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Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Monica Gundler, who ministers at the House of Charity in New Orleans, is celebrating 25 years in religious life in 2011.
A native of Hamilton, Ohio, Sister Monica said she was influenced to consider religious life by the Sisters of Charity who taught her at St. Peter in Chains School in Hamilton.
“I remember the sisters being very passionate and joyful,” Sister Monica said. “I thought they really ‘walked the talk’ about God loving us, and that if we loved as Jesus loved, we would care for others.”
Sister Monica earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati in 1983 and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver in 1993.
She began her years in ministry as a program specialist and social worker for Reading Youth Services in Reading, Ohio, in 1986. From 1988-89, she served as an education specialist for Catholic Social Services in Cincinnati.
Sister Monica served as youth minister at Divine Redeemer Parish in Colorado Springs, Col., from 1989-92. She was coordinator of youth evangelization for the Colorado Springs Diocese for one year serving as a campus minister at St. Mary’s High School in Colorado Springs from 1993-95.
From 1996-97, she served as coordinator of retreats at the University of Dayton. She served as director of campus ministry at the College of Mount St. Joseph for the next nine years. In 2007, Sister Monica began ministering as her community’s director of initial formation.
Her current position with the House of Charity, an intentional community that is an initiative of the Sisters of Charity Federation. The house hosts groups of volunteers from the Sisters of Charity Federation, including young adults, college groups and sisters and associates, who have helped rebuild the city following Hurricane Katrina.
In addition, since 2010 Sister Monica has served as crisis counselor with Catholic Charities to fishing communities affected by the BP oil spill.
“As a Sister of Charity, I am always called beyond myself to remember my connection to all people,” Sister Monica said. “I hope to be a person who will bring God’s healing and light to others.”
Tags: Sister Monica Gundler, Sister of Charity, Uncategorized