No Ministry Too Small

Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati

By Sebastian Isaacs, Communications Intern

When it comes to serving others, Associate Patrice Harty knows that no task is too small. Since 2023, she has been helping her good friend, S. Joyce Brehm, with her photo project, and along the way, discovering the rich history and memories of the Community.

Patrice has worked on a variety of projects since starting, though she currently organizes copies of photos to assure they’re in the right files. After that, she confirms that any photos being moved are updated in the computer.

Her first project was organizing and condensing the binders of Sisters’ ministries, such as the Sisters’ mission to Peru. “It’s a lot of work, but I enjoy it,” Patrice says. “It’s been fun to see pictures of Sisters that I knew back when I was in school.”

Patrice has a long history with the Sisters of Charity, having been born in Good Samaritan Hospital on St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s birthday. She was also taught by Sisters all throughout her primary education, as well as when she attended the College of Mount St. Joseph.

She originally entered the Sisters of Charity directly out of high school, but discerned after a few years that becoming a Sister wasn’t her calling.

Having stayed connected to the mission since initially discerning in 1966, Patrice came to make her commitment as an Associate in 2003.

“It was a natural fit,” she believes. “One of the Sisters who was with us when I was in formation here said to me after I made my commitment, ‘Welcome home.’ I thought that was really cool.”

Prior to her volunteer ministry with Archives, Patrice worked at Bishop Fenwick High School in Franklin, Ohio, for 46 years. She taught Spanish for 41 of those years, and for her last five, she was involved with campus ministry. “I always had a heart for service,” she says. “It was really a blessing for me to be able to work with students and help them grow in their relationship with faith.”