FEBRUARY 2018
VOL. XXIII, NO. 3
Bienvenido — welcome — to our 16 new Chilean Associates! By Sister Ruth Gehres
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pirits ran high at Casa Ursulina on the evening of Dec. 13, 2017, when 16 women and men, all members of the Casa Ursulina community, were welcomed as Associates of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. Gathered in the bright multipurpose kitchen area, the new associates listened eagerly as Sister Mary Elizabeth (Mimi) Ballard, Casa Ursulina founding director, reflected with them on their preparation as members of the Casa Ursulina Prayer Group. Next, Sister Pam Mueller, a member of the Leadership Council of the Ursuline Sisters, addressed the group, beginning, “I’m so delighted to be here with you!” Just a few days before, Sister Pam had accomplished the something-like-16-hour journey from Maple Mount to Chillán, Chile, to bring a personal and community welcome to our new associates. After reading together their commitment (translated into Spanish by Sister Mimi), the new associates came forward one by one to sign the commitment form, to receive their official certificate of membership, and to receive their Ursuline pin from Sister Pam. Four of the original seven associates – also present for the ceremony – then renewed their associate commitment. The Dianna Ortiz Ursuline Center for Women – Casa Ursulina – was founded in 1997 by Sister Mimi Ballard and seven Chilean women, who became our first associates. A ministry of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, Casa Ursulina works in solidarity with women of limited economic resources and those
Almost every Associate in Chile gathered at Casa Ursulina on Dec. 13, 2017. Front row: Yolanda Moraga*, Rosa González, Sonia Pradenas*, Raquel Sepúlveda*, Gabriela Mora, Mercedes (Meche) Filipi, Sister Mimi Ballard, Mercedes O’Campo, Sandra Herrera, Guadalupe Pantoja. Back row: Erica Cabezas, Nini Santana, Luisa Espinosa, Clarina Henríquez, Jeanette Contreras, Gladys Aedo, Patty Jamett*, María Erica Lorca and husband Claudio Olea, Catalina Candia and husband Pepe Pérez, Sister Pam Mueller, Sister Ruth Gehres. Note: Evelina Salas* and Carola Pulgar* could not attend, and Ines Gálvez* is deceased. *Original associate (all others are new)
experiencing special needs. The house is located amid the people it serves, in a lower-income area of the city of Chillán. Sister Mimi and her staff – all volunteers from among the participants – offer workshops in various crafts and courses for women’s mental and physical health. Outreach to the surrounding area, especially to elderly and bedfast neighbors, is an essential part of the ministry of Casa Ursulina. Over 200 women annually gather in this environment of living, loving and learning together. Many of these women – including almost all the new associates – are monitoras (volunteer teachers) and/or assist Sister Mimi as members of the Coordination Team. All of the new Ursuline Associates are active, longtime participants in the ministry of Casa Ursulina. Together with the 14 women are our first two men – Claudio Olea and Pepe Pérez – who join their wives – María Erica Lorca and Cata Candia – as associates. Both Claudio and Pepe are members of a growing, Continued on page 5
Mark your calendars! Associates & Sisters Day is Saturday, June 23 3 "Exploring Personal Growth in the Spirit of Angela Merici" with Father Joseph Merkt