Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill Volume 30, Number 2 Sisters of Charity Celebrating 150 Years September, 2020 The stories in this issue of Celebration tell how the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill are living the directives of 2019 General Chapter state- Dear Friends, ment of moving beyond frontiers to witness charity and justice to our wounded world. We hope you enjoy learning how we: How different this spring and We, normally, recognize our Sister Jubi- love and support has been our experience • Advocate for and serve with those who live in poverty; summer have been for all larians in July and this was also postponed. wherever we have served. This same love • Model interculturality and reconciliation; of us, as the pandemic has However, we have honored them in this and support continues through you as we • Restore and protect the earth. intruded into our lives. So edition of Celebration and on our website. partner together to reach out to those who much has changed for each I had written, in my letter for the March need us. • of us. Yet the one common edition of Celebration, that we were antic- I hope you enjoy the articles in this Jane Strittmatter, Editor thread that has united us ipating celebrating our 150th Anniversary edition of Celebration. It is our hope that during this time is prayer for of the founding of our community, the Sis- you see us responding to the needs of our Sister Mary Kay Neff, Graphic Designer one another’s safety. Daily, you and ters of Charity of Seton Hill. These celebra- time and realize how much you share in Contributors: your loved ones are remembered in prayer. tions were to begin in August, 2020. The this response. Sister Carol Blazina Sister Catherine Meinert We are hopeful that all of you are well and planning committee for this special anni- On a final note, be assured of our Julia Cuccaro Elizabeth Murphy we will continue to hold you in prayer. versary had worked tirelessly to arrange continued prayers for you and your loved Sister Barbara Einloth We are, especially, grateful for your celebrations in the various dioceses in ones. Let us together pray that there will prayers and gifts during this year. This which we had served during these years. soon be a vaccine to eliminate this coro- donor report issue of Celebration gives us Again, we have found it necessary to navirus. Also, please let us know of your • an opportunity to express our gratitude postpone these events. However, we are special needs so we may lift them togeth- Paper used for the production of this magazine is rated Forest Stewardship for your generosity in a very special way. confident that we will be able to celebrate er in prayer. Council Certified (FSC Certified), containing 30% recycled material. The FSC is an Thank you for your willingness to be part- in the future, and we are hopeful that you May our God bless each of you, international non-profit organization that provides information about forest ners with us in the work of Charity. will be able to participate in these celebra- products (paper and wood). It confirms sources that are environmentally-friendly, Very many of our scheduled events tions with us. socially responsible, and economically viable. FSC certified paper comes from wood have had to be canceled or postponed. In 1870, when just a few Sisters of Char- suppliers that work to protect habitat, prevent pollution, plant more trees than are We wish to thank so many of you for your ity traveled from Cincinnati to begin a new harvested, and avoid displacing native peoples and harming wildlife. FSC forest understanding as we first postponed, and foundation in the Pittsburgh Diocese, they Sister Catherine Meinert, SC management certification confirms that the forest is being managed in a way that then later canceled our Sounds of Charity were greeted with love and support from U.S. Provincial Superior preserves biological diversity and benefits the lives of local people and workers, event of March. This has always been such the people in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill while ensuring it sustains economic viability. an enjoyable time for all of us! 2 3 During the COVID-19 Pandemic by Sister Carole Blazina, CRNP, FNP-BC am a board-certified family nurse This was a good early adjustment practitioner currently ministering because our patients were at home, part-time, 12 hours per week, at where they were safe. I was even given I a federally qualified health center a letter stating that I am a healthcare located in a poor section of the provider and needed to be out and driv- I Greater Pittsburgh area. My current ing to work in the event that I might be full-time responsibility is ministry as stopped for questioning. That was cer- a General Councilor of the Sisters of Chari- tainly a new experience. (I keep the letter ty of Seton Hill. in the glove compartment of the car with As a family nurse practitioner my role other important papers.) Every instance is to address the preventative, acute, and chronic health needs of my patients of all ages– newborns through geriatrics. Early in the year, the news media began reporting on the new virus and the con- cerns that a world-wide pandemic might result from its spread. From that time, the medical director at the clinic worked diligently to be sure that the clinic had appropriate supplies of cleaning solu- tions and personal protective equipment (PPE) that included various masks, gowns, gloves, and face shields. All of these items would be required beyond that needed for regular and routine patient care should the coronavirus reach us. Even before the governor declared the need for “red” pre- cautions and staying at home, our clinic of an interaction with a patient included began changing how we saw our patients a reminder of the pandemic precau- and when we saw them. Routine appoint- tions — staying home, washing hands ments for the eldest and most vulnerable frequently, wiping down surfaces, and were canceled so as to avoid their expo- wearing a mask when out and about. The sure to others who might be sick. Well vis- importance of washing hands is a “given” its for adults were delayed and well visits for those of us in healthcare. It is one of for children who weren’t scheduled for the most common and simple infection immunizations were rescheduled—just to control measures — one that every first- keep everyone safe at home. “Seeing pa- year student learns. It has now come to tients” became a misnomer as we began be seen and understood as the lifesaving holding the majority of our visits by tele- practice it always has been. I doubt it will phone. Video visits are often not possible ever be taken for granted again. as our patients don’t have easy access to People everywhere started talking computers and obviously, they couldn’t about times of uncertainty and fear or go to the library. anxiety of the unknown. One thing we 4 5 In Days of Uncertainty all knew at the clinic was that we needed could enter the building with one adult ac- or sit empty with the door closed for 15 to be present to our patients while keep- companying them. Appointments started minutes before it can be used again. Yes, ing them and our staff safe. The Catholic with a phone “COVID Screening” done by there have been many changes to our Health Association published a prayer the staff asking about cough, shortness of regular routines and practice for caring for called “In Days of Uncertainty.” It is a beau- breath, fever and travel. If the screening our patients. What has not changed is the tiful reminder that we are never alone. was passed, an appointment was made. quality of care for our patients. Even when we must distance from one On the day before the scheduled appoint- With fewer on-site visits, some staff are another, our loving God is always present. ment, the provider called to ask questions, calling patients at home. These courtesy The last line reads: talk about concerns, and obtain history calls are just to check in and ask how we “Remind us, each time we wash our hands, over the phone. When guardian and child might be able to help at this time. With that in our baptism you call us to let go of our arrived at the clinic, they were met at the special funds, the staff arranged for some fears and live in joy, peace, and hope.” door by a medical assistant wearing iso- to get home blood pressure machines Loving God, we come to you full of anxiety about what may happen in I printed copies of the prayer for the lation gown and special N-95 mask who or blood sugar monitors since patients the coming days and weeks. Shower us with the peace Jesus promised to his health care providers and staff at the took them to a room just inside the front couldn’t come in for regular checks. Some disciples, and make us into steady pillars for those around us. In this time of clinic. I know that reminder was a comfort door. There was still concern over bringing families with children received formula, uncertainty and epidemic, wake us up to the reminder that we are not alone. and support to me and I believe for the the public into the main or back area of diapers, or even thermometers.