Living the GOSPEL MESSAGE
About this Issue
In this issue, we explore what it means to live the Gospel message in today’s world. As women of faith, the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville live this out every day, from seemingly small acts of kindness to actively supporting those on the margins.
The Ursulines recently held their Chapter on March 16–18, and reaffirmed their commitment to responding to the needs of the times: They give priority to those at risk, including those who are discriminated against and imprisoned; they denounce war and advocate for policies that promote life, welcoming the stranger.
You will read about the lives and ministries of our jubilarians, who continue to live the Gospel message. Sister Theresa Kruml makes baptismal blankets and serves as a communion minister at Nazareth HomeClifton. Sister Mary Martha Staarman serves as a Spanish translator at the Family Community Clinic, and Sister Loretta Krajewski, by her very presence, ministers to others around her, reflecting God’s love.
In the latest installment of our Sisters in Ministry series, you will learn of the many ministries Sister Clara Fehringer is involved in at Historic St. Paul Church, and how our Sisters in Peru continue to build community and have hope, in spite of political and environmental troubles.
The Associates are thriving and live out the Gospel message through varied ministries. Our beloved Sister Rosella McCormick now rests in the arms of our Lord. She too, lived the Gospel, and St. Angela Merici’s quote that she chose for her prayer card speaks to the Ursulines’ call to live the Gospel: “Be joyous, and always act out of charity with faith and hope in God.”
—Kathy Rice, editor
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2 On the cover/About this issue
3 From Leadership
4–5 Living the Gospel Message in Today’s World
6-7 2026 Chapter Public Statement
8 Jubilarian Theresa Kruml
9 Jubilarian Mary Martha Staarman
10 Jubilarian Loretta Krajewski
11-13
Sister Clara’s Ministry of Presence at Historic St. Paul Church
14-15 Peruvian Journal: Finding Reason for Hope
16-17 The Louisville Ursuline Associates Live the Gospel Message Today
18 Remembering St. Joseph School in Pittsburgh
19 In Memoriam: Sister Rosella McCormick
20 Taizé Prayer
DONOR/ALUMNI RELATIONS
KIM BRADLEY
Manager, Donor/Alumni Relations
COMMUNICATIONS/PR OFFICE
KATHY RICE
Director, Communications and Public Relations
DOME Editor, Art Direction and Design
DOME CONTRIBUTORS
THERESA BUTLER
JANE CRUTHIRDS
SISTER CAROL CURTIS
AMY NALL
SISTER YULI ONCIHUAY
KATHY RICE
LISA STEINER
LAUREL WILSON
Archivist
KAREN HEILERS
Proofreader
The Gospel Call
Your faithfulness matters. Your prayers matter. Your acts of love and works of justice matter. The current climate of fear and polarization, which thrives when human dignity is disregarded, does not meet the standards set by Christ in the Gospel.
—Archbishop Paul Coakley
This quote from Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), speaks directly to our country’s present struggles. His words reminded me of what we Ursuline Sisters of Louisville wrote in our Constitutions about our call to ministry:
“Ursulines carry out their commission to teach Christian living through various forms of ministry. Their ministry exemplifies Christ’s life of love and service. In their efforts to help the world and its people achieve the perfection to which they are called, Ursulines support efforts to further social justice, to alleviate suffering, to promote peace, and to preserve the environment. Challenged by the Gospel message and the example of Angela, the Ursuline Sister attempts to fulfill with vision and courage her call to teach Christian living.” (Ursuline Call #52-54)
All of us are affected in some way by the present conditions in our country and the world. We see oppression, violence, disrespect for human life, fear, and intimidation by our own government. We denounce the recent brutality and inhuman actions by ICE agents in Minneapolis that resulted in the killings of U.S. citizens and immigrants.
Yet, at the same time, we witness the courage and fortitude of people reaching
out to each other in support, protection, and respect. Those who peacefully assemble and care for their neighbors are signs of hope—signs of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Recently, Pope Leo XIV said, “Each, according to their vocation and condition of life, participates in the great work that Christ has entrusted to His Church. Proclaiming the Gospel is an action that is always harmonious and communal.”
In prayer and in faith, each one of us must ask for God’s grace, enlightenment and courage to live the Gospel for the times and conditions we are now experiencing. We must also hold onto what we know in our hearts, however difficult at times it may be to believe, that God is always faithful and will never abandon us.
It begins with simple acts of love— reaching out to each other in support, love and respect with every encounter. We are called to recommit to our Catholic social teachings—to respect the human dignity of every individual. This means standing in relationship with God and being present to one another. Courageously standing in the midst of reality and recognizing the presence of God in each other—that is the presence of God among us.
Each of us, in our own way, must recommit to the Gospel—the Gospel of love, forgiveness, reconciliation, justice, dignity and respect.
The smallest act of love IS the Gospel in action.
It’s about simple acts of love— reaching out to each other in support, love and respect with every encounter. It’s about recommitting to our Catholic social teachings—to respect the human dignity of every individual. It is about standing in relationship with God and being present to one another.
Remember: Your faithfulness matters, your prayers matter, your acts of love and works of justice matter. Let us live the standard set by Christ in the Gospel.
Sister Jean Anne Zappa, OSU President, Ursuline Sisters of Louisville
Living the GOSPEL MESSAGE in Today’s World
BY SISTER CAROL CURTIS
As followers of St. Angela Merici, Ursulines are called to be faithful and flexible. Living the Gospel in real time, our intertwining engagement with justice partners has kept us agile and aware. Together we work to build a compassionate and resilient community from the grassroots up— locally and regionally, nationally and globally.
Much of ministry is behind the scenes— visiting someone who is sick or lonely, listening to a neighbor, sharing in a prayer circle or reading group. While person-to-person works of mercy are privileged forums of encounter, back-room sandwich-making is part of that same liturgy of love. We remain spiritually attuned to Christian living today, listening and learning through JustFaith, Pax Christi reflections, Earth and Spirit lectures, and virtual opportunities.
We also step into the public forum to broaden consensus for policies on behalf of those most in need. Our peaceful presence and respectful advocacy counter the fear fueled by hate speech and escalating violence. Faithfulness to the Gospel brings us into dynamic engagement with others seeking mercy, justice and the common good.
As citizens, we take public stands on issues affecting the common good—advocating at demonstrations for affordable healthcare, peace, children’s protection, immigration reform, food aid, and voting rights. Through our leadership, we support humane immigration policies and oppose family separation, mass detention, and deportation without due process. Grounded in the biblical call to welcome the stranger (Leviticus 19:34), we raise our collective voice against hate speech and violence, standing with ecumenical and interfaith partners to pursue systemic change: abolishing
Our peaceful presence and respectful advocacy counter the fear fueled by hate speech and escalating violence. Faithfulness to the Gospel brings us into dynamic engagement with others seeking mercy, justice and the common good.
the death penalty, ending gun violence, and combating human trafficking.
Recent demonstrations in Minnesota, in the wake of ICE shootings, reverberated across the country. In Louisville, unrest reawakened memories of George Floyd and renewed the reckoning with Breonna Taylor’s death. Racism intertwines with many other issues—economic redlining, environmental hazards, access to healthcare, to name a few. With St. Angela, we recognize truth, integrity and respectful dialogue as prerequisites for peace.
With community partners, we have helped establish shelters, food pantries, soup kitchens and recovery centers and continue to support them. This past year’s rapid crises—compounded by federal funding cuts— have strained resources and jeopardized families’ access to essential services. Alongside other nonprofits, we worked to secure food, housing, healthcare and disaster relief, restocking depleted pantries and supporting centers as they pivoted to meet the most urgent needs.
Our 60 years of ministry in Peru has translated into vibrant engagement with Latino communities in the United States. Our connection with Centro Latino in Shelbyville and La Casita Center in Louisville has taught us the important role of immigrant-led outreach. Two of our returned hermanas-misioneras provide Spanish translation for Family Community Clinic, which serves a diverse population. With Catholic Charities and Kentucky Refugee Ministries, we welcome immigrants and refugees, helping them settle into new homes and embrace a new language and culture.
Grounding our concern for the common good is our commitment to ommitment to respect and restore our common home. Responding to the Laudato Si’ call, we unite with Catholic Climate Covenant and other faith-based groups to advocate for clean air and water, sustainable land use, and preservation of forests. Visits to West Virginia remind us of the community impact of environmental exploitation. The Catholic Committee of Appalachia invites us to be “at home in the web of life.”
How do we live the Gospel today? St. Angela points us to Jesus Christ: “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.” She reminds us to be “piazzevole”— graciously attentive and welcoming, seeking to spread peace wherever we are. To our world, we bring the living witness of our unity in the Lover of us all.
How do we live the Gospel today?
St. Angela points us to Jesus Christ: “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.”
Top: Sisters Mary Jo Gramig and Martha Jacob at Stations of the Cross. Bottom: Sister Mary Martha Staarman with patients at Family Community Clinic where she serves as a Spanish translator.
L-R: Laurel Wilson, Sisters Agnes Coveney, Jean Anne Zappa, Janet Marie Peterworth and Kathy Neely at No Kings March, October 2025.
The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, March 18, 2026.
2026 CHAPTER
Public Statement
According to the Constitutions of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, a Chapter is “a gathering of sisters which are the representative body of the congregation. It examines the spirit of the congregation in the light of the gospel, the charism of St. Angela Merici and the call and needs of the Church.” (#85)
Our Constitutions also state, “In their efforts to help the world…the Ursuline Sisters support efforts to further social justice, to alleviate suffering, to promote peace and preserve the environment. Challenged by the Gospel message and the example of St. Angela, the Ursuline sister attempts to fulfill with vision and courage her call to teach Christian living.” (#53, 54).
Following our Ursuline Call, and our Chapter held March 16–18, 2026, the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville issue this public statement:
The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville make this statement as women religious committed to living the Gospel in this moment of our world’s history. In the spirit of our foundress, St. Angela Merici, we seek to respond to the needs of our time with courage, trust, and love. Faithful to our tradition of contemplative love and service, we reaffirm our dedication to the dignity of every person and the care of our common home. Respecting the diversity of cultures whose life and values are threatened, we invite all people to join in the sacred work of healing our world. The Gospel mandates us to recognize Christ in those who are excluded in society. We give priority to those most at risk—the poor, the displaced, the imprisoned, and all who suffer discrimination, violence, or injustice. Standing in solidarity with those whose voices are unheard, we commit ourselves to building communities where all can live in safety and hope.
We denounce war, military buildup, and the proliferation of nuclear weapons which threaten all humanity. We commit to the active practice of non-violence, creating peace and speaking with truth and respect in public life.
We pledge both compassionate presence and active advocacy for policies that protect human life and dignity, promote peace, welcome the stranger, and safeguard the earth for future generations.
Believing in the interconnectedness of all of life, we continue to walk with others, holding sacred every effort to protect and sustain the incredible mystery of creation.
OUR JUBILARIANS Sister Theresa Kruml
BY KATHY RICE
Sister Theresa (Stanislaus) Kruml says, “A listening heart, joyful spirit and trust in God’s divine mercy have helped me to accept life’s daily crosses as I have attempted to grow in God’s love. All my life it has been my goal to serve God with a more loving heart.”
Sister Theresa found her calling early in life. When she was in third grade, a priest told her she would one day become a religious sister. “That was it,” she recalled, and she never looked back. Growing up on a farm in Burwell, Nebraska, the second of five children, Theresa was shaped by a devout Catholic family, a love of Mass and parish missions, and a practical work ethic that could take her from killing and cleaning a chicken, to sewing a dress, without missing a beat.
While boarding at St. Patrick’s Academy in Sidney, Nebraska, she met the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. Drawn to their spirit and mission, she entered the community as a candidate at just 16-years-old, completing her schooling at Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville. Her sister, Georgia Jean (now deceased), would later join the same Ursuline community.
A graduate of Ursuline College, Sister Theresa loved learning, and went on to earn a master’s degree in education from Creighton University and a master’s degree in pastoral theology from St. Mary-of-the-Woods.
She spent 33 years teaching in Catholic schools across Kentucky,
Pennsylvania, Indiana and Nebraska. Her goal was always to make learning exciting. “Children will rise to your expectations of them if you call out their gifts,” she reflects. After retiring from the classroom, she studied clinical pastoral education at Humana Hospital-University of Louisville, earned certification as a Catholic hospital chaplain, and served at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, for nearly seven years.
In 1994, Sister Theresa moved to Iowa City, Iowa, to serve as chaplain at Mercy Iowa City Hospital until 2013, retiring at the age of 79, and then kept going. She continued as a volunteer chaplain at the hospital and at Mercy Home Health. Additionally, she served in pastoral ministry at St. Wenceslaus Parish in Iowa City from 2013 to 2022.
Now in her 90s, Sister Theresa remains active as a communion minister at Nazareth Home-Clifton. She also crafts baptismal blankets for several parishes, pouring love into every stitch. “Every stitch is made with love,” she says, “and the mistakes are like our soul after baptism. We are not perfect until we die.” The blankets are cherished keepsakes, meant for each child to treasure and one day pass on to their own children.
Across every chapter of her life as farm girl, teacher, chaplain and pastoral minister, Sister Theresa has carried the same spirit: a cheerful smile, a listening heart, and what she calls the ripple effect of grace. She has several stories of meeting strangers, who are now dear friends, who have entered the Church as a result of an encounter with her.
She tells of one such encounter with a man who followed her down the aisle of a grocery store, informing her, “You know, I’m an atheist.” She said to him in reply, “That’s nice, I hope you are a good one.” He ended up buying supplies for her to take to the crisis center she was going to that day!
Sister Theresa puts it simply: “You’ll never bring anyone to the Church unless you’re welcoming and accepting. I just want people to be better for having known me.”
With a listening heart and joyful spirit, Sister Theresa continues to stitch love into the world—one prayer and one blanket at a time.
Sister Mary Martha Staarman
BY KATHY RICE
Sister Mary Martha (Joseph Marie) Staarman, a native of Cumberland, Maryland, who had Ursuline Sisters as teachers at St. Mary School (K-12), reflects, “When I entered the community, it was in part because I didn’t want to work in mission lands—and the Ursulines didn’t ‘do’ missions. But, God has a sense of humor!”
After Pope John XXIII called on religious communities to send 10 percent of their members to Latin America, the Louisville Ursulines answered, asking for volunteers to commit five years to a mission in Carmen de la Legua, Peru.
In 1964, after a few years teaching in Louisville and earning a bachelor’s degree from Ursuline College, Sister Mary Martha put her name in as a volunteer on a whim. “I begged to get out of it when my name was called, but Mother Agnes Marie Long kept telling me all would be well. I had no idea where Peru was—I had to look it up on a map!”
After an intensive Spanish language course, Sister Mary Martha began what became a 15-year mission. She and Sister Lee Kirchner founded Santa Angela Merici Parish School in Carmen de la Legua, then a slum area just outside Lima. The school celebrated its 60th anniversary in October 2025 and serves over 400 pre-k through high school students.
After a few years in the classroom, she moved into pastoral work at Santa
Angela Merici Parish—running a health clinic, teaching catechism, and ministering to youth.
During her time in Peru, she crossed paths with Gustavo Gutiérrez, the father of Liberation Theology, whose work sought to see the Gospel through the eyes of the poor. Santa Angela Merici Parish was a pilot site for his work. When the parish priest could not attend meetings with Gutiérrez, Sister Mary Martha went in his place.
Liberation Theology was lived out through small, grassroots communities. Sister Mary Martha, who earned certificates in pastoral ministry from institutes in Ecuador and Lima, helped organize women whose neighborhood lacked running water to march to local government offices and demand their rights. “They went, and they went, and they went,” she said. “And finally, after about two years, they got water. This was Liberation Theology in practice— helping people recognize their dignity and their rights.”
Returning to the United States in 1978, she served in various pastoral ministries. For 32 years, she worked with Mexican immigrants in West Chester, Pennsylvania, often accompanying women through pregnancy and early childcare. “I have
over 500 grandchildren!” she jokes, staying in contact with many families to this day.
“The Peru assignment changed my life,” she reflects. “I found my vocation among the people there. It made me see religious life in a completely different context.” After struggling through a serious illness and unable to understand her doctors, she was moved to help others in similar situations—beginning her ministry of accompanying pregnant women in the delivery room. “I took the place of their madres, who traditionally would be with their daughters in childbirth.”
Sister Mary Martha’s ministry continues at Family Community Clinic in Louisville, founded in 2011 by parishioners of St. Joseph Catholic Church. The clinic provides free primary healthcare to uninsured individuals, operating on donations and grants without federal funding. She serves as a Spanish/English translator, bridging the provider’s English and the patients’ Spanish.
Once a reluctant missionary, Sister Mary Martha continues that work today—bridging language barriers, building community, and serving those most in need.
OUR JUBILARIANS
Sister Loretta Krajewski
BY KATHY RICE
Sister Loretta Krajewski, a native of Ogallala, Nebraska, marks her 50th jubilee this year. One of six girls in her family, Sister Loretta was first taught by Dominicans in grade school, who came to the family farm for visits. There, she got to know Sisters as real people. Sister Loretta said, “The seeds of my religious life were sown in me by my parents at a very early age.”
She attended high school at St. Patrick’s Academy in Sidney, Nebraska, where she was taught by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. She recalled, “The Ursuline Sisters I had were more than just teachers—they were my friends.”
During college at Kearney State College (now the University of Nebraska at Kearney), whenever thoughts of entering religious life occurred, she would “throw them off,” as she was growing intellectually, growing as a person, and having fun. However, she recalled, “When I would really reach into my deepest center, I knew I wanted to devote my whole life to the Lord, and I wanted to live in community.”
She procrastinated a bit, telling herself, “I am not good enough; I don’t know enough; my faith isn’t strong enough, and so on.” After moving to Louisville and entering the Ursuline community, she expressed some of these doubts to the late Sister Martha (Olga) Buser, her novice director. Sister Martha wisely told her, “There is no such thing as a perfect Ursuline.”
Sister Loretta refers to Sister Martha as her “anchor,” and was also very close to the late Sister Rosella McCormick, who was from Nebraska. Sister Rosella visited Loretta at college during a time of discernment, and they kept up with Nebraska sports teams together through the years. She holds these two women close to her heart, calling them her “touchstones.”
When Sister Loretta made final vows in 1980, she had already been teaching since 1975, beginning at St. Elizabeth School in Louisville. She taught for 44 years, earning her master’s in religious education from St. Meinrad School of Theology in 1986. She taught for many years in Louisville before returning to Ogallala, her hometown, to serve at St. Luke’s Catholic School, where she had attended grade school. She served there from 2005–2020. “I touched a lot of children’s lives, and their parents, too,” she reflects. She also served on the Vocation Team for the Ursulines from 2006–2007.
Her years in Nebraska also brought an unexpected gift. After her father’s health declined, Sister Loretta found herself caring for him during his final years—a role she hadn’t anticipated
but embraced fully. She describes those years: “I did the best I could with what I didn’t know.” Those words, hung on a piece of paper in her room, capture her philosophy on life—an acknowledgement of venturing into the unknown with humility and faith.
When Sister Loretta retired from teaching, she was the last teaching religious in the Diocese of Grand Island, Nebraska, ending 105 years of Louisville Ursulines’ teaching ministry in Nebraska.
Sister Loretta’s journey has not been without suffering. Breast cancer, a knee replacement, a lumbar fusion, and vision loss from retinitis pigmentosa have tested her body in ways few could imagine. A subsequent diagnosis of Parkison’s Disease added to those trials. A fall that left her unable to walk independently led her to Nazareth Home-Clifton, where she now lives in a ministry of prayer and presence, often ministering to the staff. She navigates each day with a spirit that refuses to give in to bitterness. “Some days I just call it hard,” she admits.
“But I know God loves me.”
Sister Clara’s Ministry of Presence at Historic Saint Paul Church
When declining eyesight seemed to be closing the door on her ministry as parish life director at Historic Saint Paul Church in Lexington, Kentucky, Sister Clara Fehringer instead found a new way to “Carry on steadfastly and faithfully the work you have undertaken,” as St. Angela Merici had directed her companions to do. “I knew I had to let go of many aspects of my present ministry,” she reflects. “With the support and guidance of my co-workers, parishioners and friends, I carved out what I named a ‘Ministry of Presence.’ ”
BY KATHY RICE
Sister Clara, left, with parishioners and Bishop John Stowe.
Each weekend, Sister Clara opens every Mass at St. Paul with a “Call to Worship”—a short reflection on the day’s Scripture readings. Stan “JR” Zerkowski, the current pastoral associate at Saint Paul and executive director of Fortunate Families, reflects, “Her presence— the active, vocal, prayerful presence—in the sanctuary at Mass has been what has drawn many to our parish. It is so uncommon for the voice and presence of a woman to be part of every Mass. What Sister Clara has given to this parish by her liturgical role can never be adequately measured, despite so many finding in her voice and presence a clear sign of hope.”
She coordinates the counting of the weekly collection and helps coordinate Children’s Church for the parish’s youngest members. A former parish administrator, Sister Clara’s stewardship of parish resources was taken very seriously, and she, in turn, taught the parish about being good stewards of their financial gifts, as well as of creation, according to JR.
Sister Clara also visits women and men at the Catholic Action Center, a shelter for those who would otherwise be living on the streets. JR says, “Sister Clara goes to the margins regularly. She is beloved because of her unique capacity to look beyond those things that others often cannot look beyond, to see and embrace Jesus. Her love is contagious.”
She also serves as a delegate for religious in the Diocese of Lexington, welcoming sisters new to the
diocese and coordinating gatherings between the bishop and vowed religious, parish life directors and priests of religious communities. JR adds, “Sister Clara’s example speaks volumes about the potential of religious life and the character of religious life. Her life has been a diverse encounter with Jesus and she, just by being herself, is model and call.”
As Sister Clara says, “For me, it’s all about relationship and how we can help one another.”
One of Sister Clara’s most lasting ministries began with a simple need. Years ago, she organized a “5 o’clock group” that offered babysitting for young children so their parents could enjoy time together after the Saturday evening Mass. As those children grew up, the parents’ need for childcare declined, but the women’s desire for community did not.
Sister Clara, left, with parishioners and JR Zerkowski at an LGBTQ event.
The group found new purpose in a shared book: “Having Mary’s Heart in a Martha’s World.” Inspired by its message, they named themselves Mary’s Group— women committed to letting go of what isn’t essential and becoming more relational with their families and one another. Through the years, they have supported each other through grief, illness and the joy of watching their children grow. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they checked in on each other via Zoom. When one member lost her husband to cancer, the group rallied around her. When a child performs in a school play or graduates, everyone is invited to celebrate.
“It’s kind of like they’re helping to raise each other’s children,” Sr. Clara says. “When things get really hard, they feel they can call on each other for help.”
and greeters. Sister Clara has also helped facilitate understanding among older parishioners for whom acceptance has required real growth. “Our faith community has come a long way in accepting and loving every person,” she says, acknowledging that the journey has not always been easy.
The weekly spiritual reflections Sister Clara writes for the parish bulletin demonstrate a deep understanding of scripture combined with a servant’s heart. Sister Clara describes Gospel justice as “receiving what one needs”— not merely what one deserves. She raises the challenge to “lose our life” by setting down material preoccupations and making time for the neighbor in need. When she writes that our God is “a God of Surprises”— one who chooses the shepherd boy,
Sister Clara’s work with the LGBTQ community at St. Paul has been prophetic. A large sign outside the church reading “All Are Welcome” has drawn people in who once believed the doors of any church were closed to them. Inside, a banner proclaims: “Diversity is our strength.” The group gathers monthly for a social that has grown steadily—because, as Sr. Clara explains, “People need a safe place to be, no matter what their gender identity is.”
Many who first came through those doors tentatively have become active members of the parish community—serving as lectors, eucharistic ministers
heals on the Sabbath and meets us in bread and wine, she invites the parish to “surprise the world with acts of kindness, justice and hope.”
Each reflection closes with the same phrase: “While we have time, let us do good.” This perfectly captures the essence of who Sister Clara is—a Gospel woman who, when faced with fading eyesight, found new ways to “do good.”
To view videos about Sister Clara’s ministries, please scan the QR codes, right.
Peruvian Journal: Finding Reason for Hope
BY SISTER YULI ONCIHUAY
In the time in which we live, I see the need to talk about hope. Despite the discouragements, the disenchantments, the power struggles, the confrontations between countries and the cry of the earth, we must continue to build community so as not to feel disconnected and isolated.
Community building is a way of life; it is a way of seeing the world and interacting with others. By continuing to build community, we can create a positive impact on people and society at large—at school, at work and in our neighborhoods. Last month, all the staff at our school had the opportunity to hear Auxiliary Bishop Miguel Ángel Contreras Llajaruna speak at our annual retreat. He reminded us that listening, acceptance and accompaniment of children and young people gives
By continuing to build community, we can create a positive impact on people and society at large—at school, at work and in our neighborhoods.
“And Life Will Win,” the importance of maintaining hope in a world full of challenges and difficulties was highlighted.
When I speak of the cry of the earth, I see how the world is being affected by climate change, which brings with it many disasters—as is currently happening in Peru. We are experiencing a climatic phenomenon known as El Niño Costero, which has caused intense rains, river overflows, loss of life and damage to infrastructure in several regions of the country, including Cajamarca,
us reason for hope. He also offered advice for working with parents, such as affirming that everyone matters, developing emotional intelligence, and offering positive messages to students, teachers and parents.
Our brother and friend, Father Felipe Zegarra, who served as our pastor for many years at our parish, Santa Angela Merici, and who is now in the arms of God, believed that community is a space where people can grow and develop in an integral way. In his book, “Reasons for Hope,” he wrote about the importance of creating spaces that allow people to deploy their capacities in positive and transformative ways. Father Zegarra was a man of hope who believed that life could always be better. In his tribute,
Arequipa, Tumbes, Piura and Lambayeque. We had the opportunity to visit Arequipa in January, when everything was very beautiful. Now everything is in disarray because of flooding that has swept away homes in its path.
Finally, the political situation in Peru is very unstable. Since 2021, the country has been experiencing a constant political crisis, with presidents failing to finish their terms and ongoing clashes between congress and the executive branch. Since 2020, Peru has had seven presidents; the current president is José María Valcázar. Presidential elections are approaching in April, with a field of 40 candidates to choose from. It is difficult to feel optimistic about the outcome; but still, we have hope.
When I speak of the cry of the earth, I see how the world is being affected by climate change, which brings with it many disasters—as is currently happening in Peru. We are experiencing a climatic phenomenon known as El Niño Costero, which has caused intense rains, river overflows, loss of life and damage to infrastructure in several regions of the country, including Cajamarca, Arequipa, Tumbes, Piura and Lambayeque.
Heavy rains in Arequipa left streets flooded. Photo: GEC
A farmhouse of Chalaques, San Miguel, where heavy rains caused landslides across the region.
Santa Angela Merici School staff on retreat.
The Louisville Ursuline Associates Live the Gospel Message Today
BY JANE CRUTHIRDS, LISA STEINER, THERESA BUTLER AND AMY NALL
The Louisville Ursuline Associates seek to live the Gospel by carrying the charism of St. Angela Merici and the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville into the ordinary rhythms of daily life. Rooted in prayer and compassion, we strive to love God and neighbor with intentionality, trusting that God’s grace meets us in each moment. Our ministries—whether acts of service, quiet presence, or faithful accompaniment—flow from a desire to respond to God’s call and to share St. Angela’s “piazza of the heart” with all whom we encounter.
Leading with compassion is central to the Ursuline spirit. During a recent Associate reflection group dialogue on compassion, Lisa Steiner was moved by the image of the Good Samaritan and the simple, yet profound truth that “what happens to you matters to
Genuine compassion invites us not to judge, but to wonder: What burden might this person be carrying? How is God inviting me to respond?
—Associate Lisa Steiner
me.” Lisa reflected that one way she can live the Gospel each day is through what she calls micro-compassions— small, intentional gestures that help others feel seen and valued. A smile, kind word, or moment of attentive presence becomes a way to honor the dignity of another. Lisa remarked, “Genuine compassion invites us not to judge, but to wonder: What burden might this person be carrying? How is God inviting me to respond?” In her eighth counsel, St. Angela asks, “Who can judge the heart and innermost secret thoughts of any creature?” Committed to spreading micro-compassions each day, Lisa feels the Holy Spirit stirring within her, and thanks God for her many blessings.
Formation in the way of St. Angela and a life of prayer continually shape the Associates’ desire to serve. Associate Theresa Butler was inspired by her brother, Jim’s work in social justice, and her Ursuline relationships deepened her commitment to peace and justice. Though she acknowledges slowing down in her eighties, her dedication to the work of peace and justice remains strong. Theresa continues to serve on the board of the Louisville-based Friends of Esquipulas nonprofit, alongside Sister Janet Marie Peterworth and Associate Judy Heitzman. This organization was born from a sister–parish relationship between St. William Parish in Louisville and Our Lord of Esquipulas Parish in Nicaragua. The Friends of Esquipulas support a medical care facility in Esquipulas. The work of the Friends of Esquipulas carries special meaning for Theresa and Judy,
RRIERS
The Louisville Ursuline Associates seek to live the Gospel by carrying the charism of St. Angela Merici and the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville into the ordinary rhythms of daily life. Rooted in prayer and compassion, we strive to love God and neighbor with intentionality, trusting that God’s grace meets us in each moment.
who have traveled to Nicaragua to build friendships with people of limited means and amazing hearts. The compassion of the Nicaraguan people is evident, even amidst government oppression.
Associate Amy Nall lives the Gospel through her ministry as superintendent of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Like St. Angela, Amy’s faith is a guidepost for her ministry. Inspired by Ephesians 4:12, “Equip the holy ones for the work of ministry,” Amy views her work as an opportunity to support educators as they form young disciples. She strives to model the Gospel through her words and actions, nurturing a culture where Christ’s love remains at
the heart of Catholic education. In caring for leaders, teachers and families, Amy embodies the daily call to discipleship and encourages others to do the same.
As Ursuline Associates, we continue to seek God’s presence and respond with open hearts to the needs around us, thereby centering the Gospel in our everyday lives. Inspired by St. Angela’s wisdom and Jesus’ call to compassion, we strive to let our lives speak through simple acts of kindness, faithful service, and steady hope. May the Holy Spirit guide us as we walk together, encouraging one another to deepen our discipleship and to share God’s love generously in our families, communities and the world.
Associate Amy Nall (far right) presents the Irene Casey Catholic Inclusion Award to Ellen Burkhardt, teacher at St. Athanasius Church.
Children at the medical clinic in Esquipulas, Nicaragua.
Remembering
Photos at top, L–R:
Sr. Rosaire Miltenberger, first principal of St. Joseph School, early 1960s. (Sr. Carmen Norris, back to camera.)
St. Joseph School in Pittsburgh
When the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville merged with the Ursuline Sisters of Pittsburgh in 1958, they expanded their presence in Pittsburgh. Three years later, they opened St. Joseph Parish School on Dorseyville Road.
Birthday greetings over the PA system. My first play, Bruno The Maggot, was performed on our tiny stage, as were countless pageants and performances.
Sr. Mary Anne Murkowsky taught at St. Joseph from 1962-1984. She had been a Pittsburgh Ursuline until the communities merged. St. Joseph School on Dorseyville Road in Pittsburgh.
Below: Sr. Carmen (Vonda) Norris at the school’s Funday, 1963.
In the fall of 1960, the superintendent of Catholic schools wrote to Sister Josephine Hildenbrand: “You Sisters are doing fine work. Try to persuade Mother [Superior Cosma Coponi] to take another school.” Both the superintendent and Bishop John Wright negotiated with Mother Cosma to transfer some of the Ursuline Academy faculty to St. Joseph.
St. Joseph School opened in the fall of 1961 with Sister Rosaire Miltenberger as principal and Sister Carmen Norris as first-grade teacher. Total enrollment was 150 pupils. The school closed in 1984, but its impact lives on among alumni like Marcia Massco Hudson, who attended from 1966-1974 and recently shared her memories:
“Few today would believe the dedication with which the Ursuline Sisters recognized and encouraged each pupil’s talents. We received an excellent education, but each student was also encouraged to let his/her light shine. My best friend’s voice brought Happy
“Sister Mary Anne [Murkowsky] had been there from the start. My mother was pushing me in a stroller as a toddler when Sister Mary Anne asked: ‘Where did you get your lovely blonde curls?’ I answered: ‘Kaufmann’s’—the Pittsburgh department store. Sister Mary Anne found this hysterically funny.
“To this day, my friend and I speak of her amusing expressions, beautiful handwriting, and how, when she was probably 30, we thought she was 100.
“One year, we got a teacher who was Sister Mary Anne’s REAL sister by blood. This made us wonder how they could have ever been children—showing ghastly childhood traits, such as fighting over toys, while retaining the holiness necessary to enter a convent!!
“I’ve remained in contact with a handful of schoolmates. Each has grown in faith and professional accomplishment— credit, in no small part, to those Elysian years at St. Joseph School in O’Hara Township with the Ursuline Sisters.
“These dearly departed servants of God have our eternal gratitude.”
Sister Rosella McCormick
Be joyous, and always act out of charity, with faith and hope in God.
—St. Angela Merici
Primitive
Rule
Sister Rosella McCormick, OSU, 91, died in the 69th year of her religious life on December 14, 2025, at Baptist Health Louisville. Born Bertha Ann in North Platte, Nebraska, she was invested as an Ursuline Sister in 1956.
Sister Rosella had the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville as teachers at St. Patrick’s High School in North Platte. After graduating in 1951, she attended Ursuline College in Louisville on a scholarship, but returned home for three years after her freshman year due to her father’s poor health. She later recalled, “Those three years, I frequently went to daily Mass. It seemed God nudged something in me as I observed the Sisters file into the front rows of the church. I think the idea of being a woman where prayer and community living were valued was becoming important to me.”
Sister Rosella taught at St. Raphael School and Angela Merici High School in Louisville, and St. Patrick High School in North Platte, Nebraska. She was a part–time professor at Bellarmine University, Jefferson Community College, Somerset Community College and Indiana University Southeast. Sister Rosella ministered as adult education director at St. Jerome parish in Fairdale, Kentucky.
She served as the director of novices (1967-1970), vocations director (1971-1977), and was president of the Ursuline Sisters (1988-1992).
Sister Rosella ministered as a pastoral associate at Holy Spirit (Jamestown, Kentucky), Christ the King (McFarland, Wisconsin), St. Gabriel and St. Leonard (both in Louisville, Kentucky).
Sister Rosella also served on the Vocation Committee and Pastoral Council for the Archdiocese of Louisville, Bellarmine College’s Board of Trustees, and the advisory board for the former Angela Merici Center for Spirituality. She volunteered as a retreat facilitator and adult formation presenter with the Archdiocese of Louisville. Sister Rosella also volunteered with Women Empowering Women retreats, Ursuline Associate retreats, St. Vincent de Paul Open Hand Kitchen, and at Holy Trinity Parish with the RCIA team, bereavement ministry and as a lector.
Sister Rosella earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Ursuline College (now Bellarmine University) and a master’s degree in sociology from St. John’s University, New York. She did post-graduate work at Notre Dame, Creighton University, and Washington Theological Union.
Sister Rosella was the daughter of the late Henry and Margaret Beckius McCormick. Sister Rosella is survived by her sisters-in-law, Sandy McCormick and Beverly Befort, several nieces and nephews, as well as her community of Ursuline Sisters and Associates.
