Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, December 06, 2002 HMs end 98-years of service to Salem St. Paul Parish Blue Nuns opened St. Paul School in 1904; HM Associates continue presence By Susan K. Virgalitte SALEM — The Sisters of the Humility of Mary have ended their official duties at St. Paul Parish here after 98 years of teaching and administering in the parish school and acting as directors of religious education in the parish. They have left a legacy of good teaching, more than 20 vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and fond memories. In appreciation for almost a century of service to the school, St. Paul Parish held a special celebration Nov. 3 honoring the sisters. Sister Ruthmary Powers, major superior of the Humility of Mary community in Villa Maria, Pa., said the sisters opened St. Paul School in 1904 and served at the parish in some way for 98 years, with the last sisters leaving this fall. She added that the Nov. 3 Mass was a wonderful tribute to the dedication of the sisters to the parish and school for almost a century. It included special music by the parish choir and a “prayer song” signed by the school’s 6th graders using American Sign Language. Sister Mary Ann Spangler, the last sister who was principal of the school (1992-1999), spoke for the sisters during a reflection at the end of the Mass. A reception was held, and the sisters and parishioners enjoyed looking at displays of the school’s history prepared by the schoolchildren and other parishioners. While the sisters’ direct association with the school has ended, the order will still have a presence in the parish through four Humility of Mary Associates who either work in the parish or are St. Paul parishioners. They are Jo Barto, 6th grade teacher at St. Paul School; Donna Lynn, pastoral visitor for the parish; and Frances Ziegler and Rosemarie Scullion, St. Paul parishioners. These four women “will continue the charism of the sisters, along with the alumnae, students and parents who have been involved in the school,” Sister Ruthmary said. Associates are lay women and men who work with and pray with the vowed sisters of the Humility of Mary community and share aspects of their ministry, although they do not take vows themselves. The last of the Humility of Mary Sisters to leave the school was Sister Agnes Clare Snyder. She tutored students and prepared student lectors for liturgies. Sister Agnes Clare moved from the parish convent to the motherhouse at Villa Maria to take up a new ministry there. In an interview with the Exponent, Sister Agnes Clare said what most impressed her about St. Paul Parish was the numbers of parishioners who attend daily Mass. “I have been in a lot of parishes,” she said. “But I have never been any place where daily attendance at Mass reached the numbers it does at St. Paul’s.” She also praised the many parents in the parish who volunteer in the school and the dedication of the teachers and staff. “Their love for the school and support of the school is remarkable. You couldn’t find a better group of people.” In a letter to students and parents announcing Sister Agnes Clare’s intention to leave the school, thus ending the order’s association with the school, principal Carolyn Hammer wrote, “Let us remember that the mission of sisters everywhere was to empower each of us to carry on the work they began. Those of you who were taught by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary have that special obligation to extend their charism.”   Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   Other Articles of 2002   Christmas letter from El Salvador missions thanks diocesan Catholics   Bishop shares views, discussion with Central students   ETC slates Christmas specials throughout the season   My Favorite Christmas Memories   Guidelines on religious ed homeschooling are issued   Local Catholic radio station targets Feb. 1 date   HMs end 98-years of service to Salem St. Paul Parish   Learn ‘language’ of young, youth meet speaker urges   Bishop Tobin: Meeting in D.C. on norms was ‘anxious, tense, difficult’   Priests must ask one another the tough questions, speaker says   Catholic death and funeral rites   Deacons mark 25th with Mass, dinner, memories   Diocesan Ministry Convocation Speaker: Global solidarity, not globalization, should be aim   Jusseaume inaugurated as sixth Walsh president   Diaconate marks 25th anniversary with Oct. 27 fete   New norms sent to priests, deacons on Communion under both kinds   Ashtabula parishes are ‘one Catholic community’   Jusseaume to become Walsh’s sixth president   Charismatic speaker: ‘Church being tested in faithfulness’   Lutheran/Catholic covenant event draws 140 to Walsh   Canton St. Joseph Parish observes centennial celebration   HMHP CEO Michael Rowan   Stewardship speaker: It’s about gratitude and thanking God first   Imagination is key to resolving crisis, priests told   War with Iraq? Expo readers opposed by 81-19%   Newspaper columns didn’t give complete story, official says   Diocesan Ministry Convocation set Oct. 26 at YSU’s Kilcawley   New year brings new faculty, changes at diocesan high schools   Mont St. Michel, Avignon’s papal palace are treasures   Preparing for the priesthood   Entering well-earned retirement, Sr. Marcella’s not slowing down   Warren St. Mary observes 100th year for church building   Lay Ministry Formation program attracting new audience   The cathedrals of France: Monuments of faith in stone   Executive summary of the ad hoc commission on athletics in diocesan high schools   ‘No widespread abuse’ found   Milburn leaving pro-life post to pursue grad studies   Return to France yields history, memories, surprises   Two new members appointed for Diocesan Finance Council   Former SS. C&M school razed, but memories remain   Pastor, 80, keeps busy with ‘lots of interests’   Ravenna IC boasts 5 high school valedictorians for ‘02   Humility Sister Sandy Pedone to profess perpetual vows July 21   NRLC convention filled with good news   ‘Capture the Romance’ is theme for NFP Week   Question of moral evil discussed at Walsh symposium   Notre Dame Sisters will celebrate jubilees July 14   ‘A great lady’ retires   Statement of Bishop Tobin on the meeting of the U. S. Conference   Haladej, Celuch ordained to priesthood, diaconate in Slovakia   Bishop plans implementation of norms on sexual abuse   Kevin McCaffrey, Robert Miller are newest priests   Theologian: ‘Behave toward others as though God were there’   Fr. Bonnot: Use good judgment for TV, movie viewing   MOMS: ‘A place to claim yourself’   Storm ‘changed lives forever’ for Jackson Twp. family   Bishop will ordain Miller, McCaffrey at May 25 ceremony   Update on child abuse   Vicar general addresses issue of not giving priest names to media   New Middletown St. Paul youth — called to be ‘witnesses’ for Christ   New Ursuline Sisters leadership team elected to 6-year term   Two receive first pastorates; two pastors change parishes   Abuse coverage   Walsh University dedicates new ‘David’ campus center   Sisters’ HIV/AIDS ministry critical, heartbreaking   Bishop visits St. Peter’s as rebuilding process begins   Chrism Mass theme: Priests can’t afford discouragement   Bishop’s Appeal stresses meeting needs, funding ministries   Diocese OKs closing Conneaut St. Frances Cabrini K-8; preschool stays   St. Stan’s marks 100th year   Canton St. Joseph choir enjoys ‘incredible trip’   New schools superintendent   Four journeys of faith among hundreds marked here   DPC considers direction, importance of youth ministry   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Pro-life dinner heralds new beginning in Stark County   Kids at church   Religious day studies resurrection amid culture of violence   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Keynoter: Eucharist should change us   Speaker: ‘Truth’ key concept in Gospel of John   Parishes offer Lenten missions for spiritual enrichment   Parishes offer Lenten missions, speakers series   Working in Medjugorje   TV anchorman finds faith not incompatible with journalism   Action alert on cloning set in diocese for Feb. 2-3   Austintown parishioner finds fulfillment in El Salvador   ‘Where Faith and Knowledge Meet’   Resisting TEMPTATION: It’s worth the effort, teens say   4th annual Diocesan Pro-life Mass set Jan. 26   Catholic/Lutheran dialogue, death of Walsh president top news   Diocese helping Afghanistan relief   Past Articles From 2001