New Leadership Council

Summer 2022

and new voices By Dan Heckel Mount Saint Joseph Staff

When 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

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

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

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.”

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 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

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.

“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?”

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.

“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?”

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.

“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 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

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

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

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.”

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

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