Sister of Charity Delia Sizler Celebrates Diamond Jubilee

This article was written and sent by the Sisters of Charity Cincinnati Communications Office.

When she was just 8 years old, Sister Delia Sizler knew she wanted to dedicate her life to caring for children who had no families of their own. By the time she reached eighth grade, she realized that the best way to live out this call was as a Sister of Charity. Following her high school graduation in 1965, she entered the Community, beginning a lifelong journey of service that now marks 60 years.

Sister Delia began her ministry in 1968 as a teacher, serving at several schools in Ohio — in Cincinnati, Xenia, and Dayton — as well as for one year at St. Rose of Lima in Denver, Colorado. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from the College of Mount St. Joseph (now Mount St. Joseph University) in 1971 and spent the longest portion of her teaching ministry at Corpus Christi Catholic School in Dayton, from 1973 to 1979.

After receiving her Master of Education in Guidance Counseling from Wright State University in 1979, she transitioned to higher education as assistant dean of students at the College of Mount St. Joseph. It was during these years that she discovered a deep concern for women experiencing homelessness. “I served for four years and realized that some women in college were homeless… I was led by God’s spirit to help establish a shelter for women and children who were homeless… Others shared my passion,” she recalled.

Out of that passion, Bethany House — now Bethany House Services — was co-founded in 1983, with Sister Delia as its first director. The shelter not only provided critical support for women and children but also raised broader awareness of homelessness in Cincinnati and beyond.

Her ministries continued in varied and meaningful ways. From 1986 to 1989, she taught adults preparing for their GEDs at the East End Community Center in Cincinnati. The following year, she helped establish a counseling service in Covington, Kentucky, supporting lay leaders navigating new responsibilities in roles once held by priests. She later ministered as a counselor at New Spring in Price Hill (Cincinnati), offering affordable counseling services for low-income families until 2009.

At age 64, Sister discerned a new call. “After prayerful discernment I knew Juneau [Alaska] was where the Lord was calling me… There is much need and opportunity for service in Southeast Alaska, and I have been busy using the experience I gained throughout my life,” she reflected.

In Juneau, beginning in 2010, Sister Delia worked at AWARE (Aiding Women in Abuse & Rape Emergencies), served on the board of Haven House, a transition home for women recently released from prison, and founded Family Pastoral Services, a pastoral counseling practice. She also divided her time between two parishes before later returning to Cincinnati, where she served as chaplain at Crossroad Health Center.

Even in retirement, Sister Delia has continued to give of herself. She volunteered at St. Dominic Church, and in 2022 was honored as one of ProSeniors’ “Seniors Who Rock” award recipients.

Reflecting on her Diamond Jubilee, Sister shares, “I continue to be blessed with good care while staying open to the Holy Spirit to minister in ways appropriate to my experience, age and grace. It’s truly been a blessed life.”