‘Changing Habits’ spreads joy wherever it appears

Fran Rismondo saw Sister Act perform 12 years ago at the Gate of Heaven Roman Catholic Church Annual Bazaar.

“‘I thought, ‘This seems like fun,’” she said. “I talked to Marilyn and the rest was history.”

Today, Rismondo is involved with a musical group that started in 1994 as Sister Act with just Marilyn O’Connell and Marcia Matthews as members. The two dressed as nuns and Matthews fulfilled the role of Whoopie Goldberg from the “Sister Act” movies. Their program consisted of songs mainly from the first “Sister Act” movie.

The group initially formed to raise money for the Gate of Heaven choir to go to Ireland but disbanded for a while. In 1997, O’Connell resurrected the group as a musical outreach ministry of Gate of Heaven Church.

Over the years, many other women have joined the group. But in 2008, Matthews felt the need to give her time to another ministry and left Sister Act. Since the women no longer had a “Whoopie,” they felt it was necessary to change their name.

Jimmy Eckert, the women’s “roadie,” came up with the name Changing Habits for the group and it stuck.

The current members of Changing Habits are Mary Beth Banos, Sheila Bonawitz, Carol Carroll, Joanie Gilbertson, Jeanmarie Harding, Anne Lohin, Sister Nancy Lydon, Marcia Matthews (who has since returned to the group), Linda McDermott, Kippie Morgan, Marilyn O’Connell, Fran Rismondo, Faythe Roberts, Jackie Soper and Anna Winkler.

The women perform at nursing homes, fundraisers, parties, church functions and once traveled to Harrisburg to put on a show for U.S. Marines.

“We have a very upbeat show and our mission is to bring some hope and joy and encouragement to our audiences….,” O’Connell said. “It is very rewarding to see someone in a nursing home who came in looking rather down, who begins to smile, tap a foot, or clap in response to the music.”

Changing Habits does not charge a fee for its performances, but accepts free will donations. After meeting their operating expenses, the women donate the money they raise to Gate of Heaven to distribute to the needy in the parish and area. To date, they have given $15,000 to the church.

Along with a new name, the women also developed a new and expanded show that includes singing, dancing and joke telling. Lohin plays the keyboard and Sister Lydon plays the drums to add instruments to the performance.

Shows begin with the group dressed as a gospel choir dressed in red robes with yellow trim and singing religious songs. Next, the women change into black and white outfits and put on veils to resemble nuns. They then sing some of their original “Sister Act” songs.

Before the conclusion of their routine, the women change again and don top hats while singing and dancing to “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and other show tunes and oldies. If it’s Christmastime, they’ll wear Santa hats and perform holiday songs.

The show ends with the group wearing red, white and blue vests and hats and performing patriotic music.

The group is ecumenical and not all of the members are from Gate of Heaven Church. While some of the women belong to Gate of Heaven, some attend other Catholic churches, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Dallas, Church of Christ Uniting in Kingston and Tunkhannock Presbyterian Church.