We find ourselves in Advent waiting time now – waiting for four weeks! Waiting seems misplaced in this fast-paced, demanding world today. We seem to be socialized against waiting. Can we make it a time to wait with attention; a time when we increase our listening and take stock of where we are in the midst of the unrest, the caution and the cries for help all ‘round? 
 
“Come teach us humility.
Cut through the frozen ground of our being.
Soften what has become hard and unfeeling.
Free all that resists the silent waiting.
… for the vision will surely come, it will not be late.”
(Hebrews 2:2-3)

In this issue we offer photos and articles from more normal activities that have returned to the Motherhouse campus, opportunities to gather post-COVID, e.g., Fall Congregational Days and the blessing of La Casa del Sol Ministry Center. Share in the joy experienced by our Charity Family as we accompanied S. Romina Sapinoso in the celebration of her final vows on Sept. 24. You are invited to meet Generations of Charity through video interviews with new members and their Sister mentors. Articles featuring jubilarians and recent honors received are also highlighted below.  
 
Share what you learn here with coworkers, friends and family members. Assure them that the Sisters of Charity are continuing to make a difference in the lives of many, maybe even yours. Know that the Sisters of Charity will be remembering you in prayer as we strive to live our lives in this ‘waiting space’ before Jesus comes to us at Christmas. Blessings in 2023.
Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Romina Sapinoso Professes Perpetual Vows
S. Romina Sapinoso professed perpetual vows during a Mass on Sept. 24, 2022 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse.

Sisters, Associates and invited guests were present with Sister Romina in the chapel for the ceremony. In their presence she vowed to “freely commit myself for life to the service of God, God’s people, and all of Creation as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. … I ask for the grace of God and the continuing support of my Sisters, Associates, family, and friends, so that I may keep faith with the commitment that I joyfully make today.” 

Following her acceptance of vows, the community of Sisters, Associates, family and friends joined in response, saying, “… We are grateful to you for your faithful response to this call to risk living the vows in humility, simplicity, and charity. May you keep walking in faith as a courageous servant, selfless leader, and a prayerful woman of God. We support you and promise our love and our prayer as you daily continue to live simply in our complex world attentive to the needs of the vulnerable among us and our fragile earth. Let the love of Christ embrace you and ever deepen your longing to serve!” Read More.
Charity News & Notes
Welcome, Karina
The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati welcomed Karina Montes Ayala (pictured, left) as an Affiliate during a vespers prayer service on Oct. 30, 2022 in the Motherhouse chapel. The Affiliate Rite of Welcome marks a woman’s official entrance into the congregation and is a one-to-two-year period of gradual involvement in the Congregation’s life and ministries and a gradual transition from lay life to religious life. Karina will continue to live in community at Visitation House, engage in ministry, and have experiences that immerse her more fully into the communal life and into intercongregational religious life. 

Congratulations
Mount St. Joseph University honored S. Mary Ann Flannery (pictured, center) on Oct. 26, 2022, with the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal. The award presentation was followed by an address from S. Mary Ann. The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal is named in honor of St. Elizabeth Seton, foundress of the Sisters of Charity. The University established the Seton Medal in 1966 in honor of the Mount’s 75th anniversary and to recognize distinguished women in theology. 

Generations of Charity: Celebrating Vocation Awareness Week
Throughout National Vocation Awareness Week, Nov. 6-12, 2022, the Sisters of Charity Community featured videos of five newer members reflecting on vocation with their mentors who have been Sisters for much longer. These honest, endearing, funny, profound conversations about the call to Charity can be found by clicking here.

Community Members, Employees Walk for a Cause
Sisters, Associates and employees joined together to participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Oct. 1, 2022 at Sawyer Point. The three-mile walk brought together a joyful spirit in addition to helping raise awareness and funds in the fight against the disease.
Important Dates

Dec. 8, 2022               
Feast of Immaculate Heart of Mary

Dec. 9-11, 2022         
Spirituality Center retreat: “Pearls of Paradox, Twilight Mysteries of God”

Dec. 11, 2022             
Third Sunday of Advent

Dec. 12, 2022            
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Dec. 18, 2022             
Fourth Sunday of Advent

Dec. 25, 2022             
Christmas

Dec. 30, 2022             
Feast of the Holy Family

Dec. 31, 2022             
Spirituality Center retreat: “Retreat to Complete 2022 and to Open 2023”
 
Jan. 1, 2023                
Feast of Mary, Mother of God

Jan. 4, 2023                
Feast of St. Elizabeth Seton

Jan. 5, 2023               
Feast of St. John Neumann

Jan. 16, 2023              
Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Jan. 24, 2023              
Feast of St. Francis de Sales
 
Feb. 2, 2023               
Presentation of the Lord

Feb. 10, 2023             
Feast of St. Scholastica

Feb. 14, 2023             
St. Valentine’s Day

Feb. 22, 2023             
Ash Wednesday

*For additional information on the above retreats, or others, please click here.

Cruisin'
Sisters, Associates and SC employees had the opportunity to gather for a luncheon boat cruise aboard the Belle of Cincinnati on Sept. 26, 2022. Approximately 225 guests joined for the four-hour cruise and the opportunity to socialize and spend time together.
Features
Cheer Her Name
On Oct. 22, 2022, S. Sally Duffy and a group of women who paved the way for the success of the Irish women’s athletic program were honored by the University of Notre Dame, its Athletics Department and the Notre Dame Monogram Club. Read More.
Community Building
Golden Jubilarian S. Joyce Brehm is known by many for her gift of inclusion. Read More.
A Missionary Spirit
Celebrating 75 years as a Sister of Charity, S. Mary Barbara Philippart has been a loving support to the people she has served throughout her lifetime. Read More.   
Around the Campus: La Casa del Sol Ministry Center
On Oct. 2, 2022, Sisters, Associates and SC employees gathered to bless La Casa del Sol Ministry Center. Located on Bender Road, the Ministry Center provides a new accessible and sustainable home for current and future ministerial opportunities, including Cincinnati Cello School, body therapy rooms, and offices for the congregational social justice program, the Newcomers Transitions Program and private piano lessons.
 
The Ministry Center is built on the ground where La Casa del Sol used to stand. S. Paula Gonzalez, with her great love for the Earth and her mindset on the future, imagined the former solar structure, which was built largely with volunteer labor and recycled materials. It was home to Sisters Paula and Mary Bookser for more than 40 years. In the spirit of S. Paula, the new ministry center was constructed with a number of state-of-the-art energy conserving technologies and is anticipated to be net zero for energy consumption. 
Charity in Motion is an electronic newsletter of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. To join the Charity in Motion mailing list, contact Erin Reder at erin.reder@srcharitycinti.org. To unsubscribe, click here.