Ursulines Alive Spring 2019

Ursulines

Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph Proclaiming Jesus through Education and Christian Formation

Spring 2019 Issue No. 48

ursulinesmsj.org

How Sisters Select the Saints for Their Feast Days Inside: Founder Father Paul Volk’s Anniversary

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From Our Congregational Leader Dear Friends, The Dalai Lama once said, “To choose hope is to step firmly forward into the howling wind … knowing that, in time, the storm will pass.” To hope is to place ourselves in the presence of God, believing that all will be well.

There will be difficult times, but there is always hope if we believe.

We are living in a time where hope, truth, honesty and many other virtues are being tested. Each day on the news we see people being hurt, organizations cheating to get ahead, universities accepting bribes from rich people who use their money to buy degrees for their children.

When we hear of these, we wonder if there is hope for us as a country. What can we do to overcome these awful problems?

We can choose to be hopeful. We can choose to be kind. We can share the goods that we have, even if we don’t have very much. We can live the gospel that Jesus taught us. Jack Kornfield said, “The things that matter most in our lives are not fantastic or grand. They are moments when we help one another, when we are there in the most attentive and caring way.”

During these days during Lent while we are preparing for Easter, let’s try to find ways to bring hope back to our world. Compassion will grow with the recognition that all of us share the same humanity. We all can help change our world with acts of kindness and compassion.

Jesus showed us the way of compassion and gave us hope for a day of resurrection. What better example do we have of giving oneself!

Have a Blessed Lent and a Joyful Easter!

Sister Amelia Stenger, OSU, Congregational Leader Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph

GROUP ON COVER: Feast days honoring Mary are the most popular among the Ursuline Sisters, including those gathered here in the Lourdes community room around the Blessed Mother. From left are Sister Grace Swift (Annunciation), Sister Amelia Stenger (Our Lady of the Snows), Sister Mary McDermott (Annunciation), Sister Rosemary Keough (Our Lady of Prompt Succor), Sister Marietta Wethington (Immaculate Conception), Sister Melissa Tipmore (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) and Sister Joyce Marie Cecil (Visitation.)

Ursulines Alive is published by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph,Maple Mount,Ky. Three issues are published each calendar year.

EDITORS: Director of Mission Advancement/Communications...... Dan Heckel, OSUA

Communications Specialist/Graphic Design.................... Jennifer Kaminski, OSUA MISSION ADVANCEMENT STAFF:

Communications and Development Specialist............... Maggie Matsko

Director of Development................................................ Carol Braden-Clarke

Coordinator of Ursuline Partnerships............................. Doreen Abbott, OSUA

Mission Advancement Assistant..................................... Sister Mary McDermott

Mission Advancement Assistant..................................... Sister Marcella Schrant

Contributing Writer......................................................... Sister Ruth Gehres Contributing Writer......................................................... Sister Marietta Wethington 2

COVER WINDOW PHOTO: This stained glass window features Saint John the Baptist. After making first vows, Ursuline Sister Alicia Coomes changed her Feast Day to Saint John the Baptist on June 24.

“I was beginning a new ministry and wanted to be one who evangelized, so I chose him,” she said.

INDEX Feast Days............................................... 3-8 Father Volk Concert............................... 8-9 Conference and Retreat Center........ 10-11 Stelmachs at Home at the Mount.......... 12 Kindness Campaign................................. 13 Obituaries................................................ 14 Powerhouse of Prayer............................. 15 Sister Spotlight........................................ 15 Jubilarians................................................ 16 Sisters’ Impact Chart................................ 16

OUR MISSION We,the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, sustained by prayer and vowed life in community, proclaim Jesus through education and Christian formation in the spirit of our founder, Saint Angela Merici.

OUR CORE VALUES • Prayer • Service • Empowerment • Justice • Contemplative Presence ... In the spirit of Saint Angela Merici

CONTACT US Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph 8001 Cummings Road Maple Mount, Kentucky 42356 270-229-4103 Fax: 270-229-4953 info.msj@maplemount.org www.ursulinesmsj.org

• Facebook: facebook.com/ursulinesmsj • Instagram: Ursuline Sisters of MSJ • Twitter: twitter.com/ursulinesmsj • YouTube: UrsulineSistersMSJ

Saint Rose of Lima

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Feast Days bring Ursuline Sisters a deeper devotion to the Saints

By Dan Heckel, Mount Saint Joseph Staff

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rsuline Sister Rose Jean Powers celebrates her birthday on Aug. 30, which also doubles as her feast day in the Ursuline community. She had little to do with choosing either of those days.

“My feast day is the Feast of Saint Rose of Lima, who also happened to be the patroness of my hometown parish church and school (in Cloverport, Ky.),” she said. “So, on the day of my birth, Sister Mary Denis (Bumpus), who was teaching at our parish school, sent word by my older brothers and sisters that I had to be named ‘Rose’ … but she needn’t have done that, my mom had already decided on my name and ‘Rose’ it was.”

Over the years, Sister Rose Jean learned more about Saint Rose of Lima, and liked that she was the patroness of several Latin American countries.

“I was not so enthralled by the idea of her almost neurotic tendency to fast and do penance; but she did seem to be sincere about her prayer life,” Sister Rose Jean said. “Since she was a person who fasted a great deal, she would probably not approve of the way our small group community celebrates feast days – we go out to dine together. I still celebrate her on Aug. 30 in spite of the Church now celebrating her feast on Aug. 23. That way she gets double the celebration in my book.”

Sister Rosanne Spalding shares the same feast day, mostly because everything kept coming up Roses in her life. She was born Elizabeth Rose Spalding, and both her grandmother and aunt had Rose in their names. She attended St. Rose Catholic Church and grade school in Springfield, Ky. “One thing I discovered about Saint Rose just recently is she loved to do needlework and quilting,” which are also loves of Sister Rosanne. “She is the patron saint of Latin America and gardeners and florists. I love flowers and canning vegetables from the garden,” Sister Rosanne said.

Every Ursuline Sister has a feast day, but there are as many reasons for their choices as there are saints.

“Both men and women who entered religious life were traditionally (at least for 1,000-1,300 years) given new names, almost always of saints,” Sister Cheryl Clemons said. “The change in name was biblical (Abram to Abraham, Saul to Paul) indicating a new way of life.

Feast days were the name-days of their new saint’s name.”

Names in the old days were assigned or given at investment – when postulants became novices, Sister Cheryl said. Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph submitted three names for consideration and the superior

Sister Rose Jean Powers, left, and Sister Rosanne Spalding share the same feast day, Saint Rose of Lima.

chose one, often a combination of the sister’s mother’s and father’s names. That was the case for Sister Cecelia Joseph Olinger.

“As a Mount Saint Joseph Ursuline, I knew that we would always celebrate Saint Joseph’s feast. So, I chose Nov. 22, feast of Saint Cecilia, for my patronal feast day,” she said. “I’m sure I knew that Saint Cecilia was patroness of music. I’ve learned more about her since taking her as my patron. She’s an inspirational woman.”

The changes after Vatican II brought a renewed appreciation for the vowed life as not a different life, but as a special way to deepen baptismal consecration, so it became acceptable for sisters to keep their given name, Sister Cheryl said. Sisters then chose their feast days when they entered the community.

Sister Cheryl is among several sisters who have changed their feast days over the years.

“For sisters like me whose baptismal name is not a saint’s name, I was given the freedom to choose my own feast day,” she said. For more than 20 years, she celebrated the feast of Christ the King, because it was that weekend in 1969 on a visit to the Mount that she decided she wanted to be a teacher and then an Ursuline.

“I changed my feast day before the end of my doctoral studies because I was working on Saint Gertrude the Great, who shares Nov. 16 with Saint Margaret of Scotland,” Sister Cheryl said. “I love Saint Gertrude as an outstanding example of combining head and heart!”

Sister Jacinta Powers changed her feast day to Feb. 20 because it took a while for her patron (Jacinta) to become a saint.

“My mother loved the story of Our Lady of Fatima so much that she named me Jacinta. She urged me to take Lucy as my confirmation name, and my brother (Hubert) took Francisco, so we have all the children,” Continued on page 4 Sister Jacinta said.

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A L I V E Saint Therese of Lisieux (left) and Our Lady of Fatima (right) at Mount Saint Joseph

UrsulineSistersMSJVocations. Sister Monica celebrates the feast of Saint Monica on Aug. 27.

“My knowledge of Saint Monica came through stories about her from my mom and from learning about the saints in school, especially in preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation,” Sister Monica said. “I knew she was the mother of Saint Augustine and that her tears for her son and her perseverance in prayer for him eventually led him to God.” “As an adult, I have come to appreciate Saint Monica in the role of mother, especially as I think of my own mother and her prayers for her children,” Sister Monica said. “Being a mom is a tough job and mothers love their children in a unique way. Saint Monica prayed for Saint Augustine and never gave up on him when others might have said it was the thing to do.”

Feasts fit for a Queen

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Francisco and Jacinta were siblings who tended to their families’ sheep with their cousin Lucia Santo in the fields of Fatima, Portugal. In 1917 they witnessed the apparitions of Mary, now commonly known as Our Lady of Fatima. Jacinta and Francisco Marto were beatified in 2000 and canonized in 2017, on the 100th anniversary of the sightings.

When Sister Marcella Schrant entered the Ursulines of Paola, Kan., in 1945, she took the name Sister Mary James. When she returned to her baptismal name in 1969, she decided to change her feast day to Jan. 31, in honor of Saint Marcella, a little-known saint of the fourth century who shares her feast day with Saint John Bosco.

Saint Marcella was the first “desert mother” of ascetics, giving away her fortune because she preferred “to store her money in needy stomachs rather than hide it in a purse.” She was friends with Saint Jerome, and after he left Rome, priests consulted Saint Marcella about Bible texts because only she could read its original Hebrew and Greek. She is the patron saint of learned women and widows.

“She was really a great lady,” Sister Marcella said.

Sister Monica Seaton is honoring all the Ursuline Sisters by posting feast day congratulations on the vocations Facebook page. To celebrate along with the sisters, follow the vocations page at

The most popular feast days honor Mary, but there are several days to choose. Five sisters chose the Annunciation on March 25, which commemorates the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus. Sister Mary McDermott chose that day to honor her mother.

“My mom was told by the doctor when she was six months pregnant that she would have to make the choice – her life or mine,” Sister Mary said. “A recent convert, my mom began a novena to Mary and promised her if I lived, she would name me Mary. We both lived. I knew about the Blessed Virgin Mary since birth!”

Her mother’s third pregnancy resulted in a cardiac arrest, causing her to lose her baby.

“Mom was saved by the doctor shocking her heart.

My grandmother told me that, Mom never talked about it,” Sister Mary said. To celebrate her feast day, “I say a novena of thanksgiving for Mom’s courage and my life. I also say a rosary for my unknown sibling.”

Sister Grace Swift chose the Annunciation because the angel Gabriel told Mary she was “full of grace.”

Sister Michael Marie Friedman’s feast day is Aug. 22, the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“I remember praying this feast as one of the glorious mysteries of the rosary as a child and always liked it then and still like this title honoring the Blessed Virgin,” she said.

Sister Karla Marie Kaelin knew she wanted a Marian feast day. Her favorite Marian picture is “The Madonna of the Street (left),” so she chose May 24, the feast of Our Lady of the Way. “Years later I even found out that Sister Victoria, my eighth-grade teacher, mentor, and principal, celebrated her feast day that same day, but it was

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known as ‘Our Lady of Victory,’” Sister Karla said.

“History tells us that Mary was probably only 13 or 14 years old when Saint Joseph took her into his home as his betrothed,” Sister Karla said. “In my mind I picture Mary as being very young and very petite. In this picture, Mary is holding her baby very tenderly, while she has a very serious expression on her face.

While she walks the streets with Him in her arms, she appears deep in thought.

I feel sure that Mary took Simeon’s warnings very seriously.”

Sister Joyce Marie Cecil chose May 31, the feast of the Visitation. Mary, while pregnant with Jesus, visits her cousin Elizabeth who is pregnant with John.

‘I get to have Jesus and Mary and Elizabeth and John,” Sister Joyce said. “To me it is a profound meeting, with deep adoration. God is at work with all involved.

When I ponder the great things happening here, I feel so full of God’s blessing and love.”

Sister Marietta Wethington grew up praying the family rosary together and said Mary has always been special in her life.

“I was actually born on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I didn’t know anything about her, so I chose the feast day closest to my birth date, which is the feast of the Immaculate Conception,” she said. “I like the feast day for lots of reasons. The greatest reason is probably because it challenges me to strive to be more like Mary who was conceived without sin. This feast calls me to know my sinfulness. I can never be without sin, but I can surely strive to be less sinful.”

Sister Carol Shively and Sister Rosemary Keough both celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Prompt Succor – but on different days. The feast honors Mary’s quick help in securing a miraculous American victory over the British in the battle of New Orleans. There is a shrine dedicated to her on the Maple Mount campus.

“I had a great devotion to our Blessed Mother,” Sister Carol said. “Once I read her story of the journey to New Orleans, I loved her title as Our Lady of Prompt Succor, and since I was always in a hurry, I thought we were kindred spirits.”

Sister Carol has served in Louisiana for 20 years, which makes the feast more special for her. The church calendar says Jan. 15 is the feast day, but Louisiana always celebrates it on Jan. 8, so Sister Carol does too.

Sister Rosemary celebrates on Jan. 15, which is also the day of her baptism. When she changed from her religious name (Sister Thomas Catherine) in 1969, she was a little disappointed to change from Nov. 25, which was her parents’ wedding anniversary.

“When I learned that Jan. 15 is considered the ‘spiritual feast day of Our Lady of Prompt Succor,’ you

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can imagine my excitement,” she said.

Sister Amelia Stenger chose one of the oldest devotions to Mary, Our Lady of the Snows, on Aug. 5. Legend has it that in Rome in 352 A.D., Mary told a childless Roman couple that she wanted a church built in her honor, and the site for this church would be covered with snow. On the hot morning of Aug. 5, the Esquiline Hill was covered with snow. A church was built on the hill in 358 A.D.; It is now the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

“My mom and dad moved to St. Louis when I was a freshman at Mount Saint Joseph Academy,” Sister Amelia said. “When I went home during the summer, we would go to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (in nearby Belleville, Ill.) for the Aug. 5 celebration. There was an outdoor Mass in the evening, and everyone would have lighted candles. It made an impression on me, so when it came time to choose a feast day, I chose Our Lady of the Snows. The story of the miraculous snow on the hill in Rome and remembering my mom and dad makes the day very special for me.”

Sister Melissa Tipmore’s birthday is July 16, so she chose that as her feast day, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

“I wanted to honor Our Lady and her Son in a special way,” she said. “The statue of her shows her and her son holding the Blessed Scapular out to us.”

Important Saints: Ursuline History Three sisters have Saint Francis of Assisi as their patron on Oct. 4. Saint Angela Merici became a Third Order Franciscan, in part because she could receive the Eucharist more frequently. She was buried in her Franciscan garb.

“When I was in high school, my brother let me read his book about Saint Francis of Assisi by Murray Bodo,” Sister Rebecca White said. “I fell in love with his simple way of living, in addition to his words about preaching the Gospel everywhere, using words if necessary. I wanted to preach the Gospel with my life, not necessarily with words.”

Continued on page 6

Sister Fran Wilhelm, left, Sister Francis Louise Johnson, center, and Sister Rebecca White gather in the Motherhouse Chapel with a statue of Saint Francis of Assisi, their patron saint.

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given Saint Stephen as her patron but decided to change to Saint Joseph.

“My call to religious life was on March 19. I taught at St. Joseph School in Bowling Green (Ky.) for seven years,” she said. “I feel like Saint Joseph has been a guide for me. My feast day saint should be a significant person in my life.”

Sisters Who Share

Sister Betsy Moyer, left, and Sister Nancy Murphy meet at St. Elizabeth Church in Curdsville, Ky., next to a statue of their patron saint, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. Sister Nancy was baptized in this church.

“I want to follow Jesus and all that He calls me to be or do,” Sister Rebecca said. “Saint Francis and Saint Angela help to guide me along that way, truth and life. I have a long way to go, but I am working to simplify my life, to come to know truth, and to become nonviolent within myself, toward others and toward the earth.”

Sister Fran Wilhelm chose her name in community for Francis her dad, and Mary for her mother.

“Having been educated by the Franciscan Friars, I was already devoted to the man who went from riches to utter poverty and who was determined to live like Jesus,” she said. “He is still one of my favorite saints.”

Sister Francis Louise Johnson also chose Francis to honor her father. “In 1989, I went to Assisi and attended Mass there. I love his spirit of simplicity and detachment,” she said. “I say he is to be admired and imitated – but in my case, just admired,” she said with a smile.

Two other important saints to the Ursuline Sisters are Saint Joseph and Saint Catherine of Alexandria, whose feast day on Nov. 25 is the day Saint Angela Merici chose to begin the Company of Saint Ursula in 1535.

When Sister Catherine Kaufman was asked which Saint Catherine she wanted as her patron, she chose Catherine of Alexandria.

“I was told that taking Nov. 25th would be a day of celebration each year because of the Foundation Day,” she said.

Sister Marie Joseph Coomes has numerous Josephs in her family, and her grandmother, mother and aunt all graduated from Mount Saint Joseph Academy.

“Saint Joseph always did what God asked him to do,” Sister Marie Joseph said. She initially chose March 19 as the feast of Saint Joseph, but that is her mother’s birthday, so she moved to May 1, Saint Joseph the Worker.

The newest Ursuline, Sister Stephany Nelson, was 6

Sharing a feast day is not unusual.

Sister Betsy Moyer and Sister Nancy Murphy both celebrate Saint Elizabeth of Hungary on Nov. 17. They both have Elizabeth as a baptismal name, and Elizabeth is also Sister Nancy’s confirmation name and the patron of the parish where she grew up in Curdsville, Ky. Sister Betsy took an interest in Saint Elizabeth during her teen years.

“She was a challenging inspiration. I desired (falling short, at times) to follow in her footsteps of prayer, penance, and charity, especially giving of self,” Sister Betsy said. “Her example of prayerfulness and service to the poor and sick were gratifying to me. The miracle of the roses remains with me from those early years…while taking bread to the poor, she was confronted by someone who thought she was stealing goods from the castle. The bread became roses instead. Divine intervention at the highest level.”

Later in her life, Saint Elizabeth joined the Third Order of Saint Francis, just as Saint Angela Merici did.

“That gives me a stronger connection to our patroness as an Ursuline,” Sister Betsy said. “Saint Elizabeth totally ROCKS. My admiration for the person she was and her lifestyle as a servant leader constantly reminds me of what selfless giving looks like.”

Sister Ruth Gehres chose All Saints Day on Nov. 1 for her feast, because Ruth is from the Old Testament and doesn’t have a feast day. She got the idea from

Sister Ruth Gehres, left, and Sister Susanne Bauer share All Saints Day for their feast day. Here they gather in the Saint Angela Oratory, a central place for important information on Ursuline Saints Angela Merici, Ursula and Marie of the Incarnation.

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Sister Marie Joseph Coomes, left, visits with Sister Stephany Nelson in front of a painting of Saint Joseph hanging on the second floor of Lourdes Hall. Sister Marie Joseph’s feast day is May 1, Saint Joseph the Worker. Sister Stephany changed her feast day to March 19, Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary.

Ursuline Sister of Louisville Ruth Clemens.

“One of our sisters suggested that I write to her,” Sister Ruth said.

“She wrote a lovely letter back to me explaining how fitting it was to celebrate the feast of an Old Testament saint on All Saints Day. Since it was a Holy Day of Obligation, that meant it was a free day and a day of celebration in our community. So … I had a big feast day.”

Sister Susanne Bauer also chose All Saints Day. She once celebrated May 24 for Saint Susanne the martyr, but she couldn’t find out much about her.

“I also liked Susanna in the Book of Daniel, but she didn’t have a feast day. So, I moved my feast day to Nov. 1st and celebrate both of them,” Sister Susanne said.

Lesser-known Saints

Sister Mary Matthias Ward was born Margaret, but as she prepared for her investment day, she read an article on Saint Matthias. It indicated that many people, including priests, confused Matthew and Matthias, the man chosen to replace Judas as the 12th apostle.

“They would see ‘Matt’ and just have the Mass of Saint Matthew even though it was Matthias’ day,” she said. “As I read it I thought, ‘I bet you don’t have a lot to do in heaven since people get you so mixed up. I am going to take your name, make it known and in return you take care of me.’ I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to hear the bishop say, ‘in the world you were Margaret, in religious life you will be Sister Mary Matthias.’” At that time the feast day was on Feb. 24, but it has since moved to May 14.

“We really do not know lots about what he did,” Sister Mary Matthias said. “Bishop (Donald) Pelotte of Gallup, N.M., gave a beautiful homily on him as we ended our Renew program … it was the feast of Saint Matthias, so he talked of him as being the great disciple of Christ. I sat there and cried, feeling like it had been accomplished. People knew who Saint Matthias was.”

Sister Vivian Bowles’ feast day is Dec. 2, for Saint Bibiana, from which the name “Vivian” derives.

“When I read about her life, I admired her and kept looking for more info,” Sister Vivian said. “I found that Cincinnati has a Cathedral named St. Vivian, so then I kept finding more and more about her and where she is venerated in Italy and the U.S. I feel like I know her very well now.”

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Saint Joseph in the Memory Garden at Mount Saint Joseph

Sister Elaine Burke took a circuitous route to her feast day, Sept. 14, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

“When I entered religious life, I received the name of Sister Mary Elaine. Elaine is a derivative of Helen, so I chose Saint Helena as my patron saint,” she said. “That feast was removed from the Catholic calendar. I then chose The Finding of the True Cross which was May 3.

Then later that was removed, so I chose the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.”

Tradition claims that Saint Helena, nearing the end of her life, decided under divine inspiration to travel to Jerusalem in 326 to excavate the Holy Sepulchre and attempt to locate the True Cross on which Jesus died.

Three crosses were discovered, but Saint Helena was able to identify the one that bore the body of Christ.

“The most profound way I can celebrate my feast day is giving of myself fully in the Eucharistic celebration, being the cantor, and asking for the grace to carry any crosses God gives me that day and the days to follow,” Sister Elaine said.

Bravery and Friendship

Sister Michele Morek is proud to have Saint Michael as her patron on Sept. 29. She was named

Michele for her father, Michael, and her mother made sure she knew about the archangel.

“I had a lurid picture of him casting Satan into Hell (very colorful, purchased in Mexico),” Sister Michele said. “I was secretly proud of the fact that everyone had to pray a prayer to Saint Michael after Mass. But as I have meditated through the years on the meaning of his name – ‘Who is like God?’ – and on angels in general as manifestations of God’s love and protection for us, I have come to a new and deeper appreciation of what Saint Michael can represent for me.”

Sister Martha Keller chose Saint Martha, celebrated on July 29.

“One of my favorite Scripture quotes is John 11: ‘Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus,’” Sister Martha said. “I learned about Martha, Mary and Lazarus from the Bible; they were all very close friends of Jesus and he seemed to go to their home to hang out Continued on page 8

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and just relax. Everybody needs those kinds of supportive friends and loving environment. I loved all of these reasons, and I have a genuine desire to be a close friend of Jesus as well.”

“I also feel like Martha is very much misunderstood,” Sister Martha said. “She like many of us may have struggled with a balance in life, a balance of prayer and service, but she definitely had the charism and gift of hospitality.”

To learn the story of any Ursuline Sister’s feast day, just ask her. Here are a few more: • After making first vows, Sister Alicia Coomes switched to Saint John the Baptist on June 24. “I was beginning a new ministry and wanted to be one who ‘evangelized,’ so I chose him.”

• Sister Sharon Sullivan chose the Conversion of Saint Paul on Jan. 25, since she’s a convert. “He’s such a complex fellow – many completely different facets of the same diamond – that I’m still discovering who he is – or could be. He sort of nudges me along my way.”

• Five sisters with Patricia or Patrick in their name celebrate the feast of Saint Patrick on March 17.

One of those is Sister Pat Rhoten. “It is just fine with me, I hate snakes!” she said. Sister Mary Patrick McDonagh has an extra special connection to him since she is a native of Ireland.

• Sister Barbara Jean Head is one of four sisters who have a movable feast day. “The Holy Spirit has been a great strength and guide in my religious life. So, I changed my feast day to Pentecost,” she said. Pentecost is celebrated seven weeks after Easter, so the date changes each year.

• Sister Mary Agnes VonderHaar chose her name in memory of her grandmother – and because that was to be the name of a baby sister she wanted. “However, the other babies turned out to be boys,” she said. Her patron saint is Saint Agnes. “I have a number of pictures and holy cards with prayers to her in my Office book and Bible. One is a photo on my bookshelf of the very beautiful window honoring her in the Convent Chapel in Paola, Kan.” • Sister Ann McGrew chose Saint Anne, the mother of Mary, which is now the feast of Saints Ann and Joachim on July 26. “When I chose the feast of Saint Anne, Joachim was not included. He was added later, but I do not mind sharing the day with him.”

• Sister Catherine Therese Barber chose Saint Therese of Lisieux as her patron. “When I entered the convent her feast day was on my birthday, Oct. 3. When the church later changed many feast days, they changed her feast day to Oct. 1.”

• Sister Jane Falke was born Teresa Falke, so she chose Oct. 15 for Saint Teresa of Avila to honor her parents.n

Sisters honor legacy o A

s he made progress overseeing construction of a girls’ hig Academy, Father Paul Joseph Volk asked the bishop of t Bishop William McCloskey sensed the young Ger Ursuline Sisters, who had arrived in Louisville 16 yea Father Volk’s plea was accepted, and five Ursuline that August to start the Academy in western Daviess County. F Kentucky or serving as a missionary in South America – Father the Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph.

This year marks the 100th anniversary his life in several ways throughout the ye The first event occurred March 19 w Footsteps of Paul Volk: A Musical Trave a hymn by Father Harry Hagan, OSB, w and work. Seminarian Corey Bruns won The concert featured music inspired Germany to Kentucky to South and Cen four singers from Holy Spirit Parish in B between performances. Lisa Screeton, Li direction. Heidi Taylor-Caudill, archivis A young Father Volk Bogdan, director of the Office of Music The event included a small exhibit of artifacts, photographs Missionary, Devoted Friend: Selections from the Father Paul Jo information for the concert audience to better understand Fath March 19 was chosen because it was the feast of Saint Joseph the priesthood in 1865.

Another major effort in 2019 is digitizing Father Volk’s hund undertaken by Taylor-Caudill. The first 200 of his letters will b collection database, which can be found at ursulinesmsj.pastper Father Volk’s correspondence covers the early years at Maple planted in 1875 – through the successful efforts at opening a no as an independent community in 1912. His great affection for Mother Augustine Bloemer and Mother Aloysius Willett – is ev To complete the year of commemoration, on Saturday, Nov. Owensboro, will celebrate Mass at the Motherhouse Chapel in age 78. At his request, he was buried in the Motherhouse Ceme

Original Hymn honoring Father Volk Come and see the many wonders God has worked through many hands.

Come and count the many blessings, woven from so many strands.

We have seen the face of Jesus, Who has dwelt among us here: Christ, the source of all our blessings, blessings flowing year by year.

Father Volk was called for mission called by Christ and by him sent.

He proclaimed the Kingdom’s coming through the Word and Sacrament.

Mother Pia and her Sisters joined him in this holy quest, and their work grew with the maples, for by God their work was blest.

Father Volk and many Sisters planted seeds of faith and prayer, and their prayer and faith has yielded gifts of harvest we must share.

Let us live as Christ’s disciples.

Let us be his face and hands, and proclaim by word and action that God’s love is Christ’s command. _______________ 87.87.D Harry Hagan, OSB © 2019, Saint Meinrad Archabbey Permission granted to the Diocese of Owensboro and to the Ursulines of Mount Saint Joseph to use this text in whatever way seems good.

of Father Volk in 2019

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gh school in 1874 that would become known as Mount Saint Joseph the Diocese of Louisville for help in finding sisters to teach there. rman priest could use some kindred spirits, so he suggested the ars earlier from Straubing, Bavaria.

Sisters of Louisville traveled by flatboat down the Ohio River For the next 45 years – whether he was at Maple Mount, in central r Volk always had a piece of his heart and his eye on the well-being of

y of Father Volk’s death, and the Ursuline Sisters are commemorating ear. with a memorial concert in the Motherhouse Chapel. “In the elogue on His Writings,” featured the world premiere of “Paul Volk,” who was commissioned to write the text celebrating Father Volk’s life n a competition to compose the hymn tune.

by Father Volk’s letters and other writings about his travels – from ntral America. It was performed by the Melodic Four Quartet and Bowling Green, Ky. Selections from Father Volk’s letters were read iturgy and Music director of Holy Spirit Parish, provided the musical st for the Ursuline Sisters and the Diocese of Owensboro, and Mike for the diocese, were co-coordinators of the project. and documents from the Father Volk Collection, titled “Zealous oseph Volk Collection.” The exhibit provided background her Volk’s missionary travels and friendship with the sisters. h, Father Volk’s patron saint, and the day Father Volk was ordained to

dreds of letters to and from the sisters at Maple Mount, a project be searchable this May on the Mount Saint Joseph Archives online rfectonline.com. e Mount – so named because of a grove of maple trees Father Volk ovitiate for new sisters and eventually the separation from Louisville the Ursuline Sisters – specially the two most important early leaders, vident in his writing. . 2, 2019, the Most Rev. William Medley, Bishop of the Diocese of honor of Father Volk. Nov. 2 is the day Father Volk died in 1919, at etery at Maple Mount. n

Among the artifacts on display at the Father Volk commemorative concert in the Motherhouse Chapel on March 19 were his binoculars, prayer book, a statue of Mary and a piece of his cassock. They came from the Archives.

The musicians raise the roof in performing the new hymn in honor of Father Volk at the Motherhouse Chapel on March 19. At left is Lisa Screeton, mezzo-soprano and musical director for the concert, and at right is the Melodic Four Quartet. All of the musicians were from Holy Spirit Church in Bowling Green, Ky.

Sister Cheryl Clemons, far right, and two ladies from Bowling Green, Ky., show their top rating of the performance.

The large audience singing the new hymn included Mike Bogdan, right, director of music for the Diocese of Owensboro, and Heidi Taylor-Caudill, second from right, archivist for the Diocese and the Ursuline Sisters. Both helped plan the event and both read from Father Volk’s writings at the concert.

Father Harry Hagan, OSB, who wrote the lyrics to the Paul Volk hymn, visits with his cousin, Ursuline Sister George Mary Hagan, at the reception after the concert.

Sister Ruth Gehres congratulates seminarian Corey Bruns on his winning composition.

Sister Ruth and Sister Grace Swift were among 11 who submitted musical compositions in the competition, which was judged by three professional musicians from outside the diocese. Sister Ruth has a special kinship with Father Volk since she has spent time in Germany, including a year as an English teacher in Straubing.

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A Ministry of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph

Give Peace, Quiet and Prayer a Chance

MISSION: Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center offers and hosts programs in a rural environment of tranquility for people of all ages and faiths to nurture spiritual and personal growth, advance the arts and promote lifelong learning.

Schedule your event at the Center. Call 270-229-0206.

Photo by Michele Gates

Two new retreats explore spirituality & the arts The mission of the Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center focuses on “offering programs in a rural environment of tranquility for people of all ages and faiths to nurture spiritual and personal growth, advance the arts and promote lifelong learning.”

Two new retreats this spring highlight that mixture of nurturing spiritual growth and A Contemplative advancing the arts.

Photography retreat The first is “Contemplative led by Michele Gates Photography: Seeing with the will take place May 11.

Eye of the Heart” on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

The idea for the retreat sprang from personal visits with faith formation leaders made in the fall of 2018 by Maryann Joyce, assistant director of the Center. She learned that there were several creative photographers in the area and sought to respond to their interest by pulling together a retreat for Mother’s Day weekend.

The retreat is facilitated by Michele Gates, who after a four-year personal journey of healing and self-discovery, founded MLGates Photography earlier this year in Evansville, Ind. She has a passion to uplift, inspire and help others via art, writing and photography.

The retreat offers a way for photographers and nature enthusiasts to use the beautiful holy ground at Mount Saint Joseph as a backdrop to connect with God’s grace.

All levels of photo enthusiasts are welcome, and no prior experience is required. Participants just need a digital camera (or smartphone) and a willingness to be fully present. The cost is $25, which includes lunch.

From June 14-16, anyone can take part in “Awakening the Soul with Creative Arts.” This weekend retreat will be an opportunity for discovery, joy and deep

connection to God. The facilitators will encourage the participants to awaken their physical and spiritual senses through creative activities and quiet reflection. The goal is to open new pathways in our hearts to God’s presence.

Maryann is co-presenting the retreat with Heather Berndt, whom she met at an “Awakening the Creative Spirit” training program for spiritual directors. Berndt is a graphic designer, artist and retreat leader living in Spokane, Wash., who has a passion for inspiring others to explore the divine through creativity and soulful living.

Both women are spiritual directors.

Heather partners with the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, Idaho, a women’s Benedictine community where she has been a co-facilitator for the Embracing the Artistic Call Cohort program since 2015.

The retreat begins on Friday evening and ends at lunch Sunday. The cost is $195, which includes materials, the program, lodging and meals.

Participants can receive a 10 percent discount if The Creative Arts retreat will they register by May 14. “awaken your senses.” No artistic experience is necessary.

“These retreats align Class size is limited to 16. with our mission of advancing the arts and exploring connection to God through creativity,” Maryann said.

Register online at ursulinesmsj.org, Maryann Joyce, left, and Heather email retreatcenter@ Berndt will lead the Creative Arts maplemount.org or call workshop on June 14-16. Both are trained spiritual directors.

270-229-0206.n

Quiet Time With God and Self: June 2-8

Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center is offering a monthly dinner program presented by a priest or a deacon. It’s a time to learn and to pray together.

Save these Dates (Second Wednesday at 6 p.m.)

• May 8 • June 12 • Aug. 14 • Sept. 11 • Oct. 9 • Nov. 13 • Dec. 11 10

Does your body and soul need nourishment? Let the surroundings of Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center feed your faith through prayer, reflection and quiet time.

Spiritual Direction is available for those who desire it.

Fee: $450 (directed retreat) or $275 (silent, undirected retreat)

270-229-0206 • retreatcenter@maplemount.org

From the Director...

S p r i n g

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There is still a need for this holy place ...

Photo by Michele Gates

Dear Friends of the Retreat Center, Days come and go, months are passing and even years are moving in the fast lane. We here at Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center have many programs to offer you. We have the peace, the quiet and the space to let you come and be. The grounds have such a history. They have been traveled by so many holy people, including Father Paul Joseph Volk. As we walk the grounds, may we be challenged by Father Volk’s steps, by his energy and by his holiness.

Our footsteps become intertwined with all the holiness that has walked here, and we leave behind our steps, our energy and our holiness to give to others.

As I reflect upon the Center, the lives that have been touched, the people who have come to be still and to know their God, it brings happiness and gratitude knowing that the Ursulines saw the need back in 1983 – when Mount Saint Joseph Academy closed – and still see the need in 2019 to offer others a place of rest, a place of holiness. In 1983, Bishop John McRaith saw the need of such a place in the Diocese of Owensboro as does Bishop William Medley at this time in history.

When I see Spinners and Weavers, Smockers, Scrapbookers, Chix with Stix and the varied programs

that the Diocese offers, I praise God that all these needs can be met by our outstanding staff members. When I am with the silent group making the contemplative weekend or week, it delights me that there are many who believe that they need to take the time for self and God. I continually thank my God for you who come to the Center. May you know that the God who has begun good work in you will finish that work. Thanks for who you are and all you bring to us.

May we all enter into this holy season of Lent, walk with Jesus or walk with Mary during those 40 days, so that when that greatest feast day of the Church, Easter, appears before us, that we each know we have given our very best to be the best people we have been called to be.

May Saint Angela walk with us,

Sister Mary Matthias Ward, OSU Director, Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center

Charlene Wilson, left, chooses inspirational images to create a collage at the Jan. 26 “Crossing the Threshold of Faith into the New Year” retreat at the Center.

BELOW: Seminarians from the Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana made their annual silent retreat at the Center the week of Jan. 19-25. Each day they had Mass in the Center Chapel at 11:15 a.m.

BOTTOM LEFT: The first monthly Twilight Retreat led by a priest or deacon took place on Jan. 9, with Father Ray Goetz.

Tonya Logsdon, left, and Anne Renfrow enjoy the Jan. 10 monthly Focus on Faith class where the group began watching “The Mass” DVDs. In later months they will discuss a Catholic book.

RIGHT: Donna Hager of Farmington, Mo., laughs during the March 2-6 MSJ Quilter Friends gathering.

ENGAGED LEADERSHIP

Listening and Leading with Purpose, Meaning & Joy

Sept. 13-14, 2019

Retreat Director

Diane Millis, Ph.D. Fee: $130 • 270-229-0206 • retreatcenter@maplemount.org 11

Stelmach family lived American dream at the Mount sisters welcomed them warmly, and their desire to work – and the talents they brought – helped them n Sept. 7, 1950, fit into the rural culture of Mount Saint Joseph. an unusual Stanislaus knew farming and dairy work. Genevieve – telephone call came from who soon became known as “Honey” – was a superb Owensboro to Mount cook and baker whose breakfast rolls and “square pies” Saint Joseph. A Polish in big sheet pans became legendary. Thaddeus – soon family had arrived in renamed “Toddy” – won the hearts of all the sisters, Owensboro and had but in particular Sister Rosalia, who entertained him no place to stay! Could while his parents worked. the Ursuline Sisters take During their first year at the Mount, the family them in? lived in a log cabin in the woodland area across from The “yes” from the Academy.

The second year they moved into the Mount Saint Joseph “Bee House” south of the convent, which had been announced the reconstructed for them. As time went on, three more beginning of a sons joined the family: John, Joseph, and Michael. remarkable story that By the time they were 8 or 9, the boys all had jobs continues to this day. on campus – garbage collection, mowing grass, and Genevieve and Stanislaus Stelmach These were the days washing the benches where the sisters gathered. with their oldest son, Todd, soon after after World War II they arrived at Maple Mount.

As they grew older, the boys all worked in the when large numbers of garden and with their dad on the farm. Along with displaced persons from war-torn areas of Europe were sons of their neighbors, they served the very early daily seeking a better life for themselves and their children.

Mass in the sisters’ chapel. They attended St. Alphonsus Stanislaus and Genevieve Stelmach, with their nearly School down the hill from the Mount.

2-year-old son Thaddeus, came to the States through John Stelmach remembers that “it was a simple life, the War Relief Services of the National Catholic Welfare with a lot of hard work.” Their strong work ethic was Conference. A Daviess County farm family had already modeled for them by their parents. They laugh about agreed to sponsor them. it now, remembering how they complained about yard But now there were complications. Another refugee work and picking green beans and tomatoes. family had arrived before them, and the sponsors had But they all agree that it was a good life. Thaddeus agreed to accept this family instead. What were the (now called Todd) remembers his mom’s reaction when Stelmachs to do? Then someone had an inspiration: he told her that it was time for him to retire. “WHY?” “Why not call Mount Saint Joseph?” And so, the she asked. “You’re just lazy.” Genevieve worked, at least Stelmachs’ American story began. part time, until she was 90. The parents and children Their Polish story began during the years before the were devoted to each other and shared their faith as 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland. Both Genevieve and members of St. Alphonsus Parish. Genevieve often told Stanislaus grew up in hardworking farm families, with the sisters: “I’ve got good boys.” education limited to grade school. With the German Todd laughed when asked whether he ever wanted occupation came a distressing disruption of life in Poland to learn Polish. “No, I never wanted to speak Polish. I – confiscation of property and separation of families. was working too hard to become an American!” Todd Young Polish farm workers were transported to Austria to still corresponds, through translation, with his father’s replace Austrian farmers who were now German soldiers. brother in Poland.

Among them were Genevieve Wnek and Stanislaus The sisters offered to send the Stelmachs for a visit to Stelmach.

Poland, but they didn’t want to make the trip. “I think In the early 1940s, Genevieve and Stanislaus Dad would have gone,” Todd said. “But not Mom. She discovered each other – and eventually married – while was out of Daviess County only two times in her whole working on neighboring Austrian farms. In September life!” The sisters used the funds set aside for the trip for 1948, their son Thaddeus was born. After the war renovation of the family’s house. ended, they considered returning to Poland, but they As the sons finished high school, all of them stayed also corresponded with Genevieve’s half-brother in New for a while to work on the farm, but then found Jersey, who encouraged them to come to America. In employment in Owensboro, married, and began families.

1950, they made the long journey by ship to New York and from there by train to Owensboro, Ky. They never Todd had a lifelong career as an accountant. John saw their families again. has spent most of his work life as a supervisor for an Life at the Mount must have been very different for Owensboro meat packing company. Joe began working this little family, who spoke little if any English. But the with a window and door company and now has his own

By Sister Ruth Gehres, OSU

O

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The Stelmach children with their parents, from left, Joe, Todd, Mike and John.

Below left: Genevieve “Honey” Stelmach smiling in the Maple Mount kitchen, where she worked until she was 90.

Below: Stanislaus Stelmach on the job with the dairy cows.

remodeling business.

Only Mike, the youngest son, has remained at Mount Saint Joseph. “Mom wanted me to stay,” he said. Mike is following in his father’s footsteps as butcher and operator of the Maple Mount slaughterhouse, which provides meat for the convent kitchen. Mike beams with pride when he declares: “Everything I know, I learned from my dad.” His wife, Charlotte, has been employed in the kitchen at the Mount since high school.

Stanislaus worked in the dairy until it was discontinued in 1980. He succeeded Leo Merimee as butcher and slaughterhouse operator, working there into the 1990s. He died in November 2001. Genevieve worked at least part time until 2009. She died on Dec. 11, 2018.

Genevieve lived her last five years as a resident of Saint Joseph Villa with the retired Ursuline Sisters, whom she loved, and by whom she was loved.

The Stelmach sons talk about their parents with great admiration and respect. Todd says: “It must have taken so much courage for them to leave Austria, where they were settled, and which must have been fairly comfortable, with a toddler not yet two years old. And they did this to find a better life for themselves and their family.”

The Stelmach children are grateful that the sisters were willing to welcome their parents and make a lifelong commitment to their family. In return, the sisters express their gratitude for the presence of the Stelmach family at the Mount, where they became loved and treasured members of our extended Ursuline family. n

S p r i n g

2 0 1 9

Kindness Campaign As I have been getting acclimated to the role of Development director, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with the Ursuline Sisters and hear their stories.

During these conversations, what has spoken to me is their tremendous commitment to service. For many who are no longer able to serve in outside ministries, there is still a great desire to continue to serve. They all in their own way have talked about the need for more kindness in the world.

The Development Office is planning a fundraiser that will spread a little kindness to those who may be struggling, who need words of Join Our encouragement or just need to Kindness know that they are appreciated.

Campaign For a contribution of $50, the Kindness Campaign will provide 12 personalized, inspirational cards to be sent to To request a Kindness the person of the donor’s choice Campaign order form, to let them know they matter, please contact Carol 270-229-2008 and that someone cares about carol.braden-clarke@ them. The donor will just need maplemount.org to send in a donation along with or use the Donate information about the recipient. button on our website: A personalized card will be sent ursulinesmsj.org to the person each month for a

by May 15, 2019 year from June 2019 through May 2020. The recipient could be a family member, neighbor, friend or maybe someone the donor doesn’t know personally, such as a police officer, a teacher or a government official. The Kindness Campaign is an opportunity for service clubs, church groups and school groups to volunteer each month to prepare the mailings, interact with the Ursuline Sisters and learn about the mission of the sisters.

Thanks to all those who donated during the Annual Appeal. For those who donated $100 or more, a tree will be planted in your honor as part of the Owensboro Arbor Day Celebration. The tree planting is at 9 a.m.

April 13 at Thompson-Berry Park.

The weekend of Sept. 7-8 is “Escape to the Mount” Weekend. We are planning a fun-filled weekend. On Sunday afternoon we will be hosting a Quilt Bingo with an auction and food. The Mount Raffle drawing will be held at 3 p.m. that day. It will be a great way to spend an afternoon and support the sisters.

We’ll have more news soon when the raffle tickets are available.

Carol Braden-Clarke, Director of Development Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph

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U r s u l i n e s

A L I V E

In the joy of eternal life SISTER EMMA CECILIA BUSAM, 97, died Dec. 14, 2018, at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 75th year of religious life. She was a native of Owensboro, Ky. Sister Emma Cecilia was an accomplished teacher and artist who took great interest in her students. She later became an expert archivist, both for her community and the Diocese of Owensboro. She was an educator for 38 years in Kentucky, serving as a classroom teacher, art teacher and principal in elementary schools. She was an art teacher at Brescia College (1960-66, 1970-82), Owensboro Catholic High School (1971-82) and Mount Saint Joseph Academy (1982-83). At Mount Saint Joseph, she was director of archives (1983-2001) and of the museum (1983-92). She served as archivist for the Diocese of Owensboro, 1991-2011, and upon her retirement, the archives were named in her honor. Survivors include the members of her religious community; a sister, Mary Agnes Vance, of Connersville, Ind.; and nieces and nephews.

SISTER MARY IRENE CECIL, 91, died Dec. 22, 2018, at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 72nd year of religious life. She was a native of West Louisville, Ky. Sister Mary Irene was a “quiet fire,” a prayerful, gentle woman who possessed strong skills as a servant leader. She was a teacher for 21 years in Kentucky and Missouri, then was supervisor of schools for the Archdiocese of Louisville (196976). She was elected as a councilor on the Ursuline Leadership Council (1974-80), then was elected major superior of the community (1980-88). She was coordinator of staff, director of lay ministry and director of adult formation for the Diocese of Owensboro (1989-95). She was director of postulants for her community (1995-96), a parish minister and co-director of pastoral care at Saint Joseph Villa at the Motherhouse (2002-2009), and daily annalist for the community (2010-14). From 2009-2018 she was a seamstress for the senior sisters at the Motherhouse. Survivors include the members of her religious community; her brother, Tom Cecil, of Owensboro; and nieces and nephews.

SISTER MARY ELIZABETH KRAMPE, 100, died Jan. 14 at Mount Saint Joseph. She was in her 61st year of religious life. Born in Rome, Ky., Sister Mary Elizabeth entered the Ursuline Sisters of Belleville in 1958. In October 2005, the Ursulines of Belleville merged with the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. A gifted seamstress, Sister Mary Elizabeth served her community at the Belleville Motherhouse through sewing and needlework, including making many afghans and quilts.

She moved to Maple Mount in 2004 and continued in community service. Survivors include the members of her religious community, and nieces and nephews.

SISTER MARIE WILLIAM BLYTH, 89, died March 10 at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 69th year of religious life. She was a native of Denver. Sister Marie William was an Ursuline of Paola, Kan., until the merger of that community with Mount Saint Joseph in 2008. She loved teaching and helping adults to grow deeper in their faith. She was never without a joke in hopes of lightening someone’s day. Sister Marie William was an educator in Kansas and Oklahoma for 31 years, then director of religious education at two parishes in Kansas for another 21 years. She was a pivotal person in working with Ursuline Associates in Kansas and continued to help with associates after moving to Maple Mount in 2009. She wrote Reflective Moments with Angela for the Ursuline website for several years. Survivors include the members of her religious community and a nephew, Joseph Wilkes, of Thornton, Colo.

SISTER CELINE LEEKER, 89, died March 25 at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 70th year of religious life. She was a native of Olathe, Kan. Sister Celine was an Ursuline Sister of Paola, Kan., until 2008.

She had an ever-present radiant smile and loved to welcome people and make them feel at home. She was an educator for 41 years in Kansas and Oklahoma and was formation director for her community from 1975-79. She moved to Maple Mount in 2009. Survivors include the members of her religious community; four sisters, Margaret Hutchinson and Agnes Phelps, both of Overland Park, Kan., Catherine Leeker of Shawnee, Kan., and Rose Leeker of Gardner, Kan.; a brother, John Leeker, of Wichita, Kan., nieces and nephews.

Memorials for Ursuline Sisters may take the form of donations to the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356. Thank you.

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S p r i n g

Powerhouse of Prayer

2 0 1 9

– By Dan Heckel, Mount Saint Joseph Staff

Sister Marie Bosco always makes time for prayer This feature highlights the efforts of those Ursuline Sisters who minister in the “Powerhouse of Prayer,” who lift up all those who ask for prayers throughout the year. wanted the children to rayer has been a big part of Sister Marie Bosco know their prayers and Wathen’s life since she was a little girl growing up in about Jesus and his life,” the tiny town of Finley, Ky. she said. As an education “From the very beginning, my parents prayed morning professor at Brescia College and night prayers,” she said. “Any situation they were concerned about, they prayed. When we had need of help, in Owensboro, Ky., for 23 years, “I tried to show the we went to God.” Her reliance on prayer was put to the test when she was students by doing, rather than with words.” just 6 years old, the year her mother died.

These days, she enjoys “I had no place to go, so I just prayed,” she said. “My praying with the other teen-aged sisters and my father raised me. I was lost, my Ursuline Sisters at the mother had helped me with my school work and my Motherhouse. With her prayers. She’d tell me to do whatever the sisters said – and hearing failing, she stays in Sister Marie Bosco Wathen the sisters said to pray.” her room during morning found this shrine to the Sacred She attended St. Joseph School in Raywick, Ky., a Heart in a garage at the Mount, and evening prayer so she public school where all her teachers were Ursuline Sisters. and now it is set up in her can hear the prayers over Sister Jean Mark Buckler was from her hometown and room. “It goes wherever I go,” closed circuit TV. she said. joined the Ursuline Sisters in 1928.

“God loves us, that’s why “She knew all about my life,” Sister Marie Bosco said. we love God,” she said. “I try to pray for sick people and “She had a devotion to the Sacred Heart, and I learned it people in need of prayers. I pray for everyone on the daily from her. God has always been a part of my life.” prayer requests.”

In the corner of her room in Saint Joseph Villa is a She has a simple answer for those who say they don’t shrine to the Sacred Heart, which Sister Marie Bosco have time to pray. rescued from a garage on campus many years ago.

“You can pray while you’re working, you can pray any “I cleaned it up and took it to Brescia with me,” she time,” Sister Marie Bosco said. “I don’t know how people said. “It goes wherever I go.” live without prayer.”

During her 76 years as an Ursuline Sister, prayer has Friends can write to Sister Marie Bosco at 8001 been the most important part of her life, she said.

“When I taught grade school (for 29 years) I always Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.

P

Sister Spotlight: Sister Eva Boone Meet Sister Eva – Nature Lover and Native of Howardstown, Ky. Z Favorite Food: Pizza. “We usually have it as a treat here on special occasions. It goes perfectly

with watching a ball game.”

Z Morning Person or Night Owl? “I would consider myself a morning person since I love listening to the birds chirping and watching the sunrise as it begins my day.”

Z What She Does in Her Spare Time: She keeps herself busy – “I love to spend my free time doing all kinds of needlework, walking to get my exercise and being among nature. All those things make me very happy.”

Z Favorite Author: Kentucky native Barbara Kingsolver. “I love her work because she is down to earth, and she writes a lot about creation.”

Z Favorite Color: Yellow. “That is my favorite color because it is bright like the sun.”

Have you ever considered becoming an Ursuline Associate? You would be welcome!

Contact our new Coordinator of Ursuline Partnerships Doreen Abbott: 270-229-2006 associates.msj@maplemount.og 15

8001 Cummings Road Maple Mount, KY 42356-9999 270-229-4103 www.ursulinesmsj.org info.msj@maplemount.org

Ursuline Sisters celebrating their Religious Jubilees in 2019

Sister Cecelia Joseph Olinger 60 YEARS

Sister Clara Reid 60 YEARS

“Have faith and firm hope in God.” –Saint Angela Merici, founder of the Ursuline Order

Seven Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph are celebrating anniversaries of religious life this year.

They have dedicated a combined 355 years of service to God’s people. The sisters will be honored at the Motherhouse during Community Days in July. You will learn more about them in our summer issue.

Sister Alicia Coomes 40 YEARS

Sister Larraine Lauter 40 YEARS

SNAPSHOT OF THE IMPACT OF THE URSULINE SISTERS OF MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH They touch the lives of over 500,000 people each year!

340 homebound/hospital/ 2,100+ students nursing home visits and taught in Catholic bereavement meals schools 3,000 experienced events at Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center

8,000+ low-income people assisted 180 refugees assisted 100 taught in Citizenship classes 28,606 Water Women trained

by Water With Blessings in developing nations in Central America and Africa, providing114,420 households with clean water 100+ volunteering as quilters, helping with fundraisers, etc.

1,000 students welcomed, assisted and instructed at Brescia University

The numbers on these pages reflect ministries in Owensboro, Louisville and western Kentucky; Millstadt, Ill.; Kansas City; Shreveport, La., and Central America/Africa. The Ursuline Sisters also serve in other states and cities and in Chile.

270+ youth and adults informed about the Catholic Faith RCIA, Vacation Bible School, Preparation for Sacraments, Sunday School, etc.

Sister Mary McDermott 40 YEARS

Sister Marie Montgomery 75 YEARS

Sister Rebecca White 40 YEARS

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTABILITY: As a member of the National Catholic Development Conference, the Ursuline Sisters submit an accountability report after their annual financial audit. This is a summary of Donations/Bequests and Expenses for fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. Questions? Contact Director of Development Carol Braden-Clarke at 270-229-2008.

Revenue_________________ Unrestricted 447,572.25 60.45% Restricted 24,929.80 3.37% MSJ Center 5,689.00 0.77% Bequests 61,785.11 8.34% Retirement 62,935.00 8.50% Quilt Club 38,965.00 5.26% MapleFest 3,712.84 0.50% Raffle 94,865.00 12.81%

740,454.00 100.00%

Expenses________________

Retirement Fund 200,477.84 27.07% MSJ Center 5,689.00 0.77% Restricted 24,929.80 3.37% Program/Ministries 448,234.48 60.54% Management/General 45,842.16 6.19% Fund Raising 15,280.72 2.06%

740,454.00 100.00%

Mark your calendars to “Escape to the Mount” on Sept. 7-8, 2019!