During a recent visit to Regina Health Center and Mount Augustine, which share a campus in Richfield, Bishop Edward Malesic spent time visiting with retired diocesan priests in residence at Regina, celebrating Mass for the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and observing their elections for congregational leadership.
Mount Augustine is the sisters’ motherhouse. Regina Health Center is an award-winning nursing home that offers assisted living, skilled nursing, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation.
During the sisters’ elections, Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA was reelected as congregational leader. Sister Mary Dorothy Tecca, CSA was chosen as first assistant/councilor and Sister Katherine Andrews, CSA was elected councilor.
The sisters will begin their terms on July 25 and will serve until July 2025.
The existing leadership team, which is concluding its four-year term of service, consists of Sister Karam, congregational leader; Sister Marian Durkin, CSA first assistant/councilor and Sister Tecca, councilor.
The sisters also affirmed a vision statement for the next four years:
“In the strength of our charisms of charity – divine love – we keep our eyes open, acknowledging our fears and hopes as we travel the road of transformation and offer the fruit of love to and with those we minister.
“We do this in the company of others, contributing to the national dialogue of the changing nature of religious life.
“In the presence of the Spirit, with courage and openness to God’s grace, we commit ourselves to continue ‘Living the Unfolding Mystery.’”
The CSAs have served the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland since 1851 in health care, education and social services.
They also have sisters in ministry in the Diocese of Youngstown, in Kentucky and in South Carolina.
The sisters’ ministries include the Catholic Worker Community in Akron; the Centering Space in Lakewood; the Harry Donovan Jr. Valor Home, a transitional housing program for homeless men veterans in Akron; the Interfaith Wellness Ministry in Irvine, Kentucky; Joseph’s Home, a transitional housing facility for recuperating, homeless men in Cleveland; Light of Hearts Villa in Bedford; Mercy Medical Center in Canton; Rainbow Peace Ministry in East Cleveland; Regina Health Center in Richfield; the Sisters of Charity Foundation in Canton; the Sisters of Charity Foundation in Cleveland; the Sisters of Charity Foundation in South Carolina; the Sisters of Charity Health System in Cleveland; St. Mary Parish in Elyria; and St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in Cleveland.