Sister Patricia Cruise, of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, will move from the Lakota tribe of the Sioux in Pine Ridge, S.D., to become president of Covenant House in New York City, championing the cause of the homeless and runaway youth.

She will succeed Sister Mary Rose McGeady, D.C., as president of Covenant House, an international child-care agency. Sister Mary Rose retired last month after 13 years.

Sister Patricia, 47, has served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge since 1998.

Her responsibilities there included oversight of three schools, 16 Catholic parishes and the Heritage Center Museum.

Sister Patricia was en route Tuesday from South Dakota to Cincinnati.

"I am humbled and deeply moved by the confidence the board of directors of Covenant House has placed in me by entrusting to me the continuation of Sister Mary Rose's heritage and vision," Sister Patricia said. "I am keenly aware that that vision is permeated with a boundless concern for young people in need and a single-minded commitment to give their lives new hope and meaning. I share that same concern and that same commitment."

From 1993-95, Sister Patricia served in Cincinnati as acting director of Project ENCOR, an employment service of 15 congregations.

She was director of activities at the College of Mount St. Joseph and taught in the education department.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Cruise of Cincinnati.