Merry Christmas from Lourdes Hall!

Flaget Memorial Hospital opened the Christmas season with the blessing of the crèche and the lighting of the tree in the front lobby. Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam, Sister Theresa Knabel, Sister Mary Elizabeth Miller and Sister Barbara Flores were present for the blessing and the choral presentation by the children of St. Joseph School.

SCNs Alice O’Connell and Judy Raley along With SCNAs Carol and Steve Newton and their family participated in the 20th annual Grateful Gobbler 5k walk/run in Chattanooga on Thanksgiving morning.

Sisters living in David Hall at Nazareth gathered on Monday, November 25 to determine which items they will complete on the Roots Level of the Care for Our Common Home program.

In prayer serviced at CHI St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, Arkansas, Sister Janice Campbell was remembered for her time there by friends and colleagues.

The Missioning Service for Will Rosenbaum was held today in St. Vincent’s Church, Nazareth, KY. Will has been named the Director of Nazareth Campus Service.

Sister Brenda Gonzales joined Sister Theresa Knabel, Sister Susan Gatz, and Associate Trudi Maish, at Noche Mexican Restaurant to celebrate all those who have gone before us. Sister Brenda brought photos of her father, mother, and sister to place on the ofrenda (alter).

Sisters of Charity of Nazareth attended the Congress 2019 banquet for the Religious Formation Conference. Lorena Miller and Sister Michelle Grgurich were present to receive the Mass collection representing Doors to Hope, the designated charity recipient this year.

A ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Vincentian, founded by the Vincentian Sisters of Charity and formerly named VCS, is officially launching its new brand and logo. All of their digital assets will be updated and they have “launch parties” planned for each of their long-term communities.

Sister Mary Reisz has collected leaves from the Nazareth campus as and has them displayed in Carrico Hall for the Sisters residing there. It is just another small way to brighten up community life in the Motherhouse.

“It may prove difficult for you to keep silence on retreat at Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, for there are simply far too many kind and interesting people living and working and going on retreat here who may want to share a meal or a conversation with you while you are here.”

Reporter’s notebook on the sisters of Holmes County, Mississippi

Sister Mary Elizabeth Miller, Sister Theresa Knabel, Sister Susan Gatz and Sister Joetta Venneman attended the Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light annual awards dinner this September.

Sister Ann Whittaker and Sister Anne Marie O’Shea joined Brockton, Massachusettes, youth in the Climate Crisis March at City Hall. “Our young people energize us and give us hope!” says Sister Anne.

Beginning on Monday, Sept. 9, a short spiritual reflection will be shared over the PA system at the Nazareth Motherhouse. This will take place at 9 a.m. each Monday morning.

In a blessing ceremony, Sister Barbara Flores thanked Lisa Downs for the many ways in which she has enhanced the prayer life and worship for the Sisters and all who have attended St. Vincent Church.

It is a day to give support from all over the world to Louisville, Kentucky, area nonprofits. The Sisters are eligible for $280,00 in prize money and every donation on this day helps them earn a better part of it. Donations will be used at Kentucky based SCN ministries Doors to Hope, Nazareth Villages, and Nazareth Retreat Center as well as global SCN missions.

On Sept. 5, Sister Jacky will leave for Kenya join the four other Sisters there, Sisters Basanti, Latika, Nalini, and Vinaya. They will together reflect their experiences in Kenya, discern and give recommendations to the executive committee.

Sister Sangeeta Ayithamattam, Carolyn Cromer, and Sister Joetta Venneman met with Congressman Brett Guthrie and his field representatives Greg and Mark. The discussion focused on the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019.

“Opposition to the death penalty — even when the issue is personal — is nothing new for Catholic sisters. Sr. Paula Merrill, a member of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Kentucky, and her housemate, co-worker and friend, Sr. Margaret Held of the School Sisters of St. Francis in Milwaukee, were murdered in their home in Durant, Mississippi, but both sisters’ congregations and their families publicly opposed capital punishment for the perpetrator. The man later accepted a plea dealfor life in prison without the possibility of parole.”

A special Mass was held today in honor of Nazareth Village I and Nazareth Village II. Both are celebrating significant anniversaries, Nazareth Village I celebrates 40 years and Nazareth Village II celebrates 30 years in ministry. Past and current staff members attended the Mass along with residents, board members, and friends. 

Sisters and Associates gathered at St. Louise Convent, in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Aug. 10 for contemplative engagement of the General Assembly Theme: Becoming a Transformative Presence and Witness across the Globe.

The 2019 LCWR assembly will be an important gathering as women religious leaders explore together the exciting movements occurring within contemporary religious life – globally and nationally.

Sister Grace Saia gives Lily a big hug while Sister Susan hangs out with Morgan. Associate Trudi Maish and Sister Susan brought their pets to visit with Sisters in Carrico Hall at Nazareth that has a special love for dogs.

Sister Judy Raley and SCN Associate Jean Payne were recently honored with the Caring Spirit Awards at CHI Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and Associates in the Boston area gathered at the Catherine Spalding House in Brockton, Massachusettes, for contemplative engagement on the General Assembly theme, "Becoming a Transformative Presence and Witness across the Globe." There...

On July 27, friends and family of Carmelita Dunn, SCN, celebrated her 28+ years of ministry and service to the St. Frances of Rome Community in Louisville.

On Saturday, July 27, a group of SCNs took a vintage bus to the Gateway Clipper riverboat for a luncheon boat ride with the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh who treated the SCNs to this outing.

SCN’s Christine Kunze and Higinia Bol represented the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth at a conference for young adults involved in campus or parish ministry.

Goodbye and safe travels to Sister Dolsie, Sister Rashmi, Sister Saroj, and Sister Mary Joesph. They left Nazareth, Kentucky, today to return to home.

Sister Mary Wedding celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. The following is the reflection given by Sister Jackulin Jesu for the occasion.

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth celebrate 395 years of service from these dedicated and faithful Sisters.

Becoming a Transformative Presence 
and Witness Across the Globe

On Sunday, at the 9 o’ clock Mass at the Divine Providence Motherhouse in Pittsburgh, Victor from the Charity House (Pittsburgh Campus) was baptized. The Godparents and parents are from Ghana and requested the baptism.

Sisters and Associates gathered in Memphis on Saturday, June 29, to celebrate twenty years of the Jubilee Schools.  Known as the “Miracle in Memphis”, the Jubilee Schools provided a quality education to those who otherwise would not have been able to afford to attend a Catholic school.

Sister Rosemarie Kirwan, or Aunt Rosie as her nephew Jody Kirwan knows her, shared the following account of their plane-building exploits.

Sisters, Associates, and employees challenged themselves to avoid or reduce meat, dairy, and egg consumption in acknowledgment that agriculture is the second leading cause of climate change, and 75% of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions come from the production of animals and their byproducts.

On June 11, 1822, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth moved from St. Thomas farm to their current location.

The Global Exchange and Bangalore Province Sisters visited various Sisters of Charity of Nazareth sites in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“Every time we receive pictures of the little ones who receive the items we make and donate, my heart is filled with joy for providing one small new and clean item for a boy or girl or mom who likely has never had anything new made especially for them.”

See video of the highlights of the Nazareth 5K, a wonderful event in which more than 300 hundred walkers and runners crossed the finish line at the Motherhouse.

Sister Janice Downs and Sister Rita Davis applied some elbow grease to the post caps of the Motherhouse railings last week.

House of Ruth was founded in 1992 by eight long-time friends and Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. The women united around what they felt was an unmet social service need – women who were affected by HIV and their children.

Sisters at the Nazareth Motherhouse and recent graduates from Bethlehem High School spent time together making signs to be held by the Sisters during the race.

Camp Maria Retreat Center has received the St. Mary’s Co. (Maryland) Health Department’s Gold Star Food Service Award for the second year in a row. Congratulations to Chef Terri Williams and her wonderful staff!

On Saturday, May 11, Sister’s Place held its 12th Annual Mother’s Day luncheon to honor extraordinary women in the community.

Members of the Western Province Car Committee held a regular meeting at the Nazareth Motherhouse. They used the occasion especially express their gratitude to Doris Schneider of the WP Office.

Sisters and Associates gathered at the Catherine Spalding House in Brockton, Massachusetts for a variety of celebrations.

Twenty SCNs traveled from Nazareth to Bernheim Forest on a beautiful Monday afternoon to enjoy time with nature and God’s creatures.

Nazareth Village I earned the Outstanding Performance Award for achieving a 100% REAC score!

The Easter Bunny visited Sisters at Nazareth Motherhouse, lifting spirits and spreading the joy of the Easter season to all.

Sister John Ann Kulina is now 102 years young! She celebrated with the Congregation and several members of her family who were at Nazareth for the weekend. She thoroughly enjoyed the day.

The owner of Tucson’s iconic Benedictine Monastery has offered to let asylum seekers from Central America stay at the facility while their final destinations are arranged.

Nazareth Retreat Center hosted a retreat for a group called Young Adult Franciscan Ministry. Their retreat was titled Glow in the Dark and was attended by around 20 college students and young adults.

The cultural and religious celebration of the Feast of Saint Patrick was celebrated by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

Camp Maria’s women’s Lenten retreat was held this past weekend. The retreat was led by Sister Marian Stenken, SCN. Participants reflected on The Case of the Bent Woman in Luke 13: 10-17. It was a powerfully reflective and refreshing weekend.

Grace Mary Whittaker, SCN, is being honored by Saint Joseph Montessoru Childen’s Center where she is in ministry. She recently received a plaque for being an outstanding volunteer. She can always be found smiling and laughing as she helps out in the classrooms.

Sister Judy Raley’s 80th birthday was celebrated in grand style on Thursday, March 7th at the home of SCNAs Bob Scheri and Jane Franz in Chattanooga, Tennessee.