Bishop James McFadden (third from right), the first Bishop of Youngstown, welcomes the Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart at the Youngstown Airport on November 4, 1949. Bishop McFadden first met Sisters Clara D’Amico, (far right), and Chiarina Antonucci (center), when they came to the Youngstown Diocese in 1946, with permission to ask for financial assistance from friends and associates of their relatives who owned businesses in the area. The money collected helped rebuild their congregation motherhouse in Grottaferrata, Italy, which was destroyed by World War II bombs. Bishop McFadden received the sisters and asked for 10 more Oblate Sisters from Italy to assist him in his newly established Diocese with teaching children and with inspiring vocations to the priesthood and religious life. A 1966 booklet encouraging young women to join the order states that “The life of an Oblate is a happy one because she is called to live close to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the source of all true consolation.” Today, the sisters continue to serve the priests and people of our diocese, “living each moment for the love of God and the persons we encounter.” Top row: Sister Luigina Spinelli, Sister Olimpia Cibelli, Sister Letizia Marino, Sister Dolores D’Achilla and Sister Luciana DiFoggia. Middle row: Sister Stella Fatibene, Sister Agostina Cognazzo and Sister Giuliva D’Amico (blood sister of Sister Clara D’Amico). Bottom row: Sister Celina Antonucci (cousin to Sister Chiarina), holding a prayer book, and Sister Maddalena Angelicola, kneeling.
