Collaboration for Ministry Initiative Travels to Cleveland

June 25, 2010

Six Sisters ministering in South Carolina traveled to Cleveland, Ohio with representatives from the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina on June 16-18, 2010. In collaboration with the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, the South Carolina Foundation took the Sisters to view the national exhibit “Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America,” meet Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine at Mount Augustine and participate in the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland board meeting to discuss the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative (CMI).

The sisters represented a broad spectrum of ministries across the state: Sisters Johnna Ciezobka, CSSF, and Susanne Dziedzic, CSSF, co-directors of the St. Ann Catholic Outreach Center in Kingstree; Sister Margie Hosch, OSF, CMI liaison and Wholeness Holiness Retreats director in Greenville; Sister Sandra Makowski, SSMN, chancellor of the Diocese of Charleston; Sister Catherine Noecker, OSF, principal of St. Anthony of Padua School in Greenville; and Sister Mary Rae Waller, OP, chaplain at Providence Hospitals in Columbia. Foundation representatives included Tom Keith, president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, Kim Frohnappel, senior grants officer, Stephanie Cooper-Lewter, senior director of research and special programs and Kathy Csank, CMI consultant.  

Upon arriving in Ohio Wednesday evening, the South Carolina delegation met the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine’s congregational leader, Sister Miriam Erb, council members Sister Regina Fierman and Sister Kathy Andrews and Sisters of Charity of Cleveland Foundation President Susanna Krey. After dinner, the group proceeded to Mount Augustine, the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine Motherhouse, for an ice cream social with other Sisters and residents of the Regina Health Center, also located at the Motherhouse. Time at Mount Augustine was spent renewing old friendships and creating new ones, enjoying the beautiful gardens and learning about the great history and legacy of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine.  

Saint Francis Sister Catherine Noecker remarked, “The Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine―though small in number―have a grand vision in the way that they meet a situation and deal with it with a lot of faith, hope and trust.”  

On Thursday morning, the group departed for the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage to have a docent-guided tour by Sister Joan Gallagher, CSA, of the ‘Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America” national traveling exhibit which was brought to Cleveland through the help and sponsorship of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland. This extraordinary exhibit chronicles the largely untold history of the remarkable contributions of women religious to our country.  

 “I know that in my own personal life, the Sisters have had an incredible influence. And, when I look at society as a whole, I don’t think we realize the depth of the impact of religious women and the incredible influence that they had on our culture,” reflected St. Mary of Namur Sister Sandra. “In terms of the role of women, they have had a major impact.”

Attracting more than 6,000 visitors in Cleveland, the exhibit highlights the tremendous contributions women religious made in developing the nation, from establishing schools, colleges and orphanages, to hospitals and other social service ministries. The impact of the exhibit was felt by all present.  

 “Women in religious life are the world’s best kept secret,” said Tom Keith, president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina. “I think about our own Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and how they have taken risks throughout their religious lives so others could benefit. Their sacrifices have helped thousands in Ohio, South Carolina and beyond.”

The group also attended the Sisters of Charity Cleveland Foundation board meeting, joined by Sisters of Charity Health System President and CEO Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, for a presentation on CMI and the joint collaborative efforts. Tom Keith expressed sincere gratitude to the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland for their partnership and ongoing support of CMI in South Carolina. Several of the Sisters from South Carolina shared the impact of having the Foundation’s support, not only in dollars invested, but more importantly, in lives changed as a result of being served in ministry.  

Each person returned to South Carolina changed as a result of viewing the exhibit and other opportunities provided throughout the trip.  

Saint Francis Sister Margie Hosch said, “What I walk away with from this visit is a deep, deep gratitude, to having been called to be of service. And it’s an awesome calling that doesn’t just go to Sisters. Because we’ve been gathered with the laity―lay women, lay men―all working together as a team. And I go away with that deep gratitude that we are all one in service. Giving forth our talents and together―it’s only together―that we make that citadel of a heart.” 

Check out videos of the Sisters sharing their experience. Click here.

About the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative
Historically, Sister-affiliated ministries have a strong and successful record in reducing poverty in South Carolina. Sisters have established schools, hospitals and social service ministries that have served hundreds of thousands of people in the state over the past 200 years. Today, due to aging of Sisters and the decline in new recruits, there is an accelerating loss of Sisters’ ministries in South Carolina. Additionally, the few active Sisters remaining are scattered throughout the state and they, along with their ministries, are frequently alone in their efforts to address poverty.

Thus, over five years ago the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina began an initiative which seeks to understand and assist these ministries in South Carolina. Working to strengthen and sustain these ministries, the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative conducts a variety of activities including convening meetings, providing technical assistance, facilitating transitions of leadership of Sister-affiliated ministries, providing grants and evaluating these efforts.

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