ON THE JOURNEY WITH LOVE
Throughout 2024-2025, we embraced the theme “On the Journey With Love.” This year held special significance as Pope Francis proclaimed a Holy Year, calling all faithful to become “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Most journeys are rarely straight paths. Often it is a winding road, a steep hill, unexpected turns, detours, or breathtaking scenery. A journey, like a pilgrimage, finds its meaning not in the destination but rather in what touches the person—what changes or insights, profound experiences, or meaningful relationships happen along the way.
One chooses to participate in the journey with an intention to be more loving, more aware of others, more present to the God who loves. Engaging the journey with love calls for
selflessness, an openness, a willingness to be with another in a peace-filled, respectful attitude of trust, compromise, and acceptance with those we encounter.
This annual report celebrates the dedication of our Sisters, coworkers, and ministry partners who have chosen to journey with love. Their commitment shines through their faithful response to the Gospel’s call to love, their embodiment of our Ursuline mission and charism, and their witness as disciples of Jesus and followers of St. Angela Merici. We thank you for being on the journey of love with us.
Your Leadership Team: Sisters Jean Anne, Rita Ann, Yuli, and Agnes
How have you walked on “The Journey With Love” this past year?
“No matter where I was physically, I tried to walk daily with the people of God in whatever way that I was most needed and, at the same time, learning from my global siblings.”
—Sr. Kathy Neely
“I have walked on the journey with love by striving to share God’s love with all who have crossed my path this year.”
—Sr. Rita Dressman
“I walked on the journey with love in openness, gratitude and hope.”
—Sr. Jean Anne Zappa
July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025
“During
my journey this year I have really tried to see the face of Christ in each and every one I met and given each a smile. I’ve learned it can make a difference in one’s life—both theirs and mine.”
—Sr. Mary Martha Staarman
“As
a community, we continue to do the work of completion in decisions about our future.
We’ve said goodbye to beloved Ursulines, and my oldest sister died this past January. Grieving is love’s work, calling us to deeper love as ‘the journey of love makes us one.’”
—Sr. Barbara Bir
“I have walked on the journey with love by listening to and sharing with others reflections on where we are as a community as we move into a new way of living our charism.”
—Sr. Mary Cabrini Hatley
Leadership Report
We strived to be on the journey with love as we responded to the needs of our Sisters and supported ways to live the gospel with each other and those we encountered.
This past year marked a transition from the Governance Guiding Team to a Chapter Planning Committee. Leadership appointed Sisters Mary Theresa Burns, Rita Dressman, Ruth Ann Haunz, Lynn Jarrell, and Janet Marie Peterworth as Chapter Planning Committee members. We have met monthly with them, and facilitators Donna Fyffe and Mark Clarke, in preparation for pre-Chapter meetings in the fall.
Leadership continued to make progress regarding the civil and canonical issues in the Planning in Faith document this past year across many areas. One area focused on encouraging the Associates in their financial independence while maintaining a relationship with them. In transitioning sponsored ministries, Sr. Yuli Oncihuay spent more time in Peru as she helped Sr. Sue Scharfenberger and St. Angela Merici School prepare for its future without an Ursuline promoter, while maintaining an Ursuline presence. Leadership continued to ensure that the Catholic/Ursuline identity was present at Sacred Heart Schools and will be present in the future.
The commitment to Laudato Si’ was expressed in concrete ways through financial commitments to the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center for Sacred Heart Schools, as well as support of other environmental and sustainable programs in Kentucky. Leadership continued its networking and involvement with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), Women Religious Archives Collaborative (WRAC), Resource Center for Religious Institutes (RCRI), and North American Ursuline Leadership Conference (NAULC).
While tending to everyday tasks and challenges, we always kept before us the heart and core of who we are as vowed religious. The support of Sisters and coworkers was, and is always, grace for us.
ON THE JOURNEY WITH LOVE: HIGHLIGHTS
“I walked the journey of love each day by focusing on the ‘Now’ before me and the gift of the people who crossed my path.”
—Sr. Lynn Jarrell
“I have walked on the journey with love by accepting each new day as a special gift to love and share God’s presence in simple ways with others.”
—Sr. Lelia Kirchner
Sacred Heart Schools
The 2024-2025 school year brought many blessings to Sacred Heart Schools. Rooted in mission and guided by faith, the schools continued to grow in excellence, innovation, and service. United in a shared commitment to the teachings of Laudato Si’, the encyclical by Pope Francis calling us to care for our common home, Sacred Heart Schools was excited to announce the future addition of the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
This transformative project will repurpose the historic former laundry building into a state-of-the-art STEM facility, home to two premier programs: the Ursuline Environmental Education Program and Design Program, grounded in the International Baccalaureate (IB) design cycle. These programs will serve students from kindergarten through twelfth grade and reflect the school’s commitment to sustainability, innovation and academic rigor. The center is scheduled to open in fall 2025.
Throughout this school year, Sacred Heart Schools placed renewed emphasis on Catholic formation in the Ursuline tradition. Through purposeful programming for the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, administration and students, the schools have deepened our understanding of the relationship with God and the call, inspired by Saint Angela Merici, to lead lives of service. Whether in classrooms, on retreats, through service initiatives, or in shared moments of prayer, the Catholic/ Ursuline identity has been a vibrant and guiding presence.
Sacred Heart Schools is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2025 Valkyries, who earned an impressive $38 million in scholarships to 162 colleges and universities. Among them are 33 student–athletes who will continue their athletic journeys at the collegiate level.
—Dr. Karen McNay, president
How have you walked on “The
Journey With Love”
this past year?
“Volunteering with the Catholic Studies program at the women’s prison, I have witnessed the mutual support with which they journey together with love.”
—Sr. Carol Curtis
“By doing the best I could with accompanying our Sisters in their journey through life.”
—Sr. Rita Ann Wigginton
“The journey of love has led me to notice more, respond more, accept more those whose journey has been alone, wounded, betrayed, insecure and fearful.”
—Sr. Sue Scharfenberger
“Our love for God, founded in our contemplation, urges us to share that love in our care for others. I have journeyed through the last year with my heart open to those around me.”
—Sr. Mary Theresa Burns
Colegio Parroquial Santa Angela Merici, Peru
“Create, Love, and Act...and life will be the winner!” served as the theme for the 2024–25 school year. The school was committed to taking an active part in making the world a better place for all. The focus included remembering that all of creation is a gift to be nurtured and shared, and that we are brothers and sisters (Fratelli Tutti) in this journey of life.
While daily we read of tragedies—natural and human—the school community knew that they could be actors in changing and transforming those tragedies with the care and respect they offered one another. They called it “Buen Trato,” and it is just that—treating each other well so that everyone feels important, welcomed, and capable. “La Vida Vencera,” a phrase borrowed from Father Felipe Zegarra (the former pastor, now deceased) was echoed in assemblies and activities as a reminder of the challenges daily that are placed before the community.
—Sr. Sue Scharfenberger, mission effectiveness director July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025
ON THE JOURNEY WITH LOVE: HIGHLIGHTS
Associates
The Louisville Ursuline Associates formalized their independence this year, with over two-thirds renewing their covenants. The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville provided funding to establish a 501(c)(3) and support their transition to a volunteer-led organization.
The Associate community adopted a new mission statement and logo, established communication norms, welcomed two new members, and created concrete plans for the year ahead. 2024-25 marked a new beginning for this lay organization, established 45 years ago, as they strive to carry forward the Ursuline Charism with renewed commitment and fresh approaches, guided by the love and wisdom of the Ursuline Sisters, St. Angela Merici, and the Holy Spirit.
—Lisa Steiner, associate leadership
Archives
Archives journeyed in love this year by preparing their archival collection for transfer to the Women Religious Archive Collaborative (WRAC) in Cleveland. Archives also researched photos for a display of Sisters for the Desenzano Room at the Ursuline Motherhouse with Communications Director Kathy Williams. Laurel Wilson attended conferences in St. Louis and Notre Dame, responded to dozens of reference requests from researchers, genealogists, and staff members. Archives contributed materials for DOME articles.
—Laurel Wilson, archivist
July 3, 2024: Star spangled hot dogs! Lunch with coworkers and Sisters to kick off the July 4th holiday.
August 11, 2024: Leadership celebrated Mt. St. Joseph Ursulines’ 150th anniversary of the then–Louisville Ursulines’ arrival at Maple Mount.
Communications
Journeying in love, Communications shared the stories of the Ursuline Sisters and Associates through print, visual, and social media platforms. Working with Sacred Heart Schools’ Office of Catholic Identity and Ursuline Charism, we created a virtual pilgrimage with young St. Angela for Catholic Sisters Week and the Jubilee Year, which received recognition from the Vatican’s Dicastery of Evangelization. Key accomplishments included ministry videos, a virtual chapel tour, eco-friendly DOME postcards, and successful media coverage for statements, election responses, hispanic ministry, Associates, and jubilarians. The department received seven awards from the Religion Communicators Council and Associated Church Press, including one Award of Excellence and four Awards of Merit.
—Kathy Williams, director
September 13, 2024: Donation of a second-class relic to Holy Cross High School during its 40th anniversary.
July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025
Donor/Alumni Relations
Donor/Alumni Relations journeyed in love by the following: selecting and implementing Little Green Light as the new database, and working with WistData for conversion. The department collaborated with Holy Cross High School’s development team to maintain updated information in both databases, and partnered with Communications on a postcard questionnaire to DOME recipients about their preferred delivery method.
At the beginning of 2025, Kim Bradley assumed the role of benefits coordinator for the Ursuline Sisters, serving as the contact for health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid questions.
We are very grateful to our benefactors for their donations totalling $379,542.09 in the fiscal year 2024-25. This came from 409 benefactors who made 652 financial gifts and three in-kind donations, with an average gift of $582.12 and the most common gift of $100. We gained 73 new benefactors and received five estates.
—Kim Bradley, manager
Finance & Operations
This year has been a labor of love in the Finance and Operations departments. In addition to day-to-day support of the Sisters and coworkers, the departments underwent a thorough analysis of critical systems and software. With an eye on security, efficiency, and planning for the future, Finance and Operations managed several large projects to appropriately align with the organization’s changing needs. Additionally, the departments continued to update the automotive fleet with a focus on fuel efficiency and safety technologies.
Becky Phillips, director of finance and Austin Raderer, director of special projects
Personnel Changes
In June 2024, we welcomed Michelle Mills to the Health Team.
September 5, 2024: The Twinbrook fall picnic was well attended by our Sisters, their friends, and family!
Health Team
The Health Team walked in love with the Ursuline Sisters throughout the past year by transporting Sisters to doctor appointments, emergency rooms and volunteer work, helping with shopping, and making regular visits to check on their well-being. The Health Team maintained 24-hour availability, 7 days a week for emergencies, and ensured Sisters’ needs were met at both the Nazareth Home–Clifton and Twinbrook locations.
When Sisters required end-of-life care during the year, the Health Team collaborated with hospice services at both locations to provide appropriate and compassionate support. The Health Team’s work varied daily and required constant flexibility, with adjustments made for urgent appointments or unexpected care needs. This unwavering commitment to serving the Sisters with love made each day meaningful and joyful.
—Stacy Wells, director
September 10, 2024: After the monthly Directors Meeting, coworkers took a photo with Sr. Yuli before she left for Peru—hasta luego!
ON THE JOURNEY WITH LOVE: HIGHLIGHTS
Liturgy
With dedicated volunteers, we journeyed in love through liturgies, monthly Taizé services (in-person and online), and special celebrations, including the 2024 Jubilee Mass, St. Angela Merici and St. Ursula feast days, and All Saints and All Souls Day services. Sr. Carol Curtis led an Earth Day prayer service as part of the Laudato Si’ commitment.
At Twinbrook Assisted Living, liturgies were offered six days a week, including Holy Week services and regular sacraments of anointing and reconciliation. Due to the shortage of retired priests, prayer and Communion services were additionally provided when needed.
The Ursuline Choir participated in a concert at St. Peter the Apostle Church in October and joined with St. Peter’s Choir to sing Christmas carols at local senior living facilities in December.
—Lisa Feldkamp, liturgy coordinator
Social Concerns
The Ursuline Social Concerns Committee celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, sharing this milestone with Christian Help of Morgantown and the Appalachian Bishops’ pastoral letter, “This Land is Home to Me.” As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year, the committee continued advocating for racial justice, fair labor practices, and civil and human rights.
The collaboration with partners yielded significant results: Louisville’s Archdiocesan Creation Care Committee held its first Green Mass, the Interfaith Environmental Action Network hosted its first Climate Summit, and immigrant justice coalitions helped navigate changing policies. The
September 25, 2024: 100th anniversary of Sacred Heart Model School, founded in 1924 by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. Archbishop Fabre presided over a Mass for the anniversary.
committee supported efforts to end the death penalty and human trafficking, while channeling resources to expectant mothers, the unhoused, and those facing food insecurity.
After recent climate crises hit the region, partnerships with Christian Appalachian Project and Water by Women strengthened collective resiliency. The committee supported gardening projects that taught sustainable agriculture while addressing food deserts, all built on decades of personal relationships cultivated through volunteering and neighborhood presence.
—Sr. Carol Curtis, liaison
Forty Louisville Ursulines are buried at Pittsburgh’s Calvary Catholic Cemetery, including Srs. Ellen Friel and Mary Catherine Vukmanic, the last two interred there.
July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025
How have you walked on “The Journey With Love” this past year?
“I have walked the journey of love encountering those I met with a smile and a joyful prayer presence.”
—Sr. Julia Davis
“I walked on the journey with love by my presence and listening to volunteers while mentoring, affirming and sharing God’s love with all I encountered.”
—Sr. Ruth Ann Haunz
“I’ve walked the journey of love through prayer and openness to the Holy Spirit, blessed by my Ursuline community and fellow catechetical ministers.”
—Sr. Mary Jo Gramig
“I walked on the journey with love by trying to be a better listener.”
—Sr. Agnes Coveney
“I walked on the journey with love by being present to the people and their concerns at Masonic Home in the journey of supportive presence.”
—Sr. Rita Joseph Jarrell
October 4, 2024: On the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Sisters, coworkers and SHA students gathered together for a prayer service: “Hope and Act with Creation.”
July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025
“I’m walking the journey with love in this last phase of life at Twinbrook, confident that God is here with all of us.”
—Sr. JoAnn Jansing
“Being on life’s journey with love challenges me to be open to receiving God’s love and to enfleshing God’s love for others.”
—Sr. Helen O’Brien
“I have walked on the journey with love by listening compassionately and encouraging people.”
—Sr. Catherine Franze
March 8–13, 2025: We celebrated Catholic Sisters Week with a virtual pilgrimage, led by St. Angela Merici, and videos narrated by our Sisters.
April 21, 2025: We mourned the death of Pope Francis and welcomed the first American pope, Leo XIV, on May 8.
Ursuline Sisters of Louisville 9
How have you walked on “The Journey With Love” this past year?
“My journey has been a rocky one health-wise. I have tried to take each step as it has come with patience and grace.”
—Sr. Janet Marie Peterworth
“I have walked on the journey with love by being kind to everyone I met.”
—Sr. Donata Kokot
“I have walked on the journey with love by being attentive to people. I’ve learned that well-intentioned honesty can still hurt others, revealing love’s complexity.”
—Sr. Paula Kleine-Kracht
“I have walked on the journey with love by channeling my physical limitations into spiritual connection with those who lack basic needs to live with dignity.”
—Sr. Clara Fehringer
“I have walked on the journey with love by just doing everything I am supposed to do.”
—Sr. Julienne Guy
March 12, 2025: Sisters toured the old laundry building, which is being renovated to become the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center, with a focus on Laudato Si’.
“During my recovery, the journey of love surrounded me through others’ prayers and help with daily activities. I thanked God and told them so.”
—Sr. Marilyn Mueller
“Moving brought many changes requiring me to ‘let go.’ Daily prayer reminds me to be a woman of prayer, presence, and peace.”
—Sr. Rosella McCormick
“I’ve walked with love by reflecting on St. Therese and Mother Teresa, living with simplicity of heart through daily prayer.”
—Sr. Theresa Kruml
June 25–27, 2025: We held Community Days, which included the Jubilee Mass and Missioning. Our theme was “On the Journey with Wisdom & Love/ En El Viaje con Sabidura y Amor.”
SISTERS IN MISSION
Boards Volunteer
Community Catholic Center
Friends of Esquipulas
Holy Cross High School
Interfaith Paths to Peace
People Against Trafficking
Humans (PATH) Coalition of Kentucky
Pitt Academy
Sacred Heart Schools
St. Frances of Rome Parish Council
United Crescent Hill Ministries
Ursuline Sisters Charitable Trust
Women Religious Archives Collaborative (WRAC)
Committees
Archdiocesan Laudato Si’ 10th
Anniversary
Buechel/Hikes Point Ministries Steering
Casa Latina Catholic Worker Core
Holy Cross High School Curriculum
Laudato Si’ at Historic Saint Paul
Catholic Church, Lexington
National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) Hospice
Norton Hospitals Pastoral Care
Ursuline Sisters Chapter Planning
Ursuline Fun
Ursuline Governance Guiding Team
Ursuline Sisters Peace and Justice
Ursuline Social Concerns
Ursuline Social Justice
Ursuline Synod and Synodality
Sr. Loretta Guenther
May 25, 1934—October 7, 2024
Agricultural Workers Are Respected Equals (AWARE)
American Cancer Society
Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
Cancer Action Day in Frankfort
Casa Latina Catholic Worker
Catholic Action Center, Lexington
Kentucky Cancer Program’s
State Fair Cancer Screening Program
Louisville Coalition for Immigrant Support (LCIS)
Norton Audubon Hospital
Breakfast with Santa Norton Children’s Hospital
Festival of Trees and Lights
Sacred Heart Model School
Shively Area Ministries
St. Raphael School
St. Vincent de Paul Advancement Team
St. William Parish Liturgical Ministries
United Crescent Hill Ministries
Ursuline Taizé Prayer
Women for Women
In Memoriam
Sr. Antonine Biven
January 27, 1928—December 28, 2024
Sr. Mary Donata Kokot April 26, 1927—June 26, 2025
Ursuline Sisters of Louisville 11
2024 Jubilarians
Summary of Membership Statistics
As of July 1, 2024
Total Number of Sisters 36
As of June 30, 2025
Total Number of Sisters 33
Changes between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025
Entered Eternal Life 3
Sr. Julienne Guy, 75 years
Sr. Mary Donata Kokot, 75 years
Sr. Julia Davis, 70 years
Sr. Clara Fehringer, 70 years
Sr. Marilyn Mueller, 70 years
2025 Jubilarians
Sr. Janet M. Peterworth, 70 years
Sr. Ruth Ann Haunz, 60 years
Sr. Paula Kleine-Kracht, 60 years
Sr. Rita Ann Wigginton, 60 years
Ursuline Sisters of Louisville
Statistics by Age
As of June 30, 2025
81.6 average age
83 median age
29 Sisters over age 70
4 Sisters 69 and younger
Recognitions
The former St. Mary’s Center was renamed SMC Regina’s Center in the fall of 2024 to honor its founder, Sr. Regina Bevelacqua, who died in 2021.
Sr. Clara Fehringer received a special papal blessing from Pope Francis for 70 years of ministry to the Church, October 27, 2024, at Historic Saint Paul Catholic Church in Lexington, where she is in ministry.
Sr. Jo Ann Jansing received a University of Louisville Trager Institute’s Gold Standard of Optimal Aging Award at a ceremony held at the Olmsted on September 13, 2024.
Sr. Rita Joseph Jarrell was recognized for her 81st birthday by Masonic Homes Kentucky.
Srs. Kathy Neely and Mary Martha Staarman both received an award of recognition from the Family Community Clinic, St. Joseph Parish in Butchertown, during their Founders Day luncheon on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, for services rendered as Spanish language interpreters at the clinic.
Sr. Janet Marie Peterworth received the Founders Pathfinder Award from Christian Help in West Virginia on June 22, 2025.
Sr. Rita Ann Wigginton received the Service Award from Holy Cross High School during the 2024 Holy Cross Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, November 9, 2024.
July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025