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Summer 2015
One Heart, One Hope, One Mission
Caring for the Marginalized; Advancing Human Rights ALSO INSIDE: Legacy Project: Educating Adults For Future Success Sisters of Notre Dame Pay Tribute To Donors Mission Update: India, Africa and Nicaragua Jubilee Celebrations 2015
Table of Contents Â
2 Caring For The Marginalized; Advancing Human Rights 6 Legacy Project: Educating Adults For Future Success
10 Sisters of Notre Dame Pay Tribute To Donors
13 Mission Update: India, Africa and Nicaragua
14 Jubilee Celebrations 2015
27 In Memoriam
28 Regina Alumnae Association
29 SAVE THE DATE: SND BBQ & Boutique Bring your appetite to the table
Send correspondence to: Network Sisters of Notre Dame 13000 Auburn Road Chardon, OH 44024 www.sndchardon.org 440.286.7101
A LETTER FROM THE PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR
Dear Friends, Among the many joys of summer is often travel: vacations, road trips, or even just a visit to a park for Fourth of July fireworks. New vistas and new people bring us renewed energy. The experience of traveling, especially if we are on the road long enough to become homesick, can also remind us that we are “pilgrims and strangers on earth” (Heb 11:13) and give us a new appreciation for home. In this issue are several articles about people who have left home in search of a new life. Refugees and migrants are coming to the United States in growing numbers. Many of our sisters across the country encounter immigrants from a variety of backgrounds, and try to respond to their needs as creatively as they can. Tutoring, ESL classes, and basic outreach to new immigrants have become part of ordinary school and parish ministry. As you will see, some sisters have explored the needs of immigrants or immigrant children in new ways. Margaret Wong, an immigrant herself and longtime friend of the Sisters of Notre Dame, has spent a distinguished legal career working with and advocating for immigrants. The work of our missionaries─and mission
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partners like Prudence Foresta─give us some insight into the world realities motivating migration. In the midst of all this, the words of Jesus in the Gospel take on new meaning: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matt 25:35) In other articles you will read about our literacy education project in the former Notre Dame Academy building on Ansel Road: a journey back to old roots and new friends. You may recognize a former teacher among the many sisters celebrating anniversaries this summer. Their life journeys are summarized briefly but beautifully in the profiles in this issue. As always, we are most grateful for your partnership as together we share the goodness of life and the provident care of God. May all your journeys this summer be safe and blessed! Sincerely,
Sister Margaret M. Gorman, SND Provincial Superior Sisters of Notre Dame, Chardon
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Caring For The Marginalized;
Advancing Human Rights The Sisters of Notre Dame share God’s compassionate love with people of all faiths and cultures, particularly those who are poor and marginalized. This call includes immigrants to the United States, many of whom arrive hungry, weak, and frightened by what the future may hold. Just how many immigrants come to the United States? In 2013, about 41.3 million immigrants lived in the U.S., accounting for about 13 percent of the total population – an all-time high for a nation built on immigrants. In fact, one-quarter of the overall U.S. population is either first or second generation.
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“ We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions.”
In 2013, Mexican-born immigrants accounted for about 28 percent of these 41.3 million foreign born in the U.S. – the largest immigrant group in the country. India is second, trailed closely by China which both account for about 5 percent. The top U.S. states by number of immigrants were California (10.3 million); New York and Texas (4.4 million each); Florida (3.8 million); and New Jersey (1.9 million). These Mexican-born immigrants primarily concentrate in the West and Southwest, with more than half living in California (37 percent) or Texas (22 percent). In fact, immigrants comprise 27 percent of California’s state population.
Still, there are 11.2 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S., making up 3.5 percent of the nation’s population. Mexicans comprise about half of all unauthorized immigrants, according to Pew Research Center. They also comprise about 5.1 percent of the U.S. labor force. Political debates continue to rage over whether or not immigrants take jobs away from American workers and whether immigration depresses wages for American workers. This debate is best left to politicians. The Sisters of Notre Dame are more interested in the thousands of men, women and children who die each year attempting to cross our borders due to a lack of food and water and other dangers. They are also concerned about their care, education and welfare once they arrive. For the Sisters, it is a human rights concern – one that calls for compassion and love.
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- Sister Barbara Daugherty, SND
SND-USA Texas Immersion Experience To gain a better understanding of the human rights concerns of immigrants crossing the Texas border, four Sisters of Notre Dame participated in a Texas Immersion experience April 6 - 12, 2015: Sister Joyce Marie Bates, Toledo Province; Sister Barbara Daugherty, Chardon Province; Sister Lynette Shelton, Covington Province; and Sister Rose Marie Tulacz, California Province. Sister Barbara recalls, “I saw a lot that caused me great heartache. Sister Pam Buganski, SND Toledo, took us to visit the University of Texas in Austin, where they started a forensic lab to help identify the remains of immigrants found in the desert as they made their way past the border patrol on foot.” She says other Sisters of Notre Dame assist the South Texas Human Rights Center in setting up water stations for immigrants on their journey. “Many immigrants come across the U.S. border during the dry season when the rivers are low. They travel at night so as not to be seen,” describes Sister Barbara. “They are given one gallon of water – not nearly enough to survive – and often encounter deadly snakes, scorpions, and even tarantulas.” She reminds people of the Catholic Church’s proclamation that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. “We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences,” states
Sister Barbara. “We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions.” At the Mother Teresa Homeless Shelter, the visiting Sisters saw firsthand how the Sisters of Notre Dame are helping to feed the hungry and clothe those in need through donations. Other Sisters help immigrants in finding “shepherds” who assist immigrants released from detention centers with transportation to and from required court dates, to find suitable lodgings, and obtain other life-saving assistance. At Casa Marianella, the Sisters learned how the shelter was providing immigrants with ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, a medical clinic, legal services, and Women’s Health and Job Preparedness classes. “This adult shelter has a capacity of 37, and they’ve been housing as many as 50 at a time with many sleeping on the floor,” Sister Barbara says. “Most of the residents come from immigration detention centers. The goal is to stabilize and resettle their residents as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, there are only a few shelters that serve the immigrant community in the U.S.” While the Sisters of Notre Dame have been involved in this mission for only eight months, they are dedicated to continuing their efforts to help the poor and marginalized uphold their human dignity. continued on page 4
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Advancing Human Rights continued from page 3
Central America “Since August 1964, when the Cleveland Diocese first sent missionaries to El Salvador, I have been interested in this beautiful country, its people, and our diocesan missionaries there,” says Sister Marie Manning, SND, Global Mission Coordinator. “In 2000, I was able to cross off a high-priority item on my ‘bucket list’ when I traveled to El Salvador. I was awed at the natural beauty of the country, appalled by the contrasting poverty, and touched by the faith and warmth of the people. Since then, I have spent time in Central America on three additional occasions: once in El Salvador and twice in Nicaragua, where our Notre Dame Sisters have been missionaries since 2008.” She continues, “Because of these experiences, I was intensely interested when – in the spring of 2014 – TV newscasters began focusing on the ‘surge’ of unaccompanied children coming to the United States from Central America. I will never forget the video image of hostile, placard-wielding Californians shouting angrily to turn back a bus of unaccompanied children being transported to their town for detention purposes.” During the summer of 2014, when the Chardon Province Sisters of Notre Dame met to discuss the question, “How can we best use our gifts as a community to meet the new needs of our times?” the issue of unaccompanied Central American children and immigrant mothers with children surfaced in many small group discussions. The Sisters of Notre Dame were encouraged to look for the next step, the “adjacent possible.”
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“ We are all immigrants on the journey of life. A change of attitude towards migrants and refugees is needed on the part of everyone.”
Sister Rita Mary The Coalition Harwood, was also Diocesan educated by Secretary of first-hand Parish Life and accounts from Development, Sister Pam had long been Buganski, - Pope Francis involved with SND, who immigration had recently and refugee issues. She became begun volunteering with the South their guide to involvement, inviting Texas Human Rights Center, initially Sisters to join a newly-forming digging up mass graves where grassroots group, the Cleveland unidentified migrants had been Children’s Coalition, whose mission buried. Sister Pam sent the Sisters a would eventually be described as link to view, “The Real Death Valley,” “Education, Advocacy, and Action which focused on two Salvadoran in response to the humanitarian youth threatened by gang violence crisis presented by Central American and their harrowing journey to unaccompanied children and the U.S. She also described the mothers with children.” At the deplorable situation of mothers and Coalition’s first meeting, convened children being held in the detention on July 29, 2014, by attorney Joseph centers where she supports and prays Meissner, participants were asked to with traumatized women, some of discuss, “What can we do about this whom have been sexually assaulted humanitarian crisis?” by the guards. Sister Marie says, “We decided first to educate ourselves, and then the local Cleveland community, about the reasons why unaccompanied children and mothers with children are migrating from Central America to the United States. The United Nations Report, Children on the Run, provided an abundance of data leading to the conclusion that no less than 58 percent of the children were forcibly displaced because they suffered or faced harms that indicated a potential or actual need for international protection. Almost half of the displaced children had been personally affected by the augmented violence in the region by organized armed criminal actors, including drug cartels and gangs or by State actors.”
Members of the Cleveland Children’s Coalition conducted the Coalition’s first public education meeting on November 18, 2014. More than 100 concerned citizens listened to Sister Rita Mary, attorney Joe Meissner, immigration attorney Camille Gill, and Jeff Stewart of the Immigrant Worker Project, who accompanies Ohio immigrants, some of whom shared their stories. “Participants left the meeting with suggestions for involvement, such as: advocating for federal immigration reform, transporting Ohio immigrants to Cleveland court appearances, providing childcare while mothers are in court, collecting winter clothing for immigrants, helping to develop a women’s cooperative that would make and sell jewelry,” recalls Sister Marie. Notre Dame Sister Laura Wingert successfully took charge of this last project, now called “AMIGAS.”
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The Coalition’s next step was to plan a fundraiser on March 22, 2015, at Villa y Zapata restaurant to raise funds for various projects such as transportation of immigrants to their court hearings, facilitated by Sister Rita Mary, SND. Sisters of Notre Dame helped support this event by donating their art pieces and books for the silent auction, as well as helping to plan the successful event. As the Coalition continues to meet and brainstorm ways to respond to the humanitarian crisis of Central American mothers and children as well as immigrants from around the globe, the Sisters of Notre Dame remain open to whatever is revealed as the “adjacent possible” next step. With each step, the Sisters of Notre Dame affirm the message of Pope Francis: “We are all immigrants, all children of God, loved children, wanted children, and saved children. We are all immigrants on the journey of life….A change of attitude toward migrants and refugees is needed on the part of everyone, moving away from attitudes of defensiveness and fear, indifference and marginalization—all typical of a throwaway culture— towards attitudes based on a culture of encounter.” (Message for 2015 World Day of Migrants and Refugees)
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The Legacy Project: Educating Adults For Future Success
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Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
- Nelson Mandela The Sisters of Notre Dame established The Legacy Project in July 2000 with the mission to bring their legacy as educators to the poor in the Glenville/Hough area of Cleveland. Sister Mary Frances Dunham, SND was the first director of the program, from 2000-2002. Sisters volunteered to teach computer skills, tutor children after school at St. Thomas Aquinas School, and tutor adults who were not able to attain a high school diploma. Sister Kathleen Ruddy, SND became director in August 2002, and estimates that more than 40 adults who participated in The Legacy Project have gone on to earn their GEDs with some moving on to graduate from college and work in the fields of nursing, business, social services, criminal justice, the arts and early childhood education.
lived at this Ansel Road address for over 40 years it felt like going back home. Sister Kathleen responds, “We went back to give back!” Giving back to the Glenville/Hough neighborhood has been a privilege for the Sisters to help continue working with adults to further their education which in turn will pass down to their children. In these areas, 92 to 96 percent of adults read at or below the 4th grade level. Sister Kathleen shares a story about a single mother who received her GED. “While working on her GED, she and her children would sit every night and do homework together and the mother told them that they did not want to be 40 year olds doing homework, so stay in school.” When parents make education a priority, children follow suit. If an eighth grade education is good enough for their parents, it’s good enough for the child(ren). The Legacy
Sister Kathleen, SND, explains, “It began with a vote of the Province in July 2000 to go back to Ansel Road and give back “ It began with a vote of the to the old neighborhood.” The Legacy Project is Province in July 2000 to go housed in the former to Ansel Road and give back provincial center of the Sisters of Notre Dame. to the old neighborhood.” Because the Sisters had - Sister Kathleen Ruddy, SND
Project through its free guidance and tutoring of adults who value education is making a difference in our neighborhoods. “Historically there have been several generations of the GED tests,” says Sister Mary James Kelly, the current director of The Legacy Program. The purpose of the GED program in 1942 was to enable soldiers returning from World War II to complete their high school education and receive a diploma. Since then it has become a path for adults who did not finish high school to receive the equivalent of a high school diploma through education and testing. While the academic content areas in which candidates are assessed—English language arts (reading/writing), social studies, science, and mathematics— have not changed, the priorities and assumptions by which proficiency in these areas is assessed have evolved. The test is available in English, Spanish, and French. According to Sister Mary James, the fourth generation GED high school equivalency test, begun in January 2014, is much more demanding than previous tests. “Now, the GED test is only administered online, so anyone taking the test must have basic computer skills as well as proficiency in the five subject areas. In addition, the writing requirement is more stringent; there is a writing requirement in all subject areas.” continued on page 8
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The Legacy Project continued from page 7
Over the years, more than 300 adults have attended Legacy for various lengths of time, improving their reading, math and writing skills. This small bit of education has enabled some to get jobs and others to help their children with homework and give them the message to stay in school and graduate. Sister Kathleen explains. “Many students have reported back to let us know what they are doing such as Terelawanda, who owns her own
thinking skills. Many were able to find employment because of these improved skills.” She continues, “Isaac, one of the ‘Lost Boys of the Sudan,’ was one of the first in his group of refugees to pass the GED, graduate from college, and own his own home. He now dreams of returning to Sudan to help his people,”
Sister Mary James explains that now The Legacy Project’s goal is not to just prepare individuals for taking the GED but to strengthen “ There are health problems, the literacy and academic skills family difficulties, even of these adults, addictions that must be many of whom overcome. Many of the reside in the Glenville/ adults we tutor have Hough areas.
prioritized everyone but themselves.”
“Today, rather than simply preparing adults - Sister Mary James Kelly, SND to take the GED test, The Legacy business; Olga, who is working as a Project volunteers teach all five Catholic elementary school secretary; subjects included on the test. Our Jovahn, a communications graduate tutors are well qualified; one was from Cleveland State University; actually a former GED judge who Gloria, who went on to culinary helped to score the high school OGT school with the dream of working (Ohio Graduation Test). Another in hotel management; and Laurel, tutor teaches part time at a local who went on to college for drama college,” Sister Mary James explains. and the arts. To date, more than 250 Five Sisters of Notre Dame serve as other students have participated tutors each week at Legacy Project, in the Legacy Program to improve located at 1325 Ansel Road (formerly their reading, writing, math and 8
Notre Dame Academy). They are Sister Mary James, Sister Mary Regina Alfonso, Sister Mary Ann Glaser, Sister Mary Lisette Petelin and Sister Mary Kathleen McCafferty. A Sister of Notre Dame for 55 years, Sister Mary James earned a B.A in Education from St. John’s College in Cleveland and a M.S. degree in Elementary Education with a specialization in Mathematics from Dayton University. She taught 44 years with the last 20 being in junior high math at various schools. Sister Mary James tutors math at The Legacy Project. The consummate educator is quick to remind everyone that a high school diploma remains the primary ticket to many entry-level jobs and is also a prerequisite for www.sndchardon.org
promotions, occupational training, and postsecondary education. “In an ideal society, everyone would graduate from high school,” states Sister Mary James. “However, life happens causing some people to derail on their educational journey. There are health problems, family difficulties, even addictions that must be overcome. Many of the adults we tutor have prioritized everyone but themselves. Most who come in for help are really quite bright.” She says one individual came to The Legacy Project because his employer said if he could get his GED in 60
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days, the company would give him a promotion and pay for his college tuition. “It has been a pleasure to tutor someone who is highly motivated!” exclaims Sister Mary James happily. GED testing offers the only nationally recognized opportunity to earn a high school-equivalency credential. Sister Mary James says it generally takes three years to prepare a person to take and pass their GED. The Legacy Project is open Mondays through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Legacy Project tutoring is free and open to anyone 18 years of age and older, but one’s class must have already graduated. You cannot quit school in April and try to pursue a GED. Currently, about 10 to 15 people come each week for tutoring. In the past, as many as 50 people attended The Legacy Project weekly. More volunteer tutors are needed, particularly in math, and financial support is always an issue, says Sister Mary James. She is currently working on obtaining grants to help support this worthwhile project. “One word of advice to young people – stay in school!” insists Sister Mary James. “You will get your high school diploma much more quickly, and it will mean more than a GED.”
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Sisters of Notre Dame Pay Tribute To Donors
The annual “Partners in Mission� event took place this year on Sunday, April 19th. The Sisters of Notre Dame invited more than 140 donors to celebrate the Eucharist and enjoy a delicious lunch at the Sisters of Notre Dame Education Center in Chardon, Ohio. This year, the Sisters also paid special tribute to Prudence Foresta and Margaret Wong, Esq. for their generous financial support through the years. 10
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Margaret Wong, Esq.
“Through my work as an immigration attorney, I do work with women and children and people from all over the world, trying to help them achieve their dreams and make a better life for themselves in the United States.”
- Margaret W. Wong, Esq.
Margaret W. Wong, Esq. fights for justice Rated a “Tier 1 Best Law Firm” by U.S. News, Margaret W. Wong has built Margaret W. Wong & Associates, LLC into a nationally and internationally renowned law firm focusing on immigration and nationality law. With offices in Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, Los Angeles, Nashville and New York, the firm continues to take on tough legal battles on immigration reform and human rights. Her firm employs 10 attorneys and 35 additional staff who handle more than 4,000 immigration matters each year. These cases include all types of work visas, “Green Cards” (permanent residency), J-1 waivers, labor certifications, deportation cases, asylum cases, and many others. Personally, Ms. Wong received the highest rating from MartindaleHubbell for her legal ability and general ethics standards. She is a Life Member of the 6th District Court and 8th Judicial District and tirelessly serves on the Boards of United Way, Notre Dame College and SUNY at Buffalo Law Foundation. The esteemed educator and leader serves as an Adjunct Professor of Sisters of Notre Dame | Network
Immigration Law at Case Western Reserve University. Ms. Wong also authored The Immigrant’s Way: For All Immigrants, By An Immigrant, which walks readers through the history of the U.S. immigration law and history. Her list of accomplishments does not end here. Ms. Wong is co-chair of the Immigration Law Committee for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and received an honorary degree from The People’s University of China School of Law. She was named the 2012 Ohio Asian Legend, NAPABA Trailblazer, and was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame, along with numerous other legal and philanthropic awards. It is her philanthropic commitment to the Sisters of Notre Dame that was celebrated on April 19th at the SND Annual Partners in Mission Recognition Luncheon. “For more than 20 years, Margaret Wong has given generously of her time, talent and treasure to support the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame,” exclaims Sister Margaret Gorman, SND, Provincial Superior of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Chardon. “Her leadership expertise while serving on the Board of Notre Dame College through the years has been invaluable. Margaret’s utmost compassion for those in need serves as a role model for all of us. She continues to be a staunch advocate for civil and human rights.”
Wong says education is very important to her. “I studied at all-girls Catholic schools throughout my childhood, from primary school through high school and junior college,” Wong explains. “I actually wanted to be a nun when I was a child but that never worked out. Through my work as an immigration attorney, I do work with women and children and people from all over the world, trying to help them achieve their dreams and make a better life for themselves in the United States. I really believe in the Sisters of Notre Dame’s mission.” As an immigrant, Wong says she found a community here through her Catholic faith. “When you move to a new country, a new city, it’s always nice to have a group of people who can show you around, tell you where to go, that kind of stuff,” recalls the globally recognized attorney. “It is important in my personal life, too – especially after my husband died last year. My faith keeps me focused and reminds me of my mission and purpose in life.” She continues, “The Sisters do amazing work throughout the world. I know the money I donate is going to the right place, to a good cause. I feel like the Sisters have helped me throughout my life, whether directly or indirectly, and this is my way of giving back. ...I think it is important for everyone to remember all the people whose lives are touched by the good work that the Sisters do.” continued on page 12 Summer 2015
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Sisters of Notre Dame Pay Tribute To Donors continued from page 11
(l-r) Jake and Maddie Foresta, two of Prudence Foresta’s grandchildren, and Timothy Foresta and Gina Foresta Latta, two of her children
Prudence Foresta’s devotion to children spurs gift Like the Sisters of Notre Dame, Prudence Foresta has a special love of children. In addition to raising her own four, Prudence and her husband Jim, a Vietnam veteran, opened their home to 35 children through the years, providing foster care for these little ones that included countless hugs, giggles and tickles, and love. Many were from diverse cultural backgrounds; one had special needs that required tube feeding. Prudence recalls, “I had difficult pregnancies and saw a request for foster parents in the St. Justin Parish bulletin. Through the years, Jim and I loved being foster parents – sometimes for a short while, other times longer. We bonded instantly with the babies, and I would go through grief over and over when I had to give them up.” 12
The loving mother and now grandmother of eight recalls when her husband was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer: “It was hard for Jim to accept my help because he had always been the healthy one. I was the sickly one. I’m hypersensitive to perfume and other substances like fabric softeners. It was a difficult time, yet there were signs of God’s presence – a rose bloomed the day Jim died and there was a rainbow at the cemetery when he was buried. It seemed almost joyful at the time.”
project in his memory. She was told by Sister Marie Manning, Global Missions Coordinator, that a village in Gaonchulka, Assam, India was in desperate need of a well. At this time, there was no electricity, water, or schools for the more than 300 men, women and children who inhabited the village. “With Prudence’s generous philanthropic assistance, the village now has a well, and three Sisters of Notre Dame are living and working in the village, educating children in a modest school funded by the Sisters of Notre Dame,” Sister Marie explains. “We cannot thank Prudence enough for her continued donations and support of the Sisters of Notre Dame.” Two of Prudence’s four children, Timothy Foresta and Gina Foresta Latta, and two grandchildren, Jake
After his death, Prudence was inspired to give to the Sisters of Notre Dame missions. She was first introduced to the Sisters’ works when her children attended St. Justin’s. “They brought home boxes for SND Photos left to right: Prudence Foresta, left, with two of her grandchildren. Prudence Foresta’s four children. missions every year,” she recalls. “I believe I share the same core values and Maddie Foresta, attended the SND Donor Recognition Luncheon as the Sisters of Notre Dame. In in place of Prudence. Her other two giving to God first, I am able to help children are Erin A. Borchert and the poorest of the poor through the Laura Yeager Smith. missions.” Prudence explains. “Jim was a plumber and was always ready to help people with their water projects,” Prudence asked to fund a Sisters of Notre Dame water
Despite her physical restrictions, Prudence enjoys reading, gardening, and learning new gardening tips on her iPad and YouTube gardening shows.
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mission UPdate
INDIA, AFRICA AND NICARAGUA INDIA: Award for TB Control On February 26, 2015, Sister Doctor Prema Devaraj, SND received a Certificate of Excellence for Navjeevan Health Center’s best performance in TB control in the state of Bihar. The award for the year 2014-15 was given by India’s Health Minister during the National Stake Holders Meeting of Revised National Tuberculosis Program, which was attended by more than 150 delegates. Next to the government of India, the Catholic Church has the highest number of health facilities in the most unreached areas among the poor and marginalized.
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AFRICA: A Dream Come True
NICARAGUA: Young Adult
As originally conceived, the Aloysia Home in Kiomboi, Tanzania would be a home for orphaned children whose parents died from HIV/AIDS, and a home for girls living in difficult home situations. Thanks to gifts from generous donors, not only have two cottages been built for the children, but also a school. From June 7-14, 2015, Sister Mukti, who has been untiring in her efforts to provide these blessings for the children, will visit Notre Dame Education Center in Chardon, Ohio. She will share with the Sisters here the process of making this dream a reality, and will also meet with a major donor who continues to support this project.
From March 7-14, 2015, Sister Kathleen Hine, SND, another Young Adult Minister and two Case Western Reserve University students, were immersed in the lives of our missionaries in Nicaragua. Margaret Vogel and student Sabrina Puvalowski and Alexandra Pelton spent time with many of the people whom our Sisters accompany: neighborhood families, pregnant teens at Casa Materna, disabled young adults who work at the Dorothy Stang Environmental Center, and parish youth participating in a barrio clean-up project.
for Aloysia Children
Immersion Pilgrimage
Reflecting on the experience, Sister Kathleen comments, “Meeting so many wonderful people gave us an opportunity to discover how much we have in common, even though we speak different languages. The people we met will remain in our hearts.”
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JJ
ubilee Celebrations ubilee Celebrations 2015
J ubilee of 75 years
S i s t e r s oSfi s Nt oe tr r es Do af m eN o t r e
JOY
Sister Mary St. Martha Conr ad From the time she attended second grade at St. Teresa School in Sheffield Village, OH, Sister Mary St. Martha knew that she was going to be a Sister. She was influenced by her teachers, the Sisters of Notre Dame. “Being able to pray was one thing that drew me to religious life,” she says. “It is a marriage to God. I have never regretted a day.” For more than 29 years, Sister Mary St. Martha taught home economics and other subjects—including math, algebra, and music—at several high schools in the Cleveland Diocese, namely St. Stephen, St. Michael, St. Peter, and Notre Dame Academy. She also ministered in the Youngstown Diocese. “You name it, and I probably taught it,” Sister says of her teaching years. After nearly 30 years of teaching at the high school level, Sister was asked to teach dietetics at Notre Dame College, South Euclid. She spent more than 32 years there as an instructor and assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics; she taught clothing construction as well. When she accepted her calling, Sister Mary St. Martha did not plan to teach college-age women. “I wanted to teach grades four through six,” she recalls. “But, I took a vow of obedience. Why do we take that vow if we’re not going to keep it? Because I said yes 14
(to teaching at Notre Dame College), I think the Lord took care of it. Our school was particularly successful in placing our students. Now, all I can say is, ‘Thank you, dear Lord.’” Reflecting upon her Jubilee of Joy, Sister Mary St. Martha says she would love to see more young people go into religious life. “Nothing can beat it,” she says. “If young people only would know how wonderful the religious life is, I think we would have more (join).” Currently, Sister does needlework for the SND boutique and is active in the prayer, presence and praise ministry at the Provincial Center, Chardon.
J ubilee of 70 years
GRACE
Sister Mary St. Leo DeChant When asked what compelled her to become a Sister of Notre Dame, Sister Mary St. Leo says, “I think the Lord just wanted me. He sent me such good Sisters.” She credits Sister Alvin, her grade school teacher at St. Mary School, Avon, OH, with guiding her along the way. “I used to help Sister Alvin in the classroom and I thought, ‘I should be a Sister.’” Sister spent six decades teaching intermediate and junior high grades throughout the Cleveland and Youngstown dioceses. She served as principal at several schools, including SS. Cyril & Methodius, Lorain; St. Mary, Elyria; and Holy Trinity, Avon. While serving at St. John in McLean, VA, she was a writer for the
Dame
Christ Our Life religion texts. At the Middleburg Institute in McLean, she was the editor and a writer for Our Sunday Visitor texts. She now enjoys her ministry in prayer, presence, praise and community service at the Provincial Center, Chardon. “To do God’s will—that’s all I wanted to do,” says Sister of her 70 years as an SND. “This is my whole life. I am a Sister, through and through.”
Sister Mary Teresita Gresko Sister Mary Teresita entered the community from St. Wendelin in Cleveland. She was a primary grade, junior high and high school teacher within the Cleveland and Youngston dioceses. She was principal at Our Lady of Lourdes, Cleveland, and Cardinal Gibbons High, Raleigh, NC. At both Notre Dame Academy and Regina High School, she served as guidance counselor. The Sisters of Notre Dame made quite an impression on Sister Mary Teresita. As a child, she would observe the Sisters at 6:30 a.m. Mass. “I used to watch them and their prayer,” she recalls. “It invited me to want what they were doing. Also, I saw and worked with them throughout elementary school.” Sister remembers helping in her father’s grocery store and delivering groceries to the Sisters. “My God and my all” is a prayer that Sister frequently falls back on. “When someone needs something, I will ask the Lord,” she says. “Also, the Little Flower is my patron: ‘Little Flower, show your power. Help them in their needy hour.’ www.sndchardon.org
“Seventy years doesn’t seem like 70 at all,” she adds. “I wouldn’t trade them for all the world.” Sister Mary Teresita resides at the Chardon Provincial Center, where she was a switchboard operator and transportation coordinator. Later, she assisted in archives and served in the prayer line ministry. Today, Sister ministers in prayer, presence and praise.
Sister Helen Mary Peter (formerly Sister Mary Nivard) Sister Helen grew up in a family that was blessed with several religious. Her aunt and cousin were Sisters of Charity and she had a number of other cousins who were priests and nuns. Within her family was an atmosphere of openness to religious life, she says. After grade school and high school at St. John the Baptist in Canton, Sister attended Notre Dame College, where she met and grew to know some Sisters of Notre Dame. “When I was in college, the encyclical letter on the ‘Mystical Body of Christ’ was a new papal document,” she says. “For me, the thought of a life joined to Christ—with Him, through Him and for Him—and for others all fit together.” As a Sister of Notre Dame, Sister Helen taught biology, general science and French at St. Stephen, St. Peter, St. Francis, and St. Michael high schools, all in Cleveland. She spent five years at Notre Dame Academy,
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Los Angeles, as a teacher and aspirant directress before returning to Ohio to teach at Regina High School, South Euclid. For 17 years, she ministered at Notre Dame College as instructor, assistant professor of theology, and campus minister. She was director of religious education and pastoral or youth minister at schools within the Youngstown dioceses and in Virginia. In the fall of 2007, Sister retired to the Provincial Center, Chardon, where she was involved in the prayer line and homebound ministries. She is now devoted to the prayer, presence and praise ministry. Sister Helen embraces Jesus’ words from John 10:10 – “I have come that you may have life and have it fully.” “I tried to live the life of what a consecrated life should be— a life for God and for others,” she says.
Sister Mary R andal Sup When asked what compelled her to join the Sisters of Notre Dame, Sister Mary Randal says, “It was not a compulsion. It was love. I entered because I wanted to, because I loved to.” Sister Mary Randal entered the community from St. Michael Parish, Cleveland. She taught primary grades at schools within the Cleveland diocese, including St. Francis, St. Boniface, and Our Lady of Lourdes. In addition, she taught in the Youngstown Diocese and in Virginia. Sister spent 17 years in Northern India and served as directress of temporary professed Sisters, directress of primary school and teacher training, and provincial secretary. In Bangalore,
South India, Sister taught at Sophia High School. During her 21 years in Rome, she was secretary/librarian at Sisters of Notre Dame Generalate, and assistant librarian at Pontifical North American College. For one year, she was an administrative officer in Africa at Apostolic Nunciature, Lagos, Nigeria. Today, Sister Mary Randal is part of the prayer, presence and praise ministry at the Provincial Center, Chardon. Each day, she looks to Jesus’ words for guidance: “Pick up your cross daily. Follow me.”
J ubilee 65 years IRON
Sister Mary Josellen Dajer Sixty-five years ago, Sister Mary Josellen entered the SND community from her parish in Nicaragua. She taught primary and intermediate grades in a number of Cleveland-area schools, including Gesu, St. Wendelin, SS. Cyril & Methodius, St. Gregory the Great, and St. Francis of Assisi. Also, she ministered at schools in the Youngstown Diocese and Florida. Sister spent 25 years at the Sisters of Notre Dame Generalate in Rome, where she served in the apostolate of prayer. At the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., Sister Mary Josellen dedicated 11 years to the position of director of visitors’ services. At the Provincial Center, Chardon, Sister ministered as sacristan and assisted with boutique crafts. She now enjoys participating in the ministry of prayer, presence and praise. continued on page 16 Summer 2015
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Sister Mary Johnmarie Hagan Born in Washington, D.C., Sister Mary Johnmarie Hagan entered the community from St. Anthony Parish. She was drawn to the order thanks to the influence of the Sisters who taught her. “They were so good,” she says. As an intermediate teacher, Sister served at many Cleveland-area schools, including St. Mary, Avon, and St. Francis. She was an intermediate and junior high teacher at St. Michael and principal/teacher at Holy Trinity, Avon, and Our Lady Mt. Carmel (East). She was principal at St. Benedict. Sister Mary Johnmarie taught at schools in the Youngstown Diocese and in Virginia. Throughout most of her teaching career, Sister also directed high school and elementary school choirs. For the past 16 years, she has lived at the Provincial Center, Chardon, where she serves as a driver and member of the music ministry.
Sister Mary Therese Hennessey (formerly Sister Mary Francis Therese) After she entered from St. Francis, Cleveland, Sister Mary Therese spent her first years as a Sister teaching intermediate and junior high grades throughout the Cleveland Diocese, including St. Teresa, Sheffield Village; St. Helen, 16
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Newbury; St. Stephen; and St. Vitus. She served as principal and junior high teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes, Cleveland, and taught in Youngstown, Warren, Randolph, Washington, D.C., and Austintown. At the Provincial House Health Care Center, Sister Mary Therese devoted three years as a nurses’ aide before ministering as a nurse and assistant in the pharmacy. She worked in this capacity for 29 years before becoming a driver and ministering in prayer, presence and praise, and on the prayer line.
touched with deep soul joy the hands of the living God. The eyes that were by blindness held, He opened to the light…O Master, healer, kind and true, pray keep my hand in thine. I need thy ever sacred touch, both human and Divine. “This poem would always grip me because it was close to me and my way of life,” says Sister. “I’ve kept the poem close to me.”
After entering the convent, Sister taught junior high students in the Cleveland Diocese, including SS. Cyril & Methodius and St. Sister Maryann Michael. She was principal at Our Humenik Lady of Lourdes and taught in the Youngstown Diocese. For 20 (formerly years, Sister was the technology Sister Mary coordinator and librarian at Julie Ann Joseph) Billiart, Lyndhurst. She now assists Sister Maryann in the archives at the Provincial credits her Center, Chardon. eighth grade teacher, Sister Maretta Wey Sister Mary Herbert, with After she inspiring her entered the to become a Sister of Notre Dame. community After graduating from Notre Dame from the parish Academy, she entered the community of St. James, from St. Wendelin Church, Lakewood, Cleveland. Sister Maretta began teaching “In high school, I was being drawn intermediate to religious life,” says Sister Maryann. and junior “The poem, ‘The Ministering Christ,’ high grades. She was principal of four is very meaningful to me because it schools: Gesu; St. Gregory the Great; was when I was a sophomore at Notre St. Peter, Lorain; and St. Mary, Avon. Dame Academy that I learned that Through the years, she taught in poem; it stuck with me for over 65 years. It clinched for me the decision Massillon, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. She was school secretary at St. to become a Sister of Notre Dame because I really felt called to minister Anselm and business manager at Regina High School. At the Provincial to children by teaching.” Center, Sister spent 11 years assisting in the advancement, finance and Sister Maryann gave out copies and development offices and in Notre recited the poem (author unknown) to some of her classes. The following Dame Elementary School. For the past two years, she has been active is an excerpt: in the ministry of prayer, presence I often wish that I had lived when Christ and praise. walked over this sod, had seen and www.sndchardon.org
“I chose the Sisters of Notre Dame because of their friendliness,” says Sister Maretta. She leans on the words from Matthew’s gospel: “I am with you always.” “Those are the words of Jesus and they’ve proved true throughout all these 65 years,” she adds. “God is with you, no matter what.”
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Sister Mary Avsec
(formerly Sister Mary St. Bernardine) When Sister Mary was in the eighth grade at St. Vitus School, Cleveland, her family welcomed a baby girl named Bernadette. Her teacher, Sister Mary Agna, SND, heard about the birth and commented that young Mary could enter the convent, since there would be another person in the Avsec family. “Her inspired words and smiling face, plus my devotion to the Blessed Mother, led me on a path unknown to me at the time—to the life of a Sister of Notre Dame for the love of the Lord Jesus,” says Sister Mary. “Now, as I look back, Sister Agna was somewhat like our SND spiritual mother St. Julie in the way she smiled and in the way she related to people.” Sister Mary taught primary and intermediate grades at St. Michael, St. Mary (Elyria), Our Lady of Lourdes, Julie Billiart, and many others in the Cleveland Diocese. She was a primary teacher at St. Mary, Warren, Sisters of Notre Dame | Network
and St. Mary, Massillon. Presently, Sister is a pastoral minister at St. Vitus Church. She is inspired by the following verses, which are woven into her life: “His power within us can do much more than we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20) and “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Sister Rosemarie DeChant (formerly Sister Mary Jeanne Claire) Throughout her life, Sister Rosemarie’s love for nature and music, particularly that of Beethoven, has drawn her closer to God. Following the example set by her Sisters of Notre Dame teachers and her older sister, Sister Jeanmarie DeChant, SND, she joined the community from Sacred Heart Church, Oberlin, more than 60 years ago.
Sister Rosemarie is the author of the Shagette series of children’s books. Based on her real-life dog, the fourbook series is geared for children ages five through eleven.
Sister Julie Marie Gilmore (formerly Sister Maureen) As she celebrates six decades as a Sister of Notre Dame, Sister Julie Marie reflects upon her call to serve the Lord. “One of the times in my life when I knew without a doubt what God wanted of me was when God called me to religious life,” she says. “This was not in my plan at all. I have learned that when I have said ‘yes’ to God, I have received many blessings. This is especially true in regard to the call to religious life. I was overwhelmed with God’s love.”
Sister taught primary grades at St. Margaret Mary, South Euclid; St. Peter, North Ridgeville; St. Michael, Cleveland; St. Mary, Elyria; St. Joseph, Randolph; and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Austintown. She resides in the St. Joseph Community in Oberlin, where she has served as tutor, substitute teacher, caregiver, and writer. She devotes her time to the Meals for the Homeless ministry, which goes hand-in-hand with her favorite Bible verse: “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.”
After entering the community from St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Cleveland, Sister taught intermediate and junior high school at St. Vitus, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (East), and others. She was principal at St. Paschal Baylon, Notre Dame Elementary, St. Margaret Mary, St. Louis, and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Austintown. She served on the SND leadership team and is now an office assistant at Metro Catholic School, Cleveland.
“I make meals for the homeless,” says Sister Rosemarie. “Our church houses the homeless, and parishioners take turns providing meals for them. I like to give to them.”
“I believe in God’s unconditional love of me and that God empowers me to love,” says Sister Julie Marie. “I love the expression in Isaiah: ‘You have grasped me by the hand.’ It has so many different meanings for me.” continued on page 18 Summer 2015
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Sister Helene Marie Gregos
Sister Mary Jessica K arlinger
Sister Margaret Mary Per
(formerly Sister Mary Therese Martin) During her senior year at Notre Dame Academy, Sister Helene Marie’s homeroom teacher, Sister Cecilia, spoke with her about becoming a Sister of Notre Dame. “I thought, ‘Wow, I don’t think I’m worthy of that,’” she recalls. “She’s the one who really encouraged me.”
Sister Mary Jessica joined the community from her home parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Cleveland. “I entered the Sisters of Notre Dame to put my life completely into God’s hands, at His disposal,” she says. “Only later would I learn that this had been the way of our foundress, Sister Maria Aloysia Wolbring.”
(formerly Sister Mary Valerie Jean) Sister Margaret Mary ministered as an intermediate and junior high school teacher, mainly in the Cleveland Diocese. She taught at Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Stephen, St. Francis of Assisi, and others. She was principal at Holy Redeemer School and served at schools in the Youngstown Diocese and Virginia. At the Provincial Center Infirmary, Chardon, Sister spent 10 years as a nursing assistant. For 21 years, she was in community service and the crafts ministry. Today, she ministers in prayer, presence, and praise. Sister’s call to religious life came when she was in the sixth grade at St. Vitus School, Cleveland.
After she entered the community, Sister Helene Marie taught at St. Francis, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (East), and Julie Billiart. At Notre Dame College, she was an instructor and associate professor; director of the Master of Education program; director of the Center for Professional Development; dean of Graduate Studies; and coordinator of Special Education. After 30 years at the college, Sister retired and became a tutor in the Notre Dame Skills Lab at the South Euclid, Euclid and Chardon sites. Of her 60-year ministry, Sister says, “It’s a wonderful life because I’m working for the good Lord. I think He’s always with me. Every day, I ask Him to help me. He is always at my side.” Sister Helene Marie will be moving to Chardon campus this June.
Throughout her six decades as an SND, Sister was a high school teacher at several Cleveland-area schools: Regina High, St. Peter High, Notre Dame Academy, and Elyria Catholic. She taught in Youngstown, Raleigh, NC, and spent 16 years as a teacher at Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA. She was a staff member at the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Studies, Middleburg, and is now a congregational history researcher for the Sisters of Notre Dame, Chardon. “I was in high school when the Lord’s words to Saul on the way to Damascus—‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting’—first brought home to me the presence of Christ in His church. Ever since, that reality has been foundational for me. This insight is well expressed in a quotation from Caryll Houselander that I’ve kept on my desk since 1971: ‘In the Church, through ages and ages of men, the people come and go: they sorrow, but One endures; they falter, but One is strong; they pass, but One remains; they change, but One is unchanging. Christ is here.’”
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“I just wanted to be a Sister,” she says. “My teachers, all Sisters of Notre Dame, had a big influence. I always loved their smiles. I wanted to be one of them—they were so happy.” Years ago, Sister made a 30-day retreat that was based on the scripture passage: “Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” The words from Matthew’s Gospel have stayed with her ever since. Sister Margaret Mary remains grateful to be a part of the SND community and for the invaluable education it provided her.
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Sister Rita Mary Perl
Sister Ruth Mary Perl
(formerly Sister Mary Jane Anne) As the second youngest of nine children born and raised in Massillon, OH, Sister Rita Mary’s family was known for its religious devotion and family spirit. She—along with her twin sister, Sister Ruth Mary Perl, SND— attended Catholic schools, where she grew to know and love the Sisters of Notre Dame.
(formerly Sister Mary Judith Anne) Before going to serve in the Diocese of Raleigh, NC, as director of the after-school program and receptionist of Our Lady of Lourdes School, Sister Ruth enjoyed teaching in the classroom in Ohio, Florida, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Within the Cleveland Diocese, she spent time at several locations, mainly Notre Dame Elementary and St. Jude, Elyria. No longer director of the after-school program at Our Lady of Lourdes, she now serves as receptionist there. She continues to enjoy sharing God’s compassionate love with the people she meets.
“The goodness and joy of the Sisters were very evident,” says Sister Rita Mary, who joined the order from St. Mary Church, Massillon. “Realizing a call to religious life, I entered the Sisters of Notre Dame, who were dedicated to education.” Having a special love for young children, Sister devoted more than 40 years to teaching children from preschool to fourth grade, mainly in the Cleveland-area schools of St. Michael, St. Anselm, St. Gabriel, and Notre Dame Elementary. She taught at St. Mary, Massillon, and Our Lady of Lourdes, Raleigh, NC. For the last twelve years, Sister felt privileged to teach children with learning disabilities. “My enthusiasm for teaching has never diminished,” she says. “As I aged in community life, my ministry has somewhat changed to reaching out and loving all God’s children, old and young (including those in our Health Care Center). In the words of Julie Billiart, I can truly say, ‘God is good,’ today and every day!”
Growing up in a family that loved and respected Sisters—two aunts were members of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, and three siblings were Sisters of Notre Dame—and having been taught by the Notre Dames, Sister Ruth Mary feels that she was drawn to the ND community. This year, she celebrates her diamond jubilee with her twin sister, Sister Rita Mary Perl, SND. As she continues to respond to the various needs of the Church, Sister Ruth Mary says, “It is ‘all about love’—God’s immense love and goodness for us and the importance of making this love and goodness known. How blessed have been these sixty years!”
Sister Joan Marie Piovarcy (formerly Sister Mary Francis Borgia) Sister Joan Marie was drawn to the Sisters of Notre Dame when she entered high school at Notre Dame Academy. Her family highly regarded the quality education that the Sisters provided. “After four years of attending the academy, the Sisters were a strong influence in my life; it was an automatic choice to join the Sisters of Notre Dame community,” says Sister. “Also, since I had a strong devotion to Mary, the mother of God, I was drawn to the SND community.” Sister taught intermediate and junior high grades throughout Clevelandarea schools, including St. Vitus and St. Mary, Elyria. While working at the Diocese of Cleveland, she was in the single parent ministry (Marriage and Family Life Office) and was a marriage and family specialist (Secretariat for Social Concerns Office). At Regina High School, Sister was an administrative assistant for admissions and institutional advancement, as well as a freshman advisor. She taught in schools in the Youngstown Diocese and in Washington, D.C., and Virginia. She was principal of both SS. Cyril & Methodius, Warren, and Sacred Heart Academy, Winchester, VA. Today, she resides at the Provincial Center, Chardon, where she coordinates the SND prison ministry and works in the craft ministry. “In my 60 years as a Sister of Notre Dame, I have had many experiences continued on page 20
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that I never dreamed would be possible,” says Sister Joan Marie. “I have especially experienced the goodness of God and His provident care in whatever occurs or is asked of me. Each event in life leads to the next with the good God’s love and support.”
Sister Mary Virginia Turner (formerly Sister Mary John Michael) Before she entered the order 60 years ago from St. Rose Church in Cleveland, Sister Virginia says she felt a distinct call from God when she was a junior in high school. Within the Cleveland Diocese, she was an intermediate and junior high teacher at several schools, including St. Wendelin and St. Michael, Independence. She taught and was principal at St. Gabriel, Mentor. Sister accepted a five-year ministry in Rome, first in congregational services for the Sisters of Notre Dame Generalate, then as secretary for the Pontifical Society for Propagation of the Faith. She taught at schools in Warren, OH, and Florida. At Our Lady of Victory, Washington, D.C., Sister was a teacher and principal. She was a secretary and assistant at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School, Chardon. In August 2015, Sister Virginia will begin a ministry at St. Helen School, Newbury, as a junior high math assistant. “Still today, I feel that God is calling me and gracing me each day with the gift of my religious vocation,” she says. “Having been in the classroom for more than 50 years, I still enjoy working with children and young
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people to facilitate their learning. I hope I can continue in this ministry for as long as God blesses me with good physical and mental health.”
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Sister Mary Susan Clark
(formerly Sister Mary Carlyn) As a college student, Sister Susan had the sense that God wanted more from her than what she actually had in mind for the rest of her life. “I was reflecting on ‘This is what God asks of you: to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with God,’” she says. “These words struck a chord with me, and eventually I came to realize that becoming a Sister of Notre Dame was what God was asking of me.” After entering the order from St. Joseph Church, Tiffin, OH, Sister taught music education within the Cleveland Diocese at Notre Dame Academy, Regina High School, Cleveland Central Catholic High School, and Elyria Catholic High School. In addition, she was a piano teacher at McAdams School of Music and now teaches at Piano Studio; both music schools are located in Brecksville, OH. During her years of teaching, Sister served 21 years as music minister at St. Peter Catholic Church, Cleveland.
light and darkness, and helped me to know that the music of life goes on.”
Sister Mary Sally Huston (formerly Sister Mary Ruthanne) Reflecting on her call to religious life, Sister Sally says, “I had a great desire to be a teacher and to help others find joy in life. I was taught at Regina High School by Sisters who exuded joy and commitment. Through these teachers, I found my call to religious life as a Sister of Notre Dame.” For 32 years, Sister was a teacher and assistant principal at Regina High School, South Euclid. She taught at Notre Dame Academy, Chardon; Cardinal Mooney High School, Sarasota, FL; Cardinal Gibbons High School, Raleigh, NC; and St. John & Paul High School, Ashtabula, OH. Today, she teaches at St. John High School, Ashtabula. While ministering at Regina and St. John schools, Sister Sally also served 12 years as provincial assistant or councilor. In addition to her teaching duties, Sister is on the SND USA Executive Committee. A fundamental life lesson for Sister Sally is: “Joy is anywhere you look, if you know how to see.” She finds comfort in the scripture, “Where your treasure is, there is your heart also.”
“I continue to draw strength from the scripture text, ‘Be still, and know that I am God,’” Sister Susan says. “It has brought me through periods of www.sndchardon.org
Sister Mary Joanne Keppler
Sister Mary Susan Kurth
formerly Sister Mary Josephanne) When she entered the SND order from Our Lady of Peace Church, Cleveland, Sister Joanne felt compelled to do so because she wanted to bring others to the love of Christ.
(formerly Sister Mary Wilhelma) Taught by Sisters of Notre Dame at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Cleveland, Sister Susan wanted to be a teacher for as long as she can remember.
“What compelled me to join the order is that I might enable people to find meaning in their lives by knowing and loving God; that I could make a difference far greater than if I were trying to achieve this alone,” reflects Sister Joanne. For 14 years, Sister taught high school at Notre Dame Academy, Chardon; she spent another 14 years teaching at Elyria Catholic High School. At Cleveland Central Catholic, Sister Joanne was academic dean and vice principal. She taught at Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA, for four years and, at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School, Chardon, she was assistant principal for 12 years. She is the current director of professional learning at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin and Notre Dame Elementary schools, Chardon. One life lesson that Sister Joanne embraces: “Life is very short. Make God known and loved in a meaningful way every day.” She is inspired by the Gospel of John, specifically, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
“I probably associated being a teacher and being a Sister,” she says. “I sensed a spirit of joy and happiness in the Sisters who taught me and that attracted me to the community. More directly, the voice of God spoke to me through my eighth grade teacher who asked me if I was interested in becoming a Sister. I said yes.” Sister Susan taught junior high and intermediate grades in Florida, Virginia and Warren. In the Cleveland Diocese, she taught at St. Mary, Elyria; St. Peter, North Ridgeville; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (East); and St. Michael, Independence. For 19 years, Sister taught junior high classes at St. Anselm, Chesterland. She worked in community service/ renewal at the SND Chardon location, and dedicated eight years as a tutor in the Notre Dame Skills Lab, Chardon and Euclid sites. In addition, Sister Susan ministers as the junior high math assistant at St. Helen School, Newbury. “I believe my life is guided by the scriptural theme ‘trust in God,’” she says. “That is also part of our charism as Sisters of Notre Dame. Every situation I find myself in and all the people who are in my life at any particular time are there as part of God’s plan. At the beginning of every school year, I remind myself
that each student is in my class for a reason. I pray that I will be the person each one needs me to be.”
Sister Mary Jo Ludwig (formerly Sister Mary Lucis) Sister Mary Jo attended St. Gregory the Great grade school and Regina High School in South Euclid, OH. Most of her teachers were Sisters of Notre Dame. “They attracted me by their caring ways and being happy with their chosen way of life,” she says. “The Sisters were fun and I enjoyed being around them.” Sister spent many of the next 40 years as a primary and intermediate grade teacher, teaching at St. Benedict, St. Stephen, and Metro Catholic schools, all in Cleveland. She also taught at St. Peter, North Ridgeville, and St. Helen, Newbury. She spent 10 years at St. Joseph, Amherst, three as principal. She taught at schools in Washington, D.C., Warren, Canton, and Virginia. She served as a dietetic technician at several Ohio locations. At the Sisters of Notre Dame Health Care Center, Sister Mary Jo was dietary coordinator. “Being in the present is important to me,” she says. “To be aware of what I see and hear and respond to the present in a positive manner. The present is all we have, yesterday is gone and tomorrow is yet to come.” Sister Mary Jo ministers in community service, including driving, for the Sisters of Notre Dame, Chardon. continued on page 22
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Sister Mary Ann McFadden (formerly Sister Mary Benjamin) Sister Mary Ann credits her mother with leading her toward religious life.
“I was blessed with a wonderful, grace-filled mother who guided me, through her example, to love Jesus, to love the Church and to want to help others,” she says. “During my first two years of college, before I entered, I had mentors who saw in me the possibility of becoming a religious woman…And, I prayed, asking Jesus to help me do what he wanted me to do.” Sister Mary Ann entered the SND community from St. Pius X Church in Toledo. She was a high school teacher at Notre Dame Academy, Cleveland, and Regina High School, South Euclid. Here, she also served as campus minister. For five years, she was novice directress for the Sisters of Notre Dame, Chardon. Sister taught at Cardinal Mooney High School, Sarasota, FL, and Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA. At St. James, Warren, OH, she was director of religious education and religious formation. She served as DRE and pastoral associate at St. John the Baptist, Canton. For the past eight years, Sister Mary Ann has devoted herself to the position of pastoral minister of St. Paul Church, Salem, OH. For years, Sister Mary Ann’s favorite scripture has been: “Jesus said, ‘I have come not to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many.’” Her favorite church song is “Servant Song,” by Richard Gillard. 22
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“The whole idea of Jesus being a servant has inspired me to understand my life as one of ‘servant,’” she said.
Sister Diane Mary Pekarek (formerly Sister Mary Diana) Sister Diane entered the order from Gesu, University Heights, OH. She taught math and Latin at Regina High School, South Euclid, and Notre Dame Academy, Chardon. At St. Joseph Franciscan, Cleveland, Sister was a tutor; at the Diocese of Cleveland, she was assistant to the comptroller. Outside the Cleveland Diocese, Sister Diane was a teacher and, later, business manager for Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA. For the past 16 years, she has lived at the Provincial Center, Chardon, where she ministers in community service and prayer, presence and praise. “I had the Sisters of Notre Dame as teachers for 16 years,” says Sister Diane. “In high school, I was attracted to their cheerfulness. They seemed to have the good of every student in mind. I wanted to be a Sister when I was younger. I felt God was calling me to the sisterhood but I did not know which one until I came across Notre Dame as a choice.” Sister cites the scripture passage, “Do not be afraid, God is with you,” as one that inspires her.
Sister Mary Dianne Piunno Sister Dianne entered the community on the Feast of the Presentation from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish (East), Cleveland. She has ministered at Notre Dame Academy, Chardon; Notre Dame College, South Euclid; and Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, Chardon. Since 1991, she has served as pastoral associate at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church, Cleveland. “I was instilled with a love for Julie Billiart by the Sisters who taught me in grade school,” Sister Dianne says. “Julie Billiart was a woman of courage and outstanding faith. She asked her Creator to help her minister as perfectly as possible and do the most common things in an uncommon manner. “With Julie’s fire, I trust that her wisdom in the midst of struggle and misunderstanding will continue to guide all in her name as we proclaim the Gospel and see God’s goodness in all creation.”
Sister Marilyn Sabatino (formerly Sister Mary Philip) Sister Marilyn joined the SND order from St. Stephen Church and School, Cleveland. For more than 27 years, she ministered in Provincial Center service for the Sisters of Notre www.sndchardon.org
Dame, Chardon. At SS. Cosmas and Damian, Twinsburg, OH, she devoted more than eight years to religious education and pastoral and youth ministry. She was pastoral minister at St. Adalbert, Berea, OH. “I was inspired to enter religious life through the goodness and kindness lived by the Sisters of Notre Dame who taught me at St. Stephen grade school and high school,” says Sister Marilyn. Sister spent three years at the Sisters of Notre Dame Generalate in Rome, where she served in congregational services. During this time, she also served as the director of religious education for the sacramental program at San Gaetano Parish and as pastoral minister at Santa Chiara Parish. “My life’s motto is from the scriptures: ‘This is what Yahweh asks of you: to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8),’” she says. Currently, Sister Marilyn is the pastoral minister, director of religious education and spiritual director of St. Richard Church, North Olmsted, OH.
Sister Mary Seton Schlather The Sisters of Notre Dame made a lasting impact on the future Sister Mary Seton when she was a student at St. Mary, Elyria; St. Jude, Elyria; Elyria Catholic High School; and Notre Dame College, South Euclid. “All the Sisters I had as teachers were wonderful people, great teachers, and fun to be around,” says Sister. “Even as a young girl, I felt called to be a Sister.”
Sister Mary Seton taught high school in the Cleveland Diocese at St. Peter High School, Notre Dame Academy, and Regina High School (19 years). For 19 years, she was a high school teacher at Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA. Currently, Sister teaches at Cleveland Central Catholic High School. “One scripture that I try to live by is, ‘Love one another as I have loved you,’” she says. Sister Mary Seton adds that she tries to err on the side of kindness and admits that she is still a beginner—there is so much yet to learn.
Sister Joyce Marie Schreiber (formerly Sister Mary Abram) Sister Joyce grew up in a family with a strong faith life. In high school, she was inspired by the lives of the Sisters who were her teachers and grew in a desire to do “something for God.” From her home parish of St. Vincent de Paul, Cleveland, Sister joined the SND order after finishing high school. It would take time for that “something for God” to mature, she adds. Many of Sister Joyce’s 50 years of religious life were spent teaching intermediate and junior high grades in the Cleveland Diocese schools, including St. Justin Martyr, Eastlake; St. Paschal Baylon, Highland Heights; Gesu, University Heights; St. Jude, Elyria; St. Joan of Arc, Chagrin Falls; and St. Michael, Independence. She taught at Blessed Sacrament, Burlington, NC, and was principal of St. Joseph School in Randolph, OH.
At Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Geneva, OH, Sister served as director of religious education for six years. Today, she is pastoral minister at St. Joseph in Mantua, Ohio. “At my age, the lessons are many,” says Sister Joyce as she reflects upon her ministry. “One that stays with me are words that Audrey Hepburn left with her son before she died: ‘Remember, the good old days are still ahead of you.’”
Sister Eileen Marie Skutt (formerly Sister Mary Judah) Since the time she was in third grade, Sister Eileen wanted to be a Sister. “I always admired the Sisters I had in school, their dedication, their happiness, their willingness to serve. As I got older, I felt the Lord was calling me to live that life as well.” Sister Eileen entered the SND order from St. Ignatius of Antioch Church, Cleveland. She has served all of her 50 years in ministry within the Cleveland Diocese. She taught primary grades at St. Joseph, Amherst; Gesu, University Heights; St. Michael, Independence; St. Thomas the Apostle, Sheffield Lake; St. Margaret Mary, South Euclid; and St. Anthony of Padua, Parma. At St. Anthony, she also served as a resource teacher. “The gospel story of the Annunciation and Mary’s ‘yes’ to God has been especially meaningful to me,” Sister says. “I’ve believed and trusted that God would always be at continued on page 24
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my side, no matter what I was asked to do. Because of this, I go ahead in life with gratitude and great joy.” Now residing at the Provincial Center, Chardon, Sister Eileen served as the center’s local coordinator and assistant to the local coordinator. Presently, she is the assistant to the benefits administrator.
Sister Mary Julia Surtz (formerly Sister Mary Emmet) Sister Julia entered the Sisters of Notre Dame community from St. Joseph (Collinwood), Cleveland. “After sowing my wild oats, I thought it was time to do something with my life,” jokes Sister Julia. “So, I entered at the ‘old age’ of 22. I worked in big kitchens most of my life. I found fulfillment in feeding my Sisters and being with so many wonderful people.” Sister was in charge of the Provincial Center kitchen for more than 30 years. She admits the ministry was challenging at times, but always a blessing. Over the years, she ministered in food service at St. Francis of Assisi, Gates Mills; Regina High School, South Euclid; and Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA. Today, she is the operations liaison for Aladdin Food Management Services at the Provincial Center. The words Sister Julia looks to for inspiration are: “Ad Jesum per Mariam—to Jesus through Mary.”
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Sister Melannie Svoboda
Sister Mary Patricia Sylvester
(formerly Sister Mary Melannie) Like many in her community, Sister Melannie was influenced by the Sisters of Notre Dame who taught her. “I admired them as teachers, and I was fascinated by their devotion and joy,” she says. “I felt drawn to join them.”
(formerly Sister Mary Patresa) When she was 10 years old, Sister Pat had a sense that her life would be different somehow. She often thought about God and was in awe of His presence. At 13, she read some information on religious life; at 17, her mother asked her why she wanted to join the SND order.
After joining the order from St. Felicitas, Euclid, Sister Melanie taught high school at Notre Dame Academy, Chardon; Cardinal Gibbons High School, Raleigh, NC; Regina High School, South Euclid; and Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA, where she was also involved in the writing ministry. For four years, she was an instructor at Notre Dame College, South Euclid. While in Detroit, she was a member of the Jesuit Novitiate formation team at the Jesuit Chicago-Detroit Province. In Chardon, she was the Sisters of Notre Dame novice directress and provincial superior. For the past nine years, Sister Melannie has ministered as a writer and a speaker for conferences and retreats. “I try to find God in all things— especially in people and in the ordinary events of everyday life,” says Sister Melannie.
“I said that life is short and I wanted to do something meaningful with my life,” she recalls. “I believed this was a way of giving my life completely to God. I never attended a Catholic school and didn’t know any Sisters, but I would see them on occasion in church. I was pretty ignorant of all that was involved, and when the superior asked me why I wanted to enter, I simply said, ‘I love God.’” As a primary teacher, Sister ministered at Notre Dame Elementary, Chardon; St. Michael, Independence; St. Margaret Mary, South Euclid; and SS. Cyril & Methodius, Warren. She was a pastoral associate at St. Julie Billiart, North Ridgeville. While residing in Arlington, VA, Sister was the director of religious education at St. Ann Church. For the past 22 years, Sister Pat has been a pastoral associate at St. John Neumann, Strongsville. Even after decades of teaching, Sister remains open to learning. “One lesson I strive to practice and by no means have mastered is living the ‘power of now’— not so much thinking but sense-filled awareness of the life we all share in God in this present moment,” she says. www.sndchardon.org
Sister Mary Patricia Teckman (formerly Sister Mary St. Theodore) Sister Patricia joined the SND community from St. Clement Church, Lakewood, OH. “I felt compelled to respond to God’s call to be a Sister of Notre Dame,” she says of her vocation. “I wanted to serve God and others to the best of my ability. I could not say no!”
Sister lived in England for 16 years and taught high school at Notre Dame High in Northhampton, and adult religious education at St. Edmund House, Cambridge. At the Sisters of Notre Dame District House in Kettering, she ministered for 10 years in the roles of district superior, temporary professed directress, and novice directress. She devoted five years to studies at the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich, Switzerland. For the past 20 years, Sister Paulette has been a Jungian analyst at the Maywood Medical Center, South Euclid. Jungian analysis is a method of psychotherapy developed by Swiss psychiatrist, C.G. Jung.
Sister taught intermediate and junior high grades at St. Vitus, Cleveland; St. Francis of Assisi, Gates Mills; St. Benedict, Cleveland; St. John, Warrenton, VA; and others. She devoted 12 years of service to the Sisters of Notre Dame finance office, Chardon, as an assistant. Here, she was also involved in community service. For the past 12 years, Sister has served as provincial secretary. She remains inspired by the scripture passage, “I have called you by name; you are mine.”
“I’ve learned so much over 50 years, but the insight that has grounded my life as a Sister of Notre Dame came to me in the late ‘70s in Namur, Belgium, when I was taking part in a conference on the life and spirituality of St. Julie Billiart. The insight was this: all comes from God, all is of grace, and all works for good. Its truth has been spelled out in ever new and deeper ways since, embracing my past, my present and all that’s still to come. I’m deeply grateful.”
Sister Mary Paulette Toth
Sister Mary Patricia Vovk
At a young age, Sister Paulette felt a deep urge to give her life to God and to help the poor. The Sisters of Notre Dame, her teachers, offered her the chance to do both. Sister entered the order from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (East), Cleveland.
(formerly Sister Mary Milan) When she was in grade school at SS. Cyril & Methodius in Lorain, OH, Sister Pat loved her SND teachers and often helped them with church work after school. “They encouraged me to look into the life of a Sister,” she says. “I did! I
also wanted to be a teacher and that’s what the Sisters did. How perfect!” Sister Pat taught intermediate grades and high school at St. Francis of Assisi, Gates Mills, and Metro Catholic School, Cleveland. At St. Thomas the Apostle, Sheffield Lake, she served as teacher and principal. She was principal at Holy Trinity, Avon, and is the current principal of St. Peter School, North Ridgeville. “My mother always pointed out God’s goodness in nature and in others as I was growing up,” says Sister Pat. “I have come to see that this is the role I have as a religious. How fortunate that I have been able to proclaim God’s goodness to children and adults in my role as a religious and educator. It is a wonderful life!”
Sister Maryann Weber (formerly Sister Mary Chaminade) Though the Sisters who taught Sister Maryann throughout grade school, high school and college were members of several different religious congregations, they were all faith-filled religious women who inspired Sister Maryann to enter religious life. She joined the SND community from St. Francis De Sales Church, Parma, OH. Sister taught high school at Regina High School, South Euclid, and Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA. For a total of 21 years, she was an instructor, assistant professor and associate professor at Notre Dame College. Sister spent 16 years at Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, as an associate professor and continued on page 26
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professor. For the past five years, she has been dedicated to the Hispanic ministry at St. Paul Church, Salem, OH. During four of her years at St. Paul, she served as an adjunct instructor at Kent State University, Salem Campus. “Throughout my ministries, I have always wanted to be an opener of doors and windows—to help people develop their God-given potential and expand their view of the world so that they can make a difference in it,” says Sister. “This desire continues in my work with young adults and Hispanic immigrants.” Like the branches in one of her favorite scripture passages, “I am the vine and you are the branches,” Sister Maryann’s 50-year ministry continues to bear much fruit.
Sister Mary Laur a Wingert As a resident student at Notre Dame College, South Euclid, Sister Laura had a lot of contact with the SNDs. She noticed how happy they were and how much they loved what they were doing. “I had been ignoring a call to religious life but I knew I would have to give it a chance if I were ever to be true to myself,” she says. “I also knew that if I actually entered, I would not leave of my own accord. I gave in to God’s call and never regretted my decision.” During her junior year, Sister joined the community from St. Joan of Arc Church, Canton. She taught at high schools throughout the Cleveland Diocese, including St. Stephen, Our 26
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Lady of Lourdes, and Notre Dame Academy. Sister taught at Cardinal Gibbons High in Raleigh, NC, and spent 22 years teaching at Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA. At the Provincial Center, Chardon, she ministered in creative arts and in outreach to Guatemalan refugees. Presently, Sister resides at the Provincial Center, where she is an artist and part of the collaborative to end human trafficking.
Lord, your ways to me and teach me your paths. Direct me in your truth and teach me because you are God my Savior and I trust in you always.”
“No matter what comes my way, God will give me the grace to celebrate or survive,” Sister Laura says. “His love always shows me the next step and the courage to take it.”
(formerly Sister Mary Stephen) When she was a senior at Notre Dame Academy, Chardon, Sister Susan asked to enter the SND order because she felt herself being drawn into a relationship with Christ and into a life of service to the Church.
Sister Mary Elizabeth Wood (formerly Sister Mary Jesslyn) Sister Elizabeth joined the Sisters of Notre Dame community from St. Agnes Church, Elyria. “I believe that this is the vocation to which I am called by God,” she says. “This is where God wants me to serve.” Sister taught intermediate grades and junior high at several schools in the Cleveland Diocese, including St. Paschal Baylon, Gesu, St. Anselm, and Holy Redeemer. In addition, she taught at Holy Name of Jesus, Gulfport, FL, and St. Michael, Canton. Sister spent a year in Rome where she worked in archival assistance at the Sisters of Notre Dame Generalate. She has spent 20 years at the Provincial Center, Chardon, first serving in the printery and now ministering as archivist.
RUBY
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Sister Mary Susan Ann Javorek
Over the past 40 years, Sister taught intermediate grades at schools throughout the Cleveland Diocese, mainly St. Michael, Independence; St. Stephen, Cleveland; and St. Justin Martyr, Eastlake. At St. Margaret Mary School, South Euclid, Sister ministered as a teacher and principal. Also, she taught at St. Agnes in Arlington, VA. At Holy Angels Church, Bainbridge, OH, Sister served as pastoral minister and directory of liturgy. Currently, she ministers there as a pastoral associate. “Each year, I become more convinced of—and in awe of!—the provident goodness of God in my life,” says Sister Susan. For guidance, she looks to a personalized version of John 14:6: “Jesus, you are my way, my truth and my life.”
Sister Elizabeth remains inspired by the words from Psalm 25: “Show, O www.sndchardon.org
In Memoriam
Sister Mary Yvonne Roscoe (formerly Sister Mary Mark Daniel) While attending Catholic high school and Notre Dame College, sister Yvonne became personally acquainted with the Sisters of Notre Dame. She entered the order from St. Patrick Church, Kinsman, OH. Sister taught high school at Notre Dame Academy, Chardon, and Regina High School, South Euclid. For 16 years, she taught at Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA. She was the parish liturgist at St. Patrick, Hudson, WI, and director of liturgy at St. Anthony, Lakeland, FL. For the past eight years, sister has been a music minister and administrative assistant at St. Teresa Church, Titusville, FL. She is inspired by John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” “We can do nothing without being connected to Christ,” says Sister Yvonne.
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Sister Mary Patricia Gentile Sister Patricia was drawn into religious life through the faith example she saw from others, especially her father. “The Sisters of Notre Dame and Blessed Sacrament Community serving at St. Paschal Baylon School and Parish also had an impact on me,” says Sister. “They seemed to have a certain ‘something’ that inspired, motivated, and directed them to try to be loving and to serve others. As I grew, I realized that what they had was a relationship with God. ... I wanted the same, and wondered if being part of a religious community would help that to happen.” Sister lived in Rome at the Sisters of Notre Dame Generalate. She taught junior high at Notre Dame Academy and St. Mary School, Chardon. For the past 19 years, she has ministered at Metro Catholic School, Cleveland, as a counselor and teacher. During 10 years of this ministry, Sister Patricia also ministered at the Emergency Shelter for the Homeless and Women’s Outreach Center in Cleveland. “I am most grateful for all of the support and connection I have received from others over these 25 years as a Sister of Notre Dame,” says Sister Patricia. “Along with St. Julie, I say, from the bottom of my heart, ‘How good is the good God!’”
Sisters of Notre Dame | Network
Please remember in your prayers the following Sister of Notre Dame who has recently passed away.
SISTER MERIBETH (formerly Sister Mary Cupertino) passed away on February 21, 2015 at the SND Health Care Center. She was born on May 16, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio. Sister made her profession on August 16, 1967 in Chardon, Ohio. Meribeth was the oldest of the three girls born to Florence (Strah) and Edward Rome and spent her childhood in a home where strong, lasting family bonds were nurtured. She was always proud of and appreciated her Slovenian heritage—it was an integral part of her life. After attending St. Vitus Elementary School, Meribeth requested admittance to Notre Dame Academy as an aspirant, thus beginning her journey to become a Sister, a desire since second grade. As a senior, she entered the Sisters of Notre Dame and at investment received the name Sister Mary Cupertino. Her devotion to St. Joseph Cupertino, begun in high school, deepened and flourished throughout her life. Sister Mary Cupertino (later changed to Sister Meribeth) received a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame College, South Euclid; a master’s degree from Xavier University, Cincinnati; and certification as a Pastoral Minister for the Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio. Whether as a primary teacher, preparing hundreds of children for the sacraments, or as Director of Religious Education, Sister Meribeth had a passion for education. She was a clever, creative teacher. Her love for God, life, and learning motivated and inspired students of all ages to build up the good that was sometimes hidden within each heart. “Education is important to their own future and to the future of those around them. They have to believe they are able to contribute something to the world they live in,” she would often say. Sister Meribeth was a “people person” who maintained connections with people throughout the years and reached out as a friend to those she encountered each day. Her ability to relate to others, her warm smile, joy and wit, her interest, compassion and prayer drew others into a large circle where Christ’s unconditional love was present. After the recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, Sister Meribeth’s personal relationship with God, knowing that she was intimately loved and cared for, brought courage and peace. She has often echoed the words of St. Julie: “In whatever way He comes, God is always welcome.” As she has now been welcomed into heaven, may she rejoice, and rest, in God’s loving arms. Summer 2015
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Reunions 2015 CLASS OF 1965
Regina alumnae retreat
Janet Carey is working on a 50th Reunion for sometime in the fall. If you are interested in having one or have ideas or would be willing to help, please contact her at 440-236-5587 or janet.carey@aol.com.
February 19 to 21, 2016 More information will follow. Please put the date on your calendar for next year.
CLASS OF 1975
Twelve Regina alumnae attended the February Retreat. The retreat theme was: The Gospels, Pope Francis and You. We listened to speakers who worked with the poor, immigrants and children – all who are dear to Jesus, Pope Francis and all caring Christians. Attendees left with a better understanding of these people and what we can do for them. As one participant said, “The speakers at our gathering were so inspiring and such caring women. They reminded us all how we can be there for the least in the community and be doing it for and with Jesus.”
Claudia Wahl Lund and Lynn Reardon Fistek will be working on a reunion for the fall. If you are interested in attending or would be willing to help please contact them. Claudia: lclund@aol.com and Lynn: fistek@oh.rr.com CLASS OF 1995 Saturday August 8th – 7 pm The Cleveland Burger Company 30480 Lakeshore Blvd. Willowick, OH Order food from the menu and a cash bar. Sunday, August 9th – 2 pm Family Friendly Picnic, Lyndhurst Park in Lyndhurst, OH Bring your own meat/main dish and drinks and a side or dessert to share.
RETREAT 2015
annual retreat at the Bethany Retreat Center in Chardon, February 2015 Peggy Murphy Dudash ’74, Brenda Tedeschi Bodnar ’77, Gia Turella ’85 and Marilyn Lang Reichert ’58
If you haven’t provided Andrea with your email address to include you on the Evites (email invitation and or for more information contact Andrea Cancilla Struhar at writetoandrea@hotmail.com or call/text 216-513-1259. CLASS OF 2005 Saturday July 18th – 6:30 pm Tickets purchased individually at http://goodtimeiii.com/site/ cruises/dinner-dance-cruise Boarding time: 6:30 Cruise/Dinner: 7:00-9:00 Dancing: 9:30-11:30 Cost: $49.95 per person Company suggests you purchase tickets at least 3 days in advance in order to make sure you have a reservation. Please contact Tara Quinn at taraq22@gmail.com when you purchase a ticket or if you have any questions.
Cross COuntry Reunion Place: Date: Time: Contact: 28
Euclid Creek Park (where we trained) November 29 11:00 a.m. Coach Chuck at xccoachchuck@aol.com
Brenda Tedeschi Bodnar ’77, Lena Iemmolo Liebenauer ’71, Joan Ward Andersen ’76 and Mary Staiger Murphy ’74
girls night out October 6, 2015 at Pizzazz. More information to come.
emails If you would like to be on our email lists to receive class and family news, please send your email address to: rhsalum@reginahigh.com.
addresses If you’ve moved, please keep us updated by sending us your new information – either through emails or mail to: 9918 Johnnycake Ridge Rd. Mentor, OH 44060. www.sndchardon.org
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