Ursulines Alive Summer 2022

Ursulines

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

Summer 2022 Issue No. 58

ursulinesmsj.org

Find out more on Page 10

New Ursuline Leadership Council ready to listen and lead

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From our Congregational Leader Dear Friends, Have you ever watched Master Chef ? It is a cooking competition show featuring home cooks; I’ve watched it occasionally. I’d like to draw your attention to a Master Chef feature known as the “Mystery Box Challenge.”

In this challenge, each competitor is given a box of the same ingredients and must build a Master Chef creation – an entrée, a meal, a dessert, whatever. Twenty-two contestants, each with the same ingredients, yet each creating a completely unique masterpiece.

In our lives, sometimes we are the Mystery Boxes and sometimes we are the Chef Contestants.

During these times of transition within the Ursuline community, and times of similar transitions and sometimes disruptions within the broader world around us, we often find ourselves asking just what it is we are called to do, in what ways we are called to serve.

I propose that you might imagine yourself a participant, a chef contestant, in a Mystery Box Challenge arranged by our own loving Master Chef. Perhaps it is helpful to realize that while we may each encounter similar ingredients in our Mystery Boxes, we are required and expected to create our own individual masterpieces – some will be sweet, some will be savory, and some will even be hot and spicy.

We might regard ourselves as expert Asian chefs and hope for a Mystery Box with just the right ingredients to match our gifts. Then we discover that our Mystery Box has none of our familiar spices or ingredients; yet we still must work with the box we have been given. It depends upon our own choices whether these unfamiliar ingredients become a “bad luck box” or a hopeful chance to explore new tastes and experience new skills.

Or perhaps we are the Mystery Boxes ourselves, with the same ingredients leading to different masterpieces. Saint Paul reminded the Corinthians (1 Cor 12:4) and us that there are many gifts but the same Spirit who is the source of them all. So, whether we are sweet or spicy, an entrée or an appetizer, the full meal or a light dessert, the ingredients from which we have grown are the same, and we have each been fashioned into the masterpieces we are by the same Master Chef.

In this somewhat challenging time of uncertainty, I am encouraged by the many masterpieces with which the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph are surrounded. All of our sweet and savory Sisters, Associates, friends, families, supporters and donors, are myriad expressions of the same Ursuline mission. I do not know the menu for the next feast being prepared by our Master Chef, but I am sure of this reality – the next feast can and will engage each of us in ways we cannot yet imagine.

Blessings for each of us as we open our next Mystery Box. In peace, Sister Sharon Sullivan, OSU 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: Coordinator of Ursuline Partnerships....................................Doreen Abbott, OSUA Director of Development.......................................................Carol Braden-Clarke Development Assistant...........................................................Sister Amelia Stenger Mission Advancement Assistant.............................................Sister Mary McDermott Contributing Writer................................................................Sister Ruth Gehres 2

COVER: The new Leadership Council

for the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph gathered for a photo on July 27.

Seated: Sister Ann McGrew, Councilor, left, and Sister Monica Seaton, Councilor.

Standing, Sister Sharon Sullivan, Congregational Leader, left, and Sister Martha Keller, Assistant Congregational Leader.

INDEX New Leadership Council........................ 3 2022 Jubilarians..................................... 7 Ursuline Legacy in Paola...................... 10 Sister helped found Network.............. 11 New Ursuline Associates...................... 12 Outgoing Leadership........................... 12 Retreat Center Future.......................... 12 Sister Spotlight..................................... 12 Obituaries............................................. 13 Soli deo Gloria...................................... 13 Donor Highlight................................... 14 Powerhouse of Prayer......................... 15 Escape to the Mount........................... 16 Hope and Firm Faith Book.................. 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

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New Leadership Council blends experience and new voices

By Dan Heckel Mount Saint Joseph Staff

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Sister Amelia Stenger, outgoing congregational leader, lights a taper from the Paschal Candle. She told the congregation, “The lit Paschal Candle symbolizes the light of Christ coming into the world. When this candle is lit during baptisms and religious professions, it signifies the Holy Spirit. Today, we will use its light to represent the guidance of the Holy Spirit passing from the current to the new leadership.”

hen it became apparent that Sister Sharon Sullivan was going to be elected again as congregational leader for the Ursuline Sisters, she reverted to problem-solving mode.

“Who is going to teach for me at Brescia?” she asked herself. “How will we make this happen?”

Sister Ann McGrew, who like Sister Sharon was elected for a return term in office, said that problemsolving skills are one of Sister Sharon’s assets.

“Sister Sharon is used to seeing a need, pulling it all

Sister Martha Keller, second from left, the incoming assistant congregational leader, says something to Bishop William Medley before the new Council installation on July 17 that made them both laugh. At left is Sister Suzanne Sims, seated in the center is Sister Ann McGrew, an incoming councilor, and at right is Sister Pam Mueller, an outgoing councilor.

together and making it happen,” Sister Ann said.

When the Ursuline Sisters gathered over Memorial Day weekend to choose the next Leadership Council, they selected two Sisters new to the role – Sister Martha Keller as assistant congregational leader, and Sister Monica Seaton as a councilor. They will join the veterans, Sister Ann – elected as a councilor, as she was from 2004-10 – and Sister Sharon, who was congregational leader from 2010-16. Since leaving office, Sister Sharon returned to Brescia University in Owensboro, Ky., where she was a special education professor and coordinator of the special education and middle school programs.

“I’m 12 years older than the last time I was elected,”

Sister Sharon said. “Then, it was like opening a door to a room where I’d never been. This time, I’ve been in the room, but the room has changed. I’m much more aware that this is not something that one person does.

“In one way I could think they’ve given me another chance to get it right,” Sister Sharon said with her trademark grin. “Or maybe looking at the needs now, they saw something that I could bring. I feel honored.”

The new Council was installed on July 17, 2022, and will be slightly different than the Councils of the past 18 years. The Sisters decided during a Chapter of Affairs in

Bishop Medley of the Diocese of Owensboro leads the outgoing and incoming Councils in prayer before the ceremony begins in the Mount Saint Joseph Motherhouse Chapel. At right is Sister Helena Fischer, the first lector.

2021 to change the Council to four members instead of five, with a term of four years instead of six. Each of these Sisters could be re-elected for another term in 2026, which was not an option for the past three Councils.

The new team brings a mixture of experiences and ministry background. Sister Sharon said the community recognized that leadership is multi-faceted.

“Three members have training in vocations or formation. Two of us are special educators. Two were strongly involved in parish ministry,” Sister Sharon said.

“Two are over 70, one is younger than 50. I think we’re all problem-solvers.”

Sister Ann, who has been a Sister for 57 years, said as the most senior member on the Council, her view of the community, the Catholic Church, and the world is Continued on page 4

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through a different filter than the other members.

“The other Council members come from a different angle. We need both,” Sister Ann said. “The older Sisters need a voice. But you need younger people with newer ideas, new ways of doing things.”

Sister Monica, the youngest member who is now in her 20th year as an Ursuline, said each Council member is called to listen to the Sisters.

“We’re all in this together,” she said. “Every voice matters.”

Focus on the Future

In past years, the Ursuline Sisters held a Chapter of Affairs during the same week that the new Council took office. That was when they agreed upon their areas of focus for the coming term. This time, the community decided to set those focus areas in the summer of 2021, then use them to help decide who to elect to best pursue the goals.

The outgoing Leadership Council members hold candles lighted from the Paschal Candle and read the words of Saint Angela Merici as they prepare to pass on their light to the incoming Council. From left are Sister Amelia Stenger, Sister Pat Lynch, Sister Pam Mueller and Sister Judith Nell Riney.

The new Leadership Council reads Saint Angela’s words that “we regard ourselves as ministers and servants, knowing that we have more need to serve, than you have to be served by us.” From left are Sister Ann McGrew, councilor; Sister Monica Seaton, councilor; Sister Martha Keller, assistant congregational leader; and Sister Sharon Sullivan, congregational leader.

The six areas of focus for the new Council are: • Transforming community. How do the Ursulines continue to serve while recognizing that they are a smaller community?

• Social justice • Spirituality • Evaluating campus buildings • Racism • Collaboration

Social justice has been a passion for Sister Martha during her 26 years in parish ministry, which includes four mission trips to the Diocese of Owensboro’s sister diocese in Mandeville, Jamaica.

“It’s important to reach out to those who don’t have a voice,” Sister Martha said. “It is where we can make a difference. We have a responsibility to make sure all people have opportunities and dignity.”

Sister Ann has a strong background in spiritual formation, serving as director of novices and formation for the community, as a parish minister and as one of the founding members of the former Spiritual Direction Training Program at the Retreat Center.

Sister Sharon, who is serving in her 40th year as an Ursuline, said the numbers showing an aging community cannot be ignored, but she compared it to a garden.

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“We planted it, what is this garden becoming?” she said. “What can it grow? What can it support?”

For Sister Martha, now serving in her 46th year, addressing the transforming community is a chance to let something new emerge.

“There’s a real opportunity to clarify and sustain our mission,” she said. “What is the best use of our members’ energy? It’s going to call for us to change and come together. Saint Angela calls us to look at the signs of the times.”

A smaller community lends itself to more collaboration, several of the Sisters said. Sister Martha is especially hopeful to engage Ursuline Associates in that collaboration.

The Sisters began educating themselves more on the racism inherent in society during the past year, and want that to continue.

“With racism, we can’t just talk about it,” Sister Monica said. “We all have our own unconscious biases.

How can I do my own inner work?”

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“I hope we’ll be able to help each other grow in our ministries and with one another,” Sister Ann said. “How am I continuing to grow in my relationship with God? What is my love and commitment for people in the community?”

Approaches to Leadership

Sister Ann and Sister Sharon both said they will likely approach their new terms differently than their previous service.

“When I left office, I can honestly say that I did the best I could,” Sister Ann said. “I realize that other people also do the best they can. I hope my approach will involve more understanding. I hope I’ve added a bit of wisdom.”

“The first time, there were so many days when I was scared,” Sister Sharon said. “I was responsible for all these women, furthering their physical and spiritual welfare. It would frighten any reasonable person.”

A sabbatical following her term in office helped to remind her that she was a teacher, Sister Sharon said.

The Ursuline Sisters raise their hands in blessing over the new Council and pray with Saint Angela’s words, “May the strength and true consolation of the Holy Spirit be with you all so that you can maintain and carry out vigorously and faithfully the charge laid upon you.”

“That’s part of my role now. What a teacher does is make it possible for those to recognize their own sacredness,” Sister Sharon said. “I’m more comfortable being part of a team, while recognizing that I’m the person responsible. It’s bringing a different sense of awareness.”

Sister Martha found herself thrust into a leadership role in December 2021, while serving as pastoral associate at St. Jerome Parish in Fancy Farm, Ky. A tornado devastated nearby Mayfield, and St. Jerome became a focal point of the recovery, first as a shelter, then as a distribution center for donated items. Sister Martha was put in charge of the recovery efforts, which included the Three Kings project, a campaign to solicit

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uplifting messages to support the victims.

“There are some things that happen in life that cause you to redirect your energy,” Sister Martha said. “It’s something wholly unexpected, but it’s a chance to come together and say, ‘how can we help?’ Everybody came together and said, ‘I can do this.’ It empowered others to use their gifts.”

That experience helped strengthen Sister Martha’s natural desire to be a collaborator, something she will bring to her Council role.

“I like teamwork. I’m responding to the call, but every one of us is a leader, we’re all setting the direction,” she said. “I need to listen – I think that’s a gift I bring.

People need to speak their truth. So much can be possible if we create that environment.”

Sister Monica, known for her self-deprecating humor, was not expecting to be elected. She was emboldened by learning of the Sisters’ faith in her.

“The Sisters wrote about why they nominated us,” Sister Monica said. “My hands were shaking when I read

Each of the new Council members placed their candles next to the altar. Sister Ann McGrew places the final candle.

what the Sisters wrote about my gifts. I’m the type of person who says, ‘I don’t have any gifts.’ But the Sisters said I had gifts – I just refuse to acknowledge them. I was very humbled. They said I could work on a team, I accomplish tasks, I care for the Sisters, I’m humorous and joyful, and willing to step in when help is needed.

When I pulled myself together, I said I was willing to use my gifts in service to the community.”

The new Council already feels comfortable with each other, the members said.

“We all want to think about it before we act,” Sister Sharon said. “They let me know that I don’t have to solve this problem all by myself. I always think of myself as a question asker, but I think Sister Martha has me beat.

She pushes for more consideration, not just information.

That’s a real gift to me.”

Sister Martha was director of vocation ministry Continued on page 6

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Council when Sister Sharon led the community the last time, so the two have worked together.

“Sister Sharon is a woman of integrity, I respect her,” Sister Martha said. “We approach things differently, but that’s probably why we were put together. I feel like the Spirit was guiding us.”

Sister Monica has served the past six years as director of vocation ministry. She will give the Council some insight into young adults, Sister Martha said.

“We talk about the declining number of people with a religious affiliation – she is in tune with that,” Sister Martha said. “She has fresh ideas, and is networking with national boards. That broadens us.”

Sister Monica said her experiences with young people have taught her that they are seeking authenticity.

“Technology is so much a part of their lives, but they are seeking genuine relationships beyond the phone,” she said. “They want you to be real with them, to accept them. There is also concern about the vocation of

Sister Nancy Murphy, right, congratulates Sister Sharon Sullivan after Mass. The two served together on the Council from 2010-16.

marriage, the whole concept of family. They are looking for new ways, but tradition is also important to them.

Eucharistic adoration and faith sharing groups are on the rise on college campuses.”

Sister Monica said the other three members of the Council have all been recently engaged with the public.

Sister Ann led the Retreat Center until 2016 and worked in parish ministry until Covid began; Sister Martha has worked in parish ministry and Sister Sharon has taught at Brescia.

“They feel the current pulse of society, they aren’t on the outside looking in,” Sister Monica said. “And we’re all able to laugh.”

Winding down past ministries

Councilors are considered part-time, so Sister

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Monica will continue as director of vocation ministry, while also pursuing an online master’s degree in pastoral theology. Sister Ann will continue in her role as treasurer for the Sisters at the Motherhouse.

The short turnaround from the election to taking office was more difficult for Sister Sharon and Sister Martha. Sister Sharon was teaching six classes at Brescia and working daily with three student teachers. She expects to teach at least one night class during the upcoming semester to help share her former workload.

Sister Martha spent 10 years at St. Jerome Parish, and found it difficult to say goodbye.

“I leave with deep gratitude. They’re faith-filled, family-oriented people,” Sister Martha said. “They are easy to love and work among. I leave very saddened, but grateful. I told them Saint Angela always told us to have her daughters engraved on our hearts. I told them they will always be engraved on my heart.”

During times of change, there are always fears about

All in attendance were invited to the dining room for lunch. Sister Laurita Spalding, right, chats with Sister Judith Nell Riney, left, and Sister Pat Lynch.

the future. Sister Sharon’s message to the supporters of the Ursulines is “come along for the ride!”

“Change is going to happen,” she said. “I was comfortable at Brescia – that’s probably not the best place to be. This wakes me up again. Let’s see what’s out there. The message is ‘please join us. Lend your voice, don’t be afraid.’”

Sister Ann said rather than being afraid, she is excited to know that something new is taking place.

“When we voted to take down the (Retreat Center and Paul Volk Hall ) buildings, some people said it was a sign of death, but I think it’s a sign of renewal,” Sister Ann said. “I grew up on a farm. When something died, we tilled it under and new growth came back. Change is an opportunity for growth. If we don’t change, we die.

I’m not interested in that.”n

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Eight of the nine Ursuline Sisters celebrating jubilees in 2022: Seated, from left, Sister Marie Julie Fecher (80 years); Sister Eva Boone (70 years); Sister Sheila Anne Smith (60 years). Standing, from left, Sister Michael Ann Monaghan (70 years); Sister Ruth Gehres (70 years); Sister Sharon Sullivan (40 years); Sister Rose Jean Powers (60 years); Sister Michele Morek (60 years).

Not present: Sister Kathy Stein (60 years)

Our Special Jubilarians!

Nine Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph with a combined 570 years of service to God and God’s people are celebrating jubilees of religious life this year. Congratulations may be mailed to: Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356. Sister Sara Marie Gomez was celebrating 60 years but went to heaven on July 24. (Obit on page 13).

KSister Marie Julie Fecher, a native of Dayton, Ohio, is celebrating 80 years as an Ursuline Sister. Sister Marie Julie has brought her unbridled joy and encouragement to teach countless numbers of people to love music and play a musical instrument. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from DePaul University – her bachelor’s in 1959 and her master’s in 1964.

She ministered as a music instructor at schools in Kentucky for almost 50 years. She taught at St. Edward, Jeffersontown (194452), St. Catherine, New Haven (1952-54, 1959-64), St. Francis in St. Francis (1954-55), St. Joseph, Leitchfield (1955-58), St. Bartholomew, Louisville (196468) and St. Columba, Louisville (1968-76). From 1976-94, she was a music instructor at Brescia College/University in Owensboro.

She was the organist at the Ursuline Motherhouse from 1994-2013. She

has been involved in prison ministry for a number of years. Today, Sister Marie Julie lives at the Motherhouse, where she is a member of the Powerhouse of Prayer.

KSister Eva Marie Boone, a native of Howardstown, Ky., is celebrating 70 years as an Ursuline Sister. Her rural upbringing helped her develop a deep love of nature.

Throughout her many years as an educator, she also developed a strong sense of social justice.

In 1966, Sister Eva earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Brescia College in Owensboro. In 1985, she completed her master’s degree in parish ministry from LaSalle University in Philadelphia.

She was among the first teachers at Immaculate School in Owensboro (1954-57), and taught at St. Joseph in Paul, Neb. (1957-58).

She was teacher and principal at St. Elizabeth, Curdsville, Ky. (1958-64), St. John, Plattsmouth, Neb. (196467) and Sacred Heart, Poplar Bluff, Mo. (1977-82). She taught at St. Columba, Louisville (1967-68), St. Edward, Jeffersontown, Ky. (196869), Seven Holy Founders, Affton, Mo. (1969-73), St. Christopher,

Radcliff, Ky. (1973-75), St. Paul, Sellersburg, Ind. (1975-76) and St. Andrew, Harrodsburg, Ky. (198284). She returned to St. Columba Parish in Louisville as a religion teacher (1976-77).

Sister Eva was director of religious education at St. Mary Parish in Hillview, Ky., in Bullitt County (1984-89). She served as a pastoral associate of two parishes in southcentral Kentucky – Holy Cross in Burkesville, and Emmanuel in Albany (1989-93) – and at St. John in Fordsville, Ky. (1993-98).

She served in internal ministry at Maple Mount as a receptionist at the Retreat Center (1999-2006), as a quilter for the Quilt Club (19992017) and as the community’s Peace and Justice coordinator (2006-13).

Today, Sister Eva lives at Maple Mount, where she is a member of the Powerhouse of Prayer and prays for the Mount plant administrator and maintenance staff.

KSister Ruth Gehres, a native of Evansville, Ind., is celebrating 70 years as an Ursuline Sister.

She is a great lover of teaching, music and languages, an excellent editor, and is devoted to telling the stories of the Sisters and the people they serve.

Continued on page 8

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In 1962, she received her bachelor’s degree in English from Brescia College, Owensboro, and in 1968 she received her doctorate in English from St. Louis University.

Sister Ruth taught at St. Joseph School in Paul, Neb. (1954-57), was teacher and principal at Our Lady of Mercy in Hodgenville, Ky. (1957-58), and then taught and led the choir at Sts. Joseph and Paul in Owensboro (1958-62). She served as an English professor at Brescia College (now University) from 1967-86, while also serving as alumni director (1979-81).

She was president of Brescia from 1986-95. She also taught English at the Gymnasium der Ursulinen in Straubing, Germany (1984-85).

Sister Ruth served at St. Meinrad (Ind.) College (199698), where she taught English and assisted in liturgy and spiritual direction. She served as an associate in communications for the Sisters of St. Benedict, Ferdinand, Ind. (1998-2000). She was director of communications for the Ursuline Sisters (2000-2002), and then associate director (2002-2007).

From 2007-13, she was an assistant and website manager at Casa Ursulina, the Ursuline ministry in Chillán, Chile. She continues to serve as a liaison with Casa Ursulina.

Today, she continues to serve as a proofreader and occasional writer for Ursuline publications.

KSister Michael Ann Monaghan, a native of Central City, Ky., is celebrating 70 years as an Ursuline Sister. Sister Michael Ann holds with great love each student she was privileged to help and is grateful for the parents and all who trusted and supported her during her

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teaching ministry. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Brescia College, Owensboro (1965) and her master’s degree in elementary education with a concentration in reading from Western Kentucky University (1973).

She was among the first teachers at Immaculate School in Owensboro (1954-63), and also served in Owensboro at Sts. Joseph and Paul (1966-72). She also taught in Kentucky at St. Ignatius, Louisville (1963-64) and St. Romuald, Hardinsburg (1983-86).

She spent one year at St. Teresa in Glennonville, Mo., (1996-97), but much of her education career was spent in New Mexico. She served three times at St. Joseph in San Fidel (1964-66, 1977-83 and 1989-96, this time as principal and teacher), twice at Sacred Heart, Farmington (197277, 1986-89 as principal and teacher) and also at Immaculate Conception, Cuba (1997-98) and St. Francis of Assisi, Gallup (1998-2001.) She ministered in outreach to St. Joseph Parish, Aztec (2005-06).

From 2007-08 and again from 2009-12, she served in family ministry in her native Central City. At Maple Mount, she was a receptionist at the Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center (2003-05), and since 2012, she has volunteered in the Finance office.

KSister Michele Morek, a native of New Mexico, is celebrating 60 years as an Ursuline Sister.

Sister Michele’s zeal for science and nature and her enthusiastic support to further the cause of women have been hallmarks of her life. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Brescia College in Owensboro, in 1966, then completed her doctorate in developmental biology from the University of Notre Dame in 1971.

After a year of teaching at St. Margaret Mary School in Louisville , Ky. (1966-67), Sister Michele served at Brescia College/University for 34 years, mostly as a biology professor (1971-80, 1986-2004), as well as academic dean and vice president of academic affairs (1980-86) and director of career services/grants coordinator (2011). She was elected to her community’s leadership council for eight years (1992-2000), then was elected congregational leader (2004-2010). From 2011-16, she served as coalition coordinator of UNANIMA International in New York City, a nongovernmental organization associated with the United Nations. Since 2017, she has served as the North American Sister Liaison for the Global Sisters Report, in Kansas City, Mo. KSister Rose Jean Powers, a native of Cloverport, Ky., is celebrating 60 years as an Ursuline Sister.

Sister Rose Jean is known for her willingness to help and listen to those in need, a role she filled for many years at Brescia College/University in Owensboro. She earned a history degree from Brescia in 1966 and a master’s degree in history from Marquette University in 1969.

After teaching for a year at St. Mary Elementary School in Nebraska City, Neb. (1966-67), Sister Rose Jean ministered for 43 years at Brescia. She was a history instructor (1968-84 and 198992), supervised the residence halls (1971-84), was campus minister (1989-97), director of residential life (1993-2008), chapel sacristan (1992-2016), and assistant in the Brescia Bookstore (2008-16). She served at the Motherhouse as local superior (1984-89), director of local community life (2016-18), and since 2018, chapel sacristan, information receptionist and as a member of the

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Liturgy committee. From 201922, she also served as the Gift Shop manager.

KSister Sheila Anne Smith is celebrating her 60th year as an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph. She was born in Butler, Pa., but as a child her family moved to Farmington, N.M. Sister Sheila Anne is a prayerful person who spent 35 years often serving the poor and Native Americans in her beloved Southwest. She graduated from Brescia College in 1966 with a degree in history.

She was a teacher in Kentucky at St. Catherine, New Haven (196672), and Our Lady of Mercy in Hodgenville (1972-73). She then served at Lourdes Elementary in Nebraska City, Neb. (1973-76). She served in health care at Maple Mount (1976-79) before returning to the Southwest.

Sister Sheila Anne taught in New Mexico at St. Joseph in San Fidel (1979-80), and St. Anthony in Zuni (1980-82), then became religious education coordinator at St. Charles Borromeo School in Albuquerque (1982-85). She then turned her attention to the poor in Arizona, serving as a member of the Desert House of Prayer in St. Michaels (1985-86); a catechist and home minister for Saint Anne Mission in Klagetoh (1986-87); parish ministry at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Greasewood (1987-92); and director of religious education for Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Holbrook (1992).

She returned to Albuquerque in 1993 as a staff member at the Dominican Retreat House (199394), then served as a tutor (19942014), a writer for various children’s magazines (1994-2010) and as a consultant for Loyola Press (19942010). She returned to Maple Mount

as an assistant to the archivist (201416). She plays music during the monthly anointing services in Saint Joseph Villa, and delivered mail on the campus from 2016-21. From 2016 to the present, she crotchets filter socks for the Water With Blessings ministry.

KSister Katherine Gertrude Stein, a native of St. Louis, is celebrating 60 years as an Ursuline Sister. She is known for her generous spirit and her contemplative heart.

She graduated from Brescia College in 1966 with a degree in elementary education, and later earned certification as a chaplain.

She taught at Immaculate, Owensboro (1966-68), St. Teresa, Glennonville, Mo. (1969), St. Joseph, Leitchfield, Ky. (1970) and St. Leonard, Louisville (1970-72). She taught near her home at St. Angela Merici, Florissant, Mo. (1972-73), then at St. Joseph, Mayfield, Ky. (1974), St. John, Plattsmouth, Neb. (1974-75) and Precious Blood, Owensboro (1975-76).

She completed her teaching career at Lourdes Elementary, Nebraska City, Neb. (1976-78), Trinity High School, Whitesville, Ky. (1980-81), St. Paul, Leitchfield (1982-83), and Holy Trinity, St. Louis (1983-84).

She provided transportation at the St. Boniface Convent, Louisville (1979-80) and at the Motherhouse intermittently over 22 years (1981, 1984-86, 1988-89, 1993-98, 19992003). She earned certification as a chaplain and served in pastoral care at Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital in Louisville (1989-93). She was an English as a second language tutor for Migrant/Immigrant Shelter and Support in Owensboro from 2004 until her retirement in 2006. Today, she lives at the Motherhouse and is a member of the Powerhouse of Prayer, praying for the farm staff.

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KSister Sharon Sullivan is celebrating 40 years as an Ursuline Sister.

She was born in Austin, Texas, raised in Houston, but her family moved to Owensboro when she was 13. Sister Sharon has a passion to serve students with special needs, to care for the earth and to help create the next generation of women leaders through her work with the Girl Scouts.

Prior to entering the community, she earned an associate degree from Christian College in Columbia, Mo. (now Columbia College) in 1967, a bachelor’s degree in history from Maryville (Tenn.)

College (1969), an elementary and special education teacher certification from Brescia College (1975) and a master’s degree in education from Western Kentucky University (1982). After becoming an Ursuline, she earned her doctorate in special education from Purdue University in 1993.

Most of her ministry has been in Daviess County, Ky. She served at Brescia College/University as director of residential life (198487) and professor of education and special education (1987-90, 19932009, 2017-2022).

From 1990-93, she was missioned to study and teach at Purdue University. She returned to Brescia and became chairwoman of the Social and Behavioral Studies Division (1999-2004), chairwoman of the School of Education (20042007) and coordinator of special education (1999-2007, 2017-2022).

She was academic dean and vice president for Academic Affairs (2007-2010).

From 2010-16, she served as the congregational leader for the Ursuline Sisters. Today, she has returned to serve as congregational leader until 2026.n 9

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By Dan Heckel, Mount Saint Joseph Staff

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Ursuline legacy in Paola is being remembered by two agencies The Lakemary Center in Paola, Kan., has been serving the developmental needs of children and adults for 53 years.

LOWER LEFT: The Lakemary complex as it looked in 1969, carved out of a former cornfield.

RIGHT: Ursuline Sisters and Associates view the rotunda of the former Paola convent in Arista Recovery on June 4.

New Ursuline Legacy Park will honor Ursuline Sisters

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rsuline Sisters were a constant presence in the small town of Paola, Kan., for more than 100 years.

Two agencies serving people in Paola plan to make sure the Sisters are never forgotten.

Ursuline Sisters first arrived in Paola in 1895, after separating from the Ursulines of Louisville.

They established a reputation as wonderful teachers in the Kansas City area, and were key members of the community. The Ursulines of Paola merged with the Ursulines of Mount Saint Joseph in 2008, and the following year many of the Sisters at the convent on Miami Street moved to Maple Mount.

One of the lasting legacies of the Ursulines of Paola was the creation of the Lakemary Center in 1969, to serve the growing number of special needs children. In the 1970s, services to adults were added, and today Lakemary continues to serve children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“There were at least 50 Ursulines who volunteered or worked at

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Lakemary,” Sister Pat Lynch said.

She served 13 years at Lakemary, first as a speech pathologist and then as education coordinator. She served on the board of Lakemary until 2016, when she moved to Maple Mount to serve her six-year term as assistant congregational leader for the Ursuline Sisters.

In its early days, when Lakemary struggled to financially survive, the Ursuline Sisters who served there returned their paychecks to Lakemary to help pay the bills.

Sister Pat said the creation and support of Lakemary was what Saint Angela Merici meant when she told her Ursuline daughters to respond to the signs of the times.

“It has mushroomed into a wonderful program,” Sister Pat said. “It serves over 600 people at locations in Paola and Olathe. The children at Lakemary have multiple disabilities. The Lakemary staff helps kids no one else can handle from all over the country.”

Now the current leadership of Lakemary wants to give back.

The lake on the property has been filled and graded. Grass seed will be planted this fall to develop the

Ursuline Legacy Park, complete with walking trails and benches.

In the Lakemary Impact Report from June 2022, Kirk Davis, president and chief executive officer of Lakemary, said First Option Bank in Paola made a major gift to support the Ursuline Legacy Park.

“The lake didn’t meet our needs anymore and it covered several acres on our beautiful campus,” Davis said in an email. “Out by the lake stands one of the oldest trees in the city of Paola and in the past few years this majestic tree has come back to life, after disease and storm damage.

Repurposing these acres and providing a beautiful green space for our children, adults and Lakemary staff seemed like a natural fit.”

The property at Lakemary is sacred ground donated by the Ursuline Sisters, so it seemed fitting to honor them with the park, Davis said.

“The Sisters were and still are the heart of Lakemary,” Davis said. “The park will honor the Sisters with plaques on the park benches, and limestone plaques along the trail will highlight the significant dates/ events of how Lakemary came to be.

An original gate post still stands on the property and will continue to be a gentle reminder that the Ursuline Sisters of Paola were the gatekeepers of this amazing place so many call home today.”

The Ursuline Legacy Park will be the first thing visitors see as they drive up the treelined drive or while driving past the Lakemary campus.

“The grounds will be filled with native trees, shrubs, and wildflower meadows, and while they may have replaced our beautiful lake, we are excited and honored to share and tell the beautiful story of Lakemary,” Davis said.

“We worked with the new owners of the convent and were able to get a few pieces of memorabilia that we will have on display at Lakemary,” Davis said in the impact report. “The artifacts and park will be a wonderful way to continue to honor the history of our organization and the Ursuline Sisters.”

Employees from the marketing department are hoping to visit Kentucky this summer to interview the four former Paola Sisters who now live at Maple Mount.

Photographs and video stories will help archive the many stories of the beginnings of Lakemary.

The Ursuline Legacy Park is expected to be completed by fall of 2023. Those who want to contribute to the project can contact Sally Beyers at Development@Lakemary. org.

Not far from Lakemary, the former Ursuline convent was sold in 2019, and then sold again in 2021 to GMF Capital, which is renovating the property for Arista Recovery, a drug rehabilitation center. As reported in the Miami County Republic on June 8, 2022, Arista officials are working to preserve as much Ursuline history in the building as possible.

Marisa Garrett, a behavioral health

Sister Angela Fitzpatrick renews commitment to issues Ursuline Sister Angela Fitzpatrick submitted a letter to the Kansas City Star opinion page in April 2022 to raise awareness of the need for prison reform, especially dealing with racial disparity.

“That was a first for me, I’ve never sent my opinion to a newspaper before,” Sister Angela said.

Despite a long history of being involved in social justice issues, Sister Angela found the motivation to try something new after spending three days in Washington, D.C., celebrating 50 years of Network – the justice advocacy group she helped begin.

“I’m glad I went, it was a wonderful experience,” Sister Angela said. She was a young Ursuline Sister of Paola, Kan., in the winter of 1971 when she was among 47 women religious who traveled to Washington to determine how they could make a difference if they united. In April 1972, Network was formed and has been engaged in political activism for social justice ever since.

When Network planned its 50th anniversary celebration on April 21-23 with a Justice Ablaze Gala and Advocates Training in Washington, Sister Angela was invited as one of the founding members.

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technician for Arista Recovery, is serving as resident historian throughout the process. She said a wing of the Arista Recovery facility will be dedicated to the Ursulines and the history of the building.

“We love and appreciate and want to know that history,” Garrett told the newspaper.

With renovations near completion, Arista officials held a special event on June 4 before the facility started taking clients.

Ursuline Associates along with Ursuline Sisters Angela Fitzpatrick and Michele Morek were invited to visit the campus and held a prayer service in the cemetery.

Sister Angela said the visit was touching. Her knowledge of the former convent was helpful to the Arista staff, who asked her many questions about its history.

“I’m so glad it’s going to have life again,” Sister Angela told the newspaper.n

A banner Network produced for its 50th gala in April in Washington D.C. featured quotes from Network foundresses, including Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph Angela Fitzpatrick.

“I was so happy with all the diversity and young people,” Sister Angela said. “There were college-age people, it wasn’t just gray-haired sisters.”

The Ursulines of Paola merged with the Ursulines of Mount Saint Joseph in 2008. Sister Angela has continued serving in her native Kansas, now as a caregiver in metropolitan Kansas City.

This gathering was quite different from her first trip in 1971, Sister Angela said.

“It was encouraging, hopeful. We knew it was possible to have an effect,” she said. “We were seeing things that had been accomplished, like the Affordable Care Act, Continued on page 13

The four founding members of Network who attended the gala are, from left, Sister Carol Coston, OP, Sister Angela Marie Fitzpatrick, OSU, Sister Elizabeth Morancy, RSM, and Sister Mary Hayes, SNDdeN. 11

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Outgoing Council looks toward new or previous ministries A follower of the Ursuline Sisters’ Facebook page wished the outgoing Leadership Council a “happy retirement.” As usual, retirement isn’t in the cards just yet for the four Sisters.

Sister Amelia Stenger, who completed her six-year term as congregational leader, will take on multiple roles.

The first is to organize some of the museum items and work on the archives. The museum inside the former Retreat Center had to be emptied with the planned deconstruction of the building. Sister Amelia is working on a plan for those museum items.

She will also serve where needed in the development office, where she was director from 2010-16. “I will be working with the office in any way that will be helpful to get support for our mission and ministries,” she said. She will continue to work on quilts for the ongoing Quilt Club and Quilt Bingo that happens on Sept. 11. In her spare time, she hopes to be able to work in the gardens.

Sister Pam Mueller and Sister Judith Nell Riney both maintained their roles at Brescia University in Owensboro while they served part-time on the Council.

Both Sisters return full-time to Brescia this fall. Sister Pam continues as the director of campus ministry, a role she has served since 2005. Sister Judith Nell continues to serve as director of library services. She is the longest serving Sister in her current ministry, having served as director for 42 years, beginning in 1980.

Sister Pat Lynch, who served as assistant congregational leader, will serve as pastoral assistant at St. Agnes Parish in Roeland Park, Kan. She previously served with the pastor, Father Bill Porter, 35 years ago when she was in campus ministry at the University of Kansas.

Two women became Ursuline Associates on June 25 at Mount Saint Joseph. Front: New Associates Carolyn McCarty, left, and Therese Wilhite.

Back, from left, are people who helped with their formation: Sister Suzanne Sims, Associate Martha Little and Associate Marian Bennett.

Next steps on deconstruction and retreat ministry to be determined Plans are moving slowly for the deconstruction of the former Mount Saint Joseph Academy and Retreat Center building. The building has been emptied of its contents, but there is no date set for deconstruction to begin.

The future of retreat ministry at the Mount is also not yet determined. A study group that began discussing the ministry will begin meeting again. Sister Sharon Sullivan, congregational leader, said she wants to continue to explore what is possible with retreat ministry.

The Mount Auditorium has been used for some retreat days in the past year. Sister Cheryl Clemons will offer an Advent Day of Prayer on Dec. 3, 2022, in the Auditorium. She will also have her annual Women’s Retreat Day in the spring and possibly something for Lent as well.

The Auditorium is available for rent at a reasonable price. For details, email ap@maplemount.org or visit ursulinesmsj.org/renting-the-auditorium/ Follow the Ursuline Sisters website: ursulinesmsj.org and Facebook page for details on retreats and updates on the building.

Sister Spotlight: Sister George Mary Hagan Meet Sister George Mary – A spiritual woman who never met a stranger Z Favorite subject to teach: “Religion, because I gave my students the word of God for them to experience God all of their lives.”

Z Favorite place: “The Trappists of the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky because it is nestled in the embrace of the neighboring knobs, and it lends to solitude. I have a ‘flood’ of beautiful memories of my childhood of going to that Holy Ground.”

Z Person you admire most: “Pope Francis because he is a holy man and is inspired by the Holy Spirit as he leads the Catholic Church.”

Z First job: “My first job was at the Dant Distillery in New Haven, Ky., where I worked as a secretary. It is now known as the famous Log Still Distillery and is at the same location where I worked. It is a state-of-the-art distillery, with an amphitheater, live music from Nashville musicians, a bed and breakfast, and a large lake.”

Z Favorite author: “Thomas Merton. I read him every day to absorb and savor his wonderful spirituality. Each year I enjoy a retreat at Gethsemani. His hermitage is humble, sparse, quaint, and lends to solitude and peace.”

Z Favorite month/time of year: “October in Kentucky is an array of beautiful leaves all dressed in vibrant colors, telling us the trees are bowing to prepare for winter.”

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NETWORK

From page 5

which Network supported.”

The early days of Network were quite different, Sister Angela said.

“We were foundering back then, until Sister Carol Coston (a Dominican Sister) took over in April 1972. She had $147 to work with, but she started hiring a staff.”

A banner Network produced featured some of the founding members’ quotes, including ones from Sister Angela and Sister Carol.

“The fact they chose those two quotes really made me feel special,” Sister Angela said.

Sister Angela read that Network now has 100,000 members from all 50 states, compared to the 47 people who began. Anyone can join Network, not just women religious.

“I found a deeper appreciation for Network. I felt what’s possible,” Sister Angela said. “We have the power to change things. To be silent is wrong.”n

Soli Deo Gloria

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We rejoice in the gifts of our sisters, given for the kingdom of God

Two Ursuline Sisters are serving in new ministries beginning this summer.

Sister Ann Patrice Cecil is now transportation coordinator for the Ursuline Sisters. She replaces Sister Ann McGrew, who was elected to the Leadership Council. Sister Ann Patrice was postmaster at the Mount from 2013-22, but the Maple Mount post office is now closed.

Sister Laurita Spalding has been a resource teacher at Holy Name of Jesus School in Henderson, Ky., since she stepped down from 50 years of full-time teaching in 2018. She is now serving as a volunteer parish minister at Holy Name Parish, where she will be visiting the sick and homebound.

Sister Mary Celine Weidenbenner, left, and Sister Pat Rhoten smile during Community Days in July.

They entered the community together in 1963.

RIGHT: The Illinois contingent made it to Maple Mount that week: Sister Mary Ellen Backes, left, and Sister Marilyn Mueth.

In the joy of eternal life SISTER MARIETTA WETHINGTON, 83, died May 26 at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 67th year of religious life. She was a native of Clementsville, Ky. Sister Marietta was gifted with a deep prayerfulness and hospitality that she shared easily with others. She loved teaching children to read, and in later years, helping adults to deepen their faith, especially Ursuline Associates. She shared her spirituality each month with readers of “Reflective Moments with Saint Angela Merici.” She was a teacher in Kentucky and one year in Missouri, and served as a pastoral associate at Holy Spirit Church in Jamestown, Ky. She was elected three times as a councilor on the Ursuline Leadership Council (1984-92, 2000-2004), and served in numerous Motherhouse ministries, especially dealing with spiritual formation. She was co-director (2004-07) and then director of formation for Ursuline Partnerships (2007-11, 2013-14). She was a spiritual director and founding member of the Spiritual Direction Training Program at the Retreat Center, serving as a team member from 2004-2014. Survivors include the members of her religious community; siblings Pauline Goebel, Frank Wethington and Richard Wethington, all of Louisville; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew Francis and Sarah Odelia Wethington; and siblings Linda Pennington, Anna Geraldine Pennington, Robert Irvin Wethington, and Michaela Elizabeth Edwards. Her burial was in the convent cemetery.

SISTER SARA MARIE GOMEZ, 78, died July 24 at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 60th year of religious life. She was a native of Gobernador, N.M. Sister Sara Marie was the epitome of hospitality and loved to share her southwestern cooking. She spent 36 years serving in New Mexico and was the last Ursuline Sister to serve there after 100 years of community educators. She also taught in Kentucky, often in special education. Survivors include the members of her religious community; siblings Louie Gomez of Farmington, N.M., and Bart Gomez of Covington, La.; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Lila Gomez; and her siblings Juan Gomez III and Melesia Atchley. The funeral Mass was July 28 at Mount Saint Joseph. She is being buried later in New Mexico.

Memorials may take the form of donations to the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356 13

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Flynns support the Sisters who model “faith in action” It was a bit of a culture shock for Jayne Flynn in 1978 when she left Rochester, N.Y. – with a population of 241,000 people – to come to Owensboro, Ky., then a city of about 54,000.

Her husband was transferred to Owensboro to run the local Ragu plant. She credits a great improvement in her mental health to the day she began working at Brescia College and befriended several of the Ursuline Sisters.

“I met these wonderful, intelligent women and they became my friends,” Jayne said. “I just loved them.”

In 1988, George Flynn was transferred to Connecticut with his company, and the Flynns have lived there ever since.

Although it has been 34 years since the Ursuline Sisters have been part of Jayne’s daily life, the Flynns have remained faithful supporters of the Sisters.

“I think my first impression was that this is what ‘faith in action’ is all about,” Jayne said.

“They didn’t just talk about faith, but lived it in what they did at Brescia and all the other communities that were lucky enough to have their service.”

The Ursulines were also “women of their times” as their foundress, Saint Angela Merici, instructed them, Jayne said.

“As conditions in the community changed, they adapted to new situations and, in many cases, improved the community,” she said. “A good example is when they closed the school at the Mount and created 14

Jayne and George Flynn, at a wedding reception in 2021.

an outstanding retreat center.”

Jayne’s training was in nursing, and for her first several years in Owensboro she worked at Mercy Hospital. She was mostly scheduled for night duty, but with three children at home, she looked for something to better fit her life. With Brescia in the midst of a capital campaign in 1983, the school president, Sister George Ann Cecil, hired Jayne as the secretary for the development office.

“The director of development left and Sister George Ann hired a woman, then asked me to be assistant director,” Jayne said. When the woman who was hired as director decided she didn’t want the job, Sister George Ann asked Jayne to be development director.

“I’d never done that type of work, but she said she would teach me. And she did,” Jayne said. “She was a very charismatic person.”

Shortly after Jayne became development director, Sister George Ann named Sister DeChantal Whelan as the grant writer. Sister DeChantal – known as “DC” by her friends, students and faculty – was a legendary English professor at Brescia known for

her trailblazing ways. When Sister George Ann told Jayne that Sister DeChantal was now working for her, Jayne responded, “DC doesn’t work for anybody but God.” When Sister George Ann died of cancer in 1985, Sister Ruth Gehres took over as Brescia’s president, forging a bond with Jayne that continues today.

“It was a very emotional time,” Jayne said. “We worked hard, supported each other, mourned together, and then supported our new president. We became more than co-workers. We became friends.”

After the Flynns moved to Connecticut, some of the Sisters visited them over time, Jayne said. They included Sister Ruth,

Jayne and George Flynn, pictured at left, visited Casa Ursulina in Chile in 2009.

Sister Mimi Ballard is seated across from Jayne and Sister Ruth Gehres is seated at Jayne’s right.

Sister Michele Morek, Sister Julia Head and Sister Judith Nell Riney.

In 2009, when Sister Ruth served with Sister Mimi Ballard at Casa Ursulina in Chillán, Chile, the Flynns decided to visit the Ursuline ministry. What they saw had a great impact on them, and in recent years the Flynns have made their donations to the Sisters specifically for Continued on page 15

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Powerhouse of Prayer

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– By Dan Heckel, Mount Saint Joseph Staff

Sister Francis Louise “comes to the water” to find deep prayer be with you.’”

While leading RCIA in the two parishes where she served, Sister Lou could sense God working in a powerful way for people looking to join the Catholic Church.

“Our job in RCIA was to bring the fruits of the faith, to try to explain the sacraments, Sister Francis Louise “Lou” the Mass and the Eucharist,” she said. “I Johnson and Lake Garda at always had a meeting with each person, and Mount Saint Joseph they all said that what brought them into ister Francis Louise Johnson enjoys praying quietly the Church was the Mass and the Eucharist. in the Motherhouse Chapel in the presence of the Once they found that, they didn’t need to search Blessed Sacrament. But she also likes to pray by the lake anymore.” at Maple Mount.

Sister Lou enjoys both the community prayers with “I think water is a wonderful place to pray,” she said. her Sisters and praying alone in the chapel or in her Sister Francis Louise – her friends call her “Sister Lou” room.

– has been able to pray at both the Atlantic and Pacific “I have more time to pray now, I’m happy about oceans several times. that,” she said. “I’m happy my parents taught me to pray “Praying at the ocean was a very deep experience of from an early age.”

God,” Sister Lou said. “It just makes me think of the very The Sisters are blessed that they don’t have to beginning of creation. I think those waves have been all struggle to make it to Mass or receive the sacraments, over the world.” she said. The “Our Father” is her favorite prayer, but for Sister Lou is in her 67th year as an Ursuline Sister. people who say they can’t find time to pray, Sister Lou She taught third through eighth grades during her 26 has a simple response. years as a teacher. During five years as a parish minister “Do you have time to breathe?” she said. “You can in Paducah, Ky., she also taught five college courses. She pray anywhere. Even a small prayer like ‘Jesus’ or ‘Mary.’” was a pastoral associate for 13 years in Pewee Valley, Ky., With the beauty in full bloom at Maple Mount, then returned to Maple Mount to serve as Guest House Sister Lou takes the opportunity to bring her prayers coordinator for 14 years. Since 2003, she has also been a outside. faithful deliverer of mail for the Sisters, and these days is “Prayer is lifting up our minds and hearts to God. active in the Powerhouse of Prayer.

God is with us all the time,” she said. “I like to go outside “I read a book from (Father Ronald) Rolheiser who and pray with the flowers and the trees. I can say, ‘Thank said, ‘prayer is our deepest longing.’ Just be still and you God for the beauty.’ That’s a prayer.” be with God,” Sister Lou said. “Be still and don’t say Friends can write to Sister Francis Louise at 8001 anything. That’s a very good prayer – to remember God’s presence wherever you are. God promised, ‘I will always Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.

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Casa Ursulina.

“I was so impressed by the work that they do there,” Jayne said. “We loved Casa Ursulina, we wanted to keep supporting that mission, and all that the Sisters do.

“The Casa Ursulina women were grateful, and their lives were so enhanced by Casa Ursulina.

It verified their worth in the world,” Jayne said. “They had very difficult lives. It gave them self-worth and some money. We could see the joy in their faces.

I could see how dedicated Sister Mimi and Sister Ruth were. You can’t save the world, but you can do a little bit in your corner of the world to make it better.”

Have the Ursuline Sisters influenced your life? If you would like to learn more about ways you can support the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, contact Carol BradenClarke, director of Development, at 270-229-2008, or carol. braden-clarke@maplemount. org.n

We still have a few 2022-2023 Quilt Club tickets left! For a chance to win quilts, visit https://ursulinesmsj.org/quilt-club/

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8001 Cummings Road Maple Mount, KY 42356-9998 270-229-4103 www.ursulinesmsj.org info.msj@maplemount.org

Change is an opportunity CHANGE is a word that creates fear and anxiety for some people and opportunity and adventure for others. For me, I like change and find it to be an opportunity to grow and imagine the possibilities for the future.

We are in the midst of change with a new Ursuline Sisters leadership team. It doesn’t diminish the work of the outgoing team, but gives us a chance to reflect on their accomplishments and learn from their experiences. We have an opportunity to explore the kind of future that is possible and what we are being called to do.

Our supporters are an important part of our future. Whether you are a donor, Ursuline Associate or alumnae, you are part of the ministries of the Ursuline Sisters. The pandemic prevented us from meeting in person. It is our hope to be able to meet with you in person and hear your stories and share the work of the Sisters and our hopes for the future. We value and are grateful for your support.

You can show your support by buying Mount Raffle tickets. The 52nd Annual Mount Raffle drawing will be on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $5 and the grand prize is $10,000. Proceeds support our ministries and retired Sisters. Visit https://ursulinesmsj.org/ mountraffle. Quilt Bingo is back on Sunday, Sept. 11. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and bingo begins at 1:00. The $25 entry fee includes lunch.

Bingo games are $1 for small and medium quilt prizes and $2 for large quilt prizes. Seating is limited so please register in advance. It is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with friends and family.

We are looking forward to seeing you again and to what the future holds for us.

Carol Braden-Clarke, Director of Development

Escape to the Mount

Quilt Bingo Returns!

Sunday, Sept. 11 1–4 p.m.

Mount Saint Joseph Auditorium

8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, Ky.

Play bingo to win quilts! $25 per person includes lunch.

$1 games for small quilt prize and $2 games for large quilt prize.

Seating is limited. Sign up online: ursulinesmsj.org/escape-to-the-mount-weekend or mail a check payable to Ursuline Sisters, Development Office, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount KY 42356 Questions? Contact Carol Braden-Clarke 270-229-2008 carol.braden-clarke@maplemount.org

Raffle Drawing at 4 p.m.

License #0290

By the time you read this, the new book “Hope and Firm Faith: The Story of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph” should have arrived. Supply chain issues with the publisher delayed publication, but we are happy to share this detailed history of the Sisters with you soon. The author, Dan Heckel, expects to make himself available for some book signings. If you think your area would make a worthwhile place to host such an event, please let Dan know (dan.heckel@maplemount.org or 270-229-2007). He can tailor his talk to include your area if it is mentioned in the book. If you prefer, you can order a book online at ursulinesmsj.org/hope-and-firm-faith-book. The cost is $37.10 (includes sales tax) plus $10 for shipping. For two books, shipping is $14. To pay by check, make it payable to “Ursuline Sisters” and mail to: Book order, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356. With your check, please include your name, address, phone number and email. And let us know if you want a copy signed by the author (at no extra charge).