IN THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS (Matthew 25:14-30), a wealthy man entrusts three servants with different sums of money before departing on a long journey. The master’s expectation is that while he’s away, each servant will invest the amount given responsibly and, thus, reap a profit for his estate. Two of the servants invest wisely and compound the money they’re given, while the third, fearful that the master will be angry if he makes poor choices, buries his allotment in the ground and then gives the identical amount back upon the master’s return.
The two servants who turn a profit are each told, “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” awarded greater responsibilities on the estate, and invited to share in the master’s happiness. The third servant, on the other hand, is scolded and punished for failing to invest and earn interest on the amount he’s given.
The point of this Biblical narrative is that we’re all called to put our time, talents, and resources to productive use for the benefit of our fellow humans as well as for the glory of God’s kingdom. While all Christians hope that someday “Well done, my good and faithful servant” will be the assessment of their life’s work and impact on the world, some individuals exhibit such a strong and loving commitment to God and the people around them that it’s a virtual certainty the Lord will be pleased with their efforts.
One such person is Sr. Nancy Surma, OSF, VP of Mission Integration for CHI Living Communities, who recently announced that she will be retiring from full-time paid work on June 30 after many years of devoted elder-care ministry.
Sr. Nancy’s involvement in elder-care ministry began in 2001, when she was invited to serve on the board that provides oversight to a region of elder-care campuses in the Catholic healthcare system established by the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio. Then, in 2006, she was asked to work in the corporate office with oversight of mission integration.
She explains, “My position has been to ensure all our nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and other outreach efforts in healthcare remain true to our founding goals and ideals and keep our heritage alive, and that all employees live out our mission and values, particularly managers who serve as a powerful example to employees. My role also involves making sure we behave ethically in clinical matters and organizational decisions, that we provide excellent spiritual and religious care to all residents regardless of their religious background, and finally that we’re always attentive to the poor and vulnerable.”
Interestingly, Sr. Nancy never envisioned a career in healthcare. Earlier in life, she worked in education, first teaching math at the high-school level and then moving on to high-school and college administration, which she greatly enjoyed. However, God had other plans in mind for her. “I truly felt it was God’s call to change direction in the way I provide service,” she says. “When that call came, I responded in faith, and it has been a great blessing ever since. I’ve met many wonderful people, including people I work with as well as residents. They’ve inspired me, given me good examples, and challenged me at times.”
For their part, the coworkers and residents whose lives Sr. Nancy has touched are thankful for all she’s done and the strong example she’s always set. “I’ve known Sr. Nancy since CHI Living Communities took over our campus from The Little Sisters of the Poor in 2019, and the transition was seamless,” states Heidi Hoffman, Director of Mission Integration and Spiritual Care at The Gardens of St. Francis, the location of CHI Living Communities’s home office. “Sr. Nancy is a powerful presence and a genuine human being. She makes sure we all understand the mission, and she sets an example by living it out every day. The residents adore her, and many of them enjoy just sitting and listening to her. It was a sad day for all of us when it was announced that she’s retiring. I’m so happy for her, but selfishly I wish she would stay forever!”
CHI has 17 campuses in eight states, each with a full-time Director of Mission Integration and Spiritual Care, and Hoffman is tremendously grateful for all of Sr. Nancy’s efforts in promoting connections among the various campuses. “She makes sure all the campuses are aware of their heritage and that the people in charge of mission integration are in regular communication with one another. It’s so nice to connect with my counterparts, and Sr. Nancy makes sure that happens through conference calls and one-on-one meetings. She’s a wonderful sounding board you can always turn to, and I’ve been blessed with the advantage that I can literally walk right down the hall to see her. I’m really going to miss that,” Hoffman says.
Though Sr. Nancy will be stepping back from full-time paid work, there’s little chance she’ll be taking up the proverbial rocking chair in retirement. Instead—as a good and faithful servant—she’ll continue to find ways to make a difference in other people’s lives. “I enjoy being with people and contributing as I can, and there are so many needs in the world today. So, I’m going to take some time off, get caught up, visit with family and friends, get a little sleep, do an extended retreat with praying and reflecting, and then decide what I want to be involved in next,” she says.
One initiative to which Sr. Nancy knows she’d like to devote more time is a welcome house for refugee families established by Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania. Refugee families can live in the welcome house for up to one year while they get themselves established. Currently, a three-generation family from Afghanistan is living in the home. “I’ve been providing organizational support for this effort, but I haven’t been directly engaged with the family, for example giving them rides to the mosque on Friday or to the grocery store. My plan is to support this project with more direct services in the future,” she states.
