to infants in the unit until she retired in 2015. The two became dear friends and when each of O’Hara’s daughters was born, Sister Virginia was there to greet them on their second day of life.

By: Renee Hiscock When Meggan Butler O’Hara and her husband, Dan, of Pittsford, were in the process of adopting their first child in 2001, they had some prayerful support from the Sisters to help guide their journey.

As the girls got older, O’Hara said Sister Virginia and Sister Dorothy Quinn would often take them out for ice cream or for their favorite cupcake. Eventually the girls became volunteers at the Motherhouse alongside their mother and developed friendships with several SSJs.

“The Sisters formed prayer groups for us during that long process,” O’Hara recalled.

Sister Virginia Schmitz holds Molly As their newborn O’Hara after her birth in 2006 daughter Emily arrived from Texas, O’Hara said the Sisters welcomed the baby home and spent much time with the child.

Following Emily’s adoption, the couple went on to have three more daughters; Sarah, Grace, and Molly – all of whom have each shared a special connection to the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

“The Sisters have been a part of our lives in many ways – baptism, communion. They’ve even sponsored some of the girls for confirmation,” she said. “Every year on Halloween we would dress the girls up in costumes and they would trick-or-treat at the Motherhouse. We celebrated some birthdays in the main area of the Motherhouse and were part of several piano recitals with Sister Donna (Cucci).”

Motherhouse volunteer Molly O’Hara visits with Sister Virginia Schmitz in August 2020

The family’s longtime connection to the Sisters began with Sister Virginia Schmitz. Sister Virginia met O’Hara while volunteering as the chaplain in

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“The girls would often say that although they were volunteering to help the Sisters, they often felt like the Sisters were really helping them,” said O’Hara. She noted that Emily learned how to work in the kitchen area during her volunteer time. “Emily is autistic and was always welcomed with open arms at the Motherhouse, especially in a world where others often dismissed her.”

O’Hara said the girls also learned how to bake, knit, and play cards, but also heard meaningful stories of the Sisters’ lives and the impact they have had on the world.

“The girls learned about kindness, simplicity, and being good human beings,” she said. “They learned patience and gratitude. And they also learned about death and sorrow and grieving. Life lessons, life experiences, and wisdom were shared with each of them.”

O’Hara said her youngest daughter, Molly, has been most impacted by the Sisters, adding that she has a deep connection to Sister Virginia. She said the two recently shared a visit in the gardens of the Motherhouse after several months of not seeing each other due to the pandemic.

“I was thankful that I had a mask on as it was less obvious that I was crying during the entire visit,” she said. “Molly loves Virginia so, so much. They have had so many wonderful times together in Molly’s 14 years. In many ways, I think Virginia is one of the very best friends Molly will ever find in life.” She added, “Our entire family has been enriched by sharing time with the Sisters.”

BLESSINGS • FALL 2020

A Note from the Office for Mission Advancement As 2020 kicked off, we were eager to begin planning for our fifth annual An Evening with Sisters and Spirits. It would have been five blessed years of sharing this wonderful event with family and friends at the Motherhouse. We brainstormed ideas of how we could make this milestone year special for our wonderful guests. Then the pandemic hit, and plans came to a halt as we waited to see what the future would hold during this unprecedented time.

Ultimately, we made the decision to reshape the event to a semi-virtual celebration to ensure the safety of our guests and Motherhouse residents.

While saddened that we couldn’t spend this year sharing spirits and smiles in person, we were overwhelmed with gratitude by the incredible response of our supporters, especially during a time of such uncertainty. If 2020 has shown us anything, it is that we are stronger when we work together as neighbors and as a community.

We thank each and every one of you who supported this unique event with your gifts and with your prayers. Please know you have a special and continuing place in our prayers, as we ask God to bless you for your generosity.

We are still tallying the numbers and will share the official results, as well as our 2020 donor report, in the 2021 winter issue of Blessings.

A special thanks to the following sponsors: Fortitude Helen M Davis Robert J Lambrix Jim and Carolyn Russell

Class Notes

REUNIONS POSTPONED These uncertain times call us to be careful, vigilant, and prayer-filled. Therefore, we have decided to postpone the 2020 Nazareth Academy Reunion Banquet, for graduates of classes ending in zero and five, until 2021.

We will share the new date with you once it has been decided. For questions, please contact Sister Elaine Englert at 641-8119 or eenglert@ssjrochester.org.

The 60th reunion for the St. Agnes High School Class of 1960 also has been postponed. Organizers hope to reschedule the gathering for late spring or early fall 2021.

The celebration will continue to be a Sunday Mass at the Motherhouse followed by brunch. For questions, contact Sister Monica Weis at mweis9@naz.edu.

If you are an alumnae/i of an SSJ school that has a reunion postponement or cancellation that you would like shared, please contact Renee Hiscock, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, at 585-641-8138 or rhiscock@ssjrochester.org. We are happy to help spread the word!

Fidelity Marie C Baglio Pullano and Company Wisdom Genesee Valley Publications R Wayne and Beverly LeChase Steven and Lorrie Modica Marty and Darcy Mucci St. Ann’s Community Love Sal and Jackie Leccese Kathy Purcell

BLESSINGS • FALL 2020

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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE 150 French Road Rochester, NY 14618-3822

Blessings Mission

Sharing with our neighbors. Reaching out to those in need. Giving and receiving. Friendship, community and prayer. Blessings. Wherever we are, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester open our arms and hearts, with prayers, seeking to help others, hopefully enriching their lives. In turn, each encounter enriches our own lives with untold Blessings.

www.SSJRochester.org www.facebook.com/SistersofSaintJosephofRochester www.twitter.com/SSJRochester

ROC the Day and #GivingTuesday Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Now’s the chance to make 2020 “ROC!” Consider The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester when making your online ROC the Day gift on Tuesday, December 1. Your gift directly supports the SSJ ministries as they continue to serve the “Dear Neighbor” during these trying times. Your support also helps provide quality of life services for our Sisters through the SSJ Retirement Fund.

We thank you for joining us in mission and continue to pray for your health and safety. www.ROCtheday.org

PAID

ROCHESTER PERMIT #1509