The last twelve months have been filled with much excitement as many operations and projects returned following a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a look back at some of the accomplishments and occurrences of 2022.
Blessing of Convent in Kallanode
The much-anticipated convent building at Kallanode was inaugurated and blessed on Jan 20, 2022. The occasion was graced by the presence of Sisters of Charity of Nazareth from near and far, co-workers, parishioners, the Parish Priest of the locality, and the Bishop of Thamarasherry, Mar Remigiose Inchanaiyil.
Celebrating 50 Years of SCN Associates
Jan. 25, 2022, marked the 50th anniversary of the Associate relationship. Associates are women and men who choose to make a public commitment to share in the spirituality and mission of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
When a team of nine volunteers boarded a plane on Jan. 16, 2022, it was the first time in two years since the SCN Lay Mission Volunteer Program had been to Belize due to the pandemic. This mission was originally scheduled for spring of 2020 and had been rescheduled multiple times. Volunteers would go on to build several houses in Belize throughout the year.
Nazareth Academy Mokama’s New School Building
The new school building of Nazareth Academy Mokama had a tinge of platinum glow as the SCNs, priests from the parish, staff, students, parents, and the construction team, including the Engineer, contractor, and skilled workers gathered in February 2022 to thank God and bless the newly constructed school building. The School that had its humble beginning with 52 students in 2012 now has over 900 students and 40 staff.
Sisters working at the United Nations watched events unfolding with alarm and even incredulity.
“I am forced to look at this flawed organization devoid of any powers to protect ‘We the Peoples of Ukraine’ who are confronted with the military might of President Putin and his ambitions for empire building,” said Sister Teresa Kotturan, SCN, representing the Sisters of Charity Federation at the United Nations. Representing the SCNs, Joetta Venneman, would go on the next month to participate in a rally in Louisville that included people speaking from their homeland and raising funds to support Ukraine. The group marched for about 1.5 miles.
The Nazareth archives began packing up their impressive collection in March to make the move over to the former Montessori school building. The Archivists are now settled in and recently received the new sign for their building. An open house is forthcoming.
April 28 was an auspicious day for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth’s mission in Nongdiwah, North East, as the new convent was blessed with a beautiful, well-organized function.
Renovations Begin on St. Vincent Church
Thanks to the support of many, a campaign to raise $600,000 for the restoration of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Nazareth, Kentucky, was well underway in the spring of 2022. Interior renovations began and the campaign would be fully funded by August 2022.
The consultants working with the Visioning for Nazareth Committee were on the Nazareth Campus on May 12 and 13 to assess the buildings from various perspectives.
Sisters of Mokama Book Release
Jyoti Thottam, author of “Sisters of Mokama: The Pioneering Women Who Brought Hope and Healing to India,” recently visited the Nazareth campus for a special book release event. During her visit, Jyoti answered questions about her book, which explores the lives of six Kentucky Sisters who traveled to India in the 1940s to establish Nazareth Hospital.
Sisters, Volunteers Help Tornado Victims
Well into spring and summer, many of Western Kentucky remained scarred by the Dec.10 tornado, but Volunteers of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth kept helping residents rebuild with trips to Mayfield and Campbellsville.
New Provincial Leaders Installed
Provincial Leadership Teams for the Western and Bangalore and Patna Provinces were installed, along with province Board members. The Western Province welcomed Provincial Sister Barbara Flores and Vice Provincials Sister Michelle Grgurich and Sister Camille Panich. Bangalore welcomed Provincial Sister Mary Margaret (Nimmie) Nirmala and Vice Provincial Sister Vijaya Chalil. Patna welcomed Provincial Sister Latika Kottuppalli and Vice Provincials Sister Basanti Lakra and Sister Suchita Kullu.
A large crowd gathered at Nazareth Campus in Nelson County June 4, 2022, for the Run with a Mission Nazareth 5K. The event raised $10,000 to support the Pabalelong Hospice in Botswana.
Women Religious Speak Out Against Gun Violence
In the wake of Mass shootings, six communities of women religious have banded together to speak against gun violence.
Blessing of New Emergency Wing at KHFH
The Most Rev. Archbishop Sebastian Kallupura, Arch Bishop of Patna, blessed the new 16-bed Casualty Ward of Kurji Holy Family Hospital in the presence of many religious priests, Sisters and well-wishers.
Ecological Sustainability Efforts Highlighted
Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and Director of Ecological Sustainability Carolyn Cromer were recently featured in a news article by WFPL News urging “Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities to do more to address climate change in its 15-year plan.”
Project Aids Families in Botswana
A project in Botswana is helping break the cycle of poverty for many families and providing access to clean water.
Floods Devastate Eastern Kentucky
At least 37 people died in eastern Kentucky’s devastating summer floods. SCN volunteers went on to respond to the disaster area to provide relief with home repairs and host drives to collect items for impacted residents.
Central Leadership Heads to Africa
In August, the Central Leadership embarked on their journey to Botswana and Kenya, the Africa Mission of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
Bethlehem Honors ‘Last Sister’
Sister Mary Ninette served as a counselor at Bethlehem High School. On Aug. 15, 2022, Bethlehem welcomed dedicated the newly-renovated Lourdes Counseling Center in her honor.
Ann Kovalcik, director of Camp Maria Retreat Center, has been named the 2021 recipient of the William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award for St. Mary’s County. The camp also celebrated 85 years of operation.
KHFH Bids Farewell to Sister Juliana, Welcomes New SCN Admin
On Aug. 31, 2022, the Kurji Holy Family Hospital community in Patna bid a tearful farewell to Medical Mission Sister Juliana D’Cunah as she departed from her role as administrator. Sister Princy Mathew, SCN is the new administrator. The hospital also opened a new super specialty outpatient department, “Kurji Artemis Heart Centre.”
Home Build Honors Bardstown Teacher
Volunteers returned from another trip to Belize, where they partnered to build a home for a woman and her children. The house build was sponsored in Memory of Carol Cecil, a beloved teacher at St. Joseph School in Bardstown, Kentucky, where she taught third grade for 25 years.
Sister Sharon Gray shares her reflection following the news of the House of Ruth receiving a $6.5 Million grant from Louisville to build housing for men and women with HIV/AIDS.
Sister Joicy Joy and others stand in solidarity with those endangered by environmental hazards in Kerala.
Over 350 guests visited Nazareth on Oct. 20 for a fundraising event to learn about and support the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth’s worldwide missions
Archbishop Fabre Visits Sisters
The new Archbishop of Louisville, the Most Reverend Shelton J. Fabre, visited the Nazareth Motherhouse Campus near Bardstown on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022.
SCNs Mary Margaret Nirmala and Vijaya Chalil, president and vice-president of the Bangalore Province, participated in a week-long UN orientation with Teresa Kotturan, SCN, SC Federation NGO representative. Congregation Vice President Jackulin Jesu, SCN, and SCN Center Executive Administrative Assistant Jackie Smith also participated in orientation. Sister Teresa has transitioned out of the representative role.
Sister Tess Recognized for Work
Marie-Thérèse “Tess” Browne, SCN, received the Labor Guild’s Fr. Ed Boyle award in 2022 for her ongoing work with the Labor Guild to bring equality and justice in the workplace.
A grove of six trees was planted on Nazareth Motherhouse Campus near Bardstown, Ky., on Nov. 1, 2022, representing the six countries in which the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth now minister – the United States, India, Belize, Nepal, Botswana, and Kenya. The grove is part of the 200 trees that will be planted on the campus starting this year to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Sisters being at Nazareth.
Celebrating 200 Years at Nazareth, 75 in India
A virtual prayer service was held on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in recognition of Foundation Day and the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth’s 200 years at Nazareth and 75 years in India. The Bangalore and Patna Provinces also held special celebrations later in the month.
Nazareth Home Receives “Best of” Award
Nazareth Home’s Highlands Campus received a Best of Kentucky Nursing and Rehabilitation Award at the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities/Kentucky Center for Assisted Living’s quality awards banquet.
Campaign Against Gender Violence
The Navjyoti Center, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, organized various programs for a 16-day campaign against gender violence, which ran from Nov. 25 through Dec. 10, 2022.
These are just some of the amazing moments of 2022. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth look forward to what 2023 has to offer. Happy New Year!
Congratulations, Sisters, on a truly phenomenal year of charitable work and selfless dedication to helping those in need. Your tireless efforts and compassion have made a real difference in the lives of so many people, and for that, you should be incredibly proud. Not only have you raised an impressive amount of support for the cause, but you have also given your time and energy to making a positive impact on the world. Your dedication to improving the lives of others is truly inspiring, and I have no doubt that you will continue to do great things in the future. I want to say a heartfelt thank you and offer my warmest congratulations on a truly remarkable year of charity!
Thanks so much for this review of the past year! Each event is wonderful and together they are amazing!
Thank you for this “Bird’s eye view” of 2022. It has been a year of blessings. The India Provinces completed the year with the celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of India Mission. May God be praised.