Update feb 2016 color for issuu

FEBRUARY 2016

VOL. XXI, NO. 3

Western Ky. Associates practice “inreach” with sisters

By Dan Heckel, OSUA

everal years ago during a Western Kentucky Ursuline San outreach Associate meeting, a discussion began about selecting service activity for the group.

“Several other MSJ Associate groups were actively engaged in community outreach projects and we were sharing ideas of how we could best serve,” said Risë Karr, an associate since 1990. The first problem with this was logistics.

The Western Kentucky group is the most geographically diverse, with regular attendees spread out in Paducah, Mayfield, Murray, LaCenter and 70 miles southeast in Hopkinsville, where Karr and Betty Boren live. They are often joined by Ursuline Sisters serving in Benton, Fancy Farm and Grand Rivers. The group is steadfast about having their meetings in person, but regularly getting together to serve at an outreach location would be more of a problem.

Western Kentucky Associates who attended their Christmas party for the sisters on Dec. 5, 2015, gathered around Sister Teresa Riley, The more significant issue for Karr was that her left, and Sister Marie William Blyth, second from left. Also in front: heart told her to return to the group’s roots. “My heart tells me that our outreach should be ‘inreach,” she said. Santa Claus and Associate Elaine Wood. Standing, from left: Vicki Kloss and Associates Risë Karr, Pat Wilson, Betty Boren and Mike “Our associate ‘family’ has a long history of Sullivan. Associate John Wood was mysteriously absent at the time. personal service to Mount Saint Joseph and the Ursulines,” Karr said. “For many in our group, the joy and love that was shared – and my WKOSUA family journey with MSJ began over a quarter century ago and agreed,” she said. “So ‘inreach’ was born – to create those decades have included a myriad of activities such opportunities to serve the Ursuline Sisters and give back as painting benches and radiators; washing windows and to those who have given so much to so many.” dishes; working in the garden; fashioning potpourri crafts; In December 2013, the Western Kentucky Associates selling T-shirts, fun foods and drinks; peeling potatoes; began throwing a party for the sisters in Saint Joseph chopping celery, cabbage and onions; serving mint juleps; Villa to celebrate the feast of Saint Nicholas, and that deboning chicken; scooping ice cream; moving plants, has continued the past two years. The associates work pianos, air conditioners and sisters, just to name a few.” throughout the year gathering presents for the sisters and Those memories of service and celebrations were what making them treats. planted the seed for “inreach,” Karr said.

Pictured on this page are some of the pictures from “I missed having the Dec. 5, 2015 party, which featured treats, festive hats opportunities to that the sisters got to keep and even some presents from socialize with the Santa Claus. But sisters – the laughter, Mark your calendars! what was mostly on display were “The Year of Mercy” Associate John Wood smiles from the is the theme for joins Associate Betty sisters and the Associates & Boren behind the associates. counter to help serve Sisters Day on “We are snacks in the Saint Saturday, June 11, 2016 blessed,” Karr Joseph Villa Rainbow More details to come in our May issue Room on Dec. 5, 2015. said. n

June

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Associate Update

Thoughts from Marian...

Dear Associate Brothers and Sisters, What a wonderful gift we have in this Jubilee Year of Mercy! When I think of mercy, my first reaction is to think of ways I can be merciful to others. But I must remember to be merciful to myself as well. How about you? Let’s find ways to slow down and reduce the stress in our lives: • To hear the birds singing, even in the snow • To cherish our memories • To appreciate the wide-eyed smile of a child resting on its mother’s shoulder • To relax long enough to be thankful for the talents God has given us • To see the gifts of patience and humor given to us by our families and co-workers Thank you, Pope Francis, for giving us a year to think about ways to be merciful. And thank you, Mother Angela, for guiding us every day.

Marian Bennett, OSUA Coordinator of Ursuline Partnerships

Associate-in-formation Connie Nugent, left, and Associate Peggy (Margaret Ann) Chavez Tasaka returned to the Mount to attend the Dec. 3-5, 2015 Yarn Spinners Retreat and met up with Marian Bennett, right. Both visitors attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy.

ASSOCIATE Update is published four times a year for the Associates of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356-9999 Phone: 270-229-2006 • Fax: 270-229-4953 Website: ursulinesmsj.org Email: associates.msj@maplemount.org Coordinator of Ursuline Partnerships: Marian Bennett, OSUA Coordinator of Mission Effectiveness: Sister Rose Marita O’Bryan, OSU Director of Development: Sister Amelia Stenger, OSU Director of Mission Advancement/Communications: Dan Heckel, OSUA Communications Specialist/Graphic Design: Jennifer Kaminski, OSUA Communications and Development Specialist: Kris Mango

ASSOCIATE MISSION STATEMENT

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e, the associates of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, proclaim the Gospel of Jesus through the actions of our everyday lives. We commit ourselves to living the charism of Saint Angela Merici in union with and in support of the Ursuline community of Mount Saint Joseph.

February 2016

Dear Friends, Here we are again in 2016, already another Leap Year is upon us. The Internet search sites remind us that a Leap Day occurs almost every four years. “Almost,” I tend to forget that in 1900 there was no Leap Day even though 1900 is divisible by four. If you look far enough, you’ll discover that if the year can also be evenly divided by 100, it cannot be a Leap Year unless it is also divisible by 400. So, in 2000 we had a Leap Day, but not in 1900, or 1800, or . . .

Perhaps that’s enough for basic math; at least that’s enough to allow us to pose the question: “Why do we even have Leap Days?” The simple answer is that Leap Day permits us to synchronize our calendars with the solar year. Why do they need to be synchronized? Well, a common year has 365 days, but it actually takes the earth approximately 365¼ days to go all the way around the sun. So if we had no Leap Years, within 100 years our calendars would be almost one month off, disrupting our planting, planning, harvesting and all human activities requiring seasonal applications.

As long ago as in the time of Julius Caesar, humans have been aware of the need to adjust calendars to keep us “in synch” with the sun. So as we know, almost every four years, make the Leap Day adjustment in February to keep our calendars in synch with the sun, we also have the opportunity every season of Lent to make those personal adjustments needed to bring our own lives and spirits “in synch” with God’s Son. Perhaps if we recognize that an entire planet is synchronized to the sun with the adjustment of only one day every four years, we can appreciate what individual hearts might require – even one tiny step each day can gradually, gradually bring us to and keep us in synch with the Son. In this Update, see how your sister and brother Ursuline Associates synchronize their lives and spirits with the mission of Saint Angela. Explore the notion of Associate “inreach” in conjunction with outreach; discover this Leap Year’s life changes for Associate Meghan Payne and her newly expanded family; reflect on Saint Angela and her charism with other Ursuline Sisters and Associates.

My prayer for us all this Lent is that we might discover and embrace those “tiny daily adjusting steps” – “Leap Steps” – that will keep us in synch with our Loving God. In Angela,

Sister Sharon Sullivan Congregational Leader

February 2016

Associate Update

Associate adopts five brothers

Page 3 The Paynes made their associate commitment as a family in the fall of 2009. Front: Sarah, Amy, Tom and Meghan Payne. Back: Will Payne and contact companions Sister Rita Scott and Sister Michele Ann Intravia.

Ursuline Associate Meghan Payne is joined by the five brothers she adopted on Dec. 14, 2015. From left are Dustin (9), Kennedy (7), Brian (6), Romer (8) and Kevin (14).

By Dan Heckel, OSUA

W

hen Ursuline Associate Meghan Payne decided to move back into her parents’ home in Owensboro, Ky., a few years ago, paying off her graduate school loans was only one reason.

“Part of my plan when I moved back home was to save money so I could adopt a special needs child,” Meghan said. A special education teacher for 11 years at Owensboro Middle School, Meghan said she felt God was calling her to adopt a child.

“When I took this to prayer, God told me to pay attention to what’s right in front of me now,” she said.

What was in front of her were five brothers who she and her parents, Ursuline Associates Amy and Tom Payne, were foster parenting. When the boys, who began living with the Paynes in August 2013, became adoptable in January 2015, Meghan began pursuit of becoming their mother. The single 32-year-old officially adopted the boys on Dec. 14, 2015.

“I believe all things work the way they are supposed to,” Meghan said. “I know on paper it seems crazy. When people start to get to know the boys and how our family works, it makes sense to people. It’s what’s best for them and best for me. They would have been split up. I really feel it’s what I’m supposed to do.”

This odyssey began in the winter of 2012, when Meghan and her parents began classes to become foster parents.

“Our social worker called us Aug. 28, 2013, in a panic saying she had five boys, and that it was almost impossible to place that many in one home,” Meghan said. “We couldn’t think of a really good reason to say no.” The boys began living with the Paynes that evening.

“The oldest two boys were born in Daviess County, the three younger ones were born in Montgomery County, Ala.,” Meghan said. “Their parents were immigrants from Mexico.” Their mother died in October 2011 and the boys were split up in foster care in Alabama until a maternal aunt arranged for them to come to Daviess County, Meghan said. They stayed with her for a year, but the financial strain became too much.

“My parents and grandparents came from a charism of

hospitality, it’s always been a part of our home,” Meghan said. “It’s chaotic to go from no kids to five. But two months after they lived with us, we were a family. We were on a family vacation in Florida during spring break.”

With the boys’ father out of the picture, the siblings became adoptable in January 2015, once they had spent 18 of 22 months in foster care, Meghan said. The father’s parental rights were terminated in July 2015 and the adoption became official Dec. 14.

“We’re still learning how to be a family,” Meghan said. “When they moved in, they called us by our first names. Now they are calling me ‘Mom’ and it takes a little time to adjust.”

Each of the boys has a distinct personality and it’s clear as Meghan describes them she is already a proud mother. “I tell people, ‘I didn’t make them this good, they came this way.’ It’s obvious their parents loved them and raised them well. They are a healthy, intact group of kids.

We love having them.”

Here’s Meghan’s description of her sons:  “Kevin is 14, he’s an eighth-grader at Owensboro Middle School. He’s a good soccer player and a great big brother. He makes almost straight A’s.”  “Dustin is 9, he’s a fourth-grader at Newton Parrish Elementary. He’s the most tender-hearted kid you’ll ever come across. He loves to help. He’ll come ask what he can do.”  “Romer is 8, he’s a third-grader at Newton Parrish.

He’s Mr. Inquisitive. He’ll ask me 25 questions before we get out of the neighborhood. He loves anything sciencerelated.”  “Kennedy is 7, he’s a second-grader at Newton Parrish.

If you need something found or done, he’s your boy. He likes to manage everyone. He loves to ride his bike or play on the trampoline. He needs to be in movement.”  “Brian turned 6 on the day he was adopted, he’s a kindergartener at Newton Parrish. He’s the typical baby in the family. He loves to hang with his brothers and do what they’re doing. He loves to hug and cuddle.”

Meghan said she was walking in faith throughout the whole process. “I just trusted that the Lord loves the boys Continued on page 6

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ReflectiveMoments Moments Reflective

By Sister Marietta Wethington, OSU

The Value of Family

s you are reading this, Christmas is probably a distant A memory. Gifts are well used, exchanged or stored away. As I am writing this, Christmas was only a month

ago and still vivid in my mind. Christmas is about family.

The Christmas story with which we are all so familiar is about family – the one we call holy. It is about a God who loved each of us enough to take on human flesh in Jesus.

It is about Mary and Joseph who accepted Jesus as a tiny infant and cared for him in sometimes dangerous and uncertain situations.

I believe all families are holy. Father James Martin writes, “The family is sometimes called the ecclesiola, a charming little Greek word meaning ‘little church.’” He goes on to talk about how the family is the place where faith was nourished for most of us. That is certainly true for me.

I’ve had two recent experiences that were beautiful examples of the value of family. On Christmas Day my brother and sister-in-law always host our very large family – siblings and their spouses and nieces and nephews – for a Christmas pot luck meal and celebration. After the meal we gather around the Christmas tree to watch the children open gifts. The adults long ago stopped giving gifts. What do we really need? Nothing material for sure. It is gift enough to watch the children and join in their excitement.

The second experience was the funeral of my 92-yearold aunt. Yes, I know that funerals are usually sad times and this one was very sad for her children and their spouses and her grandchildren. They will miss her physical presence even as they carry their lovely memories in their hearts. In my family all the nieces and nephews who are able come to show support and to celebrate the life of the

The Muhlenberg County Associates honored Sister Rose Karen Johnson at a retirement party on Nov. 8, 2015 at St. Joseph Church, Central City, Ky., where she ministered for 20 years.

They purchased commemorative bricks in the Mount Saint Joseph Rosary Walk in her honor. Seated: Sister Rose Karen.

Front, left to right: Judy Sims, Brenda Busick, Betty Girten, Dr. Valentino Simpao, Jean Simpson. Back: Don Monaghan, Marlene Monaghan, Genon Putnam, Keith Putnam, Lisa Day.

one who has died. We came to Casey County, Ky., from Lexington, Louisville, Maple Mount and Cincinnati to celebrate the life of this wonderful woman who lived the gospel and by her example taught us what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. She was a great example of the value of family.

I realize that not all families are happy. But I believe they have something to teach us as well. Because they suffer a lot in their own life they can teach us how to be sensitive to those around who are suffering. And those families who are basically happy are not without their struggles and pain. I believe that it takes a lot of work to be family. Is it worth it? Absolutely!

Henri Nouwen wrote that community is not possible without the willingness to forgive one another. I believe the same is true for family. We must forgive over and over again. We start by forgiving ourselves. Then we forgive our parents, our spouse and our children. Saint Luke tells us that if we forgive we will be forgiven. During this Year of Mercy, Pope Francis specifically asks us to forgive. If we each make a daily habit of forgiving how different our world will be and how different we will be. Again, is it worth it? Absolutely!

Reflection: How have you experienced your family as a holy family? How have the struggles of family strengthened you as a family?

Suggestion: If you have children at home, plan a family night of sharing and fun every other week. Give the children opportunities to help with the planning. If you do not have children at home, plan something special for you and your spouse.

The Saint Francis of Paola Associates hosted a celebration Jan. 24 for the upcoming Saint Angela Feast day.

Over 40 attended Mass at Holy Trinity Church in Paola, Kan. Father Pete O’Sullivan included prayers for the Ursulines.

ABOVE: Sister Pat Lynch, left, talks with Associate-information Margie Morgan and Associate Marilyn Katzer.

RIGHT: Sister Angela Fitzpatrick and Associates Mariita Rodriguez and Mary Benkeser enjoy the event. After Mass the Young Daughters of Saint Angela (Y-DOSA) led the group in singing the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and there was a “Simple Soup Supper” in the parish hall. For more Y-DOSA updates, visit ursulinesmsj.org.

February 2016

Associate Update

Find ways to show mercy

Dear Associates, In December, Pope Francis opened the Celebration of the Year of Mercy.

We don’t talk about this virtue very much but it is truly one that can change our world. In Ezekiel 37:1-2, we read, “God’s mercy can make even the driest land become a garden, can restore life to dry bones.”

Pope Francis urges us to consider this virtue by saying, “Let us be renewed

by God’s mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of that love to transform our lives and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish.”

During this coming year, let us ask for God’s mercy for ourselves, our families and friends. Let us remind ourselves of the Corporal and Spiritual works of mercy that we learned when we were children. How can we put these into practice?

We have the opportunity to change our lives and those of others if we find ways to show mercy. Let’s begin today by doing something to help someone or bring kindness and peace to those we serve.

God bless you and those you love, Sister Amelia Stenger, OSU, Director of Development

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CORPORAL WORKS of MERCY 1. To feed the hungry.

2. To give drink to the thirsty.

3. To clothe the naked.

4. To shelter the homeless.

5. To visit the sick.

6. To ransom the captive (visit the imprisoned).

7. To bury the dead.

SPIRITUAL WORKS of MERCY 1. To instruct the ignorant.

2. To counsel the doubtful.

3. To admonish sinners.

4. To bear wrongs patiently.

5. To forgive offenses willingly.

6. To comfort the afflicted.

7. To pray for the living and the dead.

Stephanie shares the joy of her faith

By Sister Ruth Gehres, OSU

Stephanie Render sees herself as a country girl – with good reason! Visitors to the Renders’ small farmstead in Grayson County, Ky., are surrounded by a charming collection of furry and feathered creatures – among them a duck, a guinea, cats, dogs, a flock of ornamental chickens and three hawks that Gary, a master falconer, has trained for hunting.

Stephanie grew up on a family farm near Louisville, with her horse as her best friend. After a rough childhood – her mother suffered from mental illness – she married at 18. After 20 years and two children, her marriage ended in divorce.

As teenagers, Gary Render and Stephanie were neighbors and friends. After her divorce, they began seeing each other again. Then, in 1998, they married and moved to Caneyville.

“I had no faith growing up,” Stephanie says. She and Gary, a lifelong Catholic, didn’t marry in the Church, but Gary kept going to Mass, and Stephanie went with him.

Finding herself drawn to the peace she felt there, she enrolled in RCIA at St. Joseph Church, Leitchfield, and was received into the Church at Easter 2006. In October, Stephanie and Gary’s marriage was blessed by the Church.

Stephanie finds much joy in her newfound faith. Her enthusiasm grew when she met Sister Clarence Marie Luckett, an Ursuline Sister ministering in Caneyville.

“Sister Clarence became like a mother to me,” Stephanie says. “I was able to talk with her and learn as a daughter should from a mother – about God’s expectations of

us, how God sees us.” From Sister Clarence Marie, Stephanie learned about the Ursuline Sisters and became an Ursuline Associate in 2009.

Stephanie shares her faith with others, serving as a Eucharistic minister Stephanie and at St. Joseph’s and in the Leitchfield Gary Render hospital and nursing homes. She hopes to become even more active when she’s able to retire from her job with a property management company.

Recently Pam, a co-worker of Stephanie’s who has been away from the Church for many years, noticed Stephanie’s dedication and asked her for help in fulfilling her desire to return to her faith. After attending Mass with Pam at St. Joseph’s, Stephanie introduced her to her pastor, Father Tony Bickett, who welcomed her back home. Pam’s husband, already interested, enrolled in RCIA. In October 2015, Stephanie and Gary (in photo) were official witnesses as Pam and her husband were married in the Church.

“Being an Associate has changed my life,” Stephanie says. “I realize it’s not the big things that make a difference. God expects us to be faithful in the daily little things.” She is especially grateful for the prayerful support she and Gary receive as they deal with Gary’s serious physical problems.

Stephanie enjoys being a member of the very active Grayson County Associate group and the companionship of other associates and the sisters. “I love having such a large family now,” she says – with her typical bright smile.

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ADOPT

Associate Update February 2016 from page 3

more than I ever could and the Lord loves me, and this is MARCH MAY APRIL part of our journey,” she said.

1 Karen Howard 2 Shearon Harris 2 Sr. Phyllis Ann Hackmann “When you’re faced with a Diane Wilson Martha House 2 Marie Ritz serious decision, if you’re

Doris Wilson

Larry Minks 4 Murilla Giittinger faithful to the Lord, is there

4 Jennifer Kaminski 5 Madeleine Bianco 3 Lily Cloughley really a wrong decision you

DeAnne Schmidt 6 John Allen 4 Joyce Firenza can make? Once I made the 5 Kay Buckman Jerry Birge

Evelina Salas decision, I had peace. I knew Stella McClure 7 Susan Reiss

5 Marilyn Trechter then it was the right decision.”

Fr. Jerry Spencer 9 Ruth Wright-Welzen 6 Marian Bennett Amy Payne retired 6 Cheryl Boardman 10 Dee Bechdolt Violet Hamilton two years ago as a special Mike Inyart 11 Clarence Kaiser 8 Wanda Gibson education teacher and Tom 7 George Horishny 12 Sonia Pradenas 9 Fr. Brian Johnson Payne retired in May 2015 10 Chris Denniston 14 Loni Daniels 11 Wanda Rickard from his second career at 11 Margaret Birge 15 Fern Kelly

1 2 John Caton Brescia University, after 12 Velma Dees 18 Karen Feehan

Carrie Wieder working in special education 14 Mary Costello Michael Synk 1

4 Lucille Weidenbenner in the Daviess County Public Pauline Goebel 19 Carol Hardy 16 Claudette Ford Schools. He is serving on 15 Diane Hayden Paul Parker 17 Terry Barnes the Daviess County Board of 16 Joan McKinnon 21 Cecilia McEldowney 18 John Laker Education.

18 Mike Sullivan 22 Gail Davenport 19 Alice Piezuch “Tom’s family taught us 19 Carolyn Butler Loretta Oliver 21 Kathi Skidd about hospitality,” Amy said.

Florence Wieder 23 Maxine Hobbs Dennis Reilly “His mom took in a lady who 20 Angelina Glomb 24 Ola Higdon 24 Fr. Ed Bradley was in a bad situation and she 21 Marcy Bufalini 25 Rose Mary Egli Carolyn Head lived there until she died. That Elaine Wood Kevin Karl 25 Rev. Patricia Dawkins was a strong role model for 22 Laura Locke Amy Payne Doreen Haughton us. We were taught that what 23 Carlene Braun

Judy Sims Susan Scott you’ve been given you need 25 Marcella Critchelow 26 Sr. Agnes Ijoko, HHCJ 26 Fr. Larry Hostetter to share. That’s what God Jodie Fulkerson 28 Marilyn Katzer 28 Michael Lemm wants us to do.”

28 Denise Heying Marianna Robinson 29 Michael Ziegler “Meg is still walking on 31 Pam Knudson 30 Rev. Tom Barrett 30 Roxanne Bollin faith,” Amy said. “God has a 31 Norma Jean Witten Happy Easter! way of providing. My mom March 27, 2016 and dad had a long history of opening their house to people.

If you have the chance to help somebody, that’s 2016 Associate Commitment Anniversaries what you should do.”

Amy, who was an Ursuline Sister from 1978Ruth Wright-Welzen 30 YEARS (1986) 20 YEARS (1996) 82, said the Ursulines are another family for the Rev. Phil Hoy Randy Lamastus 10 YEARS (2006) Paynes and she appreciates the sisters who have Joan McKinnon Pat Wilson Anna Conn been praying for them. Sister Michele Ann Intravia Janice Miller Chris Denniston is Meghan’s godmother.

15 YEARS (2001) Fr. Joe Mills Pauline Goebel “We feel very supported by the sisters and Leon Donahue Larry Minks John Little associates,” Amy said. “It’s been hard for us to be Patricia Jamett Midge Palm Martha Little involved in associate programs the past two years.”

Yolanda Moraga Perla Pike Susan Scott Meghan, her siblings Sarah and Will, and her Arleen Naglich Trudy Peak Michael Ziegler parents all became lifetime Ursuline Associates in Msgr. Bernard Powers Charlotte Paez 2009.

Gustavo Paez 5 YEARS (2011) Pat Riordan The next step for Meghan and her sons is to Dolores Polson Patsy Beauchamp Marie Ritz look for a house of their own in the spring or Sonia Pradenas Debbie Dugger summer. Her father said Christmas 2015 was extra 25 YEARS (1991) Carola Pulgar Debbie Lanham special with their expanded family.

Don Speaks Evelina Salas Karen Lasher “(The Virgin) Mary’s fiat took on a new Sharon Speaks Raquel Sepulveda Craig Locke meaning for us this Christmas,” Tom said. “The Laura Locke Annette Stokes Joe Welzen first thing she said was ‘yes.’” n

February 2016

Associate Update

In Loving Memory...

June LaMar Fowler died Nov. 28, 2015 at age 94. She was a longtime resident of Hawesville and was known as “Maw.” Her contact companion, Sister Karla Kaelin, described June as an honest, prayerful person with a good sense of humor and a lot of wit. She sang in local community theater performances and directed Immaculate Conception grade school musicals. June made her commitment in July 1999 and stated she hoped that being part of the Hawesville associates would help her to become more prayerful and religious and more prepared to meet God. She is survived by two daughters, Vicki Fowler and Lisa Smith; and by three sons, Robert, Shane and Patrick.

Raymond Xavier Weidenbenner died Nov. 16, 2015 in Campbell, Mo., at age 87 and is survived by his wife, Barbara, who is also an Ursuline Associate. Other survivors are four daughters: Elizabeth Harris, Sister Rose Weidenbenner (a Sister of Mercy), Becky Bross and Mary Buren; four sons Fred, Patrick, Robert and Steven; and his sisters, Mary Jane Satazahn of St. Louis; Ursuline Sister Mary Celine Weidenbenner (Mount Saint Joseph Academy class of 1962) of Knottsville, Ky., and Susan Weidenbenner Struna (Academy class of 1966) of Chesterfield, Mo. Ray was a retired bricklayer and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He made his associate commitment in 1990 with Sister Mary Celine, his contact companion. His hope was that his associate experience would help him to grow more in his faith and to bring more people to God. Mary Jo Dodson died Dec. 28, 2015 in Texas. A Texas native, Mary Jo moved to Grayson County in 2001 to be closer to her stepmother. There she met the Grayson County Associates and made her Associate commitment in 2004 with Sister Ruth Mattingly, her contact and friend. Mary Jo was a member of Saint Benedict Parish in Wax, Ky., and made a positive difference in her service to the church and the community.

She lived life with gusto, teaching religious education, serving on the parish finance committee and volunteering in the Community Alliance of Leitchfield, an interfaith help agency and food bank. When her health declined in 2008, she returned to Granite Shoals, Texas, where most of her family lives. She said, “Being an associate has brought me closer to my Lord and his mother, Mary and I am at peace

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We Extend Deepest Sympathy To: • Sister Emma Cecilia Busam, whose sister-in- law, Margaret Busam, died Nov. 10, 2015.

• Sister Lisa Cecil, whose brother-in-law, David McCauley, died Nov. 5, 2015.

• Debbie Dugger, whose cousin, Alan Hedges, died Jan. 24.

• Associate Catherine Gawarecki, whose granddaughter, Kara Haynes, died Jan. 26.

• Sisters Paul Marie and Margaret Marie Greenwell, whose brother, Joseph “Homer” Greenwell, died Dec. 9, 2015.

• Sister Claudia Hayden, whose mother, Mary Frances Clark Hayden, died Oct. 26, 2015.

• Sister Barbara Jean Head, whose aunt, Eloise Head Howard, died Nov. 18, 2015.

• Sister Dorothy Helbling, whose sister, RoseMarie Porsborg, died Jan. 6.

• Sister Pat Lynch, whose cousin, Michael Camarota, died Dec. 24, 2015.

• Bonnie Marks, whose mother, Mary Jane Kahler, died Oct. 29, 2015.

• Sister Mary Patrick McDonagh, whose sister, Eileen McDonagh, died Jan. 21.

• Jean Simpson, whose daughter-in-law, Donna Simpson, died Jan. 19.

• Judy Sims, whose mother, Geneva Browning, died Dec. 16, 2015.

• Sister Sheila Anne Smith, whose brother-in-law, Paul Waage, died Dec. 17, 2015.

• Jackie Sommers, whose niece, Carolyn Smith, died Jan. 17.

• Sister Amelia Stenger, whose sister-in-law, Joyce Stenger, died Nov. 9, 2015.

• Associate Marilyn Trechter, whose uncle, Otto Henry Trechter, died Jan. 21.

• Sister Marietta Wethington and Pauline Goebel, whose cousin, Preston Wethington, died Dec. 7, 2015, and whose aunt, Virginia Wethington, died Jan. 13.

• John Wood, whose sister-in-law, Mabel Wood, died Dec. 26, 2015. and in harmony with life.” She had three sons: Mark, Paul and Chris (deceased) and one daughter, Lova.

’ Learn from our Lord who, while he was in this world, was as a servant.

- First Counsel

Saint Angela Merici

If you have a smartphone, this QR code will take you to our website.

Associate-in-formation Kris Mango, left, Sister Amelia Stenger, and Associates Marian Bennett, Jennifer Kaminski and Dan Heckel pose by their office tree in December. Since Mission Advancement will be moving to Lourdes this spring, it was the group’s last Christmas in Saint Angela Hall. Also, Sister Amelia was elected the next Congregational Leader.

Associate Mary Danhauer was the final speaker in a four-week program on the environment for Ursuline Sisters at the Motherhouse.

Her talk on Oct. 30, 2015 was called: “Care for the Earth – Why We Should Care.”

• Upcoming Associate Meetings • Grayson County, Ky. – March 23, April 27, May 25 • Kansas Our Lady of Brescia – April 18, June 20 • Kansas St. Francis of Paola – April 2, June 4 • Louisville, Ky. – April 9 • Missouri - The Belles of Saint Rita - March 13, April 10, May 8 • Muhlenberg County, Ky. – March 9 • Owensboro, Ky. – April 26, Aug. 23, Oct. 25 • Western Kentucky – March 5, April 30

Associate Joan Perry holds a candle at the Associate Advent prayer service at Brescia University on Dec. 3, 2015.

Other dates to remember...

• Evening with an Ursuline dinner/presentation – March 1, April 5, May 3 • Associate Group Leaders meeting – Thursday, March 10 • A Father Who Keeps His Promises – March 10, April 14, May 12, June 9 • Sr. Cheryl Clemons’ Women’s Retreat: “Tender Mercy of God”– March 11-13 • Kansas City Area Lenten Day of Reflection – Sunday, March 13 • Associate Advisory Board meeting – Saturday, March 19 • Jail Ministry Visit at Daviess County Detention Center – Saturday, May 7 • Kentucky Derby Party in Shawnee Mission – Saturday, May 7 • Yarn Spinner Weekends at the Center – March 4-6, June 3-5, Aug. 26-28 • Mount Saint Joseph Alumnae Weekend – May 14-15 • Associates and Sisters Day – Saturday, June 11 • Y-DOSA Summit at the Mount – Thursday-Saturday, July 28-30 • 46th Annual Mount Saint Joseph Picnic for Retired Sisters – Sunday, Sept. 11