Proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would hit Northeast Ohio families particularly hard, according to statistics from the Center for Community Solutions (CCS). CCS found 41 percent of the state’s SNAP recipients would be affected by a federal proposal to remove states’ ability to calculate benefits based on local utility costs. Reducing the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) starting this year could cost Cuyahoga County $21 million and Cleveland $13 million annually. That breaks down to a loss of about $45 a month for each SNAP recipient. Please urge Ohio Senators Brown and Portman and your representative in the U.S. House to oppose the proposed rule. [More]

The Sisters of Charity Health System has named James Armour as senior vice president of mission and ministry. In this role, he will give leadership and oversight to mission and values across the health system. He will oversee programs and processes to ensure the decisions, policies and programs of the health system and all operating units are consistent with the mission, philosophy, faith obligations and values of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, as well as the elements of Catholic identity and the social teachings of the Catholic Church. [More]

On behalf of the Catholic Health Association, we are pleased to share the following reflection for Christmas. [More]

On behalf of the Catholic Health Association, we are pleased to share the following reflection for the fourth week of Advent... Learning to Pause. [More]

This Christmas season, the Sisters of Charity Health System celebrates more than 168 years of hope, faith and love set into action by the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine. Thank you for sharing in our mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus to all of God’s people. Wishing you blessings full of love, joy and health.

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On behalf of the Catholic Health Association, we are pleased to share the following reflection for the second week of Advent... Be Grateful for John. [More]

On behalf of the Catholic Health Association, we are pleased to share the following reflection for the second week of Advent... The Lord Is with You. [More]

On behalf of the Catholic Health Association, we are pleased to share the following reflection for the first week of Advent. [More]

Members of the Lawyers Guild of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland gathered recently for the Red Mass and the annual St. Thomas More Award Luncheon. The guild presented several awards, including a Special Recognition Award to Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, congregational leader of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, for “her extraordinary service and Catholic witness, as well as to the CSA Sisters, the Sisters of Charity Health System, and their many co-ministers for their dedication to the most vulnerable.” [More]

Cleveland Clinic and the Sisters of Charity Health System today signed a non-binding letter of intent to explore Mercy Medical Center becoming a full member of the Cleveland Clinic health system while maintaining its Catholic identity through sponsorship by the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine.

The Sisters of Charity Health System, which is the sole member of Mercy Medical Center, and Cleveland Clinic will begin a careful and thorough review to complete the due diligence process that will outline how they will move forward to best meet the health care needs of residents in Stark County and surrounding communities. [More]