Many ways to serve

Communications director Sister Mary Rose Noonan, CSJ, named a few of the lesser-known ministries of her fellow women religious:

* Sister Jeanne Pierre Mittnight has spent 30 years teaching and ministering at Albany County Jail. "If you ever want to talk about God-stuff, go to her," one prisoner advised another recently.

* Sister Veronica Wall does social service ministry at Cathedral parish in Albany, Sister Sara Kirsch at Sacred Heart.

* Sisters Patricia Woolheater, Joan Curley, Linda Hogan and Anne Sheridan are parish life directors, leading parishes without a resident priest.

* Sisters Rita Shawn McClaskey and Maria Joseph Cokely help to transport those in need to doctors' appointments and elsewhere.

* Sister Betsy Van Deusen, who once served at St. John/St. Ann's parish in Albany, now works with Habitat for Humanity International.

* Sister Mary Lourdes Howe delivers bread to the needy every week.

* Sister Charleen Bloom is an internationally recognized expert on stuttering who serves at The College of Saint Rose in Albany.

* Sister Marcia Allen and another sister visit the elderly in their homes.

* Sister Alethea Connolly, director of housing and social policy for the order, promotes the Free the Children organization in the Diocese.

* Sister Catherine Crispo works with the Vietnamese community. (KB)

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