Our Call Ursuline Associate Community Quarterly
January 2022
2021 Covenant Signing Ceremony Bay Baltes
On Sunday, November 14, a large contingent of Sisters, Associates, and family members met in the Motherhouse chapel for the 2020-21 covenant signing ceremony. The signings took place during Mass celebrated by Fr. John Burke. Due to pandemic concerns, no covenant signing ceremony was held in 2020, so this year’s celebration recognized those who signed initial covenants in both years. Those signing in 2020 included Michael Bratcher, Anna Jo Paul, Barry Paul, and Tricia Forde. The 2021 signees were Jane Cruthirds and Jill Schurman. There were also a number of local Associates on hand to sign covenant renewals. These included Kathryn Hilleary, Jil Ice, Carlotta Ingram, Amy Olson and Kevin Wadle. Thirteen Cumberland, Maryland, Associates renewed by mail in 2021. They included Linda Barry, Phyllis Clark, Lane Clatterback, Joy Green, Mary Margaret King, Josephine Manthiey, Maureen McGann, Anita Morin, Jean Patton, Mary Ann Peer, Debra L. Treadwell and Jean Wilson.
Above: Associates Amy Olson and Kevin Wadle sign their respective covenants as Ursuline Sisters of Louisville Associates.
Twelve Associates in Peru renewed their covenants on January 27, 2021 at a signing ceremony there. They were Ana Maria Avila, Elena Polar de Barreda, Rayda Cuba, Sonia Cuba, Carmen Rosa Laurel, Maribel Lozano, Violeta Rafael, Gladys Saldana, Vilma Sofia Tello, Maria Valdez, Iris Narvaez and Christina Navarro.
Left: Associate Emily Mosby and Sister Helen O’Brien find a moment to visit following Mass.
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Our Call
The Ursuline Associates are Christian women and men who, within their own state in life, join the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville in prayer, mutual support, and service. Together they seek to deepen their lives of prayer and service as followers of Jesus in the spirit and tradition of Saint Angela Merici, foundress of the Ursuline Sisters.
Staff: Bay Baltes 3115 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40206 (502) 896-3956, ext. 3127 bbaltes@ursulineslou.org or associates@ursulineslou.org 1
2021 Covenant Signing Ceremony continued
Top left: Celebrant, Fr. John Burke talks with Sister Julia Davis before celebration begins. Left: Associate Jil ice greets attendees as they enter the chapel for the celebration.
Associates in San Miguel, Peru, hold their covenant signing ceremony– placing their signed cards on a blanket with a picture of Saint Angela Merici.
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Committed to the Ursuline charism:
“A contemplative love of God and resulting openness and eagerness to serve the needs of others.” The first Ursuline Associate covenant signing ceremony took place in 1980. Because no ceremony was held in 2020, we recognized the 40th anniversary Associates in 2021. The original Associates were Michaela Bouknight, Judith Dombrowski, Ann Howard, Donna Ising and Marilyn Lucchese. Only two of the original six are still living – Judith Dombrowski and Donna Ising. Judith was unable to attend the gathering, but Donna was present and signed her covenant renewal during the Mass. There was not a lunch after Mass per our usual tradition, as there wasn’t enough room for all diners to eat in a socially distanced way. Nevertheless, the day was a joyful and blessed one that was enjoyed by all in attendance!
Top to bottom: Associate Eileen Spears, proclaims the Word of the Lord. Liturgist Lisa Feldkamp leads the assembly in the Responsorial Psalm. Associate Donna Ising renews her covenant. Right top: Associate Carlotta Ingram signs the Covenant renewing her commitment as an Associate. Bottom right: Tricia Forde prepares to sign her Initial covenant. 3
St. Ursula’s Feast Day by Bay Baltes On Thursday, October 21, approximately 80 Sisters and Associates gathered in the Motherhouse chapel to celebrate the feast day of St. Ursula, patron saint of the Ursuline Sisters. St. Ursula, a British-born virgin martyr from the 10th century, was a popular saint at the time St. Angela Merici was alive, and she chose St. Ursula to be the patron of her company of women.
Above: Ursuline Sisters and Associates celebrate the Feast of St. Ursula.
The celebration began with Mass, and there was a reading beforehand about St. Ursula and the importance with which she is viewed by the Ursuline Sisters. Following the Mass, Sisters and Associates met in the Motherhouse dining room for a catered lunch.
Top: St. Ursula display in front of ambo. Above left: Fr. John Judie reflects on the ministry and works of St. Ursula, Ursuline Sisters of Louisville and Ursuline Sisters of Louisville Associates. Above right: Sr. Lee Kirchner takes part in the luncheon that followed the Mass.
One of the most difficult things about the pandemic is the way it has curtailed the community’s ability to engage in regular fellowship gatherings. But on this day, we were able to sit down together and enjoy a delicious lunch and reconnect with community members. It was truly delightful to be able to dine together since there have been so few opportunities to do that since March 2020.
Above: Attendees receive the Eucharist during the St. Ursula Feast Day Mass.
Left to right: Sr. Yuli Oncihuay, Associates Barbara Mercer, Karen Harris and Terese Bennett take part in an activity during the luncheon.
In an odd sort of way, we can be grateful to the pandemic for reminding us of the importance of human connections. We are social animals, and we need to be in community—and as Jesus said, “Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am.” (Matthew 18:20) The Sisters and Associates have had several Liturgy and Lunch gatherings since May of last year and we hope to continue them in 2022. We hope you will be able to join us.
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In Memoriam Jane Miranda Elpers, of Louisville, passed away on November 18 at the age of 83. Jane was a 1955 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) and attended Ursuline College. She was a recipient of the SHA Alumnae Heart Award and was a member of the Valkyrie Athletic Hall of Fame. She was also a longtime member of the Sacred Heart Alumnae Board. In addition to her full-time job as wife and mother, her activities included teaching physical education, being a member of the Women’s Altar Society, and serving as a volunteer coach at Holy Spirit School. Jane also volunteered on the Ursuline Campus at the Ursuline Sisters Card Party, the Ursuline Art Fair and at Marian Home.
Diane Rudik Dickman, of Louisville, passed away in November 28 at the age of 57. Diane had been hospitalized briefly prior to her death. She became familiar with the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville when she began working at St. Joseph School in Columbia, South Carolina. There she met a teacher, Ursuline Sister Maria Goretti Lovett, whose friendship motivated her to join the order in 1990, but she left after 18 months. However, she continued her relationship with the Sisters and became an Ursuline Associate in 2012. She remained active in the community until the time of her death. She is survived by her husband as well as her community of Ursuline Sisters and Associates.
Jane became an Ursuline Associate in July, 2001. She is survived by her husband, seven children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as her community of Ursuline Sisters and Associates.
Nominate a Deserving Woman for the
Feast of St. Angela Merici January 27 Celebration
On Thursday, January 27, the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville will celebrate the Feast of St Angela at 11:00 a.m. with a transfer of the Chapel Preservation fund to Sacred Heart Schools to follow. Due to the recent resurgence of COVID cases and to minimize the number of attendees, only the Sisters and a small representation from Sacred Heart Schools will be permitted to attend in person.
The event will be LIVESTREAMED via the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/UrsulinesLouisville
Since 1991, the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville have recognized women for their outstanding service and dedication with the Angeline Award. A nominee must meet the following criteria: • Demonstrates Christian leadership as a disciple of Jesus Christ by being actively involved with challenges that face women and families today • Reflects a contemplative love of God resulting in an openness and eagerness to serve the needs of others • Has a personal connection to the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville • Is able to receive the award in person at a ceremony on October 23, 2022 • For more information and to download a nomination form, visit: https://ursulinesisterslouisville.org/angeline-award/ 5
2021 Christmas Brunch by Bay Baltes
The Leadership Team threw a wonderful Christmas brunch for Ursuline Society and Academy of Education (USAE) employees on Tuesday, December 7, in the Motherhouse dining room. Brunch was catered by Colonnade Catering and included bacon, eggs, sausages, biscuits, hash brown casserole and other delicious items. The day also included singing carols led by Bernie MuddWhite of the Communications Department, who accompanied us on the guitar, and Sister Yuli Oncihuay. One of the highlights of the day was the drawing for a $500 charitable donation. Prior to the brunch, all employees were asked to write down the name a charity he or she supports and place it in a box. The Sisters then pledged to donate $500 to the charity chosen by the employee whose name was drawn out of the box during the luncheon. The winner this year was Bonnie Allison, director of finance, who nominated Shelby House, a charity that operates in Shelby County (Kentucky) to assist families in need. The Christmas brunch was a great way to celebrate the holiday season! We were all very pleased to be able to gather together to share food, song and fellowship.
Above, top to bottom: Sister Carol Cutis reveals the gift she selected from “Santa’s” (Sister Jean Anne) grab bag. Middle: Communications Assistant Bernie Mudd-White and Sister Yuli Oncihuay lead the group in singing carols. Above: Finance Director Becky Phillips selects a gift from “Santa” while Special Projects Facilitator Austin Raderer tries on the reindeer antlers he selected. Right, top: Archivist Laurel Wilson waits her turn while Health Team member Stacy Wells selects a gift. Right: Sister Martha Jacob takes a turn selecting a gift, while Associate Director Bay Bales, admires her selection of a solar Christmas lawn light.
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Birthday Celebrations for the Quarter
Here is the list of those who will be celebrating birthdays in the current quarter (January, February, and March). Use your Associate Directory to reach out to the birthday person with a phone call or a card!
January
2 3 8 10
11 14 15 16 17 21 23 27 28
Nannette Mershon, KY Carolyn Neely, MD Carolyn Holman, KY Sr. Julia Davis, KY Jean Patton, MD Helen Ratterman, KY Sr. Helen O’Brien, KY Mary Burch, KY Margaret Cundiff, NC Margie Dischinger, KY Lucille McIntyre, MD Mary Ernestine Lohr, MD Anna Marie Michael, MD Sr. Martha Buser, KY Bonnie Chester, KY Sr. Antonine Biven, KY Teresa Sowers, SC Audrey Truax, KY
February 1 3 4 5 6 9 14 15 16 18 22 23 28
Ann Thomas, MD Dolores Hellmann, IN Tricia Forde, KY Fr. Joseph Merkt, KY Teresa Hershberger, WV Mary Ann Peer, WV Sr. Martha Jacob, KY Jeannine Nix, IN Mary Mail, IN Jil Ice, KY Anita Morin, MD Alberto Alvarez, SC Bob Lockhart, KY Josie Padilla, KY Sr. Theresa Kruml, IA Eileen Spears, KY
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March
1 4 7 15 16 17 20 23 26 27 29 31
Raymond Bunn, VA Mary Ellen Brockington, SC Mary “Charlene” King, MD Jacqueline Johnson, KY Mary Alayne Burks, KY Colleen Sparks, KY Sr. Agnes Coveney, KY Sr. Jo Ann Jansing, KY Brenda Joyce Patton, MD Connie Buehner, KY Debra Lynn Treadwell, WV Anna Jo Paul, KY
Advisory Board Associate Staff: Bay Baltes, Director bbaltes@ursulineslou.org
Sister Jo Ann Jansing ja.jansing@att.net
Todd Brock tbrock@evdio.org
Rory Polio aurora.polio@gmail.com
Donna Ising ajhoward17@bellsouth.net
Emily Mosby emily.mosby@twc.com
Lauren Hitron lhitron@shslou.org
Advisory Board: Michael Bratcher mbratcher@shslou.org
Ellen McKnight emcknight@ursulineslou.org
Sister Rita Dressman rdressman@ursulineslou.org
Lisa Steiner lisapsteiner@gmail.com
Follow us! Facebook: @ursulineassociates
Bay Baltes, Director Ursuline Associates 3115 Lexington Road Louisville, KY 40206