2025–26 ANNUAL REPORT
ON THE JOURNEY WITH WISDOM AND LOVE How have you walked on “The Journey With Love” this past year?
Dear Sisters, “On the Journey with Wisdom and Love.” We have used this mantra for our Chapter 2026 as well as for our 2025–26 missioning theme. Fr. Henri Nouwen said, “In and through the Spirit, we come to know all that Jesus knew, and we are able to do all that he did. This is the great wisdom of God, the wisdom which has remained hidden from the learned and the clever but has been revealed to mere children, the wisdom which comes to us through the Spirit and can only be taught to us spiritually. Thus, discipleship is the life of the Spirit in us, sent into the world to witness to the life of God’s word in us.”
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“Nourished by God’s word in prayer, adoration and liturgy, God has opened my heart to walk His way of Wisdom and Love, encountering His presence in the children I teach and all I encounter each day.”.” —Sr. Mary Jo Gramig We have been called to love through the gift of the Holy Spirit, and we set that in motion by our Chapter decisions and by our Communal Expression of our essentials of prayer, community, service, witness, and care of creation. This annual report is a summary of how each Sister, our coworkers, and ministry partners have embraced that call to be open to the Spirit’s wisdom, which is translated into love in action by the good works we have performed in carrying out our mission. We are grateful for the graces God has bestowed on us, and we say, “Be glory to the only God.” Your Leadership Team: Sisters Jean Anne, Rita Ann, Yuli, and Agnes
“ Accompanying others in spiritual direction I experience the wise and loving presence of the Holy Spirit with us on our journey.””
—Sr. Carol Curtis
“By trying each day to listen and to follow the Spirit to help make our world a better place for the common good of all.”
—Sr. Kathleen Neely
July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026
“ By having gratitude for life, friendships, and contacts with the people I live with here. I appreciate my love and connections with my family. I trust in God’s love for me and I share it with others.” —Sr. Lee Kirchner “ I have attempted to walk on the journey with wisdom and love by being aware of the day’s activities during morning prayer so I can meet those needs as with love as they happen.” —Sr. Jo Ann Jansing “I have walked my path with great openness, a willingness to listen, courage, strength, and a commitment to transparency in my actions and in my relationships with others. Children and the elderly possess a great wisdom that awakens your love and dedication to others.” —Sr. Yuli Oncihuay
Leadership Report As your Leadership Team, we continued to call on the wisdom of God as we journeyed in preparation for Chapter in March 2026. We concluded most of the canonical and civil tasks of our “Planning in Faith” guide. Following the Chapter decision and our request from Rome to approve our direction, our leadership term has been extended to no longer than August 2028 to complete the remaining tasks. We updated the Ursuline Sister policy manual to include the reality of who we are and how our governance structure will unfold to support our sisters in living the vowed life, by providing communal and spiritual opportunities for growth based on our Communal Expression affirmed at our pre-Chapter meeting. We continued to work with St. Angela School in Peru and Sacred Heart Schools to ensure that Catholic identity, the teaching mission of Jesus, and Ursuline formation/education in the spirit of our charism remain strong. The journey continues with God’s guiding hand in our relationships and interactions with our sisters, coworkers, ministry partners, and other women religious organizations.
Sisters at St. Angela Merici feast day Mass at Sacred Heart Academy.
“ I have walked the journey of wisdom and love by serving on the Chapter Planning Committee. In one way, it felt like a journey to the end because it was the congregation’s last chapter. In another way, it felt like a journey into the future because the time ahead is unknown and undecided. So, living both an end and a beginning at the same time leads to wisdom, demands faith, and nurtures love.” —Sr. Janet Marie Peterworth July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026
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HIGHLIGHTS
Sacred Heart Schools The 2025-2026 school year was a remarkable period of blessings, achievement, innovation, and growth across our schools as we advanced our mission to inspire diverse learners to become globally minded, compassionate leaders. Sacred Heart Schools is at a pivotal moment where our rich past, vibrant present, and bold future converge. Over the past five years, we have strengthened our Catholic identity, grown our endowment, expanded scholarships, improved programs, and launched new initiatives that transformed students’ experiences. This year we publicly launched the Sacred Heart Forever $30 million capital campaign to secure the future of our schools, faith, and mission. In partnership with the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, we opened the Ursuline Innovation
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STEM Center, home to the Ursuline Environmental Education Program and the Ann Cowley Wells ’60, ’64 BSEE Design Lab. Students engaged in hands-on learning in environmental science, engineering, sustainability, and design—bringing Laudato Si’ to life as they learned to care for our common home. Bigger, bolder dreams are ahead. We announced the transformation of Sacred Heart Academy and broke ground on a 35,000-square-foot expansion and modernization project, designed to meet today’s needs and those of generations to come. We also proudly celebrate the Class of 2026 Valkyries. Ninety percent of the 170 graduates earned scholarships totaling more than $31 million and were admitted to 149 colleges and universities. The Class of 2026 excelled across
academics, leadership, extracurriculars, and service, including completing more than 20,000 hours of service. Most importantly, this year Sacred Heart Schools ensured that our Catholic identity, the legacy and mission of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville and St. Angela Merici, Ursuline Charism, and Ursuline Core Values were purposefully and actively engaged through programming across the four schools and community for the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, administration, students, and parents. In classrooms, retreats, service initiatives, employee faith formation, and shared moments of prayer, our Catholic, Ursuline identity remains a vibrant, guiding presence. —Dr. Karen McNay, president
July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026
Colegio Parroquial Santa Angela Merici, Peru “Create, Love, and Act...and Life Will Win Out!” This was the theme that energized our celebration of 60 years of educating children and youth into protagonists of a future of values. From the beginning of the year, we asserted our belief that “Y La Vida Vencerá”—“Life Will Win Out”—the message that Fr. Felipe Zegarra instilled in us during the many years he accompanied us as pastor of the Saint Angela Merici community. Our affirmations included a dance festival representing the realities of the different regions of the country, their cultures, lifestyles and values. As it was an election year, we invited a speaker—the former Human Rights Defender for the country—to address the topic of citizenship and what it means.
July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026
October was the month of our 60th anniversary celebrations, and we were graced with the presence of some Sisters and Associates from Louisville, the director of communications of the community, as well as former students and teachers from here. We experienced the theatrical presentation of the life of Angela Merici, the Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Archbishop of Callao, and the testimony of students, former students and teachers, along with the representative of the Office of Education of Callao, as well as an evening of dance and song by students and alumni. Deeply grateful, and with hearts overflowing, we were able to affirm: “We Create, We Love, And We Act…and Life Will Win Out!” —Sr. Sue Scharfenberger, mission effectiveness director
“By surrendering all to God’s love and mercy and following His mercy. All is grace.” —Sr. Theresa Kruml “ For me, ‘on the journey with wisdom and love’ was my reminder that God’s wisdom guides me to be attentive to various signs of God’s love and respond with an open heart.” —Sr. Jean Anne Zappa
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ON THE JOURNE Y WITH WISDOM AND LOVE Associates The Louisville Ursuline Associates celebrated their first year as a 501(c)(3), grateful for the continued support and participation of the Ursuline Sisters in the life of the Associate community. Wisdom from our journey of transition is being sought out by neighboring religious and associate congregations. This year we gathered in reflection groups to discern our community’s needs and put our members’ gifts into action, serving Forgotten Louisville, St. John’s Center, and Sister Visitor while building fellowship along the way. We continue to invite seekers to participate in activities and events, and they will be welcome to begin formal discernment and formation with the community in the fall. We remain inspired by the wisdom of St. Angela and the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville to faithfully carry out the charge laid upon us, striving to be faithful, Soli Deo Gloria. —Jane Cruthirds, Associate leadership
July 28, 2025: The 2025 jubilarians attended a luncheon at Bellarmine with Dr. Susan Donovan, president.
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Archives Archivist Laurel Wilson continued preparing our collection for eventual transfer to the Women Religious Archive Collaborative (WRAC) in Cleveland. She processed new records, responded to reference requests, and digitized photos for several projects. In addition, she contributed photos and information for the display in the Desenzano Room and provided photos for articles in the DOME. —Laurel Wilson, archivist
September 9, 2025: The Twinbrook fall picnic was well attended by our Sisters, their friends, Associates, and family!
Communications & PR Journeying in wisdom and love, Communications shared the stories of the Ursuline Sisters and Associates through print, video, and social media platforms. Key accomplishments included coverage of the 60th anniversary of Colegio Parroquial Santa Angela Merici in Peru; creation of a historical display of Ursuline Sisters in the Desenzano Room; chairing the final Angeline Award event; production of Sisters in Ministry and Taizé videos; launch of a “Find a Sister” tab on the website; a screening of Morgan Atkinson’s film, In the Company of Change, for Catholic Sisters Week; and successful media coverage for the 2026 Chapter statement and social concerns statements. Communications received eight awards from the Religion Communicators Council, including “Best in Class” for the virtual St. Angela Merici pilgrimage. —Kathy Rice, director
September 10, 2025: Sisters and staff toured the newly completed Ursuline Innovation STEM Center for Sacred Heart Schools.
July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026
Finance & Operations
Health Team
As we close out another fiscal year, the Donor/Alumni Relations office walked on the journey with wisdom and love by implementing changes in our new database. We worked in conjunction with PR/ Communications, Operations, and Janet Sauer to plan and host the final Angeline Award Mass and reception on Oct. 19, 2025. We continued to collaborate with Holy Cross High School in keeping alumnae information updated. Kim continued to assist the Sisters with their medical billing questions and looks forward to gaining more knowledge of health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid protocols. We are very grateful to our benefactors for their donations totaling $708,931.50 in the fiscal year 2025-26. This came from 327 benefactors who made 526 financial gifts and three in-kind donations, with an average gift of $1,347.77 and the most common gift of $50. We gained 34 new benefactors and received six estates. —Kim Bradley, manager
The Finance and Operations Department made significant progress during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Finance focused on implementing new accounting software. This transition allowed the use of new account codes and simplified our accounting for transactions and subsequent reporting. In addition, effective January 2026, we transitioned to a new payroll processor for USAE employees. We piggyback on the Archdiocese for payroll processing and are extremely pleased with the cost savings and streamlined process. Gina South has played a central role in managing the learning curve associated with both new systems, and we are grateful for her dedication and excellent work. Operations also achieved several notable accomplishments. As always, Austin Raderer remains focused on ensuring each member of the community is safe both in their home and on the road. In line with Laudato Si’, there has been a major cleanup effort throughout the USAE offices in the Motherhouse. Technology, medical equipment, furniture, and other items were donated or recycled for continued use. — Becky Phillips, director of finance and Austin Raderer, director of special projects
The Health Team has journeyed this year with wisdom and love, striving to deepen our understanding of how to care for the Sisters with compassion and dignity. Through workshops and conferences, we have continued to grow in knowledge and experience, applying what we have learned with both skill and heartfelt care. Throughout the year, we have remained devoted to supporting the Sisters and being present for their personal and healthcare needs with kindness, dedication, and love. —Stacy Wells, director
October 3, 2025: We gathered for a prayer service, “Peace with Creation” and renewed our commitment to our Laudato Si’ action platform.
October 6–11, 2025: Santa Angela Merici School in Peru celebrated its 60th anniversary with events all week.
Donor/Alumni Relations
July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026
October 17, 2025: Dianne Aprile received the inaugural Sister Martha Buser Spirit Award, presented by the Company of St. Angela.
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ON THE JOURNEY WITH WISDOM AND LOVE Social Concerns
Liturgy It It has truly been a year of walking on our journey with love, music and liturgy. Thanks to the commitment of our volunteers, we hosted a diverse range of spiritual programs at the Motherhouse and Twinbrook Chapels. At Twinbrook, our sacramental life remains a cornerstone of the community, with daily Mass, regular reconciliation and anointing of the sick, holy day and holiday liturgies, and Communion and prayer services as needed. Our “Prayer in the Spirit of Taizé” ministry continues to expand its reach, welcoming participants in-person and virtually every second Monday of the month. Highlights of the year included the St. Francis of Assisi service in October, followed by the final Angeline Award Mass and the Feast of St. Ursula; solemn All Saints, All Souls and remembrance observances in November; and Christmas caroling by the Ursuline and St. Peter the Apostle Choirs at Twinbrook, Nazareth Clifton and Brookdale in December. We rang in the new year by closing the Jubilee Year of Hope and honoring St. Angela, prepared for the Opening of Chapter Mass with Archbishop Fabre in March, marked Earth Day with Sister Carol in April, and closed our liturgical year in June with a communal 2026 Jubilee Mass and Missioning Service. —Lisa Feldkamp, liturgy coordinator
October 18, 2025: Sisters attended the No Kings March in Louisville.
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October 19, 2025: Karen Cassidy, left, and Missy Bartlett were the final recipients of the Angeline Award, established in 1991.
In 2025, Pope Leo XIV took up the mantle of Catholic Social Teaching, amplifying the Church’s advocacy on behalf of immigrants and for peace. United with other peacemakers, we have advocated for ceasefires in Ukraine, Gaza and Iran. We stood with our neighbors against aggressive and unlawful ICE tactics. Our accompaniment of immigrants and marginalized persons affirms their dignity, while countering hate crimes, racial profiling and violence. We work to abolish the death penalty. When curtailed federal aid programs and government shutdowns challenged support of our neighbors in need, we wisely collaborated with community partners to stock food pantries and support local gardens. Fulfilling our 2020 Chapter focus on the Cry of Earth and Cry of Humanity, we helped sustain regional resilience for those impacted by climate disasters. With wise love, we expressed our ongoing commitment to justice, peace and the integrity of creation in our 2026 Chapter public statement. —Sr. Carol Curtis, liaison
Nov. 3, 2025: A remembrance service was held to honor those gone home to God.
November, 2025: A photographic exhibit of the Ursuline Sisters was installed in the Desenzano Room.
July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026
How have you walked on “The Journey With Love” this past year? “ I have walked on the journey with wisdom and love by daily asking the Holy Spirit to guide me in praying for, and reaching out, to our homebound and infirm parishioners.” —Sr. Clara Fehringer “ I have walked the journey with wisdom and love by living at Masonic Home and responding to the needs as they occur for the people here by having communion for those who request it and weekly prayer reflections.” —Sr. Rita Joseph Jarrell
March 8, 2026: A screening of “In the Company of Change” was held in the Motherhouse for Catholic Sisters Week.
July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026
“ I have walked on the journey with wisdom and love by praying and listening to the Holy Spirit in making important decisions in consultation with leadership.” —Sr. Julia Davis “ I am still learning to listen well— this slowly grows wisdom and love.” —Sr. Agnes Coveney “ I believe that wisdom and love are the fruit of God’s Spirit. When I pray, it is my desire to be open to these gifts and to manifest wisdom and love in my daily living and ministry.” —Sr. Helen O’Brien
“The journey this year for me has culminated in 70 years of growth in holiness, understanding of others and peace within myself…and to be continued!” —Sr. Mary Martha Staarman “I have walked gently, searching always for wisdom to make the right choices and love to let others know that we never journey alone, and my companions have given me much support along the way.” —Sr. Sue Scharfenberger
March 16–20, 2026: Our final Chapter was opened with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Fabre. Guided by our theme, “On the Journey with Wisdom and Love/En El Viaje Con Amor,”we came together to determine the future of our community.
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How have you walked on “The Journey With Love” this past year? “The most significant example is my sister-in-law, Jane Mueller. Her husband, my brother John, 87, died unexpectedly in his sleep. I have stayed with her for the same events I did before. We comfort each other. She has taken steps to help herself through the pain. I am glad for that. These are valuable examples of wisdom and love.” —Sr. Marilyn Mueller
April 24, 2026: A pink snail appeared on campus for the SHA vs. Assumption Pink-White game! The pink snails were part of the larger Kentucky Derby celebration.
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“ With God’s wisdom and love as my companions on the journey, I strive to be faithful to whatever God calls me to.” —Sr. Ruth Ann Haunz “ I walked this year’s journey by letting my sense of wonder be nurtured each day by the amazing creation all around me. Truly the journey of life is full of the Divine accompanying each of us each day.” —Sr. Lynn Jarrell “ I have tried to follow the whispers of the Spirit in walking the journey of sharing God’s love with others.” —Sr. Rita Dressman
“I have tried to do the best I could in accompanying our Sisters in their needs. I have also, in a particular way, offered love and wisdom to family members and some catechumens coming into the Church this past Easter. What a privilege!” —Sr. Rita Ann Wigginton “By being attentive and listening to my Sisters in their needs.” —Sr. Catherine Franze “By trying to do everything I am supposed to do.” —Sr. Julienne Guy
June 22–26, 2026: Our theme for Community Days and the 2026-27 Missioning ceremony was “Let Your Light Shine/Deja Brillar Tu Luz.” The week included our Jubilarian Mass celebration.
July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026
SISTERS IN MISSION Volunteer
Boards & Committees Buechel-Hikes Point Community Ministries Casa Latina Friends of Esquipulas Historic Saint Paul Catholic Church, Lexington Holy Cross High School Interfaith Paths to Peace Kentucky Cancer Consortium for Breast Cancer
LCWR Region 6 National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) Hospice North American Ursuline Leadership Conference (NAULC) People Against Trafficking Humans (PATH) Coalition of Kentucky Pitt Academy
Sacred Heart Schools United Crescent Hill Ministries Ursuline Sisters Charitable Trust Ursuline Sisters Social Concerns Women Religious Archives Collaborative (WRAC)
Casa Latina Catholic Worker Dare to Care Mobile Food Pantry Family Community Clinic Grayson County Women’s Detention Center Kentucky Cancer Program’s State Fair Cancer Screening Program Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women National Association of Catholic Chaplains
Recognitions
In Memoriam
August 2025: In recognition of 20 years of service to the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, a donation was sent to honor Sr. Sue Scharfenberger.
November 7, 2025: The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville were inducted into Holy Cross High School’s Hall of Fame as honorary alumnae at their Maroon and Grey Gala.
October 2, 2025: Nativity Academy honored Sr. Jo Ann Jansing for her presence on the first Board of Trustees.
May 13, 2026: Sr. Rita Ann Wigginton was honored for her years of board service to Holy Cross High School.
October 17, 2025: The inaugural Sister Martha Buser Spirit Award and Lecture series was presented in Bellarmine University’s Cralle Theatre, which recognizes individuals who embody Sr. Martha’s spiritual values, creativity and resilience.
May 20, 2026: Nativity Academy at St. Boniface awarded De’Shayla O’Bannon with the inaugural Sr. Paula Kleine-Kracht scholarship in memory of Sr. Paula, who died in 2025.
July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026
Norton Audubon Hospital Norton Children’s Hospital’s Festival of Trees and Lights Olmsted Parks Conservancy Prayer Group Facilitator St. Francis of Rome Parish St. Leonard Parish St. Vincent de Paul Society St. William Parish United Crescent Hill Ministries Ursuline Taizé Prayer Women for Women
May 29, 2026: Sr. Lorna Weiler was honored for her 59 years of service to Sacred Heart Academy.
Sr. Paula Kleine-Kracht June 7, 1946—October 31, 2025
Sr. Rosella McCormick Sept. 16, 1934—December 14, 2025
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ON THE JOURNEY WITH WISDOM AND LOVE
Front row, L-R: Sisters Carol Curtis, Marilyn Mueller, Julia Davis, Sara Delaney, Loretta Krajewski, Lelia Kirchner, Julienne Guy, Theresa Kruml, Yuli Oncihuay. Back row, L-R: Sisters Rita Dressman, Ruth Ann Haunz, Clara Fehringer, Martha Jacob, Jean Anne Zappa, Rita Ann Wigginton, Rita Joseph Jarrell, Barbara Bir, Mary Jo Gramig, Mary Martha Staarman, Jo Ann Jansing, Shannon Maguire, Mary Theresa Burns, Janet Peterworth, Lorna Weiler, Mary Cabrini Hatley, Sue Scharfenberger, Helen O’Brien, Kathleen Neely, Agnes Coveney, Lynn Jarrell. Absent: Kathy Franze. (March 18, 2026)
2026 Jubilarians
Summary of Membership Statistics As of July 1, 2025 Total Number of Sisters 33 As of June 30, 2026 Total Number of Sisters 31
Sr. Theresa Kruml, 75 years Sr. Mary Martha Staarman, 70 years Sr. Loretta Krajewski, 50 years
Changes between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026 Entered Eternal Life 2
Statistics by Age As of June 30, 2026 82 average age 84 median age 27 Sisters over age 70 4 Sisters 69 and younger