Ursulines Alive Summer 2017

INSIDE...

New Ministries 18 Jubilarians Spiritual Direction Training Program

Those We Serve in Louisville

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From our Congregational Leader Dear Friends of our Ursuline Sisters, On July 18, our Council began its second year of service to the Ursuline community. Our first year was filled with many blessings, but it was also a time of sadness, since we lost 11 of our sisters. We hope the coming year will be filled with many new opportunities for service to our community and the Church.

One of the things that we want to do during the coming year is to visit the Italian home of our founder, Saint Angela Merici. We are taking a tour from April 9 to April 19, 2018, to Rome, Florence, Assisi and Brescia to pray at her shrine and visit the places where she lived and worked. While in Rome, we will have an audience with Pope Francis and visit the wonderful churches. We will also visit St. Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Brochures about the trip are available upon request. If you are interested in being a part of Angela statue in Desenzano, the tour, please call Sister Amelia at 270-929-5101 for more Italy information. We hope to have 36 people on the tour.

Let us continue to pray for our country and for a renewed spirit of care for our brothers and sisters. Jesus calls us to help those who are less fortunate. With the works of mercy, we are called to build a community of support and friendship for those around us. This includes our wonderful earth. Let this year be a year of commitment to renewal of living the gospel message of “love of our neighbor.”

God bless each of you and those you love.

Sister Amelia Stenger, OSU, Congregational Leader

How can we promote vocations to religious life in your parish?

National Vocation Awareness Week will be celebrated Nov. 5-11, 2017.

According to a report from the National Religious Vocation Conference, statistics show that, of the recent vocations to religious life and priesthood, “the majority participated in parish ministry prior to entering formation.”

• Women and men are equally likely to have served in parish ministry.

The most common ministry experiences prior to entrance in order is: Lector, Altar Server, Music Ministry and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist.

• Before entering religious life or the seminary, one in six participated in World Youth Day. Women were three times more likely than men to have participated in World Youth Day. What ideas can you suggest to help promote vocations in your home parish? Please send your thoughts to monica.seaton@ maplemount.org or contact me if you would like me to speak to Sister Monica a group in your parish about vocations. Making sure we have a Seaton religious presence available to upcoming generations is a mission we can all share.

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................................................ Betsy Jo Mullins

Coordinator of Ursuline Partnerships............................. Marian Bennett, OSUA

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

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

COVER: Louisville Day Skyline by Dan

Dry (courtesy of Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau). Located on the bank of the Ohio River, Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city. TOP LEFT: Wednesday volunteers at the Sister Visitor Center in Louisville join Sister Michele Ann Intravia, left, director, as they prepare to sort through donations of clothing and other items on June 28. From left are Nick Eve, Carol Oyler, Bob Oyler and Teresa Meyer. TOP RIGHT: Sister Kathleen Kaelin, right, chats with Natasha Burrowes, program director for the Earth and Spirit Center, on June 29. They met in the meditation room to discuss spiritual integration communities.

BOTTOM LEFT: Sister Larraine Lauter with Jim Wilhite, a dedicated volunteer at Water With Blessings in Louisville.

INDEX

Jubilarians............................................. 8-10 Obituaries................................................ 11 Powerhouse of Prayer............................. 12 Sister Spotlight.......................................... 7 Soli deo Gloria......................................... 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

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 • Pinterest: Ursuline Sisters of MSJ • Twitter: twitter.com/ursulinesmsj • YouTube: UrsulineSistersMSJ

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hose we serve...

Ursulines are changing lives in Louisville

By Dan Heckel, Mount Saint Joseph staff and Louisville native

T

he four volunteers preparing to sort the donated clothes at the Sister Visitor Center in Louisville, Ky., all joined the charity for different reasons. But each stemmed directly from either Ursuline Sister Michele Ann “Shellie” Intravia, the director of the center, or Ursuline Sister Maureen O’Neill, a caseworker.

“Sister Maureen got me involved here,” Carol Oyler said. “I taught with her for 15 years at Most Blessed Sacrament and St. Nicholas Academy. When she started down here, I started volunteering (in 2011).” Her husband, Bob, started with her at the same time.

Nick Eve worked for the Archdiocese of Louisville, so Sister Michele was a colleague.

“It gave me the opportunity to see the good work here,” Eve said. “I was looking for a way for God to repurpose me. Shellie said ‘come on down.’ It’s wonderful work here. It’s truly the corporal works of mercy. With Shellie, it was an invitation, not a guilt trip.”

Teresa Meyer is a retired principal and knew people who volunteered at Sister Visitor.

“My brother is a food broker. He would take extras to the Sister Visitor Center, that’s when I learned of it,” she said. One day at a luncheon she ended up sitting next to Sister Michele, and began volunteering in 2016.

“You feel like you’re doing something really worthwhile,” Meyer said. “When I was a principal in the Jefferson County Schools, there were high poverty levels in the schools. I saw the needs daily.”

Saint Angela Merici founded the Ursuline Sisters to serve the needs of the time, and that continues today.

This is the third in a series of articles that features people who serve with or who are served by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. This issue focuses on the sisters serving in Louisville.

Sister Maureen O’Neill, center, works in the clothes donation area with volunteers Carol and Bob Oyler at the Sister Visitor Center. Sister Maureen taught school with Carol for many years.

Sister Michele Ann Intravia and Sister Maureen O’Neill: Faith in Action

The Sister Visitor Center helps some of Louisville’s poorest people with necessities like food, clothing, and paying utility bills. The Sisters of Charity began the center in 1969, but the Ursuline Sisters are now the only women religious serving there.

Having sisters at the center means a lot to Bob Oyler.

“It’s a connection to our religion,” he said. His wife, Carol, said seeing the sisters minister to the poor offers a different perspective.

“I always saw the sisters teaching,” she said. “When Sister Maureen came down here, I could see them in a different light.”

Eve said people who work in social services tend to go through frustration and burnout, even cynicism.

“As women religious, the sisters bring the compassion of Christ,” he said. “They see it as their mission and ministry, more than just a job.”

Carol Oyler is impressed watching the Ursuline Sisters minister to the people who come into the center.

“It helps them to get in touch with people who need the help,” she said. “They’re moving forward and taking care of the people who need it.”

Leeann Carter, a case manager at the center, said their clients may not know there are sisters helping them, but having sisters is a boost.

“I’m from a social work background,” Carter said. “(Having sisters) helps with the parish support, so the clients benefit. The parishes support us because of the Continued on page 4

Sister Michele Ann Intravia, left, and Leeann Carter, a case manager at the Sister Visitor Center.

Sister Visitor volunteer Bob Oyler, left, sorts through some items as volunteer Nick Eve brings a cart to load, while Sister Michele Ann Intravia looks on.

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religious presence.

There are five to six parishes a week who help.”

The dedication of the volunteers is what makes the Sister Visitor Center stand out compared to other places Carter has worked, she said.

“We have people who have volunteered here for 20 to 30 years,” she said. “They are all Catholics.”

Sister Larraine Lauter: A Committed Spirit at Water With Blessings

LEFT: During a tour of the Water with Blessings office, Sister Larraine Lauter shows the bottle used to backfill the Sawyer filter to Mackdell Long, who runs the Saint Vincent DePaul Society at Sacred Heart Parish in Russellville, Ky. TOP RIGHT: Sister Larraine shows the “cloud system” of Water Women (who promise to filter water for three other families) to Long and Father Jojy Joseph, HGN, pastor at St. Paul Parish in Princeton, Ky., and St. Mark Parish, Eddyville.

RIGHT: Father Joseph drinks water that had just been filtered. He was interested in sponsoring WWB in his native India.

Jim Wilhite first visited “the forgotten people” in Uganda’s poorest village, Kagoma Gate, in 2014, with The Giving Circle organization.

“These folks are so landlocked they can’t grow crops.

They come from several countries due to famine or genocide,” Wilhite said. The well water in Kagoma Gate is contaminated, leading to many stillborn babies, and children under 5 dying.

“I would just fall to my knees in tears, the children were dying,” he said, choking up as he recounted those memories. “When you see children dying, it changes everything. I said, ‘Something has to be done.’”

When he returned to Louisville in 2015, he contacted Melissa Mershon, president of Supplies Over Seas, a medical surplus recovery organization.

“I told her my story,” Wilhite said. “She said, ‘I have someone for you to meet.’”

That person was Ursuline Sister Larraine Lauter, founder of Water With Blessings.

“God handpicked her,” Wilhite said. “She is committed to doing everything she can to have every child in the world have clean water. When you volunteer here, it’s all you want to do.”

Sister Larraine told Wilhite how Water With Blessings worked: Every $60 raised purchases a Sawyer PointONE filtration system and training material to be shared with a Water Woman in a developing country, who is a mother of a child under 5. The filter works with a simple bucket, and removes 99.9999 percent of the bacteria in water.

Data shows that the children where filters are used no longer get dysentery or parasites.

The potential Water Women have their names put in a bucket, a prayer is said, and then the names are drawn – leaving it in God’s hands. The Water Women sign a covenant promising to clean water for three families other than their own. Water With Blessings is now operating in 25 developing countries.

After telling Wilhite about her ministry, Sister 4

Larraine filtered a cup of dirty water, which Wilhite drank.

“She gave me the training for the Water Women teachers,” he said. “That convinced me this was the real deal.”

In 2016, Wilhite took 75 filters with him when he spent four months in Uganda. He trained 75 Water Women while he was there.

“I drank water from the well after it ran through the filter,” Wilhite said. “The people went berserk. They hugged me. I told them, ‘This is a gift from God, not me. I’m just the hands and feet.’”

Volunteers with The Giving Circle returned to Kagoma Gate in January 2017, and reported to Wilhite upon their return that all the filters were being used, and the Water Women were sharing water with three other families at they promised. In the time since the filters had been in place, there had been no stillborn babies, and not one child under 5 had died.

Sister Larraine said Wilhite is one of the most committed volunteers at the Louisville office. About 3035 people volunteer each week, putting together filters and packaging the kits.

“I went to Honduras with Sister Larraine for a week in January 2017,” Wilhite said. “It’s her commitment.

She’s calm and comforting. When you’re with her on a mission, it’s like being with a family member.”

Sister Kathleen Kaelin: Loving Guidance

Meditation has been part of the Catholic faith for generations. Many people don’t realize that because it was practiced behind the walls of cloistered religious communities, said Father Joe Mitchell, a Passionist priest who is president of the Earth & Spirit Center.

“Now it’s the religious who are bringing it forward,” Father Mitchell said. One of the people doing so in Louisville is Ursuline Sister Kathleen Kaelin, who has been a therapist and spiritual guide in private practice for

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20 years, and since 2012 has taught “I’d say 60 to 70 percent of our a meditation class at the Earth & students are Christians. For them, Spirit Center. meditation is new and maybe “I think being a sister or a fearful,” Burrowes said. “I think priest gives (Catholics) permission people feel comfortable exploring to consider meditation,” Father meditation when you have a Mitchell said. “It also helps people priest and Kathleen practicing who aren’t Catholic or Christian. it. It’s exploring concepts in an It gives a positive impression interfaith way.” of Catholicism that a (sister) is Sister Kathleen Kaelin, left, gathers with Sister Kathleen has been pursuing meditation.”

Natasha Burrowes, program director for leading meditation groups in her On the first Saturday of the month, the Earth and Spirit Center, on July 29. This private practice for many years.

Sister Kathleen leads Interfaith Silent porch overlooks a garden that is grown by One of her faithful members Sitting meditation, said Kyle Kramer, immigrants from Bhutan. is Charlotte Cunagin, who is a executive director of the Earth & Spirit Presbyterian.

Center.

“Kathleen is a true natural and a gift to the “People of all backgrounds come, all faiths or no community of people who want to explore a larger way faith,” Kramer said. “There are 30 to 40 people who you of seeing God in our world,” Cunagin said. “In the don’t assume have anything in common. She can make that into something meaningful. It calls on all her talents, beginning, I had no idea that she was a Catholic nun.

Not coming from a Catholic background, I just found her charism of hospitality and warmth of personality. We her bright, safe and a loving counselor for those seeking get so much good feedback. She’s a wonderful first face an expanded look at their faith. Her loving guidance for the program.” into meditation is clearly supported by her faith in God’s Kramer said Sister Kathleen is a gentle and intuitive love. The name ‘Kathleen Kaelin’ resonates as a highly person. respected leader of meditation in the city of Louisville.”

“She’s good at leading with her heart,” he said.

Bill Stanley is a therapist who shares office space with “Much of our teaching can be cerebral, but she provides Sister Kathleen’s private practice. a balance. She is so kind and warm. I love being around “Kathleen is a deeply intuitive therapist, who without Kathleen. No matter what kind of day I’m having, she judgment, accepts people where they are,” Stanley said. makes it better. She is endlessly welcoming.

“She has a unique ability to listen to the inner core “Kathleen lives the quintessence of the Ursuline and not get distracted by surface issues. Her warm and charism that brightens the path and enhances the sensitive spirit allows her clients to disclose their secret spiritual practice of everyone she encounters,” Kramer pain and be heard with compassion.” said.

Natasha Burrowes is the program director at the Earth Sister Grace Simpson: The Gift of Hospitality & Spirit Center, and worked with Sister Kathleen to Many of the men who walk through the door at the form spiritual integration communities.

St. John Center for Homeless Men are going through “We have a lot of large groups, but we found a need some “condition,” including addiction or mental illness, for small group formation among those larger groups,” said Raymond Schafer, volunteer coordinator. “The Burrowes said. “Students really loved it. Kathleen was person doing sign-in needs to be welcoming,” he said. integral in the framework, the name, philosophy and Each Monday and Friday, one of the people structure.” volunteering for that job is Ursuline Sister Grace Sister Kathleen’s religious background helps with Simpson. many of the students, Burrowes said.

“Sister Grace has a quiet presence that is good for the guys,” Schafer said. “This elderly, smiling lady sitting there, it’s hard to fuss at her. I think the men respect her a lot. She has the gift of hospitality. We work at being welcoming, respectful and considerate. Sister Grace is very good at all of those.”

Sister Grace Simpson, After serving 30 years helping the center, sits at the reception poor at the Sister Visitor Center, Sister desk at the St. John Center Grace has volunteered the past 2½ for Homeless Men, where she volunteers on Mondays years at the St. John Center. and Fridays. Next to her “We do intake, find out health are volunteer Leah Keene issues, their financial situation and and volunteer coordinator figure out how to help,” Schafer said.

Raymond Schafer.

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“They can make phone calls, get mail here, take a shower and get some coffee.

We average 189 men a day. They may be here 5 minutes, they may be here all day.”

Maria Price is Sister Karla Kaelin poses with Father executive director of Maurice Hayes next to a statue St. John Center, but in of Saint Francis of Assisi inside St. 1985 she was a college Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. Father Hayes, a Franciscan priest, is the pastor sophomore spending of the parish. her spring break looking for places to volunteer in Louisville.

“One of those sites was the Sister Visitor Center, where Sister Grace was on staff,” Price said. “I knew immediately she was such a treasure. She was someone I wanted to emulate. She was always calm and joyful.”

Price moved to Louisville in 1987 and found she and Sister Grace were members of the same parish, St. William.

“When Sister Grace retired from the Sister Visitor Center, she still wanted to have a way to be with people on the margins,” Price said. “She called me one day and asked if we had need for any volunteers. I was so excited to get that call!”

Most of the men do not know Sister Grace is a woman religious, Schafer said. There are several sisters from other communities who volunteer, including a Benedictine on staff.

“The sisters bring a settled presence, a respectful tone,” Schafer said. “Sister Grace embodies attention to the individual.”

Price believes having sisters on staff makes a difference. “These women religious have a long history of living a mission of service, and are dedicated to being of service to all God’s children,” Price said. “Here, they share their lives with the poor. They are very naturally role models for the rest of us.”

Leah Keene has volunteered at the Center since January 2017, working the front desk and sign-in.

“Sister Grace is just so kind, she has such a positive demeanor,” Keene said. “She is so interesting. I’m newly Catholic, it’s nice to have someone to talk to. She has a glowing spirit, that’s refreshing.”

“It’s nice to see people who dedicate their whole lives to serving others,” Keene said. “It shows the good in the world.”

Sister Karla Kaelin: Down to Earth Spirituality

Diane Link began working as the bookkeeper at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish 6

in spring 2017. It didn’t take her long to learn the unique skills that Ursuline Sister Karla Kaelin brings to her role as director of religious education.

“It’s her enthusiasm. She’s so full of life,” Link said. “If you’re down in the dumps, go talk to Sister Karla.”

Link had sisters for teachers in Catholic school, so it’s been a new experience having a sister as a co-worker.

“Sister is a very down-to-earth person. She knows life,” Link said. “Sister dedicated her life to Christ. It’s such an unusual thing to see any more.”

Father Maurice Hayes is a Franciscan priest and pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.

“Since I was a little kid, every time there was a sister involved in the parish, we felt blessed,” he said. “We still do today. We enjoy sharing with her vocation, and what her vocation brings to us.”

As director of religious education, Sister Karla helps the children in the parish learn the truth of Christ, Father Hayes said.

“From my experience, to have a religious, it’s more than a job, it’s their life,” Father Hayes said. “She’s a delight, we are exceedingly blessed to have her here.”

Carol Fox, the music director at the parish since 2013, said the parishioners have great faith in Sister Karla.

“There are still a lot of people who grew up with sisters, who feel more secure with a sister” working in the parish, Fox said. “It’s the belief that ‘Sister probably knows what she’s talking about.’”

Fox says Sister Karla is wonderful to work with.

“She’s very cheerful, always looks for the best, and is down to earth,” Fox said. “I can even tell her risqué ideas and she doesn’t look at me like I’m a terrible person,” she said with a smile.

Sister Emma Anne Munsterman: A Spiritual Touch

Sister Helen O’Brien is an Ursuline Sister of Louisville who began coming to Maple Mount in the early 1990s to lead one-on-one retreats for sisters. It was during one of her early visits that she met Ursuline Sister Emma Anne Munsterman.

“Emma was studying reflexology when I met her,” Sister Helen said. “I had no idea what she was talking about. She said ‘Let me show you.’”

Sister Emma Anne Munsterman, second from right, poses with three Sisters of Charity of Nazareth at Nazareth Home in Louisville.

From left are Sisters Mary Serra Goethals, Maureen Coughlin and Rose Howard.

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Sister Emma Anne worked on Sister Helen’s foot that day. When Sister Emma Anne moved to Louisville in 1998, she began working with Sister Helen regularly until a stroke in 2016 slowed Sister Emma Anne.

Sister Emma Anne Munsterman, “Her heart is bigger left, and Sister Amanda Rose than any I know,” Sister Mahoney in the gazebo at Maple Mount. The two lived Helen said. “It’s not just together in Louisville for 18 that she cares. She shows years. her heart by doing. I give her credit for the last 25 years of my good health.”

Sister Emma Anne has certification in therapeutic massage, reflexology (a type of healing involving pressure to the hands, feet or ears), craniosacral therapy (working with the bones of the head, spinal column and sacrum) and other noninvasive therapy. For years, she has worked with several Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

“I look upon Emma as a woman comfortable with whatever body I bring her,” said Sister of Charity Rose Howard. “She has a tremendous insight into people.

And she’s fearless, it doesn’t matter what you say to Emma, she’s OK. She can take on the joys and pain of someone else. I think that’s part of God. When you have someone who can intuit the needs of an individual, that’s sacramental.”

Sister of Charity Mary Serra Goethals is a client of Sister Emma Anne, but has known her since 1968.

“When I was a principal, she was my second-grade teacher at St. Bernard,” Sister Mary Serra said. Now she sees the holistic approach that Sister Emma Anne brings.

“I think she is looking beyond just the muscles. Her spirituality comes forth.”

Sister of Charity Maureen Coughlin got to know Sister Emma Anne through their mutual friend, the late Sister Louellyn Russell, SCN. “Every sister I would meet would tell me of Emma’s healing of the spirit and her encouragement,” Sister Maureen said. “Emma massages the spiritual, the soul.

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She knows who she is, and she knows who God is.”

Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph Amanda Rose Mahoney lived with Sister Emma Anne for 18 years in Louisville, and credits her for her good health.

“I was having a lot of health problems when Emma Anne moved in with us (in 1998),” Sister Amanda Rose said. “She was attending workshops, and she would tell us what she learned. I started eating better and feeling better. My health is so much better now.”

Sister Amanda Rose lives at Maple Mount now, after having surgery in November 2016.

“I don’t think I would have survived the surgery if I wasn’t in pretty good health,” she said. “Emma stayed all night in the hospital when I had my surgery. I’m so blessed to have her for a friend.”

Sister Joan Riedley: A Welcome Friend For Evelyn McCreary, getting her weekly visit from Ursuline Sister Joan Riedley is like seeing an old friend. Perhaps because she is.

“I’ve known her since she was born,” McCreary, 93, said. “I knew her Sister Joan Riedley, left, visits parents. We both went Evelyn McCreary at her home in southwestern Louisville. to St. Denis Church,” Sister Joan brings Evelyn the which was closed and Eucharist every Monday. joined with Mary Queen of Peace, where Sister Joan now ministers.

McCreary is one of 15 people whom Sister Joan visits in their home to bring Communion, as well as some in a nursing home. Sister Joan is also a music minister and craft minister at the parish. “It means everything in the world to me for her to visit,” McCreary said. “I get to receive Communion. I don’t get to go to church any more. I’ve had some bad falls.”

She calls it a privilege to be served by Sister Joan.

“Her smile and her sweetness are the best part about her,” McCreary said. “It’s good to see her on Monday. It gets my week off to a good start.” n

Sister Spotlight: Sister Grace Swift Meet Sister Grace – Master Gardener and Russian Historian Extraordinaire!

Z Favorite spot at the Mount: Her room – “I like to sit and pray in my room early in the

morning when it is still dark and everything is completely silent and still.”

Z Favorite subject to teach: Russian History – “I taught at Loyola in New Orleans for 32 years and I ended up falling in love with the Russian culture. I even ended up writing a book for my doctoral degree called “The Art of Dance of the USSR.” Z Favorite food: Steak – “I believe that the best meals are the ones that include a good piece of steak in them.”

Z Favorite place: New York City – “Even though I have traveled all over the world, New York City is my favorite place because it has everything I love there – the opera, ballet and musicals.”

Z Favorite flower: Roses – “I love the look and the smell of roses, but as a gardener, I would never plant them since I know they require a lot of care and attention.”

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Meet our 2017 Jubilarians Eighteen Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph are celebrating jubilees of religious life. Five were Ursuline Sisters of Paola, Kan., prior to the 2008 merger with Mount Saint Joseph, and two were Ursuline Sisters of Belleville, Ill., who merged in 2005. Two sisters went to heaven this April during their jubilee year, Sister Mary Durr, who was in her 80th year as a sister, and Sister Jane Miriam Hancock, who marked 75 years.

80 years Sister Mildred Katzer, a native of Garnett, Kan., taught in Kansas at St. John, Greeley (1943-45, 197385), Holy Name, Rosedale (194554), Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park (1954-58, 1960-73), St. Agnes, Shawnee Mission (198590) and Holy Angels, Garnett (1990-99). She also taught in Oklahoma at Immaculate Conception, Tulsa (1940-43) and St. John, Bartlesville (1958-60). She continues to volunteer at St. Therese Parish in Richmond, Kan., where she has served since 1999.

75 years Sister Rose Marie Craycroft (formerly Sister Mary Clarence) is a native of New Haven, Ky. She served 39 years in education in Kentucky, Nebraska and Missouri. She taught in Kentucky at St. Joseph, Central City (1944-45), St. Columba, Louisville (1945-52), St. Bartholomew, Louisville (1952-55), St. Romuald, Hardinsburg (195557); Rosary Chapel, Paducah (195758) and St. Martin, Rome (19588

64). She taught at Seven Holy Founders, Affton, Mo. (1964-69), then was a teacher and librarian at St. Denis, Louisville (1969-73). She served as librarian at Lourdes Central High, Nebraska City, Neb. (197383). She was a bookkeeper and secretary at St. Christopher Parish, Radcliff, Ky. (1983-88). She helped care for her father in the last years of his life. She is retired at the Ursuline Motherhouse, where she is dedicated to the Powerhouse of Prayer.

Sister Marie Julie Fecher, a native of Dayton, Ohio, ministered as a music instructor in Kentucky for almost 50 years. She taught at St. Edward, Jeffersontown (1944-52), St. Catherine, New Haven (1952-54, 1959-64), St. Francis, St. Francis (1954-55), St. Joseph, Leitchfield (1955-58), St. Bartholomew, Louisville (1964-68) and St. Columba, Louisville (1968-76).

From 1976-94, she was a music instructor at Brescia College in Owensboro. She was the organist at the Ursuline Motherhouse from 1994-2013. She lives at the Motherhouse and is engaged in the Powerhouse of Prayer.

Sister Martina Rockers, a native of Garnett, Kan., has been an educator for 71 years. She taught in Kansas at Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park (1946-53), St. Ann, Prairie Village (1953-55), St. Agnes, Roeland Park (1955-56), Ursuline Academy, Paola (1956-57), St. Agnes High, Roeland Park (1957-58), and Bishop Miege High, Roeland Park (1958-present). She was elected to

The 2017 Ursuline Sister Jubilarians united for a celebration on July 15 in the Motherhouse Chapel. Only Sister Mildred Katzer, who lives in Kansas, was unable to attend. The 18 jubilarians represent 1,120 years of service to God. Left to right, seated: Sister Rose Marie Craycroft (75th); Sister Marie Julie Fecher (75th); Sister Emerentia Wiesner (75th); Sister Joseph Angela Boone (70th); Sister Dorothy Helbling (70th); Second row: Sister Martina Rockers (75th); Sister Fran Wilhelm (70th); Sister Catherine Kaufman (60th); Sister Lois Lindle (60th); Sister Rosemary Keough (60th); Sister Grace Simpson (60th). Third row, Sister Helen Smith (40th); Sister Pat Lynch (50th); Sister Mimi Ballard (50th); Sister Maureen O’Neill (50th); Sister Judith Nell Riney (50th); Sister Suzanne Sims (50th).

the leadership Council in Paola from 1978-82. She currently serves in development, and in the science department and the spirit shop at Bishop Miege.

Sister Emerentia Wiesner is a native of Richmond, Kan. She taught in Kansas at Holy Name, Rosedale (1945-47, 1950-52), Holy Angels, Garnett (1947-50, 1963-64 as principal and teacher), Holy Rosary-Wea, principal and teacher (1955-57), Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park (1957-60), St. John, Greeley, (principal and teacher, 1960-61, teacher 1966-73), Holy Trinity, Paola, principal and teacher (1961-62, 1964-66, tutor 1987-89) and St. Agnes in Shawnee Mission (1962-63). She taught at St. John, Bartlesville, Okla. (1952-55).

She was a nurse and director of Monica Hall in Paola (1974-87) and involved in community service at the motherhouse (1989-2009), when she moved to Maple Mount, Ky. She is a seamstress and craft maker.

70 years Sister Joseph Angela Boone is a native of New Haven, Ky., and all of her ministry has been in Kentucky.

She was a teacher at Sts. Joseph and Paul, Owensboro (1949-51, 195961) and St. Denis, Louisville (195159). She was a math professor at Brescia College, Owensboro, where she also served as dean of women (1963-70). From 1970-89, she was treasurer/business administrator for

the Ursuline Sisters. During this time, she was also a member of the Ursuline Sisters’ leadership Council (1972-76). She was chancellor and director of administration for the Diocese of Owensboro (1989-2011), followed by being a consultant for finance and administration (201114). She lives at the Motherhouse, where she is an information receptionist and part of the Powerhouse of Prayer.

Sister Dorothy Helbling, a native of St. Anthony, N.D., taught at St. James, Millstadt, Ill. (1952-53) and Holy Rosary, Fairmont City, Ill. (1953-54). She then became a math teacher at St. Mary High, Bismarck, N.D. (1954-58) and Bishop Ryan High, Minot, N.D. (1958-74). She served as provincial superior for the Ursuline Sisters of Belleville (197583), and was general superior of that community from 1983-89, and 1995-2005. She also ministered as retreat director at Kings House Retreat and Renewal Center in Belleville (1978-86), and served with Liguori Publications in Liguori, Mo. (1993-2003). She served the Diocese of Belleville on the Liturgical Commission (1988-95) and with Conciliation and Arbitration (198992). She served in hospitality at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine, Belleville (2007-09) and in outreach in Belleville until 2011. She lives in Maple Mount, where she is active in the Powerhouse of Prayer.

Sister Francis Mary (Fran) Wilhelm is a native of Waterflow, N.M. Her first ministry was there as a teacher at Sacred Heart Academy (1949-50). She continued to teach in New Mexico at St. Rose, Blanco (1950-51), Sacred Heart, Farmington (1951-53 in the classroom, 1953-62 as music teacher) and St. Joseph, San Fidel (1962-64). She was a music teacher at St. Catherine, New Haven, Ky. (1964-66) before moving to South America. She taught at St. Thomas More Academy, Caracas, Venezuela (1966-68) and Colegio San Ignacio, Santiago, Chile (1968-73). She

served in Charismatic ministries in California, first as a councilor for Charis Missions, La Puente (197580) and then as director of Charismatic Renewal for the Diocese of Orange County (1980-83). She was director of the Jyotiniketan Prayer House at Maple Mount and the first director of the Ursuline Associate program (1983-92). She was a member of the Ursuline Sisters’ leadership Council (198492). In 1992, she began working in Hispanic ministry in the Diocese of Owensboro and the next year founded Centro Latino in Stanley, Ky. (1993-2000). Centro Latino moved to Owensboro in 2000 with Sister Fran as its director, a ministry she continues today.

60 years Sister Catherine Kaufman is a native of Dahlgren, Ill. She worked in internal ministry at the Ursuline Motherhouse in Belleville, Ill., from 1959 to 2005, most of those years as the cook for the sisters. She is noted for her expertise as a baker and canner. She moved to Maple Mount in 2005, where she quilted for many years for the Quilt Club, and continues to care for plants and decorate the dining room.

Sister Rosemary Keough (formerly Sister Thomas Catherine) is celebrating 60 years. A native of Auburn, N.Y., she taught in Kentucky at St. Andrew, Harrodsburg (1959-62), St. Sebastian, Calhoun (1962-64) and Mount St. Joseph Academy, Maple Mount (1969-76, 1980-82). From 1964-69, she taught adult religious education in the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb. From 1976-80, she was a consultant in language arts for the Archdiocese of Louisville. She fulfilled her dream of being a missionary when she ministered at Divino Maestro in Chillán, Chile (1982-84). She was coordinator of religious education at St. Charles, Albuquerque, N.M. (1985-88) before returning to Kentucky. She served at Brescia College, Owensboro, in the Contemporary

Woman and Student Support Services programs (1988-93), and at the Ursuline Motherhouse as activity director and director of liturgy (1993-99). Since 2000, Sister Rosemary has been engaged in Hispanic ministry with Centro Latino in Owensboro, with particular focus in the Sebree area.

Sister Lois Lindle (formerly Sister Lawrence Marie), a native of Louisville, was a teacher for 44 years.

She taught in Kentucky at St. Francis of Assisi, Loretto (1962-63), St. Peter, Waverly (1963-64), Blessed Mother, Owensboro (1964-67) and at St. Martin, Rome (1969). She taught in Louisville at St. Margaret Mary (1959-62), St. Columba (1969-75), St. Denis (1975-80), St. Bernard (1980-88) and St. Lawrence (1988-2003). She also taught at St. Joseph, San Fidel, N.M. (1967-68).

She served on the Catholic Pastoral Care Team at Baptist East Hospital in Louisville (2004-05). From 2005-09, she was local community life coordinator at Maple Mount.

Since 2009 she has served the sisters by offering transportation.

Sister Grace Simpson (formerly Sister Jean Michael) is a native of Fairfield, Ky. She was a teacher at St. Columba, Louisville (1959-63) and returned as principal from 1976-82.

She was a teacher at St. Ignatius, Louisville (1963-68) and principal and teacher at St. Catherine, New Haven, Ky. (1968-76). She spent a year as a secretary and receptionist at the Mount Saint Joseph Retreat Center (1983-84). She found her true passion in life serving the poor as a caseworker for 30 years at the Sister Visitor Center in Louisville (1984-2014). She is now a volunteer at the St. John Center for Homeless Men in Louisville.

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Jubilarian congratulations may be sent to: Mount Saint Joseph 8001 Cummings Road Maple Mount, KY 42356 9

Jubilees

From page 9

50 years Sister Mary Elizabeth (Mimi) Ballard is a native of Fairfield, Ky. She was a teacher at Mary Carrico, Knottsville, Ky., (1971-73), and taught in the Brescia College kindergarten program, Owensboro, Ky. (1973-78). Beginning in 1978, Sister Mimi was engaged in parish ministry in Chile and Guatemala.

She served as parish minister at Divino Maestro Parish in Chillán, Chile (1978-86, 1993-97), and as parish minister at San Miguel Acatán, Guatemala (1986-89). She ministered to Guatemalan refugees in Chiapas, Mexico (1990). She was a parish minister at San Rafael Parish in Viña del Mar, Chile (1991-93). In 1997, with a group of Chilean women, she founded the Dianna Ortiz Ursuline Center for Women (Casa Ursulina) in Chillán, Chile, where she continues to serve as director.

Sister Pat Lynch, who spent her youth between Pennsylvania and Kansas City, Mo., had all of her ministries in Kansas until 2016. She was superior of the Ursuline Sisters of Paola from 1994-2002, and served as an elected councilor from 1982-90, and again from 2002-08.

She served 15 years in ministry at the Lakemary Center in Paola, including as a speech therapy aide (1971-72), speech pathologist (1974-81) and education coordinator (1981-86). From 1987-94, she was an outreach minister at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center in Lawrence. She served as director of vocations and formation (200206) and added spiritual direction in 2006. From 2009-16, she served as

office manager/campus minister at the Didde Catholic Campus Center at Emporia State University. She is now the elected assistant congregational leader for the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph and lives at Maple Mount.

Sister Maureen O’Neill (formerly Sister Charles Maureen), a native of Louisville, Ky., was an educator for 35 years. She taught in Kentucky at St. Pius Tenth, Owensboro (1971-73), served as principal and teacher at St. Romuald, Hardinsburg (1973-76), taught at St. Mary High, Paducah (1983-85), was principal and teacher at St. Joseph, Mayfield (1985-91), taught at Most Blessed Sacrament, Louisville (1991-2005) and taught at St. Nicholas Academy, Louisville (2005-06). She was also head teacher at Lourdes Central, Nebraska City, Neb. (1976-83). Since 2006 she has been a caseworker for families at the Sister Visitor Center in Louisville.

Sister Judith Nell Riney is a native of Owensboro, Ky. She taught at St. James, Louisville (1971-73) and Angela Merici, Florissant, Mo. (1973-78) before moving into her ministry of the past 39 years, library science. She was librarian and teacher at Trinity High, Whitesville, Ky. (1978-79), and in 1980, became librarian at Brescia College, Owensboro. Since 1984 she has served as director of library sciences at the Father Leonard Alvey Library at Brescia University. In 2016 she began a six-year term as an elected member of the Ursuline Council.

She lives in Owensboro.

Sister Suzanne Sims is a native of Owensboro, Ky. She was a teacher at St. Bernard, Louisville (1971-75).

She was assistant professor of

elementary education at Brescia College, Owensboro (1976-87), where she also served as director of campus ministry (1984-87) and assistant to the president (1992-93).

She was pastoral minister at St. Mary of the Fields, LaCenter, Ky. (198788). She was a member of the leadership Council of the Ursuline Sisters and director of the apostolate (1988-92) and served as assistant congregational leader (2000-04).

From 1997-2000, Sister Suzanne was president of Springfield (Ill.) College. She was director of Mission Advancement for the Ursuline Sisters (2000-08), and director of Ministry Development (2008-09). She was principal of St. Mary of the Woods, Whitesville, Ky. (2009-16). Since January 2017, she has served as director of faith formation at St. Pius X Church in Owensboro.

40 years Sister Helen Smith is a native of Bartlesville, Okla. She served in Kansas as a teacher at Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park (197980, 1982-83), and St. John, Greeley (1981-82). She was principal and teacher at Holy Trinity, Paola (198394), principal at Holy Cross, Overland Park (1994-2000) and principal at Holy Rosary-Wea, Bucyrus (2000-05). She was elected as a councilor from 1990-98 and from 2002-06. She was assistant superior from 2006-08, until the Ursuline Sisters of Paola merged with the Ursuline community in Kentucky. Sister Helen handles sacramental preparation work with children at the Church of the Nativity in Leawood, where she has served since October 2010. She was elected as a councilor for the Ursuline Sisters on Nov. 5, 2016.n

RIGHT: Four Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph participated in the annual Blisters for Sisters Mass and walkathon in Kansas City, Mo., on May 6: Sisters Jane Falke, Angela Fitzgerald, Martina Rockers and Michele Morek (at finish line, far right). It is a fundraiser done in gratitude for religious sisters.

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LEFT: Sister Mary McDermott (green shirt) took part in the first Moving Day Walk for Parkinson’s at Louisville’s Waterfront Park on June 10. She is pictured at the finish line with students from the University of Kentucky’s physical therapy program.

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In the joy of eternal life SISTER JANE MIRIAM HANCOCK, 93, died April 6 at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 75th year of religious life. She was a native of Waverly, Ky. Sister Jane Miriam was always positive about the future, and took great joy in being an educator for more than 50 years throughout Kentucky. She was a top seller of raffle tickets each year for the Mount Saint Joseph Picnic to benefit the retired sisters.

Survivors include a sister, Margaret Louise Coshan, Ontario, Canada; nieces and nephews, and the members of her religious community. The funeral Mass was April 10 at Mount Saint Joseph, with burial in the convent cemetery.

SISTER MARY DURR, 98, died April 21 at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 80th year of religious life. A native of Paul, Neb., Sister Mary was a hard worker who always kept a song in her heart. She was an educator for 34 years, most of those as a music teacher in Kentucky, New Mexico and Nebraska. She taught music at Mount Saint Joseph Academy from 1968-73. She served as liturgy consultant for the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb., from 1973-99. Survivors include two sisters, Sister Catherine Durr, CSJ, Kirkwood, Mo., and Aurelia Ann Inkret, Denver. The funeral Mass was April 25 – her 99th birthday – at Mount Saint Joseph, with burial in the convent cemetery.

SISTER MARY LOIS SPEAKS, 72, died May 6 in her 54th year as an Ursuline Sister. She was a native of Henderson, Ky. Sister Mary Lois greeted everyone with a wide smile, and was always available with a listening heart. She loved nature and teaching, fought for social justice issues and helped organize the Ursuline Associates as their second director from 1991-96. Sister Mary Lois was a teacher at two schools in Owensboro and principal at a school in Russellville. She was parish coordinator at St. Pius X Parish, Owensboro (1972-76). She also served elsewhere in Kentucky and in Nebraska, including as the charismatic renewal coordinator for the Archdiocese of Louisville (1982-89). Survivors include a sister, Phyllis Speaks of Henderson; three brothers, Don Speaks and William Francis Speaks of Henderson and John Speaks of Owensboro; nieces and nephews and members of her religious community. The funeral was May 10, with burial in the Motherhouse cemetery.

SISTER JOAN WALZ, 86, died July 5 in Owensboro, Ky., in her 67th year of religious life. She was a native of Hawesville, Ky. Her former religious name was Sister Joan of Arc. Sister Joan was a very compassionate, hard-working and selfless person. She always knew when someone needed her to listen or to share her wonderful sense of humor. She served in Kentucky and Nebraska, first as a teacher and principal, then as a nurse, parish minister and religious presence. She was director of retirement at Maple Mount from 1973-88, and served on the community’s Leadership Council from 1980-88, the last four years as assistant superior. She retired in 2016 and was active in prayer at the Motherhouse.

Survivors include a sister, Dorothy Jackson of Owensboro, and a brother, George (Nancy) Walz, of Harned, Ky. The funeral Mass was July 10 at Mount Saint Joseph, with burial in the convent cemetery.

SISTER MARY JUDITH OSTHOFF, 90, died July 10 at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 68th year of religious life. She was a native of Lenora, Kan. Sister Judith was an Ursuline Sister of Paola, Kan., until the merger of that community in 2008. Sister Judith served as a teacher in Kansas for over 30 years. She also ministered at the Paola motherhouse and volunteered at homeless shelters. Since her retirement in 1992, Sister Judith was active in prayer ministry. She moved to Maple Mount in 2009.

Survivors include a sister, Pat Ferguson of Shawnee, Kan., nieces and nephews and the members of her religious community. The funeral Mass was July 14 with burial in the convent cemetery.

Gifts in memory of Sister Jane Miriam, Sister Mary, Sister Mary Lois, Sister Joan and Sister Judith may take the form of donations to the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.

2017-2018 Quilt Club tickets are now available! You get 12 chances to win a handmade quilt

with our Quilt Club annual memberships, available for only $20 each. A new quilt is raffled each month. Order your tickets today! For details, visit ursulinesmsj.org, click on “Help the Sisters” and then “Quilt Club.”

Order your tickets by Oct. 5 to get your name in all 12 drawings. 270-229-2009 • maggie.matsko@maplemount.org

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Powerhouse of Prayer

– By Dan Heckel, Mount Saint Joseph Staff

Sister Dee Long finds comfort praying in nature This feature highlights the efforts of those Ursuline Sisters who minister in the “Powerhouse of Prayer” and lift up those who ask for prayers throughout the year.

When Ursuline Sister Delores “Dee” Long was young, she only saw her maternal grandmother, Hattie Mae Gibson, about once a year. Still, she credits her grandmother with teaching her to pray.

“She was very religious,” Sister Dee said. “She always had the Bible with her and was always reading it. That’s one thing we don’t do enough.”

Since becoming an Ursuline Sister in 1975, Sister Dee has enjoyed praying in the morning and the evening with the other Ursuline Sisters with whom she’s lived. Since moving from Kansas City, Kan., to Maple Mount in 2013, Sister Dee has a chance to pray with all the sisters who live at the Motherhouse.

“It’s a union for all of us together, praying for the same thing,” she “God forgive me” is one of said. She was especially consoled this year by her community praying the little prayers we can together for her sister with cancer. say every day, said Sister Dee. One of her favorite “I feel the community is praying for her, not just with her,” Sister places to pray is in front of Dee said. “That goes a long way.” the crucifix in the cemetery Being an Ursuline Sister means having prayer as a structured part (left). of the day. “I feel like it’s expected of me. That’s a good thing,” Sister Dee said. “I knew when I joined the community there would be a lot of prayer and I would pray with people. I like being able to pray more openly as a sister.”

While she enjoys the community of prayer, she also makes time for individual prayer throughout the day.

“I feel more comfortable praying in nature,” she said. “I like to pray in front of the crucifix in the cemetery. The openness, the breeze, the birds. It gets my heart. I spent an hour and a half there one day.”

Her favorite prayer is the rosary. “It keeps drawing me back to prayer,” she said. “The ‘Hail Marys’ really draw me in.”

Sister Dee spent 33 years as a teacher or principal in Kansas and Missouri, so she empathizes with people whose jobs make it difficult to pray throughout the day. Still, she encourages everyone to find time to pray amidst the busyness of their day.

“Just a little ‘God forgive me’ is a beautiful prayer, or ‘God watch over _____,’ is a simple prayer you can say every day,” she said. “If you get too heady, you lose what you’re asking for.”

These days, Sister Dee ministers at the Motherhouse as an assistant in the archives. Her quietest time to pray is at night, before she goes to bed. “I’m more relaxed,” she said. “I’m thinking about the day.”

Friends can write to Sister Dee at 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.

Pilgrims on the Journey...

This feature offers a sister the opportunity to share the inspiration of a person, group or event she encounters in her ministry that illustrates Christ’s presence...truly “Pilgrims on the Journey.” Sister Sara Marie Gomez serves as director of religious education at Holy Trinity and St. Joseph Parishes, Aztec, N.M., and as a religion teacher at Sacred Heart Catholic School, Farmington, N.M. Her young students inspired her.

A brochure for Sacred Heart Catholic School in Farmington, N.M. 12

“Fourteen little first-grade pilgrims walked and worked with me from Sacred Heart Catholic School this past year. The Diocese of Gallup, N.M., gave all Catholic School teachers religion notebooks of prayers, terms and vocabulary that students were to learn and know before moving to the next grade. We began to review the vocabulary and terms when we completed a family-based textbook – aside from their regular religion text – around February and March. Some terms and vocabulary are learned from seasonal liturgical teaching and presentations. We used games, videos, etc., that would be fun for the children and helped them to learn and retain the prayers, terms and Sister Sara vocabulary suggested for their level. By the end of the school year, all 14 first-graders Marie Gomez had a good idea of defining terms, recognizing vocabulary and knowing the prayers suggested, as did their teachers. It was a learning and faith experience for all! Thank you, God!”

A Ministry of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph

Give Peace, Quiet and Prayer a Chance

Still busy over the summer...

Dear Friends, Do I hear you saying, “There is probably nothing happening at the Retreat Center.

It is summer.” Wrong! Lots is happening.

There are days when we, especially housekeeping, wonder if we can see our way through. We have umpteen turnarounds, meaning one group leaves and immediately the rooms have to be cleaned for the new group coming in a few hours later.

We aren’t complaining, it is a fact of life. It is so good to know that there are lots of persons wanting to come aside and be still. They are wanting God to be God in their lives. They want Jesus in their lives.

We feel very blessed that our Ursuline community uses our Retreat Center for Community Meeting Days followed by a weeklong community retreat.

July turns out to be retreat time for the deacons and their wives. And then the school system begins to have faculty days.

So our “users” vary from women religious, to deacons, to teachers. The Spiritual Direction Training Program members graduate at the end of their July training. We will miss this group, but hopefully we will welcome a new group in October.

We have shaped up and shored up some conference rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms. You may notice new pictures, new statues, new lamps, a new couch and chair or two, and new names to conference rooms. Some areas may have a new look. This is a regular happening, it goes with running a retreat complex. Come visit, and let us know if you like the improvements. Or do you not like change? Sorry! Change is a fact of life.

Please take the time to check out what we offer you. Let us know your needs and perhaps we can design what you need.

We are here wanting to bring you to holiness, wanting to bring you to Jesus. Sincerely in Saint Angela, Sister Mary Matthias Ward, OSU

Those interested in evangelizing in a multicultural Catholic Church came to the Center on June 6-8 for a “Building Intercultural Competency for Ministers” workshop. Inset: Speaker Corinne Monogue, director of Multicultural Ministries for the Diocese of Arlington, Va.

Sister Stephany Nelson, second from left, shares a laugh with her team as the “blind” participant struggles to put his puzzle together at the annual Christian Leadership Institute for high school students from June 25-30.

Executive Director, Mount Saint Joseph Conference & Retreat Center

Sisters Dianna Ortiz, left, Mimi Ballard, center, and Luisa Bickett are all smiles during the Ursuline Sisters’ Community Days which took place July 12-14.

The three served in South America in the 1980s.

The Mount Saint Joseph gym was transformed for the June 3 Walk Through Italy Gala, a fundraiser for the ministries of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph.

Each person received a passport to Italy and “traveled” through four cities of significance to Saint Angela Merici.

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Spiritual Direction Training Program participants gathered in the Madonna Room during their week of classes on April 4.

LEFT: Deacon Thomas Bradley, left, Steve Shulta, center, and Deacon John Fridley.

RIGHT: Mary Oliva, left, Ursuline Sister Margaret Link, center, and Lisa Whitaker.

Upcoming Spiritual Direction grads pleased

S

ister Margaret Link has 43 college credits in in your life need God. It’s like you have new lenses. theology. What the Ursuline Sister of Cleveland You are looking at the same people, but you see them didn’t have in 2015 was confidence to become a differently.” spiritual director.

All six participants said there is a great need – and a “I realize it isn’t how much you know, it’s how you use great shortage – of spiritual directors where they live. what you know and how you live what you know,” Sister “You can’t find a spiritual director in our area,” said Margaret said. “I would have felt uncomfortable before, Deacon John Fridley, who lives in New Baden, Ill., about I felt inadequate. The program built my confidence. We 30 miles east of St. Louis. learn to trust.”

Fridley has been a deacon in the Diocese of Belleville, Sister Margaret is one of six members of the 2017 class Ill., for four years. He was in the spiritual direction of the Mount Saint Joseph Spiritual Direction Training program at the Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, which Program who graduated Aug. 4. She has a piece of requires attendance once a week for two years. He met advice for anyone considering joining the Ursuline Sister Nancy Liddy, who told him upcoming class that begins Oct. 16 – “You of the Mount Saint Joseph program, which “This training have to give the program a chance. The opens you up to be suited his lifestyle much better. team works well together.”

When he began the program, he thought a compassionate he would be more of a counselor.

Aug. 31 is the deadline to apply for listener in the 2017-19 Spiritual Direction Training “I’ve learned it’s more leading and Program, which will be the seventh class at walking with the person to God,” Fridley your everyday Mount Saint Joseph. Participants will spend said. “The most difficult part for me, a relationships.” a week every three months for nearly two man’s nature is to fix things. It’s hard to –Sister Margaret Link years at the Mount Saint Joseph Conference keep your mouth shut. But I’m learning.” and Retreat Center. They will learn the Being able to talk openly with the other skills necessary to serve as companions on the journey for members of the class helps give validation to what he’s those seeking a closer relationship with God. learning, Fridley said.

Lisa Whitaker is the director of faith formation and Deacon Thomas Bradley, of Des Moines, Iowa, and youth ministry at a parish in Lanesville, Ind. She believes Steve Shulta, of Paducah, Ky., come from different God has been calling her to become a spiritual director for backgrounds, but both felt the call to become spiritual 15 years, but the program at the Mount was the first time directors through the Mount Saint Joseph program. it worked for her.

“People have always shared their life with me,” Shulta “I know God has been leading me on this,” she said. said. “It seemed like a natural extension. I work in “There are multiple concrete confirmations that I’m on regulatory compliance, I help people with regulations, the right path.” how to fix things. I guess I have a helping mentality.” He One tangible lesson she’s learned is an awareness that also has a bachelor’s degree in theological studies. she can’t put God in a box.

He wondered whether he could manage four weeks off “My experience with God is different from other from work in 2016 to make the classes, since that’s all the people’s,” she said. “That wasn’t my thinking when I came vacation time he had. into this.”

“I asked my wife about taking all my vacation for a year “In Ursuline lingo we’d call that ‘dynamic to be here,” Shulta said. “She said, ‘Do what you need to adaptability,’” Sister Margaret said. “Each person who do.’” comes to you, you adapt to their needs and style. People Bradley has been a deacon for more than 11 years, and

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becoming a spiritual director has been on his back burner for years. His experience with his own spiritual directors hasn’t been that good, so he was seeking training to find a better way.

“I was about to retire from my secular job,” Bradley said. “My wife told me, ‘You’ve always wanted to be a spiritual director.’” He considered the program at Creighton University, but he’s happier with how the Mount programs works.

“I find it refreshing. I like the idea of a … relationship with God without having to come up with a solution,” Bradley said. “I learned a willingness to express my faith. I realize I was holding things back.”

Mary Oliva is from Lexington, Ky., and hopes to offer spiritual direction at her parish, where she’s been a member for 36 years. “I really think there is such a need for spiritual direction,” Oliva said. “It’s not available in my area in central Kentucky.”

Sister Margaret plans to offer spiritual direction in her workplace, Altercare of Ohio, which owns 21 nursing homes.

“My bosses were intrigued that I could offer spiritual direction,” she said. “My first three directees are employees. I’m getting more calls all the time. I’m the

“Act, Move, Believe”–Saint Angela Merici Act. Move. Believe.

These three words at first glance seem so simple, yet have the ability to move mountains. As you may know, last year’s 46th Mount Picnic was the last. For the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, the end of a chapter means the excitement of a new one, and with those three words – Act. Move. Believe – a new chapter begins. The Ursuline Sisters are excited to announce they will be hosting MapleFest at the Mount, the Mount Picnic successor.

This event will have many of the same great opportunities that everyone loved about the picnic, including the raffle, but there will be plenty of new experiences as well. Come out to MapleFest at the Mount, September 8-10, and stay awhile. Visit with the sisters, stroll through the local arts and crafts booths, and grab a bite to eat at the variety of local food trucks and booths.

Worried about not being able to buy a quilt?

Worry no more – the sisters will have a Quilt and Craft booth. Don’t forget to buy raffle tickets! They are still $5 each, and the winner will be announced at the end of the event, Sunday, Sept. 10th, at 3 p.m. You could be the next $10,000 winner!

Hope to see you soon and God bless you all,

Betsy Jo F. Mullins, Director of Development

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director of Spiritual Care Services. This training opens you up to be a compassionate listener in your everyday relationships.”

Bradley is hoping his bishop will allow him to serve as a spiritual director to his brother deacons.

“We’re supposed to go to someone ordained, but they are hard to find,” he said. “Spiritual direction is only known by a small segment of Catholics.”

Whitaker hopes to offer direction in her parish, but is open to serving wherever God is leading her.

“There is such a trust with us when we’re here,” she said of her classmates. “I feel like we’re brothers and sisters in Christ. We’re able to have that transparency and love for each other.”

One unexpected joy for Whitaker was getting to know the spirit of Saint Angela Merici, whom she knew nothing about. “It’s really been awesome to get to know her,” she said.

To learn more about the upcoming 2017-19 Spiritual Direction Training Program, visit ursulinesmsj.org. Click on Conference & Retreat Center. Or contact Sister Mary Matthias Ward: 270-229-0200 • mary.ward@maplemount.org

Come join us for our new event...

MapleFest at the Mount!

Same place, same weekend, same raffle, New Experience!

The Sisters can’t wait to see you!

PCraft and Food Booths!

PUrsuline Sisters’ Craft Booth!

PHow-to Workshops!

PBingo!

MapleFest at the Mount

Friday, Sept. 8.................. 5 p.m.-7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 9........... 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 10............ 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Grand Raffle Prizes: $5 Tickets

You could win $10,000! • Handmade Quilt • $3,500 • $1,000 • $500 • $250 • $100 For vendor space, raffle tickets or other information, contact Betsy Mullins: 270-229-2008 • betsy.mullins@maplemount.org

FREE ADMISSION!

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

CHANGE SERVICE

Soli Deo Gloria

We rejoice in the gifts of our sisters, given for the kingdom of God Several Ursuline Sisters are pursuing new ministries beginning this summer.

• Sister Mary McDermott is serving in the St. Ursula Library, offering hospitality in the Motherhouse chapel and giving tours. She continues as an information receptionist and in the Powerhouse of Prayer.

• Sister Ann McGrew (left) is the new local community treasurer for the sisters, taking over from Sister Catherine Marie Lauterwasser (right), who is now an assistant to the archivist.

Sister Ann is also the new director of religious education at St. Peter of Alcantara Parish in Stanley, Ky., and she continues as director of novices and director of the Spiritual Direction Training Program.

• Sister Pam Mueller is coordinator of Mission Effectiveness, taking over from Sister Rose Marita O’Bryan. Sister Rose Marita still leads the continuing education classes for the Contemporary Woman Program but is on medical leave.

Sister Pam continues as a member of the Leadership Council and as director of Campus Ministry at Brescia University.

• Sister Marilyn Mueth is a K-8 resource teacher at St. James Catholic School in Millstadt, Ill. After serving in family ministry, she returned to the school as a tutor in 2016. She previously taught second grade at St. James from 19912012.

• Sister Stephany Nelson returns to the classroom at a new school. After finishing her canonical novice year at Maple Mount, Sister Stephany will teach first grade at the Owensboro (Ky.) Catholic K-3 Campus, while participating in her second novice year. During her first year of study, she worked half days in the Mission Advancement office. Prior to her entry with the Ursuline Sisters, she taught first grade at St. Joseph Catholic School in Bowling Green, Ky. • Sister Cecelia Joseph Olinger continues as a postmaster at the Motherhouse and is now Guest House coordinator. She takes over that role from Sister Francis Louise Johnson, who continues as a mail distributor and in the Powerhouse of Prayer.

• Sister Sharon Sullivan is now associate professor, special education coordinator and special education consultant in the School of Education at Brescia University.

Following her term as congregational leader and a sabbatical, Sister Sharon rejoined Brescia in January 2017 as a consultant in the School of Education.

Please join us the weekend of Sept. 8-10 Mount Saint Joseph Park & Gym

Sister Mimi Ballard, right, stands by the altar at the ninth station in the “Via Crucis” (Way of the Cross) in front of Casa Ursulina in Chillán, Chile.

The procession took place on Good Friday April 14. Sister Mimi has been the director of Casa Ursulina for 20 years.

We look forward to seeing you!

Don’t forget your raffle tickets!