All recent posts from the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
Advocating for Earth
On June 16, Brenda Gonzales, SCN, was among the many constituents who participated in a virtual visit with Congressman Brett Guthrie’s office. His aide, Elaina, met with the group.
A Path Forward
In front of a home on Cedar Street in West Louisville, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth announced a $2.5 million dollar investment in the Louisville Urban League and its “A Path Forward for Louisville” work.
Welcome Patrick and Sean
Two summer volunteers, Sean Sullivan (right) and Patrick Dooley (left), who are recent graduates from the University of New Haven in Connecticut, are living on campus and serving through the Lay Mission Volunteer Program.
Sister Luke teams with young artist for mural
Sister Luke teamed up with a young artist, Kaema Ansera, to create a mural that will grace the front wall of the home. It is the Women in Circle logo, made up of eight hands in a circle. Last night they began the process of outlining the design with the use of a projector. The paint will come next. Stay tuned to see how it turns out!
SCNAs come together in Belize
After a year off, the SCNAs in Dangriga finally came out to be together. Sister Carlette travelled down to Dangriga this weekend to meet with the SCNAs.
Seed swap
Gardeners at Nazareth’s Community Garden participated in a seed swap to share seeds, young plants, gardening resources, knowledge, and time in community.
Renewal of vows in Patna and Sangsay
Seven temporary professed Sisters, Jharna Rani Malick, Ranjita Baa, Mansuri Kujur, Monica Tudu, Nitya Toppo, Swastica Kiro, and Veronica Soren renewed their vows on June 13, 2021, at the Provincial House, Patna.
Anna Marie Rhodes, SCN
Anna Marie Rhodes, SCN, 90, (formerly Dorothy Jean) was born in Akron, OH. She died June 11, 2021, in Nazareth, Kentucky. She was a professed Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 70 years.
Reunion of friends
The Pittsburgh SCNs were treated to a festive luncheon by the Benedictine Sisters on Wednesday, June 9th. The party was originally scheduled around Thanksgiving of 2020 but had to be canceled due to the up surge in the virus.
Sister Paschal teaches Spanish
Sister Paschal Maria Fernicola is thrilled to be teaching other Sisters at the Motherhouse how to speak conversational Spanish in a class she hosts every Thursday in the dining room. Muchas gracias Sor Paschal!
Sisters enter into pastoral ministry in Kenya
Sisters Vinaya and Philo have been visiting Catholic families in outstations as they begin this new chapter for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and enter into pastoral ministry in the Kenya mission.
Musings of a Nature Lover
Sister Sarita Manavalan has compiled her poetry into a booklet and would like to share it here in digital form. The poems are reflections on herself, social issues, nature, and the world.
Nazareth 5K
The support for the virtual Nazareth 5k has been tremendous. Take a look at our gallery of supporters who have already submitted photos. And it’s not over yet. Registration to complete the course at Nazareth or 3.1 miles wherever you are is open through Sunday.
Sister Mary Anne Burkardt: A Profile
Sister Mary Anne is so grateful to her Sisters in religion for the opportunities she has been given in education and in ministry. She has literally seen the world through her travels as an SCN. Even more than for the opportunities given, “I want to express my deepest gratitude for all of the personal care and concern of our leaders and the care and concern for my well-being, both spiritual and physical, that has made me – with God’s grace – the person I am today.”
Vows taken in Mokama – Video
See the video of the first and perpetual vows in the Patna Province celebrated on May 22, 2021, in Mokama.
Empowering domestic workers at a critical moment
Sister Saroj Kumari meets with domestic workers to empower and educate. The women gratefully responded as she gave an awareness program on the new government schemes which were recently issued by the Maharashtra Labor Welfare Board. This is to help women understand domestic labor laws and to encourage them to take the COVID-19 vaccine for their safety.
Loretta Weller, SCN
Loretta Weller, SCN, 97, (formerly Mary Hugh) was born in Newport, Kentucky. She died June 2, 2021, in Nazareth, Kentucky. She was a professed Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 66 years. Sister Loretta served as an elementary education teacher and principal at Our...
COVID awareness for migrant workers
Sister Gracy is raising COVID awareness to migrant workers. As part of her training sessions, a total of 480 people were tested for COVID-19, 14 were found to be positive. Through her timely intervention, infected persons were kept in isolation and one was admitted to the hospital.
Sisters respond to the needs of COVID-19 patients
Three Tertians of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth share their life and mission in responding to the needs of COVID-19 patients at Nazareth Hospital, Mokama.
The Sustainable Scoop
A newly-discovered owl species has a Catholic Sister to thank for its name. A new screech owl species discovered in the Amazon rainforest was given the scientific name Megascops stangiae in honor of martyred Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Dorothy Stang.
Cicada spotting at Nazareth
Millions of Brood X cicadas are emerging across the United States. The first cicada sighting at Nazareth has occurred. Sister Kelly O’Mahony shares this shot taken on May 29, 2021. Have you spotted your first cicada yet?
Ambitious vaccination drive begins
Sister Jessie Saldanha is helping to coordinate an ambitious vaccination clinic in Karnataka. As head of the department of pharmacy, Sister Jessie and her staff at the St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, along with the leadership of the Community Health Department medical fraternity, assisted in coordinating the vaccination drive in the light of the wave of COVID-19 pandemic currently ravaging India.
Nazareth Gardens
Joshu Primer gives this look at the community garden at Nazareth and the kitchen garden which he oversees. “The community garden is looking as good as ever and the weather this year is serving the kitchen garden well with it producing many varieties of vegetables for the Sisters,” says Joshu.
Sisters volunteer with COVID patients
Sisters Hema Santhosa, Prashanti Mandapati, Alisha Anthony daringly volunteered to give their service to the COVID-19 affected patients for a week in St. Philomena and St. Martha Hospitals respectively. They were deeply touched by the experience. They share the following reflections.
Doors to Hope
In the bright sunshine of Sunday, May 23rd, Doors to Hope held its closing ceremony outdoors at its location at St. Simon & Jude Parish in Louisville, KY. About 50 guests including past directors, SCN Leadership, Doors to Hope volunteers, and the families served marked the end of this SCN ministry. Several speakers shared their Doors to Hope memories and how the ministry has impacted their lives.
Vows taken in Mokama
On May 22, 2021, at Nazareth Convent in Mokama, Sisters made commitments to their sacred religious vows, entering into a process of living out the values of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in lives based on poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Five enter the novitiate in Mokama
During a meaningful prayer service conducted by Sisters Suchita Kullu and Swarupa Rani, five pre-novices, Komal Kushum Kujur, Paulina Murmu, Rajnima Soreng, Ritika Lakra, and Usha Murmu were accepted into novitiate by Sister Philomena Kottoor, provincial pf Patna Province on May 20, 2021.
Cyclone Tauktae
Cyclone Tauktae that devastated the western coast of India wreaked havoc on the residence of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and Nazareth Primary School in Vasai. Here are some scenes of the devastation caused by the cyclone. The states of Maharashtra and Gujarat sustained severe damage by the cyclone.
Sister Franciska acts for COVID relief
In the remote village of Kutuderi, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are busy rendering compassionate coronavirus care under the leadership of social worker Sister Franciska Sanga at Jeevan Jyoti health clinic.
Gardening at Nazareth
Sisters Dorothy Wilson, Mary Reisz, Shirley Howe, Earline Hobbs and Marie Celine Osbourn planted flowers in the courtyard near St. Vincent Church.
Nazareth 5K
Sister Lisa and Sister Chris invite you to watch the recent promo video for the Nazareth 5K which is set for June 5-June 13.
In Belize Sisters feed homeless during pandemic
With the downturn in the Belize economy during COVID, Sisters prepare and distribute food for the homeless of Belize City.
Called to love and serve, Sisters make perpetual vows
Amidst the COVID-19 crisis and lockdown, Sister Hema Santhosha and Sister Mandapati Prashanti daringly professed their perpetual, “Yes!” to the Lord in the form of their perpetual vows in Chandapura on May 16, 2021.
Update from Asha Kiran
From the coming week, we have organized classes and activity sessions to bring normalcy to Asha Kiran although the outside world is in utter chaos. We remain ever grateful for the prayers that brought God’s mercy upon all of us and brought us back in robust health and vigor.
EQUAL Act
On May 12, Mary Danhauer and Joetta Venneman were joined by Jarret Smith of NETWORK to talk with Elaina Murphy from Congressman Brett Guthrie’s office on the EQUAL Act.
Sisters help their garden grow
Three long-time friends, Sister Mary Reisz, Sister Dorothy Wilson, and Sister Dolores Greenwell, recently planted vegetables and flowers in the raised garden outside the church at the Nazareth Motherhouse. As they helped beautify the grounds they had fun playing in the dirt.
Happy International Nurses Day
Happy International Nurses Day! On this day, we raise awareness of all nurse contributions and commitments and acknowledge the vital role nurses play in society and especially during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Attending to critical COVID patients
“I was put in a ward with 16 critical patients, two of whom died today. … Please do pray for the patients … I truly consider this opportunity to serve as a blessing.”
Feast Day celebration
The Sisters at Caritas and Associates gathered on Sunday, May 9th to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Louise de Marillac with a special Mass in her honor.
Mother’s Day at LIFE
LIFE’s seniors receive sweet treats! “To the world, you are a mother, but to your family, you are the world!”
Sisters to make perpetual vows
Please keep Sister Hema Santhosa and Sister Prasanthi Mandapatti in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare to make perpetual vows later this week. They also recently gave a presentation entitled “Conversion in a Community of Mission”.
Amid India’s crisis, Sisters respond
India and Nepal are hurting right now. Reports directly from our Sisters and the daily news reports describe how the second surge of COVID-19 is devastating lives and overwhelming systems. The statistics of lives lost and those impacted are staggering. Our hearts go out to all who are suffering. Our unity across the globe is felt keenly and we are impelled to respond. The severity of this crisis is felt in every facet of life and especially in our health ministries.
Adoration for the sick and the suffering
The 10th day of Adoration for healing of the sick and the suffering in the Archdiocese of Patna was conducted by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Patna Provincial House community. You may watch the recorded video inside.
Welcome Robin!
The Western Province Leadership Team and members welcomed Robin Leake today as the new pastoral administrator for St. Vincent Church. Prayers were offered during the missioning ceremony held for Robin as she begins her new ministry this week.
Sister Jackie receives two awards
Sister Jacqueline Aceto recently received two awards. The Beth K. Fields Award for continually going above and beyond the call of duty in both profession and CASE-Kentucky. The other award is the Dean Citation award for outstanding academic excellence.
National Farm Worker Ministry turns 50
National Farm Worker Ministry is celebrating 50 years!
National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM) is a faith-based organization which supports farm workers as they organize for justice and empowerment. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN) support NFWM as a Member Organization. Felix Garza, SCNA, serves as the SCN representative.
Sisters begin novena for India
In solidarity with all Sisters and people across India, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have begun praying a novena for India. United at Nazareth and across the Congregation this nine-day devotional prayer reminds Sisters they are one and together lifts up their hearts to God during this difficult time.
International Workers’ Day
Acknowledging the contributions of laborers across the globe, the Sisters at Nazareth Convent, Vasai, celebrated International Workers’ Day on May 1, 2021, with the workers laboring in Nazareth Primary School building by praying with them seeking God’s blessings on them and their family members. The Sisters also shared light meals with them.
Sister Jessie and her team respond to COVID crisis
Sister Jessie Saldanha puts on multiple hats as the crisis caused by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has left many in panic and grief. Recognizing that more hands were needed to assist the patients getting admitted to the hospital, she gave a training session to her team of pharmacists on “Caring for COVID-19 patients”.
Nazareth in Spring
See the splendor of this Holy place amongst a campus in bloom, come virtually right now with this video to Nazareth in Spring. 🌸