Connection - Sisters of Notre Dame, Chardon, Ohio

ND Connection 

Vol. XIX No. 2 The Newsletter of the Sisters of Notre Dame of Chardon, Ohio Winter 2012–13 

Inside: 

Leadership Team 

Calendar ...................2 

Family Focus .............3 

Veterans honored .....6 

CCC Awards Dinner ...6 

NDCL construction ....7 

Sisters Bingo .............7 

Ministry Outreach .....8 

Rock a Bye Ball .........9 

CDU Gala ...................9 

Excellence in 

Education ..............10 

Million Moments ......11 

Bits & Bytes ......12–13 

Service Project .......14 

Bookshelf .........15–16 

Mary Space .............17 

Calendar .................18 

Christmas party celebrates milestones 

A Christmas party with our employees 

and their families was held on December 9, 

2012 in the Provincial Center auditorium. 

It was an afternoon of enjoyment and an 

opportunity to congratulate the employees 

who celebrated milestone anniversaries this 

year. These were 

Jean Sanborn Reception 30 years 

Melissa Burt Health Care 25 years 

Dan Limpert Facilities 25 years 

Marie Quercioli Health Care 25 years 

Joyce Sperry Housekeeping 15 years 

Janez Berk Facilities 5 years 

Pat Costello Advancement 5 years 

Hayley Dietz Health Care 5 years 

Ann Fischer Housekeeping 5 years 

Stella Fischer Housekeeping 5 years 

Christine Fox Health Care 5 years 

Marlene Heinen Health Care 5 years 

Tina Humphrey Housekeeping 5 years 

Sharon Miller Health Care 5 years 

Katherine Sbrocca Finance 5 years 

Sylvia Schneider Health Care 5 years 

Marilou Strathern Advancement 5 years 

Aladdin Food Management Services 

provided a delicious menu with special 

offerings for the children. A balloonist, face 

painter, and Santa and Mrs. Claus were 

present to entertain the children. 

Top: Dan (Bud) Limpert is congratulated by 

Sister Margaret Mary Gorman and Sister Mary 

Sally Huston on his 25th anniversary as an 

employee of the Sisters of Notre Dame. 

Center: A youngster contemplates what he wants 

for Christmas in repsonse to Santa’s question. 

Right: Adam and Justin Schlereth have fun at 

the party. 

Continued on page 5 

Photo: Sister Ann Marie Teder, SND 

Sister Mary Patricia Gannon 

Photos: Sister Mary Patricia Pasek

of the 

ND Connection 

The DEADLINE for the Late Spring 

issue is January 1, 2013. Please 

send contributions to Sister Mary 

Andrew Miller or to Sister Mary 

Elizabeth Wood at the provincial 

center in Chardon. 

THE ND CONNECTION 

Published bimonthly by the Sisters of 

Notre Dame for the sisters in Christ 

the King Province, Chardon, Ohio. 

Editors: Sisters Mary Andrew Miller, 

Mary Barbara Daugherty, Mary Patricia 

Gannon, Mary Seton Schlather, Ann 

Marie Teder, and Mary Elizabeth Wood. 

Area Contact: 

North Carolina: Sister Mary Jean 

Korejwo 

Feature Contributors: Sisters Mary 

Patricia Gannon, Mary Julie Rose Keck, 

Mary Joela Leinberger, Mary Lenette 

Marcello, and Mary Loretta Pastva 

Proofreaders: Sisters Mary Julie Rose 

Keck, Mary Helen Louise Kist, and Mary 

Andrew Miller 

Layout Editor: Sister Ann Marie Teder 

Printer: Sister Mary Barbara Daugherty 

E-mailing: Sister Mary Barbara 

Daugherty 

Editors’ Aide: Sister Madeline Mary 

Columbro 

Prayer Sister: Sister Rosemary Mayer 

2 NDConnection Winter 2012–13 

Dates and Doings 

of the Province Leadership Team 

January 

11–13 Leadership Team Meetings at Our House 

17 SND-USA Ongoing Formation Affinity Group Meeting at Lial 

SM Jeanette 

2 Elderhood Committee Meeting, Chardon Sr. M. Carol 

8 Provincial Council Meeting 

15 Notre Dame College Board Meeting Sr. Margaret 

February 

9–17 4 US Provinces Leadership Team Meetings and Renewal at 

Bethany 

23 Province Day 

Children at Notre Dame Elementary Preschool enjoy a visit from “Elf Julie” (Sister 

Mary Julie Boehnlein) who read The Polar Express to them. (Photo submitted by 

Sister Mary Julie Boehnlein.) 

Back to Table of Contents

Family 

Focus 

Sister Mary Jane Olatta 

On the morning of January 31,1925 in Cleveland, 

Ohio I joined the members of the Olatta family 

which included my parents, John and Anna, and 

three sisters who had preceded me—Anne Irene, 

the oldest born in April of 1917, who lived only a 

month; Elizabeth (Betty) born in January of 1920; and 

Dorothea born in August 1922. Shortly after my birth 

I was named Mary Jane at my baptism. The family grew 

in size with the births of twins Jacqueline and John in December 1928 and 

Therese Ann in 1931. Even though we grew up during the days of the Great 

Depression and difficult economic times, there were many happy days in the 

family. 

We belonged to St. Jerome Parish where we attended the parish school and 

received the sacraments. Later Betty married and raised a family of three 

before embarking on a sales career. Dorothea married and raised a family of 

eight and eventually worked in one of Cleveland’s department stores. John 

attended Collinwood High School and was awarded a four-year scholarship 

to Cleveland Western Reserve 

University. He graduated with a 

Mary Jane celebrates her first birthday with 

her sisters, Elizabeth and Dorothea in 1926. 

It is hard to articulate the number and ways the sisters at Notre Dame 

Academy impacted my life by their cheerfulness, prayerfulness, guidance, 

and direction. To name a few: Sister Mary Florice opened for me an 

appreciation for daily Mass which I began to attend as a freshman, Sister 

Mary St. Lawrence became a very good friend and guide, and later Sister 

Mary Luke helped me discern my vocation. 

My education began at St. Jerome elementary school. After graduating 

from there in 1938, I attended Notre Dame Academy where both my 

Continued next page 

Sister Mary Jane Olatta 

Sister Mary Jane graduated from high 

school in 1942. 

degree in chemical engineering while his twin, Jacqueline, graduating from 

Notre Dame Academy, was awarded the Mother Mary Evarista Scholarship 

to Notre Dame College. However, since my father died in 1942, my 

mother decided that she could not let them both accept the scholarship so 

Jacqueline found a position as secretary. She later married and successfully 

raised a family of five. Therese Ann, after graduating from Notre Dame 

Academy, accepted a position at Nela Park and also attended night school 

at John Carroll University, one of the first women to be accepted there. She 

was also granted a scholarship to Marquette University where she obtained 

a Master’s Degree in Communications, and was a member of the faculty 

there for many years while also raising a family of five. 

My mother had a great impact on my life. She was a successful wife and 

mother — cooking, baking, and sewing during very difficult economic 

times. In all the hardships she faced she never wavered in her faith and her 

trust in God. She saw that we went to Mass, confession, and the various 

parish devotions. After my father died she clerked for many years at the 

May Company to support the 

family. During the remainder of 

her 97 years she only showed 

gratitude to the good Lord for 

her many blessings in life. 

In Rome Sister Mary Jane and Sister Mary 

Gentil (Passo Fundo province) prepare to 

cut the cake for their respective diamond and 

golden jubilees. 

NDConnection Winter 2012–13 3

Sister Mary Jane ministered 

in school libraries in 1994. 

nursing homes, and at home. It was a ministry I cherished. 


sister Dorothea and I worked after school to help pay our tuition. As a young sister I 

attended Notre Dame College and St. John College, obtaining a Bachelor’s and Master’s 

Decree in Education. Later I obtained a Master’s decree in History from Georgetown 

University. History has always been one of my favorite subjects. This background in 

education prepared me to teach in Catholic elementary schools for twenty-eight years. 

This ministry included teaching every grade, except the first grade, in eleven different 

cities. Class sizes were large and often I prepared classes for double grades and once 

a triple grade while also acting as superior and/or principal in addition to teaching. I 

spent one year teaching history at Notre Dame College and was then assigned for the 

next nine years to teach social studies at Regina High School. I left the classroom to 

serve as Curriculum Director for the Diocese of Cleveland. My final twenty-two years in 

a school environment found me working as a high school librarian or as an assistant to 

high school librarians. For five years I had the privilege of visiting the sick in hospitals, 

On February 2, 1942, in my senior year I became a postulant in the Sisters of Notre Dame. On August 17 of that year I 

was invested and given the religious name Sister Mary Joanette. Profession of vows came two years later in August of 

1944. One of my greatest joys and privilege is to be a member of this wonderful community which has enabled me to 

consecrate my entire life to God, serving Him in poverty, chastity, and obedience. Life as a member of this community 

has provided me with so many opportunities to enrich my spiritual life — daily mass, yearly and monthly retreats, 

spiritual conferences, spiritual direction, and always being a part of this community with its rich heritage. It also 

has enabled me as an educator to touch and be touched by the many 

students I have encountered and in whom I tried to instill a love of God 

and the desire to please Him always. 

Often during the summer months I was able to travel extensively 

because I was fortunate enough to be rewarded twelve grants from the 

National Endowment for the Humanities. These took me to colleges 

across the United States from Santa Barbara, California to Worcester, 

Massachusetts. While I was teaching at Regina I served as moderator 

on a Mediterranean Cruise which included visits to England, Malta, the 

Islands of Rhodes and Santorini, and the cities Cairo and Alexandria in 

Egypt. This trip was completed by a visit to Sicily. During the summer 

of 1976 I had the opportunity to spend thirteen weeks studying in India 

as a recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship. A great blessing was afforded 

me when I was asked to travel to Rome and work in the Motherhouse 

library for almost a year. 

In addition her ministry in the 

archives, Sisters Mary Jane remains 

an avid reader. 

Sister Mary Jane Olatta—continued from page 3 

Sister Mary Jane (right) spends time with two of 

her sisters in 1997. 

In view of the fact that the later 

generation of Olattas are scattered throughout the United States, family reunions 

are few and far between. However, I do manage to visit with my sister Terry in 

Milwaukee during the Christmas season when all her children and grandchildren 

also visit. On other occasions individual nieces and nephews plan a family 

gathering for smaller groups. 

My hobbies in the past included crocheting afghans and doing cross stitch and 

crewel embroidery. However, I can no longer work with something so small. 

Another activity I enjoyed was walking, and I tried to do it daily. However 

arthritis and advancing age has occasionally slowed me down in this area. 

My greatest hobby is, and always has been, reading. I have to credit the children’s 

librarian in our neighborhood library for always encouraging me to love books. 

Today I enjoy reading autobiographies, history, travel books, fiction, mysteries, 

and current topics. 


Christmas party—continued from page 1 

Far Left: Little Ella 

McDougall chooses 

a stuffed snowman 

to take home. Left: 

Caralyn and Vinson 

Treharne are aglow 

with Christmas 

spirit as is their 

daughter, Maddie. 

Center Left: Funzo 

the Clown (Sister 

Nanette Mary 

Zeimet) did face 

painting for the 

children. 

Left: Jean and 

Nancy Sanborn 

celebrate Jean’s 

30 years as an 

employee of the 

Sisters of Notre 

Dame. Center 

inset: Madison 

Freeman loves the 

balloon Santa hat 

and beard that 

Flower the Clown 

made for her. 

Far Left: Sister 

Maureen Spillane 

greets Human 

Resource Director 

Dan Schilling to 

wish him a Merry 

Christmas. Left: 

Sister Mary Beth 

Anne Tercek helps 

lead the singing of 

“The Twelve Days 

of Christmas.” 

Back to Table of 

Contents 


NDCL honors veterans in Thanksgiving drive 


Students at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 

School celebrated the sacrifices of American 

veterans in a Thanksgiving prayer service on 

November 20, 2012 that included the blessing 

of 134 care packages that will be delivered to 

servicemen and women currently stationed in 

the Middle East. 

The boxes were the product of the school’s 

Adopt a Platoon drive, organized by 

members of the Christian Leadership class, 

and were filled with hygiene products, 

clothing, snacks, and handwritten notes 

which will “remind them of home,” Senior 

Anika Prots told the school during the prayer 

service. In addition to the items, the student 

leaders were able to raise $3,000 to cover 

shipping costs. 

“As we lived the truth in love, the blessings 

of love and charity filled our spirits,” Prots 

told her fellow students. Addressing seven 

members of the Willoughby Hills chapter of 

the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Prots told the 

men that their presence was a reminder that 

“our country is a gift, and that our military 

will never be forgotten.” 

Vietnam Veteran and VFW Member Steve 

Trecnik said the outpouring of students 

was “heartwarming.” He went on to say 

that “Some of us came home at a time of 

turmoil and we were treated so poorly. They 

didn’t treat us like this.” As Trecnik spoke, a 

line of dozens of NDCL students stretched 

before him, a spontaneous demonstration 

of gratitude as students shook the hands of 

Continued next column 

Cleveland Central Catholic High School 

held its Inaugural CCC Recognition Awards 

Dinner on Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 

6:30-8:30pm in the Wasmer Ironman Center. 

It was co-sponsored by the new CCC Alumni 

Association and Third Federal Savings & 

Loan. A social reception with a scrumptious 

array of food preceded the awards ceremony. 


News Release November 20, 2012 

the veterans on their way out of the school’s 

McGarry Gymnasium. 

Trecnik’s VFW post had donated $1,570 to 

the school’s drive when member Edward 

Grabowksi learned of the drive through his 

children who attend the school. 

In addition to the boxes, members of the class 

unveiled a community quilt that included the 

names of students’ families and friends who 

had served in the military. 

Technology Teacher Phillip LeMay shared 

his experiences as a veteran in the Army, 

as well as the stories of his two brothers 

and grandfather who also served. LeMay 

reminded the group that while we must 

remember the “ultimate sacrifice” of those 

who gave their life in service (including a 

reference to two service friends of his who 

had died), a soldier’s sacrifice included lost 

personal time and the burden of loneliness 

while serving away from family and friends. 

“I am sure the men here thought more than 

once, ‘What have I done?’” LeMay said. 

At the conclusion of the service, Principal 

Joseph Waler responded to that, telling the 

veterans who were present that they had 

helped to secure the freedom that allowed 

schools such as NDCL to flourish and that 

the students will help to “make America even 

better.” 

“Look around you,” Waler said. “(Your 

sacrifice) was definitely worth it.” 

Cleveland Central Catholic holds awards dinner 

The following awards were presented: 

Distinguished Alumnus—John Peca `70; 

Outstanding Faculty—Fred Badar and Ron 

Gilak (both retired in 2012); Outstanding 

Volunteers—Mary Beth and John Simon `72; 

Outstanding Personal Philanthropy—Terry 

Brizz; Outstanding Corporate Philanthropy— 

Third Federal Savings; Outstanding 

Foundation Philanthropy—Swagelok 

Foundation. Congratulations to the Awardees! 


Baker Gymnasium ready for action, performing arts 

center not far behind 

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School in 

Chardon happily announced the completion 

of their second capital project: the spacious 

and sharp-looking Eugene T. Baker 

Gymnasium. 

Floors have been poured, acoustical panels 

installed, hoops hung, and wall pads secured. 

The Baker Gymnasium awaits only the 

installation of the scoreboards and, of course, 

our Lion athletes and their cheering fans. 

“This facility is even better than I imagined it 

would be,” boasts Athletic Director Mr. Frank 

Platzar. “It’s great to finally be scheduling 

practices and games in the Baker Gym.” 


Adapted from the On-Lion newsletter November 30, 2012 

Just a few short steps from the Baker Gym, 

the former auxiliary gym is no longer 

recognizable as its transformation into our 

new performing arts center nears completion. 

The acoustical clouds are in place, the prime 

coat is on the walls, the sound and dressing 

rooms and the lighting balcony have been 

built, and the lobby’s artistic curve connects 

the athletic wing with the main part of the 

school building. 

Sports teams began using the Baker Gym 

the first week of December. The performing 

arts center should be complete by the end of 

December. Bishop Roger Gries, OSB, will join 

us for the dedication and blessing of these 

new facilities on Sunday, April 28, 2013. 

Bingo party for religious held in auditorium Sister Mary Patricia Gannon 

Photos: Sisters Maresa Lilley and Mary Patricia Pasek 

The annual “Bingo Party” sponsored by 

the Cleveland Diocesan Motherhouse 

Representatives was held in our Chardon 

auditorium on Sunday, October 28. Sister 

Joanne Marie Zeitz did a remarkable work 

of leading the assembly, interspersing her 

precise calling of “Bingo” numbers with 

humorous bit of wisdom. About 34 sisters 

attended from the Provincial Center and 

about 25 sisters from other congregations. 

We can depend on Aladdin Food Services to 

provide delicious refreshments and they 

did this with a distinctly autumn and 

Halloween flavor. 

Left: Sisters Mary Gail 

Sako, Eileen Marie 

Skutt, and Sister Joyce 

Hollcamp, SSJ-TOSF 

enjoy the diocesan 

sisters’ bingo party. 

Lower Left: Sisters 

Joanne Marie Zeitz 

and Sister Joyce call 

the numbers from the 

stage. Lower Right: 

Sisters from various 

congregations in the 

Cleveland diocese are 

focused intently on 

their bingo cards. 

Back to Table of 

Contents 


Top: Sister Mary Dion stands with Tameka on her 

journey. Above: Tameka wants to help her children (two 

of whom are pictured here) make wise decisions in 

their lives. 

“Every chance I get I am 

telling my kids about 

Jesus and his love for us. 

I figure if I can plant the 

seeds now and continue 

to help them water their 

seeds, they will be wiser 

than I have been.” 

—Tameka 


“Where are you standing?” 

—My Visit to Prison Sister Mary Dion Horrigan 

“Glory be to God who has allowed me to come to such a place so my eyes, 

ears and heart could be open to truly, truly receive Him.” These are words 

written by a woman in prison in Marysville, Ohio in a letter to me received 

a few days before I traveled to visit her. We have been corresponding since 

September 2010 when she left the Cuyahoga County Jail to begin her 17-year 

sentence in Marysville Reformatory for Women. I have about twenty letters 

from her. 

This woman, mother of six children, ages fifteen to eight also wrote, “Every 

chance I get I am telling my kids about Jesus and his love for us. I figure if I 

can plant the seeds now and continue to help them water their seeds, they will 

be wiser than I have been.” I drove to Marysville the evening before my visit 

which was scheduled for 7:00 a.m. the following day. I had gone through the 

visitor application process so I knew everything would be alright at security. 

And it was. From this space we visitors were accompanied outside to another 

building where we came to a kind of classroom space set up for visiting. 

The individual visiting area consisted of rows of two aluminum chairs on 

either side of a small table. I took my place and waited for my friend to come 

through the front door. She walked in, got checked by an officer, and then ran 

to embrace me. 

I was amazed at how good she looked. I am sure you will agree. 

We spoke for three hours during which I was allowed to give 

her a credit card to purchase food and drink from vending 

machines. This was a great treat for her. She had an egg/sausage 

MacMuffin, not a usual item on the prison menu. 

We were required to sit parallel to the table as we spoke and not 

move the chair to face each other. I had a three-hour visit with 

my friend during which she shared about her family which has 

stayed closely connected with her, her belief that she will win 

her appeal to be released next year, and her desire to minister to 

other women in jail when she is free. Please help to pray for this 

appeal which is now in process. 

Recently I visited Clearwater Central Catholic High School in 

Florida and I spoke with a senior class about this faith-filled 

woman. They are now engaged in collecting money to provide 

“Christmas” for her six children. 

My time visiting at Marysville confirmed in my heart the words 

of Greg Boyle in his book, Tattoos on the Heart. “How do we get 

the world to change anyway?...You actually abolish slavery by accompanying 

the slave (substitute any name or category you wish). We don’t strategize our way 

out of slavery, we solidarize, if you will, our way toward its demise. We stand 

in solidarity with the slave, and by so doing, we diminish slavery’s ability to 

stand…. All Jesus asks is ‘Where are you standing?’ And after chilling defeat and 

soul-numbing failure, He asks again, ‘Are you still standing there?’” (p 173) I feel 

privileged and humbled to stand with women in incarceration. 


Blessing House holds 

annual Rock-A-Bye Ball 

Adapted from an article by Lori Switaj in the Avon-Avon Lake Patch 

A night of fine dining and dancing awaited those who 

attended the Eighth Annual Rock-A-Bye Ball November 

10, 2012, at Tom’s Country Place in Avon, to benefit 

Blessing House. 

This year, the ball’s theme was “Puttin’ on the Ritz” 

where guests traveled back in time to the Roaring ‘20s. 

More than 300 guests enjoyed an evening of fun and 

friendship. The ball’s co-chairs were Lisa Bramhall, Sam 

Mazzola and Deb Suhay. The event is a major source of 

revenue for the house. 

“Last year’s ball raised more than $70,000, which is 20 

percent of our annual operating expenses,” said Lisa 

Bramhall, who helped found Blessing House eight years 

ago. 

Live music was provided by Skin and Bones, a band 

made up of doctors from the Cleveland Clinic. Alan Fee 

from Radio Station Q104 hosted a live auction. 

Blessing House, located in Lorain, is a non-profit 

children’s crisis care center in Lorain County that cares 

for children ages birth through 12 when a family is 

experiencing an emergency and needs a safe place for 

their children to stay. 

This year, the ball honored US Steel for their support of 

Blessing House. Employees from US Steel spent a day 

painting rooms and hallways at Blessing House in May. 

“They also did a makeover in our backyard by installing 

a new asphalt bike path and a reading garden,” Blessing 

House Director Sister Mary Berigan, said. “They 

coordinated a Halloween Party and a Christmas Party for 

our children and families.” 

US Steel received the Jimmy Davis Heart for Service 

Award in memory of Board Member Jimmy Davis. 

The event included a silent auction, featuring more than 

125 items ranging in value from $25 to $1,000, such as 

spa packages, jewelry, entertainment and sporting event 

tickets, household items, and other fun things for the 

whole family. 

CDU Gala honors friends 

and supporters 

Adapted from a news release on the Archdiocese of 

Washington website 

Catholic Distance University celebrated its annual 

gala on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at the Westin 

Arlington Gateway Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. 

This year’s event honored His Eminence, Cardinal 

Donald Wuerl, Dr. Margaret and Ambassador Thomas 

Melady, and Holy Spirit Catholic Church. CDU 

honors individuals and organizations that have made 

significant contributions to the university and its 

mission with the Founders Award. 

Cardinal Wuerl was honored for his leadership in 

the New Evangelization and for his friendship and 

encouragement to CDU for many years. He was the 

keynote speaker for Catholic Distance University’s 

25th Anniversary Gala lecture in 2008, and he was the 

Main Celebrant at the Mass for the 2012 Gala. 

Dr. Margaret and Ambassador Thomas Melady 

have been long time supporters of Catholic Distance 

University. Dr. Melady currently serves as Vice-Chair 

of the Board of Trustees. Ambassador Melady chaired 

the CDU Advisory Board. 

The Thomas J. Welsh Parish Award given in honor of 

the late Bishop Thomas J. Welsh, founder of CDU and 

first Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, was awarded 

to Holy Spirit Catholic Church for its loyal support of 

CDU with annual donations to the university’s annual 

appeal and Msgr. McMurtie Scholarship Fund. 

CDU was established nearly 30 years ago primarily to 

serve the laity after the Second Vatican Council with 

inspiring theological education and faith formation 

at all academic levels using the flexibility of distance 

education. Today, CDU is an online university that 

has embraced the vision of Pope Benedict XVI to use 

the technology of social communication for the New 

Evangelization. The Internet has helped CDU create a 

new Catholic university that reaches throughout the 

globe with inspiring, accredited academic programs 

in theology and adult faith development. 

Gala activities included Mass at 5:00 PM, a cocktail 

reception at 6:30 PM, followed by a black-tie dinner, 

auction, and awards. All events were held at the 

Weston Arlington Gateway Hotel in Arlington, VA. 

Blessing House has been open 7 ½ years and has cared 

for over 800 children whose families were dealing with 

emergencies like medical issues, housing problems, 

domestic violence, substance abuse, and stress. Back to Table of Contents 

Back to Table of Contents 


Excellence in Education 


St. Helen School; Newbury, Ohio 

St. Helen Catholic Church and School in 

Newbury, with its 50+ years of offering 

outstanding religious and educational 

opportunities to the families in and around 

Geauga County, held their annual Fall 

Extravaganza on Saturday, November 17, 

2012 at LaMalfa Centre in Mentor. This year’s 

focus was on the creation of an Enrichment 

Center that will benefit many people in the 

civic community and also be a means of 

sharing parish space with those who wish to 

reach out in a spirit of evangelization. 

“We have already begun a fund to raise 

money to improve our former church,” 

shared Sister Mary Christin Alfieri, principal 

at St. Helen School. “Those who have ever 

visited St. Helen (1949-2008) will remember 

a church that was a former dairy barn. The 

church became too small for our growing 

Geauga community, so a new beautiful 

church was dedicated in September of 2008. 

Our parent organization raised funds for 

the proposed Enrichment Center at our Fall 

Extravaganza. We asked people to purchase 

remodeling space, such as 100 square yards 

for tiling the proposed wooden tile flooring.” 

They envision transforming the 4000 square 

feet of space into a lovely multi-use area 

suitable for children; the middle school 

ministry; the performing arts program 

including instrumental music, general 

Adapted from an article by Patty Arnold in the Geauga News 

music, and dance ensemble; and spiritual 

enrichment groups such as men and women’s 

renewals, Jesus Day, Confirmation Retreat, 

marriage course, and sacramental parent 

meetings. 

The building is still structurally sound and 

does not need to be torn down. “We can save 

funds by preserving it and remodeling it 

to meet the various changing needs of our 

school and church,” explained Sister Mary 

Christin. Projects include new flooring, 

patching of the roof, washing and painting 

walls. “Later, we will enhance our cafeteria 

space below the church and remodel storage 

areas and technology space, all of which 

is located below the former church.” The 

building retains its original beautiful stained 

glass windows and has a barn-like structure 

that is very appealing to the rural area of the 

county. 

This is a great opportunity for the residents 

of Geauga and surrounding counties, many 

of whom have already benefitted from the 

numerous services the church and school 

have provided them, to come together and 

continue the building of a community. “I 

am looking for Geauga County businesses 

that have already shown some interest in 

sustaining this historic building to help us 

through the restoration,” said Sister 

Mary Christin. 

Continued next column Continued next story 

Cleveland Central Catholic H.S.; Cleveland, Ohio 

Cleveland Central Catholic High School 

held its Inaugural CCC Recognition Awards 

Dinner on Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 

6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Wasmer Ironman Center. 

It was co-sponsored by the new CCC Alumni 

Association and Third Federal Savings & 

Loan. A social reception with a scrumptious 

array of food preceded the awards ceremony. 

Outstanding Faculty—Fred Badar and Ron 

Gilak (both retired in 2012); Outstanding 

Volunteers—Mary Beth and John Simon `72; 

Outstanding Personal Philanthropy—Terry 

Brizz; Outstanding Corporate Philanthropy— 

Third Federal Savings; Outstanding 

Foundation Philanthropy—Swagelok 

Foundation. 

The following awards were presented: 

Distinguished Alumnus—John Peca `70; 

Congratulations to the Awardees! 

Continued next column Back to Table of Contents

Through the “Million Moments” project, 

St. John students provide service to make a 

difference in their community 

Star Beacon November 22, 2012 

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the students at 

St. John School in Ashtabula have begun a 

new tradition of helping those less fortunate 

than themselves. From November 12 through 

May 12, St. John School is asking its students 

and families to contribute a million moments 

of service to the community. The word 

“Moments” has a special meaning for the 

project: “Make Our Mission Evident Now 

Through Service.” 

These “moments” can be any act of service to 

help another fellow human being — ranging 

from contributing in a food drive for the 

hungry to jump roping and doing other 

exercises to raise money for a special cause. 

To help keep all of the students aware of their 

goal to reach 1 million total acts of service by 

May 12, these acts of service will be recorded 

on a thermometer in the hallway at St. John 

School, which has a temperature that rises by 

each act of service. 

For November, St. John School has started a 

school-wide drive for the hungry sponsored 

by Catholic Charities of Ashtabula County 

and the Hospice of the Western Reserve in 

order to support the hungry. 

St. John School senior Maria Kovacs was 

ecstatic about the event. “I think it’s great that 


St. John is helping the community. It’s a great 

way for all of us to get involved and help our 

community,” she said. “This school is like a 

family and it’s nice that we can help other 

families in need.” 

In the elementary school, students are 

learning how to become better students and 

people by also participating in the fundraiser. 

Various teachers are also having their 

own lessons to help the younger students 

better understand service. Fourth grade 

student, Davey DiSalvatore, learned Catholic 

values and traditions in conjunction with the 

food drive by learning about St. Elizabeth 

Seton, a saint who lived a life of service. 

“St. Elizabeth Seton was a great woman, 

a great saint. She built the first Catholic 

school in the United States. It was really 

cool,” DiSalvatore said. “She became a saint 

because she was kind to others.” 

The donations will be distributed through 

Ashtabula County Catholic Charities to the 

needy for Thanksgiving. 

Although “A Million Moments of Service” is 

relatively new to St. John School, the school 

has previously participated in other charity 

drives and ceremonies such as Pennies 

for Patients, a drive to collect monetary 

donations for cancer patients, and a Veterans 

Day ceremony to 

honor alumni and 

Ashtabula citizens 

this past Veterans Day. 

St. John School looks 

forward to the many 

more opportunities 

to give service in the 

future. The Heralds 

hope to be an example 

by the way they 

conduct themselves in 

their 

daily lives. 


St John School 

students and 

families collected 

food for Catholic 

Charities as a part 

of the school’s six 

month service 

challenge, “Just 

A Moment... A 

Million Moments of 

Service” (Make Our 

Mission Evident 

Now Through 

Service). Pictured 

are students 

Paul Calloway; 

Jill Valentic and 

Lynn Zawleski 

from Catholic 

Charities; Maddie 

DiSalvatore; Nick 

Perkoski, principal; 

Anthony Kosicek 

and Madison 

Fortune, unloading 

the truck full of 

food which was a 

part of November’s 

challenge of 

giving back to 

the Ashtabula 

community. 



Bits & Bytes 

CGHS grad inducted into hall of fame Students learn from local artist 

Julie Shea Sutton starred at Cardinal 

Grade 5 students at Metro Catholic School 

Gibbons High School, Raleigh, North in Cleveland recently welcomed artist 

Carolina, before becoming a twelve-time All- Guillermo Trizo to their art class. After 

American in track and cross country. 

demonstrating print-making techniques, 

Ms. Sutton was among those who were Guillermo helped students experiment with 

inducted into the North Carolina State their own prints. Guillermo is originally from 

University’s inaugural athletic hall of fame Mexico City and is currently in residence at 

on Friday, October 5, 2012. The ceremony Zygote Press. Creative Fusion, a Cleveland 

honored each inductee with a five-minute Foundation program, sponsored Guillermo’s 

video that documented accomplishments visit to Metro Catholic. 

and memories. Continued next column Tonext story 

Handel’s Messiah performed 

Sister Mary Patricia Gannon 

For the twenty-third year, the Good Tidings Benefit Choir 

presented a variety of Christmas selections including the 

Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah in our chapel. The motto 

of the event was The Spirit of Music, Caring for Others. Members 

of the audience donated over $8,700 to benefit the Geauga 

Hunger Task Force. 

Susan Juhasz, the benefit coordinator, welcomed everyone 

and gave a brief introduction of the participants. After several 

selections by Pilgrim Brass, The Wesley Bells, and Spirit Bound 

singing quartet, the Good Tidings Benefit Choir presented the 

Christmas portion of the Oratorio of 1741. All those attending the program who had previously 

sung in the choir were invited to join in singing the final hymn, the Hallelujah Chorus. 

After a final prayer composed many years ago by Robert Louis Stevenson, the choir sang “The 

Lord Bless and Keep You” by Peter Lutkin, and the Pilgrim Brass played the old French carol “He 

is Born, the Divine Christ Child” as a postlude. 

Besides offering our chapel for the performance, many Sisters of Notre Dame have also sung 

in the choir for many years: Sister Mary Luisanne Breen (23), Sister Josetta Marie Livignano 

(21), Sister Mary Frances Murray (4), Sister Mary Kathleen Tobin (16), Sister Marian Coughlin 

(16), Sister Mary Joanne Miller (11), Sister Mary Barbara Soplata (14), and Sister Mary Debra 

Doig (23). 

The concept of this program was fashioned by Sister Mary Roman Ress, SND, Dr. Arturo 

Dimaculangan, and Sue Juhasz in 1989. It was created to bring the joy of music and 

community outreach to Geauga County. This project has accomplished this and more and is a 

testament to the over 624 people who have been involved over the years. 

We can look forward to the Good Tidings Benefit Choir performance of the Easter portion of 

the Messiah on March 16 and 17, 2013. 

To next story

Bits & Bytes 

NDC receives big Christmas present 

Notre Dame College announced on December 

18, 2012 that it has received the largest 

donation in its 90-year history. Normandy 

Catering, which since 1999 has been Notre 

Dame’s food service operator, has made a 

commitment of $2.075 million over 10 years, 

with $1.75 million in cash earmarked for the 


Sister Merita Strahler wins award 

Sister Merita Strahler was named Tutor of the 

Year at an appreciation breakfast held for the 

tutors of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other 

Languages) associated with the Literacy 

Council of Upper Pinellas County, Florida. 

The celebration for the 75 tutors and 100 

students took place at Honeymoon State Park 

on September 22, 2012. During the program, 

Sister Merita was presented with a large 

plaque featuring her achievement. 

Two of Sister’s students were also present 

at the breakfast. One of them (standing 

to Sister’s left in the photo) was awarded 

second prize for her essay on “How Literacy 

has helped me in America.” 

Sister Merita attests 

that it is a privilege 

and a joy to witness 

the growth of her 

students as they 

become increasingly 

comfortable 

communicating in 

English. Each student, 

on the other hand, 

has had nothing but 

gratitude for growth 


College’s annual fund, student financial aid, 

and support of the College’s general building 

and construction initiatives. There is an 

additional $325,000 in-kind component to the 

gift. The College has received three gifts of 

half a million dollars or more in the past 

eight months. 

To next story 

Sister Mary Renetta Graff and Sister Mary Loretta Pastva 

in use of the English language on the job, at 

stores, in the classroom, and in all aspects of 

everyday life. 


In Sympathy 

Please remember in prayer the following deceased: 

Betty Golden, Florida Associate 

Victor Wnek, brother of deceased Sister Jean Marie Wnek 

Anne Bruss, mother of Sister Marie Julie Bruss 

Edith Bottoms, mother of Sister Mary Kendra Bottoms 


Students participate in “Project Underwear” 

for West Side Catholic Center 

Allyson Klovekorn and Alyssa Rodriguez 

Sister Mary Dion 

Horrigan (third from 

right) congratulates 

students and staff 

upon completing the 

Operation Underwear 

project at Clearwater 

Central Catholic in 

Clearwater Florida. 

From left to right 

are: Casey Moore, 

Mrs. Melanie Kling 

(Theology department 

chair), Dr. John 

Venturella (president), 

Matt Rupple, Mr. 

James Deputy 

(principal), Allyson 

Klovekorn, Sr. Dion, 

Alyssa Rodriguez, 

Susan Fries and 

Andrew Tarcza. 


This summer we and five of our fellow classmates 

from Clearwater Central Catholic High 

School in Florida journeyed to Cleveland, 

Ohio, to participate in the Sisters of Notre 

Dame Summer Charism Service Experience. 

While there, each of us went on several 

different field trips to various sites around 

Cleveland, some of which included the West 

Side Catholic Center, a drop-in center for the 

homeless; the Blessing House, a crisis center 

for children; a center for migrant workers; 

and various Vacation Bible School camps at 

local churches. While the experiences at each 

of these sites were different, they all opened 

our eyes to the hardships and struggles that 

others face daily. Each evening we reflected 

on our day in light of the charism of St. Julie, 

God is good…all the time. 

The Blessing House was one of the places 

that influenced us greatly. A place for abused 

or neglected children up to age twelve, the 

Blessing House provided a temporary home 

where kids were fed, nurtured, and supported. 

When we first walked in, we were 

introduced to the many kids that were currently 

living there. Having obviously never 

met them before, we were genuinely shocked 

and touched when every single child’s face lit 

up, as they came running up to us with arms 

open for a hug. That simple gesture showed 

us how appreciative these children were of 

any visitor that came through, and made us 


realize the impact that neglect can have on a 

child. While we spent no more than an hour 

at the Blessing House, the children’s genuine 

smiles and love made a lasting impression on 

us. 

While the Blessing House showed us the 

hardships that some children have to face, the 

West Side Catholic Center gave us a different 

perspective of daily struggles, this time 

from the viewpoint of adults and families. 

At the West Side Catholic Center, homeless 

people and people in severe poverty can stop 

in for a meal, an opportunity to get clothing, 

and a chance to interact with social workers 

in hopes of moving forward in their lives. 

The West Side Catholic Center also provided 

miscellaneous household items and other 

necessities, such as toiletries, bed sheets, and 

books and toys for children. While there, we 

were personal assistants for those who came 

in looking for clothing or other items. Talking 

face to face with these people and hearing 

about their lives opened our eyes to the realities 

of homelessness. 

One way that we were personally touched 

by the West Side Catholic Center was when 

we noticed the lack of adult underwear 

available, a simple item that defines one’s 

humanity. We were asked, as part of the 

summer experience, to try to initiate with our 

school communities a way to impact change 

among people of need. We felt the best way 

to do this was to create Project 

Underwear. We talked about 

the homeless and the poor with 

the whole CCC community and 

initiated a drive to collect and 

send underwear to the West 

Side Catholic Center in preparation 

for a difficult Cleveland 

winter. Our two-week drive 

resulted in mailing 1700 packages 

of adult underwear from 

Clearwater to Cleveland. In 

this way we involved the entire 

school community in being 

God’s goodness in the world 

today. 


It seems 

I always 

knew 

he was from Cleveland. But somewhere in 

my long life I got the impression that Paul 

Newman was a Slovenian Catholic. In the 

2009 biography, Paul Newman, A Life, by 

Shawn Levy, I discovered that the famous 

star’s father was of Hungarian-Jewish origin 

and his mother of Polish Catholic heritage, 

although she later became a Christian Scientist. 

Historically, the family name appears 

in several forms, none of which have been 

verified. What is certain is that Paul was born 

and brought up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and 

his father shared with his brothers ownership 

of the highly successful Newman Stern 

Company in Cleveland. 

Because the author was by profession a movie 

reviewer, the 450-page book was loaded 

with details of every one of the fifty films in 

which Newman had a role. The heavy procession 

of Hollywood actors and directors was a 

little much for my taste as were the technical 

details of Newman’s later-in-life car-racing 

interests. I found myself skimming whole 

sections. 


From the Book Shelf 

Paul Newman: A Cleveland Man 

The initial concentration on Newman’s slow 

professional growth seemed tedious. The redeeming 

feature of the book, however, came 

as the author depicted the later evolution of 

the handsome, privileged, and “lucky” teen 

from an uncertain young manhood to a fully 

developed, really decent human being. The 

maturing effects of a failed early marriage 

and the death of his only son were carefully 

woven into his life-long self-criticism, 

especially evident in acknowledgment of his 

personal deficiencies as a family man. Even 

while audiences worshipped his handsome 

features and sensitive acting, his personal 

journey drove the star deeper and deeper 

into the truth about his own psyche. 

With that self-knowledge came a corresponding 

thrust toward the support of good causes. 

He practically dedicated himself to the 

underprivileged and weak. In possession of 

gifts extending far beyond “character acting,” 

Newman developed several exceptionally 

successful industries. His original recipes for 

salad dressing, organic foods, pretzels, and 

popcorn made millions upon millions — every 

penny of which he donated to charities. 

The recipient of many awards for his acting 

and his almsgiving, in the end he passed up 

all award celebrations, delighted in donning 

workmen’s clothes, and never refused invitations 

to social activities where he could make 

presentations to children afflicted with cancer, 

for whom he had set up a multi-million 

dollar home. 

Leaving behind millions donated to many 

good causes, astonishingly, his last words 

when he died in his eighties were humble: 

“It’s been a privilege to be here.” 

Photo: Georges Biard. Used with permission © 

Creative Commons license (CC BY-SA 3.0 ) http:// 

creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en 

To next story 

Sister Mary Loretta Pastva 


Photo of Jean 

Shinoda Bolen by 

Valerie Andrews, 

courtesy of 

http://www. 

jeanshinodabolen. 

com/press_room/ 

photos.html 


From the Book Shelf 

A Book for Our Times 

I had two books started, but 

when I opened The Tao of Psychology by Jean 

Shenoda Bolen, I couldn’t put it down. A 

slender volume of 103 pages, it is among the 

richest books on spirituality I’ve read. The 

subtitle, Synchronicity and the Self, names 

the glue that holds together a wide variety 

of systems of spiritual seeking, from “The 

Agatha Christie Approach” to the I Ching, 

parapsychology, atomic physics, the Tao, and 

Christian mysticism. 

The first five of the book’s nine chapters 

explain in easy-to-understand prose 

and intriguing anecdotes the meaning 

of “synchronicity” in relation to Jungian 

distinctions between the ego and the deeper 

Self or collective unconscious. Bolen explores 

these modern systems in terms of the Tao, 

or infinite and ineffable Principle of life, of 

Eastern religions. 

I myself have experienced one of “the 

meaningful coincidences” she uses to define 


Sister Mary Loretta Pastva 

“synchronicity.” The day before I was to 

leave for a stint in Rome, though still not yet 

packed, I felt impelled to visit a dear uncle 

in a nursing home, lest he should die before 

my return. His primary caregiver, my sister, 

was just then visiting her son in Indiana. Just 

as I arrived at the side of his bed, my uncle 

breathed his last. I felt God had sent me. 

The author would describe this incident as 

a following of the deepest self as opposed to 

ego. It was, she would say, a connection with 

the “meaning Principle of the universe” (Tao), 

which, without naming it, Einstein sought 

until his dying breath. 

Through clear explanations illustrated by 

anecdotes, Bolen unpacks the revelatory 

power of dreams, the connection between 

synchronicity and parapsychological 

phenomena, and heart versus head decisions. 

The precognition implied by synchronicity 

suggests that the present and future may exist 

simultaneously because, living in harmony 

with the Tao, or God’s will, one’s heart, the 

intuitive, feminine reality, bursts the bounds 

of time measured by outer activity. She 

advocates a regular return to moments of 

synchronicity in church services, beach walks, 

solitary artistic activities, music listening, and 

other ways to release us from the constraints 

of time. And much more! 

She concludes with a strong appeal to the 

teachings and especially the parables of Jesus, 

— that if we “seek first the Kingdom of God, 

all things will be added.” Among many other 

allusions, she cites the Legend of the Holy 

Grail, the symbol of Christ — that eternal 

source Who unites us beyond the constraints 

of the human ego. She feels it is a message for 

our times. 


Marian Devotional Space completed 

After ten years of Advent waiting, the Mary 

Devotional Space is now completed. It seems 

as if this long wait was needed for the right 

idea to surface. 

In early 2012 a small committee began in 

earnest to create a design that completed 

the Mary space: Sister Mary Therese Brown, 

Sister Mary Joela Leinberger, and Sister 

Mary Laura Wingert, artists and Sister Mary 

Margaret Hess, Sister Mary Barbara Soplata, 

and Sister Joanne Marie Zietz, advisors. 

The universal circle motif not only echoed 

other areas of the Chapel but also qualities 

of Mary we wished to honor. The artists set 

to work creating five circular designs using 

shapes and colors already found in the 

Chapel. Once these were completed we meet 

to dialogue, discuss, and choose the one, 

what materials we would use, and how it 

would all go together. 

We wanted to create a round quilt stretched 

over a wood frame. The size of the frame was 

determined by what would fit through the 

door. Richard Hanish and Ken Burt served as 

our super carpenters and technical advisors. 

They constructed the frame by gluing 

together two hollow core doors side by side 

and cutting the circle. They also stretched 

the quilt, stapled it to the circle, and hung 

it for us. 


Sisters Mary Laura Wingert, Mary Therese Brown, Mary Joela Leinberger 

Photos: Sisters Maresa Lilley and Mary Patricia Pasek 

We chose to use batik fabrics because of their 

richness of color and textural beauty. We 

found beautiful batik fabric from all over 

the world at a little shop in Chardon called 

“Cottonpickers.” Like artists choosing paint, 

we looked at bolt after bolt until we had the 

combination that worked best with 

our design. 

Our studio was located in Room 3048 and 

the serious work start date was “after the 

Barbecue.” Groups who used the room were 

most gracious in allowing us to use one end 

of the room for this purpose. As the design 

of the circle took shape, many sisters stopped 

in to check on the progress. Our target date 

was the first Sunday in Advent which we 

anticipated by a week. 

We deliberately choose not to name our 

design so that the whole area will speak to 

the heart of each person who prays there. 

Sister Mary Joela Leinberger and Sister Mary 

Therese Brown stitch together the batik fabric for 

the hanging. 


The completed quilted 

circle hangs behind 

the Mary statue in 

the Marian devotional 

space in the Provincial 

Center chapel. 

“The experience 

of Advent occurs 

many times 

depending on 

the dealings 

of the Holy 

Spirit with each 

separate person. 

The whole cycle 

of Our Lady’s 

contemplation 

is a great circle 

of rhythmic 

light which 

some people 

complete during 

the liturgical 

year. To others it 

comes in various 

ways.” 

—The Reed of God by 

Caryll Houselander 


Sisters of Notre Dame 

13000 Auburn Road 

Chardon, OH 44024 

January 2013 

1 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 

6 Feast of the Epiphany 

13–19 National Vocation Awareness Week 

18–25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 

20 Presidential Inauguration Day 

21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observed 

1/27–2/4 Catholic Schools Week 

February 2013 

2–3 World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life 

9–15 National Renewal Programs for U.S. Leadership 

Teams 

11 World Day of Prayer for the Sick 

13 Ash Wednesday 

14 Valentine’s Day 

15–17 U.S. Leadership Teams Meeting 

18 Presidents’ Day 

23 Province Day 

“…Today is born a 

savior who is Christ 

the Lord.” —see Lk. 2:11 

Photo: Sister Ann Marie Teder, SND

Connection - Sisters of Notre Dame, Chardon, Ohio

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