Sisters of Chanty of Saint Augustine

Fall1998

CSA - Bringing Faith and Healing to Appalachia!Wellness has always been a key compo-

nent of church ministry. Twenty percent ofthe gospel stories are about restoring peopleto health. Physical wounds as well aswounds of isolation,loneliness and hope-lessness were all healedby Jesus. St. Paul(1 Cor. 12:9) describeshealing as one of thegifts of the Holy Spiritand James (Jas. 5:14-15) tells us to "have thechurch leaders prayover the sick," anointthe person with oil inthe name of the Lordand "the Lord will raisehim up."

In our time the world of healing has beenfragmented. Physical aspects of health areassigned to doctors and hospitals, mentaldimensions to counselors/mental healthprofessionals and spiritual matters to thechurch. Rarely could one find a professionalable and willing to consider the wholeperson as Jesus did, but that is changing.

Recognizing the need fora holistic approach to healtheducation Sr. Loretta Spotila,RN, MSN brought her nearly35 years of nursing experi-ence to Irvine, Kentucky/Appalachia. In 1997 afterserving three years atMarcum Wallace MemorialHospital she developed the

Interfaith Wellness Ministry, Inc. throughwhich she now works with small ruralchurches and the community to createhealthy families and healthy church congre-

gations. Currentlyfour church congre-gations participate.This new ministryprogram helpspeople to integratetheir faith and well-being while focusingon the healthybalance of body,mind, and spirit. As aresult, the faithcommunities of both

Sr. Loretta Spotila at the Esill County Fair. Congregation and

staff can become sources of mutual healthand healing.

The Interfaith Wellness Ministry pro-vides a variety of wellness activities basedon an assessment of the needs and interestsof each participating church congregation.Basic Health Education sessions emphasizefaith and health in daily living. IndividualHealth Counseling and Health Checks are

provided at each church ona monthly basis. Sr.Loretta also facilitatesHealth Related SupportGroups and providesResource Informationacting as liaison for churchmembers and local com-munity agencies. Church

Sr. Loretta enters her new office. Continued on page 6

ortraitSr. Mary Grace Betzler

"Each person has a great capacity toimprove his/her health and well-being throughself- knowledge, self-care and work with theenergy systems of the body. Illness or difficultlife circumstances are opportunities for per-sonal growth and life transformation." Sr. MaryGrace Betzler not only espouses this belief, sheis actively involved in helping others to dis-cover its truth in their own lives.

Sr. Mary Grace, a certified Chaplain, hasbeen in Pastoral Care at St. Vincent CharityHospital since 1991. "My own experience as apatient, struggling with pain and darkness, butsupported through people in CSA and in therehab department, made me realize that door-ways can be opened. Pastoral care ministrygave me that pathway to become more inte-grated and whole. Because I've walked thatpath of pain, I believe that my ministry inpastoral care can help others to have hope andcourage."

Tier original B.S. in OccupafionalTherapyenabled Sr. Mary Grace to be creative andadaptable and, when knee surgery forced her tomake some changes, she was able to bringthose skills to her work as a Pastoral Minister."My life has been interconnected when I lookback on it," Sr. Mary Grace said. "I recall how,when Sr. Madonna was in the ER, she wouldsend people over to OT, and say 'fix them up,'and I knew she meant in a holistic way."

"Much of Pastoral Care today involves

education and collaboration.I've always tried to provide a

holistic approach." One of theprograms Sr. Mary Gracehelped initiate is "Matters ofthe Heart," a program for post-surgical Open Heart patients s>: Mary Gmce BelKer

which includes audio tapes on stress manage-ment, anxiety reduction and meditation."Through programs in guided imagery andtherapeutic touch as part of the educational in-service for staff, Pastoral Care has been able tohelp staff adjust to the pressures of layoffs, andhigh stress connected with work in a hospitaltoday."

Besides her work on the cardiac floor, Sr.Mary Grace is involved in the Center forBloodless Surgery; community outreachprograms, especially to senior citizen centersin the area; Advance Directives workshops;and the Eye Bank program to get donors. Inaddition, she is on the advisory committee forCatholic Ministry for Health Care Profession-als. "Today, with so many changes in healthcare, Pastoral Care needs to be closely in-volved, not with just patients and their familiesas in the past, but with the staff itself as theprofessionals struggle with the death and dyingof their patients and even co-workers."

Since August 1998, Sr. Mary Grace hasbeen coordinator of the hospital's HealingRoom. Designed to benefit employees as wellas patients, staff members use the stress-freeenvironment to enhance their spiritual devel-opment and pass along nurturing techniques totheir patients. The Healing Room's wellnessprograms and services are designed to assistbody, mind and spirit to create a positive focusfor healing. Sr. Mary Grace is a trained,certified Reike Master, Therapeutic TouchPractitioner and member of the Nurse HealersProfessional Association.

Photography and care for the environment,her hobbies, give Sr. Mary Grace the recre-ation she needs to continue her call "to bringGod where God is not and to find God as Ihelp people understand the parable of theirlives."

Sr. Mary Grace offers Reiki to Janice Hansen, RN

The SouthEast InterParish Wellness Ministry"The Church is in the

Healing Business." Mrs. MaryJames, CS A Associate, firstheard these words at a luncheonfor pastors and parish ministerswhen she was the administratorof Epiphany Parish in Cleve-land. The concept tugged at herheart leading her to see healingin its fullest range of mind,body and soul - the psychologi-cal, the physical and the spiri-tual. This new awarenessexcited a deep "yes!" withinher. Thus began the WellnessMinistry at Epiphany Parish in1994.

Preparation for the proposedprogram included assessing thehealth needs of parishioners bya committee of nurses from theparish. Parishioners indicated adesire for regular blood pressurechecks and education regardingcurrent information on commondiseases, in 1995 the WellnessMinistry sponsored a HealthFair booth at the parish festivalwith nurses available for con-

sultation and blood pressurescreenings as well as informa-tion about various health issuesand how to become part of theWellness Ministry. Their nextstep was to sponsor "HealthyTime Out." Every other montha speaker from SVCH OutreachMinistry Program presents ahealth related topic on issuessuch as Spirituality and Health,Hepatitis, Mononucleosis, HIV-AIDS and Diabetes. Graduallyneighboring parishes sought tojoin the movement.

Mary is delighted with howher vision has grown to becomethe SouthEast InterParishWellness Ministry Programjoining resources and personnelfrom Epiphany, St. Cecilia andSt. Catherine Parishes in acovenant relationship with St.Vincent Charity Hospital Out-reach Ministry. Today eachparish has a coordinator: Mrs.Mary James for Epiphany, Mrs.Rose Thomas for St. Catherine,Sr. Rosella Holloman, CSA for

St. Cecilia. The goals of theprogram are:

1. To view healing andwellness as part of the missionof the parish; to develop andimplement holistic activitiesand programs that enhance thewellness of members of theparish and of the community.

2. To deepen and utilizespiritually-based relationshipsof concern and caring in orderto nurture a climate of healthylifestyles, mutual support, andhealth consciousness amongparishioners;

3. To develop and strength-en parish based ministries to thewhole person recognizing theconnections among body, mindand spirit.

Parishioners are now morehealth conscious. Volunteershave grown in number, partici-pants are increasing and the sickand homebound recieve moreattention than ever before.Congratulations, Mary, on a jobwell begun.

Mrs. Leatha Little and Mrs. Mary Jamesin front of a mural at Epiphany Parish

Sr. Rosella Holloman has her blood pressure checked.by Mr. Harry Vincent, RN

mpses

Effective July 1, Sr. Judith Ann Karam was named President andCEO of the CSA Health System following the valued service of

Sr. Mary Ann Andrews in that role.

The Healing Room at St. Vincent Charity Hospital celebrated its FirstAnniversary with an Open House on September 13. Ms. Jan Volpe and

Sr. Mary Grace admire Jan's mandalafor therapeutic healing.

Sr. Carole DeCrane, Anne Hughes and Sr. Catherine Walsh standbefore the new Catholic Worker House of Peace. Sr. Catherine is one

of the founding members of this new endeavor.

RequiescatIn Pacem

Please remember in...yourprayers theseCSA '$ who have diedsince Spring, 1998

Sr. Mary Agnes NelanSr. Margaret Mary Flory

On August 31, theGovernance Committee of CSA

hosted a panel of women religiousfrom other communities.

The panel from left to right: Srs.(standing) Janice Marie Blados, CSFN;Irene Mraz, VSC; Bridget Nelson, OSU;

Jeanne Cmolic, CSJ; (seated) JaniceFulmer, CSFN; Dorothy Sarachene, OP

Sr. Allan Kenzig looking over thesmiling faces of Srs. LaurentineLoftus, Juletta Murray, and MargeryFreese.

Sr. Annella Treber, a volunteer for 13 years withProject LEARN, received the Spotlight volunteeraward at the United Way's 85th Annual Meetingon March 18.

Sr. Judith Ann Karam received the Distin-guished Alumnas Award from Ohio StateUniversity Graduate Program in Health CareManagement and Policy on September 10.

Sr. Elizabeth Schur is volunreering at HolyFamily Learning Center at St. AugustineAcademy as a child-care worker.

Sr. Mary Jean Eucker represents the SuburbanSouthwest District on the Diocesan PastoralCouncil.

Sr. Loretta Spotila has been appointed byBishop J. Kendrick Williams, Catholic Dioceseof Lexington, KY to a 4-year term on theDiocesan Pastoral Council.

Regina Health Center Celebrates Fifth AnniversaryOn April 26 "The Fifth Serenade" was

held at the Ohio Theatre. Benefactors ofRHC along with many RHC employeesenjoyed Maureen McGovern singingGershwin and show tunes and recallingstories from her Catholic grade school daysin Ashtabula.

During the spring and summer atherapeutic garden was built in the outdoorspace between the chapel and A- building.Designed as a safe place for residents toenjoy nature, the gardenwill be a place ofpeaceful prayer andmeditation.

On August 22 thenew garden wasdedicated in a prayerservice and Eucharisticliturgy led by BishopA. Edward Pevec.

On September 10,residents enjoyed asimple prayer ritual inwhich the garden wasnamed "The MadonnaGarden."

Enjoying the garden naming ceremony areSrs. Mary LeoLiotti, Rosefyn Rebera and

;:::!!;N: Nancy Hendershot.

Sr. Judith Labbe places flowers by theMadonna Statue,

(CSA - Bringing Faith and Healing to Appalachia, continued from page 1)

Volunteers will be recruited to share timeand expertise with those in the congrega-tion who have health needs. Collaborationwith other area health agencies is an ongo-ing goal.

Church congregations who reclaim theirtraditional ministry of healing generouslyoffer financial support, work space andvolunteers. Because the work of the Inter-faith Wellness Ministry is provided in animpoverished area most churches areunable to fund it except for in-kind dona-tions.

In 1997, while being supported byCSA, Sr. Loretta began program planningand initial implementation in her smallapartment. This year, with the assistance ofdonations, a grant from the St. Ann Foun-dation and three mini-grants, Sr. Loretta hasbeen able to open and equip a storefrontoffice with space for a gathering area.

Sr. Loretta asks us to remember threethings:

* Our faith centers on God where wefind direction for healthy choices andactions.

* Our faith offers balance and equilib-rium that we might avoid extremes whichlead to illness and injury.

* Our faith reveals our connection toothers. In community we are made wholeand care for each other; we give and re-ceive love, life and health.

The Interfaith Wellness Ministry, Inc. asa non-profit, charitable organization relieson all tax deductible donations. If youwould like to contribute, contact Sr. Lorettaat P.O. Box 582, Irvine KY 40336. Youwill be remembered in her prayers and inthose churches being helped by this newministry!

In January 1993 Sister Lorettatraveled with her brother, JimSpotila, Ph.D., to the Pacific Coastof Costa Rica on one of his re-search trips to save the giantleatherback turtle from extinction.This trip profoundly affected herperception of life. "While in CostaRica, we communicated without acommon language, lived a slower,simpler daily life, worked longhours and through the night to savean endangered species, experiencedthe interdependence of God's ,creation and the diversity of a ; ;different land, government andculture. " Sr. Loretta returned withan increased sense of the globalcommunity and the sacredness ofthe planet, determined to find away to blend her professional andreligious competencies in theservice of the poor.

Si: M. Louise Willman prepares a donation for Appalachia

r

5;-. M. Carolyn Fradette Sr. M. Vianney Held Sr. Maty Virginia Wampfler Sr. M. Louise Willman Sr. M. Margaret Ann Fahy

On Sunday, September 20, 1998 eight CSA'scelebrated a total of 450 years of dedicated serviceto our Lord as vowed religious. The Mass ofCelebration took place at 2:30 pm in the chapel atMount Augustine, followed by a reception tocontinue sharing the spirit of joy. Over the yearsthese sisters have shared their gifts and talents in amultitude of ministries witnessing God's love andfaithfulness to all they have served. Currently allreside at Regina Health Center.

Sr. Clara Hart Sr. M. Assumpta Kneier Si: M. Petrina Scelfo

70 years

Sr. M. Carolyn Fradettetaught and organized choirs at avariety of grade schools. Afterretirement sister was an enthusias-tic ostomy volunteer. She helpedstart an Ostomy Association inCharleston, SC.

60 years

Sr. M. Vianney Held served inbusiness offices and receptionareas in Parmadale and severalCSA Hospitals.

Sr. Mary Virginia Wampflerenjoyed teaching little ones, formany years. Before her retirementsister also ministered at St.Thomas Hospital, Akron.

Sr. M. Louise Willman pursuedher nursing ministry in surgicalareas at CSA hospitals in SouthCarolina and Ohio.

50 years

Sr. M. Margaret Ann Fahyministered in admitting offices andswitchboards at different CSAinstitutions.

Sr. Clara Hart (M. Margaret)served in positions ranging fromnurse aide to switchboard operatorto patient hostess at Timken MercyHospital, Canton and St. JohnHospital, Cleveland.

Sr. M. Assumpta Kneiertaught grades one through six inCuyahoga Falls, Lakewood, Parmaand Stow. Since 1972 sister hasministered at Mount Augustine in avariety of ways. She continues asassistant Program Director atRegina Health Center.

Sr. M. Petrina Scelfo began herministry as a primary teacher inCuyahoga Falls, then taught andserved as principal at AssumptionSchool in Cleveland. Before herretirement sister filled in a varietyof positions at Mt. Augustine.

Images is a bi-annual newsletterpublished by;Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine5232 Broadview Rd.Richfield, Ohio 44286(330)659-5100

Staff for this issue:Sr. Miriam ErbSr. Regina FiermanMrs. Caryn KishSr. Mary Denis MaherSr. Loretta SpotilaEditor: Sr. Carol KandikoDesign and Production:ScripType PublishingReminder: visit our web page -http.7/w ww.srsofeharity.org

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In her Leadership Conference ofWomen Religious (LCWR) President'sReport, Sr. Mary Waskowiak RSMchallenged: "We who people this planet tendto forget our inherent relationship to oneanother...By our Baptism and vowedcommitment we are empowered to love, toheal broken hearts and to live

courageously in the face of opposition." "Tolove and to heal broken hearts" - is exactlythe CSA charism of charity. Each of us isdrawn to unite our heart to the loving,healing heart of Christ and to live out of ourhearts.

As we walk with others, all Christiansare called to listen from the heart, takingnew steps to heal broken hearts and to mendbroken bodies and spirits through thecomplementary therapies described in thisissue of Images simply responds to people'sneeds today. In collaboration with otherswe risk new approaches to carry out ourmission.

Risk-taking and adaptation are marksof CSA. Guided by prayerful discernment ofGod's will, we make choices for life both indirect service and in actions for systemicchange. Some years ago CSA took a publicstand to walk with persons with AIDS and

ections

declared our properties "Peace Sites." Todaysome of us work for the closing of theSchool of the Americas, a U.S. trainingground for militants from other countries,and advocate for an end to the use of thedeath penalty. With LCWR we advocate forthe adoption of a national health care policythat would ensure adequate and affordablehealth care in the United States and to joinin the worldwide movement to cancel thecrushing international debt of impoverishedcountries.

As we prepare for the Millennium, theGreat Jubilee of the Year 2000, and for the150th anniversary of the Sisters of Charityof St. Augustine in 2001, we reaffirm ourcommitment to operate out of our hearts inservice to the poor and needy. We rely on allwho minister with us and all who share thesevalues as together we break into the future.Now is the time to give birth to the dream!