All recent posts from the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
Marigolds sprouting
Sister Mary Middendorf planted marigolds and nurtured them until they sprouted recently. Sisters on each floor of Carrico have planted seeds that will eventually be transplanted to a place on Nazareth grounds for all to see.
Now What?
Ellen Sprigg shares her reflection after serving with Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas (March 20-April 3).
Sisters visit outstations in Kenya
Sisters in Kenya share about the journey to the remote locations of their ministry to visit Catholic families and the trials of traveling there.
‘Patricia Connontail’ visits Nazareth
Sister Valerie Miller added to the fun when she dressed as “Patricia Connontail” (not Peter) to distribute treats to the Sisters. The treat bags were made by Bee Hall, Sister of Rose Riley, SCN.
LIFE serves seniors in Belize
Due to COVID restrictions, Sister Carlette led an initiative to take the annual Easter party to the seniors that LIFE serves.
Easter gift in Belize
In Belize City, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, along with Miriam Juarez, prepared baskets for less fortunate children who may have gone without an Easter gift this year. Together, baskets were packed with candy, jelly beans, cookies, chips, and toys.
Burial for Sister Anastasia Chernitsky
View the burial ceremony held today at Nazareth for Burial for Sister Anastasia Chernitsky.
Holy Week around the Congregation
Enjoy this snapshot of Holy Week celebrated around the Congregation.
The Sustainable Scoop
Did you know? It’s a girl!
The world’s rarest turtle species, Swinhoe’s softshell turtle, may live on since conservationists confirmed a turtle found in Vietnam is female.
Alleluia! Christ has risen.
May the dogwood’s special beauty,
as it enframes our church,
Fill your soul with wonder,
as for God, you search.
Just as earth in springtime,
is renewed before our eyes,
So, may your spirit be renewed,
to proclaim Christ with your life.
(Click to see a video reflection.)
Love Multiplied
Julia’s Journal – What a treat for me, to have the luxury of time and mental space for back-to-back reflections! This is a bit of a shorter one; just some thoughts wrapping up my work of the day and some of my grounding time after. I’m excited to be wrapped into some planning of Holy Week activities for this week — there’s a hint about this reflection. I hope it prompts some reflection in you, too!
Sharing from Sisters in Kenya
Sister Vinaya and Sister Philo share the following update with all about their current experiences as they settle into their new ministry in Malindi, Kenya.
Something Beautiful, Something Broken
Julia’s Journal – Day Seven: “Juarez was so close that I could read the street art and road signs. I couldn’t imagine waiting for years alongside a border so close. What really separates us? I’d say it’s up to you and I to decide.”
When Girls Rise, We All Rise
At a residential home and school in India, girls are rising under the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth’s guidance. This is one example of Sisters empowering girls to create lasting change in the world.
Burial of Sister Miriam Elizabeth
The following is a video of the burial service held for Sister Miriam Elizabeth Brown today at the Motherhouse for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Nazareth, Kentucky.
Welcoming the Stranger
Associate Director of the volunteer program, Ellen Sprigg, shares her thoughts from the border. “One week here and so much to take in. This Sunday-Palm Sunday, I’m pondering the week and trying to remember and hold on to each and every encounter on this journey of service and learning. Each day is as sobering as the next. There is so much to do, so much to understand and so much to work toward to change in our society as a whole.”
Restoring (in) the Wild of Things
Julia’s Journal – Day Seven: “Juarez was so close that I could read the street art and road signs. I couldn’t imagine waiting for years alongside a border so close. What really separates us? I’d say it’s up to you and I to decide.”
Anastasia Chernitsky, SCN
Anastasia Chernitsky, SCN, 87, died March 27, 2021, at Nazareth Home, Louisville, Kentucky. Sister was in her 67th year of professed religious life.
Attic treasures: looms and potter’s wheel
In our attic for many years, were one medium size loom in good condition, and one that was mostly “dis-assembled”. In a dark corner of the attic, close to the St. Vincent DePaul window, was a small potter’s wheel.
Rainbow Jubilee
As a heavy spring rain fell at Nazareth, inside, the Motherhouse was bustling with cause to celebrate many years of loving service and commitment for Sisters of Charity of Nazareth on their Rainbow Jubilee.
Women’s History Month
In honor of Women’s History Month – Partners in Mission will be highlighting a few “Superstars” in Catholic education.
Hope in Boston
The last 48 hours have been times of prayer, history-making, truth-telling; gratitude, hope, and recommitment in Greater Boston. Sisters, Associates, staff, and Charity family, in this time of continued loss and isolation, we give thanks and find reasons to hope.
SCNs collect for those in need
The Caritas Sisters in Pittsburgh collected personal care items and plastic ware for a collaborative project to the homeless.
Go in Peace: Conclusion of Lenten Reflections
During Lent, the Ecological Sustainability Committee has offered daily reflections on environmental justice and environmental racism/casteism – a deep wound in the Body of Christ. Today we close this series.
Miriam Elizabeth Brown, SCN
Miriam Elizabeth Brown, SCN, 98, a native of Olive Hill, Kentucky, died March 24, 2021, at the Nazareth Motherhouse, Nazareth, Kentucky. She was a professed Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 76 years.
Climate Solutions and Advocacy
During Lent, the Ecological Sustainability Committee is offering daily reflections on environmental justice and environmental racism/casteism – a deep wound in the Body of Christ. Sister Tess shared her experience with a climate disaster and reflected on the impacts of climate change which motivate her action. Let us now reflect on Sister Tess’s story.
Julia’s Journal – Day 3
Day Three: Responding with Grace
Throughout the season of Lent, my church has been reflecting on what “not to give up” during Lent. We have considered not giving up community, not giving up hope, and recently – not giving up grace.
Climate migrants
During Lent, the Ecological Sustainability Committee is offering daily reflections on environmental justice and environmental racism/casteism – a deep wound in the Body of Christ. Sister Tess shared her experience with a climate disaster and reflected on the impacts of climate change which motivate her action. Let us now reflect on Sister Tess’s story.
Installation, Bishop of Malindi, Kenya
Monsignor Willybard Kitogho Lagho was ordained as the third Bishop of the Diocese of Malindi on March 19, 2021, at St. Anthony’s Cathedral at Malindi. Sister Vinaya Chalil and Sister Philomina Hembrom were fortunate to be part of this celebration on 18th the welcoming of the Bishop-elect and 19th the installation.
Julia’s Journal
Julia Gerwe, who has been living and working at Nazareth as an AmeriCorps Volunteer, has traveled to El Paso to serve for three weeks with Annunciation House, working with immigrants and refugees on the border. She shares her reflections so far…
Sisters in Belize vaccinated
The Sisters in Belize say they are happy to share that they were able to get the first dosage of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The second shot will be administered in the next two months. Sister Higinia Bol, not pictured, received her first vaccination also.
Balance between science and faith
During Lent, the Ecological Sustainability Committee is offering daily reflections on environmental justice and environmental racism/casteism – a deep wound in the Body of Christ. Sister Tess shared her experience with a climate disaster and reflected on the impacts of climate change which motivate her action. Let us now reflect on Sister Tess’s story.
Health impacts of air pollution
During Lent, the Ecological Sustainability Committee is offering daily reflections on environmental justice and environmental racism/casteism – a deep wound in the Body of Christ. Sister Tess shared her experience with a climate disaster and reflected on the impacts of climate change which motivate her action. Let us now reflect on Sister Tess’s story.
Advocating for Environmental Justice
During Lent, the Ecological Sustainability Committee is offering daily reflections on environmental justice and environmental racism/casteism – a deep wound in the Body of Christ. Today’s story comes from Sister Marie-Thérèse “Tess” Browne, whose passion for climate action has brought her to classrooms and the halls of the state capital. Learn more from her below.
St. Patrick’s Day
Sisters celebrate St. Patrick’s day in Louisville, Kentucky, on “The Hill”. “We had a grand time that included some lucky scratch-offs, singing, prizes, and even an Irish jig!”
Madonna Michaels, SCN
Madonna Michaels, SCN, was called to her heavenly home on Friday, March 19, at the age of 84 and in the 63rd year of her religious life. Sister entered the Congregation of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from St. Alphonsus Church in Wexford, Pennsylvania in 1958 and transferred her vows to the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth when the Vincentians joined the Congregation in 2008.
Movement reflection
During Lent, the Ecological Sustainability Committee is offering daily reflections on environmental justice and environmental racism/casteism – a deep wound in the Body of Christ. Today we pause in final contemplation and gratitude for Sister Joicy’s sharing of her story and its meaning in our lives.
Sister Sarita’s poem published in The New Leader magazine
“The New Leader” is a National Catholic Fortnightly of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, Tamil Nadu, India. They recently published Sister Sarita Manavalan’s poem on farmer’s rights.
Xenophobia and Religious Discrimination
From March 17: During Lent, the Ecological Sustainability Committee is offering daily reflections on environmental justice and environmental racism/casteism – a deep wound in the Body of Christ. Sister Joicy shared a story of discrimination suffered by eleven Paniya tribal families who were denied access to safe drinking water by their neighbors. Let us reflect now on Sister Joicy’s story.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Nazareth
Sister Sarah Geier shares these photos from Nazareth of the St. Patrick’s Day celebration held in the dining hall.
Sister Nancy to co-lead new novitiate
The Religious Formation Conference announces co-directors for the new Intercongregational Collaborative Novitiate. Nancy Gerth, SCN, and Corrina Thomas, FSPA, will work collaboratively with each other and the RFC board to launch a new novitiate in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago this fall.
A Pathway to Peace
During Lent, the Ecological Sustainability Committee is offering daily reflections on environmental justice and environmental racism/casteism – a deep wound in the Body of Christ. Sister Joicy told the story of discrimination suffered by eleven Paniya tribal families who were denied access to safe drinking water by their neighbor. Let us reflect now on Sister Joicy’s story.
Easter greetings
Today, the Sisters who live in Carrico Hall at Nazareth created homemade Easter cards.
Colette Baran, SCN
Colette Baran, SCN, was called to her heavenly home on March 16, 2021, at the age of 91 and in the 73rd year of her religious life. Sister entered the Congregation of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from St. Mary Church in Uniontown, Pennsylvania in 1948 and transferred her vows to the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth when the Vincentians joined the Congregation in 2008.
A water solution in Nepal, a picture of hope emerges
After a devastating magnitude of 7.8 earthquake shook Nepal in 2015 killing more than 1,900 people, The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth set forth from their Kathmandu-based Navjyoti Center to help those around them. One initiative was a water project in a village where the Sisters already had a presence with empowerment programs. Today, the drinking water is flowing, safely and reliably to residents of Koshidekha.
Water as a human right
During Lent, the Ecological Sustainability Committee is offering daily reflections on environmental justice and environmental racism/casteism – a deep wound in the Body of Christ. Sister Joicy told the story of discrimination suffered by eleven Paniya tribal families who were denied access to safe drinking water by their neighbor. Let us reflect now on Sister Joicy’s story.
Beautiful flowers of Mokama garden
Sister Gracy Mlakuzhyil shares the following, a video glimpse of the Mokama campus during this season of greenery and flowers all around the campus.
Vincentian Collaborative System nurse reaches for excellence
It takes a special kind of empathy for a health care worker to coordinate the inner machinations of an entire system while also providing award-winning individual care.
Environmental Justice in Kerala, India from Sister Joicy Joy
During Lent, the Ecological Sustainability Committee is offering daily reflections on environmental justice and environmental racism/casteism – a deep wound in the Body of Christ. Sister Joicy Joy is an attorney working for Prathiksha, a not-for-profit organization that offers mediation and legal representation for tribals who are suffering abuse or discrimination. Below is her story about one of these cases.
Splendor of Creation
During Lent, the Ecological Sustainability Committee is offering daily reflections on environmental justice and environmental racism/casteism – a deep wound in the Body of Christ. Today we pause in final contemplation and gratitude for Sister Aisha’s sharing of her story and its meaning in our lives.