Ne work
Winter 2016
One Heart, One Hope, One Mission
A BRIGHT FUTURE SND YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW
Table of Contents A LETTER FROM THE PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR
1 A Letter from the Provincial Superior
Dear Friends,
2-13 A Bright Future SND Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Change…Transformation…Vision: Qualities necessary for life, but sometimes difficult to achieve. As we continue to evolve, the Sisters of Notre Dame are taking a conscious step to look toward the future and expand the ways we share our outreach. Our mission has not changed, but has adapted to the world around us. We remain constant in our commitment to bring God’s goodness and provident care to all people.
14-15 Notre Dame Global Missions SISTERS, YOU WALK WITH US
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The Future - SND-USA
17-19 In Memoriam
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Regina Alumnae Association
In this issue of Network, you will read about the past, present and future of the Sisters of Notre Dame. Leaving Ansel Road in Cleveland and moving to our current location in Chardon was quite a change, not only for our Sisters but also for our students and families. What a blessing this campus has been and continues to be! Presently we continue to engage young adults through our Vocation & Formation program; we partner with other provinces through SND-USA; we continue a presence in education and encourage empowerment of women nationwide.
Send correspondence to: Network Sisters of Notre Dame 13000 Auburn Road Chardon, OH 44024 www.sndchardon.org 440.286.7101
We are also committed to be a part of the Year of Mercy. Many have been impacted by Pope Francis’ words and actions, especially since his visit to the United States last fall. He teaches that God’s love extends to all, and he urges us in turn to be kind and merciful to one another. Like the Corporal Works of Mercy, our ministries give care to the young and old alike; compassion to those incarcerated; food, clothing and shelter to the homeless; social justice to those uneducated and hope to all humankind. I hope you enjoy this issue of Network. Know that our work will continue fully into the future, even as our world is changing and the needs of people continue to be diverse. In the beautiful words of the prophet Jeremiah (29:11), God promises “a future full of hope.” Sincerely,
Sr. Margaret M. Gorman, SND Provincial Superior Sisters of Notre Dame, Chardon
on the cover: Sisters of Notre Dame raking out the fields (circa 1956) and Sisters Sisters Kelley Rush, Nicole Varnerin, and Mayra Martinez
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S N D Y E S T E R D AY, TO D AY A N D TO M O R R O W
A BRIGHT FUTURE T
he future is unknown but nevertheless exciting! The Sisters of Notre Dame are confident that being true to their mission and caring for all humankind is the driving force for change. “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” And that is just what the SND community has done. They have built ministries from the ground up, empowered women, taken stances on the environment, instilled the value of education and provided compassion and kindness to those in need. The international religious congregation began in Coesfeld, Germany in 1850. At the time, two teachers, Hilligonde Wolbring and Elisabeth Kühling, cared for poor, neglected children whose families were unable to provide for them. They were inspired by St. Julie Billiart, who founded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
This commitment to education, to caring for women and children, and to proclaiming God’s goodness and provident care remains the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame today. The Sisters of Notre Dame are preparing for the future. To do this, it is important to understand what is required of women who desire to become Sisters of Notre Dame. You will be introduced to individuals who have been impacted by the Sisters of Notre Dame and their legacy, and you will learn how the Sisters of Notre Dame are restructuring their congregation to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future through SND-USA. SND-USA was formed as a conscious effort of all four provinces in the United States to begin to think together about what the future will hold. Sisters from all four U.S. provinces (Chardon, Toledo,
“IT IS OUR HOPE
Sisters of Notre Dame picking grapes at the Chardon Provincial Center in 1981.
THAT OUR INVOLVEMENT HAS PROVIDED EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, STRONGER PARISHES, INSPIRED WORK ENVIRONMENTS AND MORE STABLE FAMILY LIFE.” Sister Margaret M. Gorman, SND
Sr. Mary Daniel Buescher circa 1959 2
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A BRIGHT FUTURE “WHILE CHANGE IS INEVITABLE, WE
WILL REMAIN TRUE TO THIS MISSION.” Sister Margaret M. Gorman, SND
Covington KY, Thousand Oaks CA) came together in Columbus this past summer to begin conversations with one another. This was a momentous occasion! More than 400 Sisters were able to attend, including several hundred streaming the weekend meeting. The Sisters talked about their respective provinces, collaborative ministries and how becoming one province could look by the year 2020. The Sisters of Notre Dame continue to evolve to meet the needs of those marginalized both locally and abroad. The SND community is transforming religious life because the world is changing. What an important step the Sisters have taken for the betterment of all women and men in our world.
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The Sisters of Notre Dame have impacted the lives of generations since the religious order’s formation. Schools have been built locally, nationally and around the globe; hundreds of thousands of young boys and girls have been educated; women have found freedom from the human trafficking industry; and social justice issues have been addressed head on. Despite rough patches and challenges, the future certainly looks bright for this religious congregation of women who continue to answer God’s call and respond with prayer and an outstretched hand to those in need.
VOCATION & FORMATION ”The Future starts today, not tomorrow.” – Saint John Paul II The decision to become a Sister of Notre Dame requires study, commitment, devotion and prayer. It is also a time of discernment and sometimes confusion. Let’s face it, little girls today don’t grow up longing to become Sisters in the numbers they once did during the religious vocation’s heyday in the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s. Why the decline? There are many reasons. Women have more opportunities for careers in their communities while simultaneously serving their faith. The size of Catholic families has declined from decades past. There are more distractions in our busy, modern world. Sister Caron Kehner knows first-hand what it was like to be a part of the heyday! Born Catherine Elizabeth Kehner, she professed her final vows to become a Sister in June 1953. Sister Caron attended St. Joseph grade school in Randolph, Ohio. She then attended Notre Dame Academy when it was on Ansel Road in Cleveland. During
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Sisters Mayra, Dolly, Kelley, Nan, Maryann, and Nicole.
Sisters of Notre Dame | Network
Sister Caron Kehner, SND
“THIS IS A GOOD LIFE FOR ME, AND LISTENING TO YOUR HEART WILL BRING GREAT JOY.” Sister Caron Kehner, SND
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“ AS SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME, WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO EXTEND OURSELVES AND BE OF SERVICE WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE LIVE.” Sister Margaret M. Gorman, SND
A BRIGHT FUTURE grade school, Sister Caron never thought about becoming a Sister. “It was really a natural progression,” she states. “I loved the Sisters and what that life was. I talked about it with my mother, who had also wanted to become a woman religious, and from there I continued on the path that I felt God had created for me.” While times were different for Sisters of that era, Sister Caron felt the warmth, love, and community that young women today still feel. She remembers thinking, “God was speaking to me all the time in various ways, especially
through Sister Alindas, my 6th grade teacher. I’m glad I listened and was open to hearing God’s word.” After graduating from Notre Dame Academy, Sister Caron went to St. John’s College in Cleveland, studying education. The college was originally called Sisters’ College because in the early years of the college they only taught women religious preparing to teach elementary education. Sister Caron began teaching in 1950, even before she finished college. She continued to teach until 1992. Sister Caron looks back on her years of teaching and being an SND as a blessing. She says, “I can’t believe a 14 year old would join a convent – but that’s exactly what I did and I am forever grateful for my life as a Sister.” Sister Caron says she doesn’t know what the future will hold, and she shares this advice for young women: “This is a good life for me, and listening to your heart will bring great joy.”
“Some young women don’t even know about religious life,” considers Sister Dion Horrigan, a member of the Vocation Formation Team and Ministry to the Incarcerated. “Today, girls have fewer opportunities to be with Sisters on a day-to-day basis than in years back. They also may not recognize us in public now that we no longer wear a habit.” Sister Dion came to the Sisters of Notre Dame at age 13 as an aspirant or a hopeful young woman with a calling to religious life. “I remember thinking that if God is anything, He has to be everything. It was so clear to me. I wanted God to be everything in my life. I believe young people today are looking for meaning and goodness in their lives. On the other hand, I believe the charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame is not just lived out in religious vows but also in the people the Sisters of Notre Dame have impacted and their future generations.”
Sister Dion Horrigan, SND
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Pam Waitinas has been a constant supporter of the Sisters since she was a young child. Pam’s mother went to Notre Dame College, and Pam says, “When we heard the news that the Sisters were going to open up another school, we all wanted to go.” Pam is a 1957 graduate from Regina High School, a 1961 Notre Dame College graduate, a Notre Dame Associate and a teacher in the Notre Dame Elementary School for 21 years. Pam goes on to say, “The Sisters were instrumental in our lives; they are amazing women.” Pam and her husband, Bill, now deceased, volunteered for the annual BBQ for over 25 years together, with Bill working the BBQ pits from the beginning. Pam speaks to the dedication and commitment of the Sisters and is grateful to be a part of something so wonderful. Many women are joining with the Sisters of Notre Dame as Associates in mission and ministry work – such as adult tutoring, social justice outreach, health care, etc. “It is an exciting time of developing new relationships with our Associates and lay collaborators,” says Sister Maureen Spillane. Sisters of Notre Dame | Network
Sisters of Notre Dame circa 1979
Sisters of Notre Dame circa 1988
Sisters of Notre Dame raking the fields (circa 1959).
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“ WE WILL GO THROUGH A MAJOR SHIFT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.” Sister Margaret M. Gorman, SND
A BRIGHT FUTURE The gathering space in the Regina Mundi Chapel holds plaques created by each sister in the Chardon Province. The diverse plaques express the wholeness of community yet retain the unique gift of each individual.
ANSWERING GOD’S CALL
Sister Maureen Spillane, SND
“ TODAY IS A VERY DIFFERENT TIME, AND OUR YOUNG ADULTS TEND TO NEED MORE TIME TO DISCERN WHAT THEIR LIFE’S CALLING IS.” Sister Maureen Spillane, SND
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Sister Maureen Spillane serves on the Vocation/Formation Team and also is the Director of Temporary Professed Sisters. Sister Maureen guides women as they continue the process of discerning their call to religious life. Other members of the Vocation / Formation Team include Sisters Kathleen Hine and Kelley Rush, who are the Directors of Vocation/ Young Adult Ministry. Sister Josephe Fernandez is the Director of first year postulants, and Sister Jeanette Brown is Assistant Provincial and also serves as the Director of Ongoing Formation.
It is during these nine years that the Sister comes to know the charism and history of the community and the community, in turn, comes to know and love her. Sister Maureen says, “We have established a two-year program for postulants because many of these women need more experience in getting to know their Catholic Faith, and they also take classes in theology.” The first year postulant resides in one of the Sisters’ local houses. She is given the opportunity to be with Sisters and to learn what it means to live religious life in community.
The process to become a Sister of Notre Dame takes nine years. It begins with the candidate being received into the community as a Postulant. After two years the Postulant is received into the community as a Novice and chooses a religious name. After two years as a Novice she makes temporary Profession of Vows, renewed for five years. After the lengthy period of discernment the Sister requests permission to make profession of Perpetual Vows.
“We have established a National Formation House in Covington, Kentucky that serves all four United States provinces,” Sister Maureen states. She goes on to say, “The second year of postulancy and two years of novitiate are located at this Formation House. Presently, we have two postulants living there: Mayra Martinez from the California Province and Nicole Varnerin from the Chardon Province.”
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The Sisters of Notre Dame have always professed the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Sister Maureen recalls when she entered the congregation in 1961 at the age of 18. “A friend invited me to become a Sister of Notre Dame, and I accepted that invitation readily because I had the desire to give myself to the Lord. At that time entering religious life was highly encouraged. Today is a very different time, and our young adults tend to need more time to discern their life’s calling.”
Sister makes maple syrup (circa 1956).
Notre Dame Academy alumna Bernadette (Bernie) Cavolo graduated in 1975. Bernie married a young man from Cathedral Latin, and their three children attended Notre Dame Elementary School and Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin.
Sister Ann Francis chats with Bernie Cavolo and her daughter at the 2015 Chicken BBQ.
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A BRIGHT FUTURE “I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THE SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME ARE ALIVE AND WELL. WE ARE DOING VITAL, ALIVE THINGS THAT ARE CHANGING THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS AND THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE.” Sister Kathleen Hine, SND
Sister Kathleen (Kate) Hine, SND
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What a true witness to the life-long learning Bernie received from the Sisters! A multigenerational impact can be found within many families associated with the Sisters of Notre Dame. Bernie’s mother and aunt also attended Notre Dame Academy. Bernie says, “A Notre Dame education made an impact on my life and was truly a good investment in my children.” Sister Kathleen Hine spends much of her time with young adults, encouraging them in their faith and spiritual growth. She helps on college campuses, attends young adult events and offers retreats and spiritual direction for young adults. “So many young people today have been impacted by Saint John Paul II and Pope Francis,” considers Sister Kathleen. “Young people need a place where they have opportunities to serve, experience community
and embrace spirituality. With this in mind the Sisters of Notre Dame opened Cuvilly House, a young adult ministry center, in 2010. Here, we offer young adults the opportunity to integrate prayer, community and service in ways that fit their busy lives. I want people to know that the Sisters of Notre Dame are alive and well. We are doing vital, alive things that are changing the lives of individuals and the world in which we live. I am encouraging young people to get involved and to listen to their hearts for God’s call in their lives.”
Sister Joanne Keppler reads The Book of Life within the Chardon Provincial Center chapel.
A LIFE TRANSFORMED One such woman is Sister Nicole Marie Varnerin, a graduate of Case Western Reserve University with a degree in electrical engineering. It was the sense of community that attracted her to become a Sister of Notre Dame. Nicole entered the novitiate on February 20 and took the name Sister Nicole Marie. “My life has been transformed as a woman and servant of God. I definitely felt a call from God. It was a deep, profound knowing that I wanted to dedicate my life to God, and in relation to that, dedicate my life to the world,” Nicole explains. “This decision I avoided for a long time. I was educated and in the working world, but my decision to pursue religious life was concurrent.” The young Sister of Notre Dame says she first considered becoming a woman religious in high school. “I did not attend a Catholic elementary school or high school. The first time I
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ever saw a Sister was when I attended a Catholic youth conference,” laughs Sister Nicole. “I felt God’s voice calling me at this conference, and it continued to show itself the next several years. I went to college and enjoyed my classes, but the call still beckoned me. It came to the point where I could not avoid it any more. I went online and did some searching. Next, I did a summer service project and saw what community was like. I felt so comfortable. I loved the rhythm of life and how ministry flows to prayer and community. I was the best Nicole I could be.” Nicole says she went back to school, finished her degree, and struggled with the world telling her she needed to make money and have a career in order to succeed.
“I am really looking forward to spending my life as a Sister of Notre Dame and what it will mean in terms of growth and my relationship with God,” Nicole enthusiastically exclaims. “I know I am already a completely different person than who I was before going through these first few years as a postulant. I also know I will be a completely different person in the next few years. My family and two younger sisters have been very supportive. They trust my judgment and support my decision to pursue religious life.”
“ MY LIFE HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED AS A WOMAN AND SERVANT OF GOD.” Sister Nicole Varnerin, SND
“After college, I had the opportunity to move into Cuvilly House,” Nicole recalls. “That is where my relationship with the Sisters of Notre Dame was nurtured.”
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A BRIGHT FUTURE “ THE SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME ARE ENGAGED IN STRATEGIC PLANNING. WE WANT TO ENSURE THE LONGTERM SUSTAINABILITY OF THE LARGE INSTITUTIONS FOUNDED BY OUR SISTERS IN THE PAST, WHILE PREPARING OUR YOUNGER SISTERS FOR THE SMALLER AND MORE DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF THE FUTURE.” Sister Margaret M. Gorman, SND
Sister picks apples at the Chardon Provincial Center (circa 1981).
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THE FUTURE Considering the future of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Nicole, 25, says, “While I do not think we’ll see the number of women entering the congregation that we saw through the 1960s – due to the population shifts, etc. – I see creative forms of ministry arising; we will be creating communities with other religious orders with more flexibility.” Sister Kathleen agrees. “The Sisters of Notre Dame will evolve and transform. God calls the women that God needs and leads them to places where they can share the experience of God’s goodness and provident care. At first, God called the Sisters of Notre Dame to classrooms to educate the immigrants who came to the United States from Europe. As new needs emerge, so do new ministries, and new ways of being present, such as through social media. We are inviting others to be partners with us in our ministries. In the past, we were much more self-sufficient. It is a welcoming partnership – with volunteers, young and old, coming and working alongside us!”
Nicole considers her new SND community. “Intergenerational community is beautiful. I truly enjoy learning and living with women of all ages.” Nicole says she enjoys participating in Giving Voice, a group of women religious under the age of 50 who offer support online and meet twice a year as well as at a summer conference. “It is great to have the support of peers. I’ve made some great friends.” Nicole concludes, “To young women who may be reading this article, be still. If you feel something in your heart, look at it. Listen. Don’t be afraid. If you feel a call to become a Sister and enter religious life, it can be scary but it is transformational. The growth and blessings I have received are so much greater than the process.” The past has changed the present and the present is transforming the future. It begins with a mission and the drive to make a difference in our world. By working together on collaborative ministries the Sisters of Notre Dame draw closer to the other
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provinces. The National Formation House in Covington is just one example of how merging the provinces can help strengthen the congregation to meet the challenges of the future together. “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” -Martin Luther King Jr. Sister Kelley agrees, “I would encourage women who feel called to religious life, or are even feeling a call to “something more” which can’t always be explained but is a deeply felt interior movement or tug at the heart, to pay attention to this movement within because it’s the action of the Holy Spirit. Taking time for prayer, silence, and solitude to listen more deeply gave me the grace to respond to the “thirst and longing” I was experiencing within. From my own experience, God calls when you least expect it! I found talking to someone, especially a spiritual director or vocation director, and trying to articulate what was happening within truly opens the door to a new reality we can’t always “name” or even fully express. Once I surrendered to the movement of the Spirit within, it was like the floodgates opened and a peace and freedom permeated my entire being.”
Sisters of Notre Dame | Network
Sister Margaret Hartman, SND, Principal of St. Helen Elementary School, visits the children in a classroom.
Sister Kelley Rush works with students at Cleveland Central Catholic High School.
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Notre Dame Global Missions
Sister Marie Manning, SND Global Missions Coordinator
SISTERS YOU WALK WITH US W
hat was it that made our third annual Nicaragua Partnership Pilgrimage so special, and what were the “highpoints” of the experience? January 11-18, 2016, marked the first time that the Pilgrims came from across our country, from “SND-USA”: Ohio, Covington, and California. Four Sisters (Jennifer Zimmerman, Nance Hehman, Janet Kondrat, and Marie Manning) and one laywoman, Beth Greisl, bonded quickly as they shared this special experience of walking with our missionaries and the people of Nicaragua. “Walking” was both a reality and a metaphor for the pilgrimage, reminding us of a young Nicaraguan’s comment that Sister Dolores (Dolly) shared several years ago: “Sisters, you walk with us.” The Jinotegan people’s love for our missionaries was evident from the very first day, when we walked down the new road with Sister Charlotte, while children and adults poured out of homes to welcome us.
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The walk down the new road from our hostel, Cuculmeca, led to the missionaries’ “casa,” where children and young people often gathered to join us in fun activities: kite-flying, piñatas, “dynamicos,” (icebreakers), songs, dances, and games. The precious children’s faces will never be forgotten!
“The Jinotegan peopLe’s Love for our missionaries was evident from the very
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FIRSt day.
Walking around several “barrios” (neighborhoods) with parish Eucharistic Ministers who visit the elderly, disabled, and homebound gave us a glimpse of how Sangre de Cristo parishioners live and a deepening appreciation of our missionaries’ ministry of presence and accompaniment. Learning to make tortillas, the daily bread of the people, added a new skill to our resumes! An exhilarating ride up the mountain to the Montanita Mission Church, and a steep walk up to Pena de la Cruz were literal highpoints of the Pilgrimage experience. Once again we were warmly welcomed, this time by a small community, where we joined in a vibrant prayer service, led by a woman Delegate of the Word. Afterwards, Beth ventured to follow our faithful driver, David, as he hiked up to the cross at the summit of the mountain. With a little coaxing by a friendly Nicaraguan man, Sister Marie followed. Truly, these experiences were very special ones, to be cherished in our hearts and shared with all the Sisters of SND-USA!
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In Memoriam
THE FUTURE:
SND-USA
In 1988, she retired from active teaching ministry and dedicated herself to service to her Sisters in community – supporting, encouraging and praying for their needs. She could be found attending the Provincial Center switchboard, sharing her expertise as a seamstress, and writing to the sick and homebound. Sister regarded contacts through the mail as her ministry and an extension of her own missionary outreach.
More than 400 Sisters of Notre Dame from the four U.S. provinces gathered in Columbus, Ohio, for the first national meeting as the USA provinces move toward “Becoming ONE” by 2020. They came from 14 states as well as Rome, Nicaragua and Uganda. They traveled by plane, bus and car. They shared. They laughed. They sang. They listened. They showed enthusiasm for the future of religious life, and they all wore the cross of the Sisters of Notre Dame. The Sisters participated in liturgies, listened to a keynote address by Sister Kristin Battles, Superior General, and participated in table discussions where Sisters could share their hopes and dreams with each other. Topics such as “Becoming One for the Sake of Mission,” “Implications to Becoming One,” “Governance and Becoming One,” and “Next Steps to Becoming One” were addressed. An inspiring closing prayer service was the culmination of the historic gathering. Sister Leanne Hubbard, of the California Province, states, “I felt heard, valued and validated in a future together. Every conversation surfaced the need for a vibrant local SND community that discerns the needs of the times in light of our shared charism and individual gifts.”
Sister Nicole and Sister Mayra carry a Saint Julie Billiart painting Fr. Charles Singler, from the Toledo Diocese, at the opening and Bishop Roger Gries, OSB, from Cleveland, ceremony. celebrated the liturgies and in their homilies both highlighted the joy associated with the Sisters of Notre Dame across the USA. Both homilists remarked, “Joy is a sure sign of the presence of God!” Sister Sally Huston from the Chardon Province, who helped plan the gathering, says, “The joy was tangible. There was so
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SISTER ROSEMARY
ABOVE L-R: Sr. Mary Anncarla Costello Provincial Superior of the California Province (Thousand Oaks, CA) Sr. Mary Delores Gatliff, Provincial Superior of the Toledo Province (Toledo, OH) Sr. Mary Kristin Battles, Superior General (Rome, Italy) Sr. Mary Ethel Parrott, Provincial Superior of the Kentucky Province (Covington, KY) Sr. Margaret Mary Gorman Provincial Superior of the Chardon Province (Chardon, OH) Sr. Mary Shauna Bankemper, Assistant General (Rome, Italy)
much positive energy in the room because each Sister brought her own vitality!” “Our group was uplifting and full of energy. Being with SNDs from across the USA affirmed our ‘oneness’ for me,” concludes Sister Jean Marie Hoffman, from the Covington Province. “It was a great experience and lives on in my mind. I really look forward to what lies ahead, and I’m sure happy to be a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame!”
Please remember in your prayers the following Sisters of Notre Dame who have recently passed away.
“ Our group was uplifting and full of energy. Being with SNDs from across the USA affirmed our ‘oneness’ for me.” Sr. Jean Marie Hoffman, Covington Province
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formerly Sister Mary St. Ignatius (Rosemary Ruth MAYER) passed away on January 15, 2016 at the SND Health Care Center, Chardon, Ohio. She was born on July 13, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio. Sister Rosemary made her Profession on August 16, 1951 in Cleveland, Ohio. Rosemary Ruth was the fourth of five children born to Herman and Elizabeth (Schneider) Mayer. She treasured her parents and siblings. Family – where strong, lasting bonds were nurtured – meant everything to Rosemary. Throughout life, she cherished visits, activities and celebrations with her large, extended family.
In spite of her own serious health problems, Sister Rosemary experienced life as a beloved family member, a faithful religious and community member, and a woman who served God’s people in many ways and in many places. God used Sister’s big, strong heart, her great capacity for love, for his own purposes. May Sister Rosemary’s new life bring freedom from suffering and eternal peace as she rests in the arms of our good and loving God.
After graduating from Notre Dame Academy, Cleveland, Rosemary entered the Sisters of Notre Dame and received the name Sister Mary St. Ignatius. Later, she returned to her baptismal name, Sister Rosemary. Sister received a bachelor’s degree from St. John College, Cleveland, and a master’s degree from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She ministered as an intermediate and junior high teacher for 36 years in elementary schools in Ohio and Virginia. With well-prepared, organized classes, Sister Rosemary dedicated herself to excellence in Catholic education. Sisters of Notre Dame | Network
SISTER MARY ST. DOMINIC (Theresa Marie NUDO) Natural sister of Sister Mary Louismarie, passed away on December 8, 2015 at the SND Health Care Center, Chardon, Ohio. She was born on January 3, 1927 in Canton, Ohio and made her Profession on August 16, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Theresa Marie was the third child of Ralph and Alice (Nieschwitz) Nudo. When she was seven years old, Theresa’s father, an electrician for the Ohio Power Company, met with a tragic accident and died. Her mother was suddenly left alone to care for seven children. Theresa saw how her mother courageously faced each day with faith and love. This example of steadfast fidelity never faded from her memory. Her dear mother remained her inspiration and model, a source of support and peace throughout her life. Theresa met the Sisters of Notre Dame at St. Peter School and Parish, Canton, OH and knew as a sixth-grade student she wanted to become a Sister. With the guidance and support of Sister Mary Floracity Renner, Theresa attended high school as an aspirant at Notre Dame Academy in Cleveland. Her senior year she entered the novitiate. At investment, she received the name Sister Mary St. Dominic. For Sister Mary St. Dominic, being a Sister meant being a teacher. But, she questioned if this was the right path for herself. God heard her question. At the start of her third year of college, Sister was asked by Mother Mary Elise, Provincial Superior, to assume responsibility for the Provincial House laundry. After three days of training, she found herself in charge. She managed the main laundry at the Provincial House in Cleveland and then in Chardon for almost 50 years. Sister looked on her work as a ministry, not just as a job to be done. She proclaimed the loving goodness and kindness of God through this faithful ministry to her Sisters. After retiring from the laundry in 1998, she continued her service to the community as a driver and visitor in the community Health Care Center. When her older brother, Louis, was in need, Sister ministered as caregiver for many years and was a faithful companion to many Sisters continued on page 18
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In Memoriam continued from page 17
in the Health Care Center. Her untiring devotion to her own sister, Sister Mary Louismarie, was a gift and a blessing.
visited the Chardon property. From her early years, Susan knew the Sisters through her aunt, Sister Mary Austin Wadowick.
Sister was a prayerful woman whose gentle, simple spirit and lifetime of service revealed her love of our good and gracious God. May she rest now, peacefully, in God’s loving embrace.
Susan attended Notre Dame Academy, Chardon, and became an aspirant her senior year. At investment, she was given the name Sister Mary Geraldine.
SISTER MARY GERALDINE
After her profession, Sister worked in the diet kitchen and as a nurse’s aide in the Provincial House Infirmary. Having studied at Marymount Hospital, Cleveland, Sister Mary Geraldine was certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She loved this ministry and was kind and thorough in her care for the Sisters. She was known for her compassionate response to the needs of all on her nursing rounds. When her physical strength declined, Sister continued to assist in the Health Care Center, doing whatever she could to bring joy to the Sisters in residence.
(Susan Marie WADOWICK) passed away on December 6, 2015 at the SND Health Care Center, Chardon. She was born on February 6, 1949 in Cleveland, Ohio. Sister Mary Geraldine made her Profession on August 15, 1969 in Chardon, Ohio. As the eldest of 10 children born to Jack and Martha (Dostal) Wadowick, Susan learned at an early age to love and care for others in the close-knit family living in Cleveland. She wrote, “We didn’t do anything extraordinary; we just lived, worked, prayed, played and traveled together as a family.” Her father, Jack, worked for the Sisters of Notre Dame as an artistic and accomplished carpenter for 50 years, at the Cleveland and later the Chardon Provincial House. When just four years old, Susan remembered helping the Sisters clean out the barns, ride the tractor, and walk in the woods when they 18
Sister Mary Geraldine always remained close to her large family. She enjoyed participating in and gathering pictures of family events. While suffering much herself, she remained loving, generous and other-centered. At an early age, she wrote, “I want to suffer and accept it as something wonderful God has sent, whatever form it may take.” Sister Mary Geraldine has now been set free – her life of redemptive suffering has been transformed into new, eternal life.
and French and a master’s degree in Theology from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Sister also received the Advanced Catechetical Diploma from Notre Dame Institute, Middleburg, Virginia.
SISTER HELEN MARY formerly Sister Mary Nivard (Helen Louise PETER) passed away on November 8, 2015 at Geauga Hospital, Chardon, Ohio. She was born on August 10, 1923 in Canton, Ohio. Sister Helen Mary made her Profession on August 16, 1945 in Cleveland, Ohio. Helen was the youngest of four children born to Louis and Mary (nee Leahy) Peter. The family lived in Canton, Ohio and were members of St. John the Baptist Parish. Helen attended the parish elementary and high school, graduating at 16 as valedictorian of her class of 36 students. She grew up in a religious household with an Irish mother and German father. The family went to Mass often and prayed the rosary daily. Helen remarked of the religious artifacts and photos all over the home, “All those little things that were taken for granted obviously had a big impact on my life.” Helen received a scholarship to Notre Dame College, South Euclid, Ohio and chose Health and Physical Education as her major. She often considered religious life, and at the beginning of her junior year, she entered the Sisters of Notre Dame. At investment, she received the name Sister Mary Nivard, but later returned to her baptismal name, Sister Helen Mary. She continued her studies, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Science
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The classroom teaching ministry of Sister Helen Mary spanned 44 years. She taught at high schools in California and Ohio, teaching biology, religion and French. In 1972, Sister returned to her alma mater, Notre Dame College, where for 17 years she was Assistant Professor of Theology. Sister once commented, “The charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame is to proclaim the loving providence of God. I feel I can best do that through teaching and faith formation. I have done both throughout my entire ministry, and I don’t intend to stop now!” In 1989, Sister Helen Mary transitioned into parish ministry as Director of Religious Education, Pastoral Minister and Youth Minister in Ohio and Virginia. She loved and respected all to whom she ministered, regardless of age. When she moved into the Provincial Center in 2007, semi-retirement found her serving as assistant receptionist at the local parish school. Sister Helen Mary treasured each member of her large, extended family, her friends, and the beauty of all creation. Even in later years, she never lost her love for sports, especially tennis! May she rejoice now in new, eternal life.
St. Alexis Hospital School of Nursing, Cleveland, where she graduated as a registered nurse in 1948. Because of the great need for teachers, Sister was asked to continue teaching for two more years. In 1950, she was assigned her first nursing duties at St. Mary Hospital in Humboldt, Tennessee, and then at the Provincial House and Infirmary in Cleveland.
SISTER MARY NEIL (Eleanore KARDIAN) passed away on October 30, 2015 at the SND Health Care Center in Chardon, Ohio. She was born on December 5, 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio. Sister Mary Neil made her profession on August 17, 1944 in Cleveland, Ohio. Eleanore Kardian grew up in Cleveland and attended St. Benedict Church and School, where Eleanore’s Slovak heritage was fostered and celebrated. She inherited the love and appreciation for family and the Catholic faith that were so much a part of her parents’ lives. Her brother was ordained a Maryknoll priest and her sister became caregiver to her parents in their later years. Eleanore enjoyed her school years, her friends, and the good times of parish activities. The simple question of her eighth-grade teacher, “Don’t you want to become a Sister?” encouraged Eleanore to seek a four-year partial scholarship to Notre Dame Academy, Cleveland. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame her senior year. At investment, she was given the name Sister Mary Neil. As a second-year novice, Sister began her studies to become an elementary school teacher. However, in 1945 she was missioned to attend
Sisters of Notre Dame | Network
Sister Mary Neil was called to Rome in 1955 to be the private nurse of Mother Mary Vera. She traveled extensively and became proficient in several languages. In her free time, she worked with students at the North American college and taught elementary pupils. After the death of Mother Mary Vera in 1962, Sister Mary Neil returned to the U.S. and continued her education studies at Notre Dame College, Ohio, where she received a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree from John Carroll University, Ohio. For the next 21 years, Sister taught in high schools in Ohio, North Carolina and Florida. Students characterized her as a remarkable woman, teacher, leader and mentor. Her genuine and quick smile, her wit, and wisdom exuded a sense of well-being and welcome. The love of Jesus Christ shone in her and through her. In 1986, Sister Mary Neil was called back to the Generalate where she ministered as nurse, local superior and secretary at the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. She returned to the Chardon Provincial center in 1999 where she assisted in the facilities office, the library, at switchboard, in the India Mission Office and with pastoral care. She loved life and was gracious and vivacious! We are grateful for her example of deep faith and trust, her commitment and fidelity. May she now enjoy the eternal union of her Beloved that she so longed for during life. Winter 2016
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Reunions
Reunions 2016
50th Reunion
REGINA ALUMNAE
The Class of ’65 celebrated with a reunion weekend in October. It started by attending “Girls Night Out” at Pizzazz on Friday night. Saturday, they were on the Nautica Queen for a lunch cruise. Sunday found them at a brunch, a prayer service in the chapel at Regina and a tour of the Regina building. They will continue the celebration this spring at Miss Molly’s Tea Room in Medina on April 16. Call Janet Carey 440-236-5587 for information or reservations. This class really knows how to celebrate!
Class of ‘65
40th Reunion The Class of ’75 40th reunion was celebrated at the Firehouse Grill & Pub on November 29. They had a great turnout and a wonderful time catching up on the last 40 years.
Class of ‘75
Cross-Country Reunion The Annual Cross-Country Reunion will take place on Saturday, November 26 at 11:00 in Euclid Creek Park. More details will follow.
Class of 1976 Reunion If anyone is interested in having, planning or giving suggestions for the 40th Class Reunion, please contact jandersen1957@ icloud.com or Mary Ann Griffin at magriffin01@gmail.com. If any classes are planning reunions in 2016, please contact the Alumnae Office at rhsalum@reginahigh.com or 216-905-4851. We would be happy to help you in any way with names, addresses and sending out emails or posting the information in the Network Magazine and on our webpage. It is important that you let us know your plans so we can pass them on to those looking for information. EMAILS If you would like to be on our email lists to receive class and family news, please send your email address to: rhsalum@ reginahigh.com. ADDRESSES If you’ve moved, please keep us updated by sending us your new information either through emails or send to: 9918 Johnnycake Ridge Rd. Mentor, OH 44060.
Save the Date
TRANSCRIPTS If you are requesting your transcript go to our website at reginahigh.com for the information.
GIRLS NIGHT OUT - October 21, 2016 2017 RETREAT - February 10-12, 2017 20
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SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME 2016 BBQ & BOUTIQUE Sunday, September 18 & Sunday, September 25 12 NOON—5 PM
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