FEBRUARY 2013
VOL. XVIII, NO. 3
Associates have evolved over 30 years By Dan Heckel, OSUA
n the early 1990s, Mary Ifrom Ann Schilling transferred Indiana to Hancock
County, Ky., for her job, and met Ursuline Sisters who were teaching at Immaculate Conception School. “The (Ursulines) Associates Day 1989 started meeting with Isabel Crenshaw, Shirley Hagman and Shirlene Quinn for prayer,” Schilling said. “I had made Cursillo and I missed getting together for prayer and social time. They invited me to join them.” That group became the core of the Ursuline Associates in Hancock County, which Schilling joined in 1991. “It’s so good to be with women who are committed to living out their life in a religious community,” Schilling said. “They are committed to God, to each other and to community service.” Sid Mason met the Ursuline Sisters when she came to the Mount Saint Joseph Picnic in the 1990s, and became an associate in 1996. Her Western Kentucky group is spread out, but has a special connection. “We’ve been able to support each other through some tough times,” she said. “I have just met wonderful, inspiring people who really help you want to be a better person, to do for others. You receive so much more than you give. Becoming an associate is just a good feeling, like you belong.” This year, the Ursuline Associates celebrate 30 years of “living the charism of Saint Angela Merici in union with and in support of the Ursuline community of Mount Saint Joseph.” Being an associate has evolved from an idea spurred by the Second Vatican Council’s desire to include the laity in ministries, to today when it blends ongoing spiritual formation with an opportunity to minister side by side with the Ursuline Sisters. “I think prayer has really developed,” Schilling said. “We have programs throughout the year that allow us to learn more about Saint Angela, our relationship with God and other people.” Audrey Durbin, of Radcliff, Ky., became an associate in 2002, at the urging of Sister George Mary Hagan, who
Associate pinning 1998
Sisters and associates in San Jose, Calif., in 2000
was ministering at Fort Knox at the time. “I graduated from the academy in 1939 and the college in 1941, so Mount Saint Joseph was a second home for me,” Durbin said. “Being an associate has helped me stay in touch with the sisters.” Early days Sister Fran Wilhelm returned from ministering in California in 1983 to be director of the Jyotiniketan Prayer House at the Mount and to serve on the leadership Council. Sister Kathleen Kaelin was asked by the previous Council to research associate groups of other communities, and Sister Fran was asked to take her research and begin the Ursuline Associates. “Sisters had talked to their friends and we had nine people on the waiting list,” Sister Fran said. “Those were our first nine associates.” At least three associates were added every month, Sister Fran said. They were instructed individually based on the first manual Sister Fran prepared. “I don’t think it evolved very much during my tenure,” because she had other ministries to serve, Sister Fran said. “The formation started after I let go (in 1991). I see that as a wonderful path it took.” Sister Mary Lois Speaks took over the associates in 1991 and began organizing the files. “We grew quite a bit during that time, and Mark your were able to continue the calendars for Sunday formation that Sister Fran began, in which Saturday, June 8! Associates and Sisters any associate could come Day 2013 on “The to the Mount one Sunday Spirituality of the a month for spiritual Workplace” formation,” she said. • More details on page 2 “I started geographical and in our May issue outreach, visiting
8
Continued on page 3