Associates Reflect on Meeting in Small Groups via Zoom, Associate Jubilarians

Associates Reflect on Meeting in Small Groups via Zoom

A number of our Associates have met regularly in small groups via Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked some of them to share their reflections on what these online gatherings have meant to them, emotionally, spitiually and mentally. We hope you find their words to be uplifting.

Change is inevitable

My father used to say that the only thing for certain is death and taxes. Change is inevitable. Life in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic has required us all to make many changes to our daily lives.

The reflection group of which I am a part has responded to the need of refraining from in-person gatherings based upon expert medical advice. Our virtual gatherings are done using the cloud-based platform for video, voice and content sharing called Zoom. Is it ideal? No. Do any of us enjoy this as much as meeting in person? Most likely not. But it does help us maintain our already close-knit community by providing an opportunity to interact and see each other’s face. It is wonderful to see the smiles that are now normally hidden behind masks everywhere we look.

Saint Angela Merici possesses many admirable qualities. Her adaptability is evident when one reads her Last Legacy of the Testaments bequeathed to the Company of Saint Ursula. Changes to her rules, when necessary, are deemed acceptable with wisdom and good advice.

I yearn for the day that our Ursuline community of Sisters and Associates can again gather in person and enjoy the warm Ursuline welcomes to which we have become accustomed. Until then, we will strive to maintain community however possible. —Kim Sison, Associate

Praying through Zoom

Zoom – v. to move or travel quickly – that is what we might think of when we hear the word, but over the past 49 weeks of zooming, I have felt like life has been anything but fast-paced during this global pandemic. I certainly pray that the vaccine will zoom us into a healthier and safer environment where we can gather again as a community.

Until then, Zoom has certainly been my friend, enabling me to meet with one of my Associates prayer groups on a monthly basis to pray, reflect and reconnect. I am grateful for a screen full of boxes that frame the faces of those who have committed to living the legacy of Saint Angela through their contemplative love of God and their willingness to serve— particularly to serve each other through virtual prayer experiences.

I look forward to a day soon when we can gather again to pray in person. In the meantime, I am grateful that I am not zooming through prayer, but rather, praying through Zoom! —Amy Nall, Associate

Finding a way

The pandemic of 2020–2021 has been a time of fear and anxiety, a time to reflect on the freedom taken for granted, turmoil in our country, and the great loss of engaging with family and friends. Reflecting on the Ursuline community and all the ways we have been a part of one another’s lives, I am thankful we have a safe way to continue our “community.” As the weeks have turned into months, it has been a blessing to engage on Zoom. Saint Angela always managed to find a way…and we are finding a way to keep our “community” alive. We pray together, we learn from one another, we discuss our hopes and our dreams for a better world, and we continue on this pandemic journey together.

—Donna Helm, Associate

THE CHARISM

Blessed by community

To be honest, I did not realize how much I needed to be in community with others, until Lisa Steiner invited me to participate in a small group. This group meets via Zoom on Sunday mornings to read and reflect on the gospel reading of the day. Lisa invited me when I was spiritually stuck in a valley. The pandemic had hit my family especially hard and separated me from them. My initial concern was that I had nothing to offer this small group of amazing women. Fortunately, this community met me where I was. I consider my time with them to be a blessing that came out of the pandemic. I look forward to our weekly gatherings.

—Amy Olson, Associate of Saint Angela Merici and the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville is a contemplative love of God and a resulting openness and eagerness to serve the needs of others.

Feeding my soul

Meeting with Sisters and Associates on Zoom feeds my soul. Sunday scripture with Kim Sison, friends, and my associate prayer group are my church during these challenging times. For me, it is the difference between despair and comfort. Breaking open the word and sharing spiritually has become my Eucharist. The presence of my Ursuline family is the rock I lean on. I have come to depend on this church time to sustain me during these isolated times of social distancing. The Spirit of Angela is alive and thriving.

35 Years

Anna Michael Kathy Mattingly Carolyn Neely Mary Agnes Squires Peasie Fischer

30 Years

Karen Welles

25 Years

Josephine Mantheiy Theresa Patterson Linda Ratchford

20 Years

Theresa Butler Margie Dischinger Jane Elpers Anita Morin Jean Patton Mary Ann Peer Colleen Sparks

15 Years

Pam Catlett Sharon Clayton Catherine Gracesqui Karen Harris Judy Heitzman Mary Mail Kim Sison Hugh Smith Margaret Cundiff Maria May

10 Years

Mary Ellen Grabenstein Patricia Hagan Lois Miltenberger

5 Years

Carlotta Ingram Amy Olson Kevin Wadle Coty Bella-Oropilla Anne Reardon