2026 Ursuline Academy New and Noteworthy Newsletter

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Spiritual Development SR. ELISA RYAN OSU: SISTER-IN-RESIDENCE

In March, Sr. Elisa Ryan, past provincial leader of the Central Province, was welcomed to Ursuline as our inaugural Sister-in-Residence. This program is designed to periodically bring an Ursuline Sister to campus to share the enduring legacy of the Ursulines with our community. We were delighted that Sr. Elisa was able to be with us for several days to share her experience as a teacher, principal, and member of the Ursuline worldwide leadership team in Rome. Sr. Elisa began her week by addressing the student body at an all-school assembly, during which she gave an inspiring talk about the history and significance of the Ursuline Order. She also spent time working with students in Theology classes, meeting with parents, board members, faculty, and staff, and participating in the 7th-grade retreat. With her warm and engaging spirit, Sr. Elisa was happy, as she says in her words, “to just be” with our community. And our students were thrilled to spend time with her and make the connection between the school and its mission and the Sisters who established the Ursuline Order.

PRAYING THE STATIONS DURING LENT

Theology Department Chair Dr. Phyllis Morrison worked with Juniors throughout Lent this year to study and meditate on the Stations of the Cross. The crossdisciplinary project was developed with Ms. Gabby Laranjeira in Ursuline’s Art Department and Dr. Chris Benham in our Innovation Lab (iHub). Groups of 3 to 4 students were invited to an in-depth reflection on one of the fourteen Stations of the Cross. They worked together using hand tools to build and then decorate a wooden cross based on their interpretation of their assigned Station’s spiritual meaning. Each group completed the project with a written meditation based on their collaborative discussion and prayer. The crosses were on display in Angela Hall for the community during Holy Week and will be permanently installed on campus.

“Ursuline continues to light the way…Faith, courage, and joy.”

– Sharon Reed-Eramian ’68

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Academic Achievement AROUND THE WORLD WITH MRS. LYNNE PETTI

History teacher Lynne Petti is preparing to travel to Italy with Ursuline students in June—her thirteenth international trip over 23 years as a faculty member. In addition to Italy (4 times), she has led trips to Japan, Greece, the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, China, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Her priority with student travel is to keep education at the forefront. In her view, seeing history where it happened is both fun and the best way to learn.

Some of her favorite travel memories include an immersive overnight stay in a traditional Japanese spa and the emotional response her students had while touring the WWI trenches in Belgium. After Italy, there are more trips in the works: In 2027, it’s a tour of three “cool” countries—Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Students have also requested another WWI/WWII European tour. Mrs. Petti has no plans to stop traveling or teaching “until she’s 100,” she says. We predict many more adventures ahead.

LATIN STUDENTS STUDY CLEOPATRA’S LEGACY

Magistra Alexandra Lyon celebrates Latin as a core component of Ursuline’s history. This year, she chose to focus on Cleopatra as a class theme so that our young female scholars could learn about a heroine—one whose legacy is currently evolving due to excavations outside of Alexandria, Egypt, by a female archaeologist. Students were charged with the study of Cleopatra and the Ptolemies by translating and analyzing Latin passages—connecting the text to modern archaeological discoveries at Taposiris Magna. The project culminated in the creation of 3D-printed coins inscribed with Latin quotations and imagery inspired by the texts, displayed in amphorae (classical urns). The coins and amphorae were created with the assistance of Dr. Chris Benham in Ursuline’s Innovation Lab. Students had the opportunity to share their Latin projects with guests at the Catholic Schools Foundation Gala and at a donor reception on campus.

URSULINE LAUNCHES UAxBC EMERGING RESEARCH LECTURE SERIES

Ursuline is working to formalize its partnership with Boston College—a collaboration that allows students to access faculty and resources at the college and invites BC faculty to work with students here on Lowder Street. The UAxBC Emerging Research Lecture Series launched in January with BC faculty spending a morning with our students and teachers. Our first guest, Dr. Avneet Hira, assistant professor and Sabet Family Dean’s Faculty Fellow in the Department of Engineering, spoke about hands-on learning and how it shapes the way students think and create. In March, Professors Danielle Taghian and Tom Chiles from the Biology Department visited to speak about current research and careers in the life sciences. The goal of this program is to provide an inside look into collegiate-level research and real-world scholarly inquiry.

Alumnae Engagement WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP 2026

“I am so grateful for the friendships, confidence, and foundation Ursuline gave me.”

Ciara Blomberg ’20

Patrice Howard ’04 was this year’s keynote speaker at our Women in Leadership Symposium. She returned along with 22 other alumnae who shared their career journeys with our students. During Howard’s remarks, she said that she and the other alumnae came back to campus because “the foundation we built here is what continues to support us.”

Additionally, she reminded the student body they can be a voice for change regardless of their path, saying, “Your career matters, but so does your impact in the world.” Patrice is an independent journalist and documentary filmmaker with a passion for crafting characterdriven stories that inform and inspire. She has produced cinematic docs, short stories, and radio pieces for clients including PBS/WETA, TIME Magazine, Reuters, Agence FrancePresse, NPR, UNICEF, and Project ALS.

This year’s Symposium also included a new component—a Young Alumnae Panel of recent college graduates giving real-world advice to Juniors and Seniors. In addition to answering questions about the transition to college, they offered tips on navigating internships and extracurriculars and keeping balance in your academic and social lives. Special thanks to Ciara Blomberg ’20, Maureen Fox ’22, Alexandra O’Neil ’21, and Brianna Wesner ’22 for participating our inaugural Young Alumnae Panel.

Commitment to Serviam

INTERNATIONAL SERVIAM DAY

On January 25th, Ursuline Academy joined “sister schools” across the country in volunteering for the fourth annual International Serviam Day. Dozens of Ursuline Dedham alumnae and current students volunteered in tribute to Serviam. Volunteers served at five sites, including Cradles to Crayons, St. Anthony Shrine, New Life Furniture Bank, Dedham Food Pantry, and the Boston Children’s Hospital bloodmobile. Cumulatively, they provided life-giving support to children and community members with food security, medical, and housing challenges.

THEO’S FLOWERS

In April, Ursuline students gathered in service with Theo’s Flowers, a local nonprofit founded by Linda Thompson P’15, ’19. When Linda was looking for a way to connect with her parents, who were living in a memory-care residence during Covid-19, she landed on the language of flowers, knowing hand-delivered floral arrangements would bring a smile to their faces. Theo’s Flowers is a collaborative program using the volunteer power of Boston-area students to repurpose flowers donated from event venues into handcrafted bouquets for seniors with dementia. Ursuline students eagerly rose to the challenge—filling vases and making cards to bring hope, joy, and peace to those living with dementia.

Spotlight On Students URSULINE DRAMA PROGRAM CULTIVATES STUDENT LEADERS

This year, Ursuline’s middle school musical, Frozen, Jr., was extra special, not only because of the talent of the 7th and 8th grade cast members but also the enthusiasm and leadership of the upperclasswomen who directed, choreographed, and designed the sets. When the student leadership team was asked about the experience, Sophie Routhier ’26, one of the co-directors, shared that she loved how the young actors brought “such a great spirit every day to rehearsal.” Choreographer Matilde Bellotti ’27 said it was “really rewarding to have the support of each other.”

And Bella Gagnon ’28, another of the co-directors, noted how much she had grown through the process of working on the production. “It was my first time in a leadership role in theater, and it’s been great to have the other student leaders and cast members to teach me.”

MADDY LUBOV ’26 SETS NEW SCHOOL RECORD IN LACROSSE

Graduating senior Maddy Lubov ’26 ended her senior year with a new school record in lacrosse. She finished the regular season with 236 career goals (before the playoffs), beating the old Ursuline record of 209. In addition to lacrosse, Maddy has played basketball and volleyball for Ursuline. Lubov says, “The athletics program here has taught me so much about what it means not only to be a good teammate but also to be a better person. She goes on to say, “I am really looking forward to next year—I will take with me all of the lessons I have learned in lacrosse, volleyball, in the classroom, and even around my friends in the Tea Room!” Maddy will be heading to Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, in September. She’ll be playing lacrosse in the NESCAC conference.

GET INVOLVED!

The Ursuline community spans the globe and generations. In St. Angela’s spirit of building community, we welcome you home!

With generous support from Regina Sullivan ’78 and the Sullivan Leadership Fund, Ursuline has expanded its mentorship and externship opportunities. These include our annual Networking Breakfast, the Women in Leadership Symposium, and the Ursa Majors & Minors Externship Program, which are all designed to connect current students to our alumnae community. Whether you are an alumna or an alumna parent, we encourage you to connect with us.

Email us at advancement@ursulineacademy.net to learn more and help inspire the next generation of Ursuline women.

DAY OF GIVING 2026

Thank you! Twenty Ursuline students spent the evening of March 5, 2026, on Ursuline’s Day of Giving, connecting with alumnae at our phonathon event. The students especially enjoyed conversing with the community and using landline telephones!

Nearly 700 calls later, the student volunteers left energized and excited about the part they played in raising over $235,000 for Ursuline Academy!