SCN Family News
The latest on Tumblr
Memorial Hospital 60th Anniversary Prayer Service
January 05, 2012
| Chattanooga, Memorial Hospital
Read the prayer service here.
View Comments
Ordination for Nepalese Priest, Cecilia Simick, SCN's Brother
January 03, 2012
| Nepal
Father Samuel Simick with his mother and sister (Cecilia Simick, SCN)
From UCANEWS | An ethnic Nepalese Jesuit priest from India has been ordained in the country’s poorest parish.
Father Samuel Simick, 32, was ordained on December 31, in Maheshpur parish, around 600 kilometers east of Kathmandu, by Nepal’s apostolic vicar Jesuit Bishop Anthony Sharma.
He joins three other priests, a diocesan and two Jesuits, who were ordained there by Bishop Sharma last year.
The ceremony, concelebrated by about two dozen priests, was held at the Moran Memorial School in Maheshpur, which is set amidst tea gardens.
Family and friends of the priest fromIndia, and over 500 other Catholics from acrossNepalattended the ceremony despite a series of transport strikes gripping the country.
The ordination of Fr Simick, who hails from northern West Bengal, increases the number of priests working in Nepal to 68, eight of whom have been ordained by Bishop Sharma since being made apostolic vicar in 2007.
Vincentian Villa ethnic Christmas presentation featured traditional music, food
December 28, 2011
| Vincentian Villa
From: YourNorthHills.com
Polish, Slovak and German Christmas traditions were shared at a special holiday presentation at the Vincentian Villa retirement community in McCandless.
The event, attended by about 40 people, was presented Dec. 9 by representatives of local religious communities, including the Sisters of Divine Providence in McCandless, Sisters of the Holy Spirit in Green Tree, and Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in McCandless, and featured traditional music, food, decorations and discussions pertaining to each ethnicity.
While there are many differences and similarities between the three nationalities, all presenters agreed that the most important part about traditions is handing them down to younger generations.
"Kids like traditions, and kids like customs," said Sister Eileen Chlebowski, of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit. "It makes the day more special."
Chlebowski joined her fellow Holy Spirit Sister Jolenta Sredinski, who discussed popular Polish practices, such as eating sour wigilia soup and setting an extra spot at Christmas Eve dinner to represent a guest, stranger or Jesus.
Slovak traditions were presented by Sue Ondrejco of Greenfield on behalf of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Ondrejco, who also represents the National Slovak Society and is co-host of "Slovak Radio Hour" on WPIT, 730 AM, noted the importance of keeping these practices.
"Traditions give us a sense of belonging," said Ondrejco, 53. She brought along samples of holiday decorations and said early Slovaks would hang their decorated tree upside down above the dinner table mostly due to lack of space in the home.
Sister Donna Marie Dorfner of the Sisters of Divine Providence included a traditional dress and desserts to complement her discussion of German traditions.
Like the two other ethnicities represented, Germans usually didn't start decorating and celebrating until practically Christmas Eve, Sister Donna Marie said.
"The whole idea is the family gets together and exchanges gifts and stories," said the sister, adding that many like to reminisce about their own traditions.
"I think people enjoy hearing the customs and nationalities as well as their own," she said.
Of those who attended, many of them were residents at Vincentian Villa, which is part of the Vincentian Collaborative System, according to Vincentian communications director Robin Weber.
The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth campus is located near the retirement community and is affiliated with the Vincentian Collaborative System. A similar event on ethnic traditions held during the past Easter season was so popular with residents that Weber, of Moon Township, suggested doing something similar for the Christmas season.
One of the Villa residents, Paul Schubert, 81, attended the December event and commented on the importance of carrying on these practices with family members.
"Once you lose traditions you lose your background," said Schubert, who is of German descent.
And although fellow Villa residents Tom and Clara Bayne have ethnic backgrounds of Irish and Italian, respectively, they still enjoyed hearing about the three other ethnic group's customs.
"Neither of us is Slovak, Polish or German, but we enjoyed it," said Clara Bayne, 70.
Polish, Slovak and German Christmas traditions were shared at a special holiday presentation at the Vincentian Villa retirement community in McCandless.
The event, attended by about 40 people, was presented Dec. 9 by representatives of local religious communities, including the Sisters of Divine Providence in McCandless, Sisters of the Holy Spirit in Green Tree, and Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in McCandless, and featured traditional music, food, decorations and discussions pertaining to each ethnicity.
While there are many differences and similarities between the three nationalities, all presenters agreed that the most important part about traditions is handing them down to younger generations.
"Kids like traditions, and kids like customs," said Sister Eileen Chlebowski, of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit. "It makes the day more special."
Chlebowski joined her fellow Holy Spirit Sister Jolenta Sredinski, who discussed popular Polish practices, such as eating sour wigilia soup and setting an extra spot at Christmas Eve dinner to represent a guest, stranger or Jesus.
Slovak traditions were presented by Sue Ondrejco of Greenfield on behalf of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Ondrejco, who also represents the National Slovak Society and is co-host of "Slovak Radio Hour" on WPIT, 730 AM, noted the importance of keeping these practices.
"Traditions give us a sense of belonging," said Ondrejco, 53. She brought along samples of holiday decorations and said early Slovaks would hang their decorated tree upside down above the dinner table mostly due to lack of space in the home.
Sister Donna Marie Dorfner of the Sisters of Divine Providence included a traditional dress and desserts to complement her discussion of German traditions.
Like the two other ethnicities represented, Germans usually didn't start decorating and celebrating until practically Christmas Eve, Sister Donna Marie said.
"The whole idea is the family gets together and exchanges gifts and stories," said the sister, adding that many like to reminisce about their own traditions.
"I think people enjoy hearing the customs and nationalities as well as their own," she said.
Of those who attended, many of them were residents at Vincentian Villa, which is part of the Vincentian Collaborative System, according to Vincentian communications director Robin Weber.
The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth campus is located near the retirement community and is affiliated with the Vincentian Collaborative System. A similar event on ethnic traditions held during the past Easter season was so popular with residents that Weber, of Moon Township, suggested doing something similar for the Christmas season.
One of the Villa residents, Paul Schubert, 81, attended the December event and commented on the importance of carrying on these practices with family members.
"Once you lose traditions you lose your background," said Schubert, who is of German descent.
And although fellow Villa residents Tom and Clara Bayne have ethnic backgrounds of Irish and Italian, respectively, they still enjoyed hearing about the three other ethnic group's customs.
"Neither of us is Slovak, Polish or German, but we enjoyed it," said Clara Bayne, 70.
Sister Anne Rita Mauck Inspires
December 19, 2011
| The de Paul School
As head of school for one of the nation’s largest independent schools teaching bright students with learning differences due to dyslexia, ADHD and central auditory processing deficit, Tony Kemper has witnessed literally thousands of inspiring life lessons happen right before his eyes at the de Paul School. Kemper, who lives in Georgetown, Ind., with his wife, Carol, and their two children, took a moment to share a few life lessons.
• The founder of the de Paul School, Sister Anne Rita Mauck, inspired me with her tremendous entrepreneurial spirit as an educator. The most important life lesson she passed along to me was to always make decisions with the child’s best interest in mind … to keep the child in the center of every discussion.As long as I did that, the decision would be correct. I learned that it’s important to set aside any agendas, politics and even the comfort of others and instead focus on what is best for the child in any particular situation.
• As a teenager, I was fortunate to be able to spend time with and watch my father work at Kosair Orthotic and Prosthetic Facility. Witnessing his work ethic and his ability to serve people through his work was a great life lesson for me and my siblings. Every day he demonstrated the importance and value of hard work and commitment to the job.
• When people visit the de Paul School, they often comment that the school is remarkably congruent. There may be different classrooms, teachers and goings-on — but guests always notice recurring themes during their tour. This is no accident. Perhaps one of the greatest lessons we have learned as educators is to provide a structured learning environment that revolves around our mission.Children who learn differently can rely upon the promise of a shared purpose that permeates the entire school and creates a community of success.
• After nearly 30 years as an educator, I continue to be impressed by the power of a passionate teacher. Many children who learn differently have not had positive experiences in school. Here at de Paul, our teachers are driven to uncover the hidden individual — the artist, author, athlete, the leader, or the ambitious executive-to-be. The highly dedicated teacher guides students to discover strengths and embrace challenges with confidence and enthusiasm.Watching this happen repeatedly each week in our classrooms is the driving force behind my passion.
— As told to Ken Neuhauser, The Courier-Journal