Since 2013, ARTZ Philadelphia has worked with people with memory loss and their caregivers to open new doors to enjoyable life experiences for those living with the diagnosis of dementia. The nonprofit organization was founded on the belief that people living with dementia should experience the benefits of well-being and quality of life that other enjoy and do that through art workshops and visits to cultural events such as museums, concerts and movies.

Now through November 18, ARTZ Philadelphia presents an exhibition of artwork created by their participants in CHC’s Dwight V. Dowley Gallery on the fifth floor of St. Joseph Hall. The exhibit is free and open to the public seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The exhibit, Seeing Hope In Color, reflects the powerful visual connections many people living with dementia make when their imaginations are allowed to soar through viewing and making art together. The title is taken from a program participant who answered that her favorite color in a painting was red. “Red. Red is bright and clear and hopeful,” said Pearl. “When I see red, I have hope.”

“People with diagnoses of dementia are imaginative, creative and vital members of our community for whom dignity, self-respect and the respect and appreciation of others matters a great deal,” says Susan Shifrin, founder and executive director of ARTZ Philadelphia on the group’s website. “Art [can be] their vehicle for expression, interaction, creativity and mutual respect. And for laughter – plenty of laughter.”

Don’t Miss It! 

Mask & Foil Drama Club will present “The Matchmaker,” a play written by Thornton Wilder, the weekend of November 18 – 20. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday in the Motherhouse Auditorium. Admission is $5 for students and seniors and $8 for the general public. Advance tickets will be on sale outside the dining hall the week before the performance or by calling 215-248-7118. They also will be available at the door.

“The Matchmaker” features a widow, Dolly Levi, who brokers marriages in turn-of-the-century New York, and local merchant, Horace Vandergelder, who hires her to find him a wife. After hilarious situations involving mistaken identities, secret rendezvous, separated lovers and night court, everyone . . .   

You’ll have to go see it. You’ll get no spoilers here!

The play was renamed “Hello Dolly!” and made into a 1964 Broadway musical with Carol Channing in the lead role and a movie starring Barbra Streisand in 1969. 

Adopt-A-Family This Thanksgiving

Once again, Chartwells is partnering with the Breathing Room Foundation to provide Thanksgiving dinners to area families affected by cancer and the financial, physical, and emotional burdens brought on by the disease. A donation of $75, which can be made individually or among a group of people, provides a full dinner for one of these families. Last year, thanks to the support of the College community, 16 families were able to receive this wonderful gift.

Dinners can be pre-ordered by November 15 by emailing catering@chc.edu or calling 215.753.3609. All deliveries will be made Monday, November 21. Chartwells thanks you in advance for your generosity!

If the Skies Are Clear . . .

. . . on Tuesday, November 15, beginning at 8 p.m., visit CHC’s Observatory, from the 5th floor of St. Joseph Hall for Open Dome Night. If you’re unsure about the weather, check the website of The Institute for Religion and Science at www.irands.org.

Everyone Needs a Second Chance

CHC’s Institute for Forgiveness and Reconciliation presents the stories of three men — Omar, Anthony and Louis — whose lives were changed when someone opted to give them another chance. Individuals trying to reconnect to their communities after incarceration often have trouble finding jobs. Jeff Brown, CEO of ShopRite, has opened grocery stores in urban “food deserts” and hires directly from local communities. Brown and Atif Bostic, executive director of Uplift Solutions, gave these men that chance by giving them work.

The free, public event will be held Wednesday, November 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Redmond Room.

Recent Grad Sworn In 

Psychology Conference Will Focus on Diversity in Therapy

CHC’s Department of Professional Psychology joins CORA Services in presenting a daylong conference on December 9 at the SugarLoaf Campus. “Understanding Diversity: Clinical Issues Connected to Multicultural Competence” is a program targeted to therapists to help them understand the importance of understanding multicultural issues in therapy.

Susan McGroarty, Ph.D., ABPP, director of behavioral medicine at Inspira Medical Center in Moorestown, N.J., and former associate professor of psychology in CHC’s Psy.D. program is the plenary speaker and will discuss the overall importance for therapists of developing cultural competence in practice.

Cheryll Rothery, Psy.D., ABPP, associate professor of psychology and graduate program chair and director of clinical training for the Psy.D. program will lead the morning workshop, discussing American Psychological Association guidelines and mission and how to receive additional training in this topic.

Additional speakers are Scott Browning, Ph.D., ABPP, professor of psychology and authority on treatment within contemporary families. He will focus on the different types of families, including stepfamilies, families of autism, foster care, divorce, "fragile" families and families of murder.

Bindu Methikalam, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology and assistant director of clinical training at CHC will discuss family diversity within South Asian community and Claudia Garcia-Leeds, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology will speak on the topic as it is found in the Latino community.

CORA Services is a community-based non-profit agency offering professional services to children, youth and their families, and maintains responsibility for the program.

Continuing education credits will be provided by CORA Services and certificates of attendance will be awarded. Register before November 25 by calling Ceil Hanas at CORA Services at 215-701-2629.

Mission & Legacy Week 2016 

The week was a great success! With programs across all three schools, a deeper sense of the mission of CHC and the legacy of the Sisters of Saint Joseph were shared with the larger campus community. From Sundaes with the Sisters on Monday through Friday’s service at St. Joseph’s Villa, numerous students, staff and faculty were engaged. Other events included the film “Sisters of Selma,” Service at Face-to-Face Soup Kitchen in Germantown, Pa., Staff/Faculty/Student Basketball Game (which the staff/faculty won!), and the Evening Heritage Tea.

 Also part of Mission & Legacy Week was the 1650 Society Commissioning.  The Society welcomed 10 new members, bringing the total number of students to 21.  Mary Dacey, SSJ spoke about the SSJ Mission & Charism and Jessica Perham ’16, a current St. Joseph Worker (A year-long service program) offered a reflection as a recent graduate & alumna of the society.  Numerous sisters and associates were in attendance.  

Boo! 

CHC students joined students from Our Mother of Sorrows/St. Ignatius School just before Halloween for some spook-tacular fun. The annual tradition helps youngsters in grades K-4 at the West Philadelphia school enjoy some safe Halloween fun.

Hillary Clinton Wins SPSA Mock Election 

The Student Political Science Association (SPSA) held a mock election in October and when the votes were tallied, Hillary Clinton won with a solid 50 percent of the vote. Out of 212 votes, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton received 107 (50 percent) and Republican nominee Donald Trump received 54 (25 percent). Others receiving votes were Gary Johnson (29), Jill Stein (14) and other (8).

And then came the real thing: SPSA hosted an election night watch party on November 8 in McCaffery Lounge. Nearly 100 members of the College community watched with bated breath, crossed fingers and encouragement for their candidate.

And when it was all over, Donald Trump was named the 45th president, leaving many students teary-eyed and in disbelief and others in silent jubilee.

“It was a historic and emotional night of shock and disbelief no matter which side you fall on,” says Joey Galantuomo, SPSA president. “Outcome aside, it was an honor to hold an event that people are going to remember for the rest of their lives."

CHC Celebrates Dia de los Muertos 

On November 1st, Liora Schneider, doctoral student in the Psy.D. program and native of Mexico, spoke to close to 50 members of the College community about one of her country’s most important holidays, Dia de los Muertos, also known as, “The Day of the Dead.”

In her presentation, Schneider talked about the history of the holiday, its religious and spiritual influences, as well as why it is celebrated, saying, “Death is a natural part of the human experience, a natural stage of life. Like birthdays and weddings, we celebrate it.”

According to Schneider, it is believed that on Dia de los Muertos, those who have passed on return to spend the day with their loved ones. It is for that reason that giant feasts are prepared, graves are decorated with things that person enjoyed while on Earth and flowers, yellow zempasuchils for adults and white orchids for children, are placed in a path to help welcome the dead home.

Following the presentation, everyone was given a blank skull or calabaza to color, as these are very important symbols of the holiday. Schneider also passed out bread and hot chocolate, two things that are enjoyed as part of the annual celebration.   

All About Art 

Professor Emerita of Art, Sister Thérèse Benedict McGuire, participated in the juried exhibit “All About Art,” in October at Moss Rehab in Elkins Park, Pa. “All About Art” showcased the work of professional artists with physical disabilities. Although the exhibit ended November 4, artwork can still be seen and purchased online at https://advance.einstein.edu/MossArtSales.  

Holidays on the Hill Begin November 19

Witness the transformation of Chestnut Hill into a magical holiday wonderland when thousands of white lights twinkle in the trees, fresh pines adorn shop windows, carolers sing and brass quartets entertain on Germantown Avenue. Highlights include a holiday house tour, parade, Sugarplum Saturday, concerts, workshops and a traditional favorite — Stag & Doe Night. November 19 – December 31. Visit https://chestnuthillpa.com/events/holidays-on-the-hill/ for more information.   

Discounts for CHC Community

Woodmere Art Museum opens its special holiday store from November 12 through December 31, with special gifts including handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, textiles and more. Even more special is the discount given to anyone in the Chestnut Hill College community — students, faculty, staff and alumni. Get a 10 percent discount on your entire purchase by showing your CHC identification card or by letting Stephen Kurzner, the store director, know you are associated with the College. The store opens at 10 a.m. every day except Monday (when the museum is closed) and closes at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; at 6 p.m. on Saturday and 8:45 p.m. on Friday. 

Passings to note

Florence Edward Sullivan, SSJ, passed away peacefully at Saint Joseph Villa on September 16. She taught at the College from 1971 – 2012. Sister Florence was born on November 26, 1931 and entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph in 1949. She earned her degree in biology and gave her life to education: she taught nine years at the elementary level, 11 in secondary education and 41 at Chestnut Hill College as an assistant professor of biology.

The remembrance on the Sisters of Saint Joseph website says, “Students warmed to her fair, funny, helpful approach, to her readiness to help and her sensitivity to their joys, sorrows and struggles. She was a teacher par excellence who nurtured a caring professional relationship with each of them.”

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Regina Gormley, SSJ, died on September 22 after a brief stay at the Villa. Sister Regina was the eldest of three children and attended Catholic schools in Philadelphia, entering the Sisters of Saint Joseph right after high school. She attended Chestnut Hill College and Catholic University of America. Her lifelong mission in music ministry included teaching music and noviatiates. She was a faculty member, campus minister and parish director of liturgy and music.

Her page on the Sisters of Saint Joseph website reads in part: “She had a warm and welcoming way which endeared her to all. Her life-energy, zeal, wisdom and joy flowed from God. Her contemplative spirit was deeply connected to the Spirit of God and to Mary, to whom she had great devotion.”

* * *

Dolores Malecka, SSJ, died on September 9 at the Villa. She was a CHC alumna, graduating in 1963. She was a Sister of Saint Joseph for 68 years and well known for her quiet spirituality and humility. Her ministry centered around education, and she taught at the elementary and high school levels before joining the faculty of Chestnut Hill College, where she spent 38 years.

The Sisters of Saint Joseph website reads that Sister Dolores made complex concepts crystal clear through her excellent teaching and her clarity. “She was blessed with many gifts … she wrote poetry, created pictorial art, understood politics and loved sports … her sense of humor mirrored herself, quiet, unassuming and perceptive. We are grateful to Dolores, for her life, for her witness. We pray for her union with the one who is Absolute Simplicity.”