A Letter From Our Sister
in
Leadership
Dear Sisters, Associates and Friends,
I
come to you today with a heart filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the changing seasons that bring to mind transitions from beautiful autumn trees filled with an array of spectacular colors to the barren branches, cooler days and evenings that foretell winter’s coming. Sometimes a glimpse of snow with the sun casting its glitter surprises us with winter’s beauty. Advent gives us time to reflect on our journey, and all those transitions in our lives. One constant in all of our life transitions is that Christ is always with us. In this season of Advent, we take time out to reflect on how we bring His love into the world and to those we encounter. As we prepare to celebrate the feast of Christmas, we are reminded that our love dispels the darkness of winter and brings joy and hope to our world.
Contents Features Community Building......................... 6-7 S. Joyce Brehm celebrates her Golden Jubilee. Filling the World with Love................ 8-9 S. Mary Bookser’s loving presence. A Call Within a Call...................... 10-11 S. Laetitia Slusser’s 70 years as a Sister of Charity. Paving the Road Ahead.................. 12-15 S. Romina Sapinoso professes final vows. Moments of Grace................................17 Q & A with S. Shirley Le Blanc. A Prayer of the Heart..................... 18-19 S. Nancy Bramlage celebrates her Diamond Jubilee. Santa Maria – The Recent Years..... 20-22 Santa Maria’s continuation of Blandina and Justina’s vision.
We celebrate many stories of joy by our Sisters journeys featured in our articles. We especially remember those Sisters and Associates that have transitioned to their eternal life with God. By their lives they have given witness of God’s love in our world. Our Jubilee Day celebrated 28 Sisters marking significant years of life as Sisters of Charity. We had one golden jubilarian, S. Joyce Brehm, and three diamond jubilarians, Sisters Mary Bookser, Nancy Bramlage and Mary Ann Humbert. We celebrated Sisters from their 30th jubilee all the way to S. Emily Anne Phelan, celebrating her 80th jubilee. Enjoy their stories of witness, ministry and service as Sisters of Charity. We also celebrated a very special 100th birthday, S. Marge Farfsing – Wow! In September, at our Fall Congregational Days, we celebrated the final profession of vows of S. Romina Sapinoso as a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati. It was a wonderful liturgical celebration of her life commitment. We concluded our Congregational weekend with a lunch boat ride down the Ohio River. Getting back to our new normal, we were able to include everyone, our Sisters, Associates, employees and S. Romina’s vow guests, on a beautiful autumn day sailing down the Ohio River. A fun time was had by all. This fall we had a blessing of our La Casa del Sol Ministry Center, which marks a new chapter in our commitment to care of the Earth and to SC ministries as we move into our future. In life we take time to celebrate our journey. I invite you to enjoy the many photos, words and celebrations included in this issue of Intercom. They have been truly life-giving.
A Wide Variety of Gifts.................. 24-25 S. Mary Ann Humbert’s well-rounded life as a SC.
Blessings on your Advent journey,
A Missionary Spirit........................ 26-27 S. Mary Barbara Philippart’s example of loving dedication.
S. Patricia Hayden, SC
On the Cover: Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Romina Sapinoso professed perpetual vows with the Community during a liturgy on Sept. 24, 2022, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Read more on pages 12-15. Disclaimer: The information contained in Intercom is intended for general information and educational purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are the views of individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.
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In Memoriam Please visit “In Memoriam” at www.srcharitycinti.org for biographical information and reflections on the Sisters of Charity and Associates who have died. May our Sisters and Associates enjoy the fruits of their labor as well as peace with God. Associate Frances Geronimo May 31, 2022
Associate Mary Ann Hogan August 7, 2022
S. Claire Foken July 11, 2022
S. Marie Alice Moran September 12, 2022
S. Mary Laura Miceli July 25, 2022
S. Marilyn Joseph Czarnecki October 23, 2022
S. Marie Evelyn Dow August 2, 2022
Associate Alice Graham November 24, 2022 I ntercom