November 2014
VOL. XX, NO. 2
Associates will make only one commitment Below: Owensboro Associates who came to support the two new associates included, from left, Carol Morris, Joan Perry and Debbie Dugger. They are shown here renewing their associate commitment.
Karen De Sosa, left, of Owensboro, Ky., and Tammy Milbourn, second from right, of Parkville, Mo., read their commitments to become Ursuline Associates. Next to De Sosa is Sister Marietta Wethington and next to Milbourn is Sister Mary Irene Cecil, their contact companions. By Dan Heckel, OSUA
A healthy discussion on the need for a second commitment for Ursuline Associates led to changes recommended by the Associate Advisory Board. Beginning with Associates and Sisters Day on June 13, 2015, those making their first commitment as an Ursuline Associate will be considered lifetime associates. Previously, an initial commitment as an associate was followed three years later with the opportunity for lifetime commitment. There will now no longer be two commitments. All those associates who have yet to make their lifetime commitment will be welcomed to be part of the pinning ceremony at the 2015 Associates and Sisters Day. For those who cannot come, they can come to a future Associates and Sisters Day to receive their pin. If it’s not possible to come to the Mount, arrangements can be made for an Ursuline Sister or Associate in proximity to the associate to present the pin. All associates must be pinned in person. There are 44 people who have made initial commitments who have yet to make a lifetime commitment. Of those, 28 have not yet been associates for three years, five are in Chile, one is in Africa and nine have not done so for other reasons. Beginning in fall 2013, associate groups were asked to discuss whether there was a need to have
Supporters from Missouri came to the commitment ceremony. From left are new Associate Tammy Milbourn, Associate Pam Knudson, Associate Linda Monaco, Vic Monaco, Associate Marian Bennett, Associate Carol O’Keefe, Bob Knudson, Sister Marietta Wethington, new Associate Karen De Sosa and Sister Mary Irene Cecil.
two commitments, and if so, should there be more expectations when reaching the second commitment level. The discussion was spirited among the roughly 100 associates and sisters on Associates and Sisters Day, but it appeared clear that those who had made their commitment since 2008, when the formation process was strengthened and more formalized, thought there was no need for a second commitment. Some of those who made their commitments more than a dozen years ago were more likely to support the two levels of commitment. Associates with the Ursuline Sisters of Paola, Kan., who merged with the Ursulines of Mount Saint Joseph in 2008, had always had just one commitment, but active members there did make lifetime commitments at Maple Mount in 2009 and another in Kansas in 2010. Several associates from Kansas were strong supporters this summer of making just one commitment. Associates of the former Ursulines of Belleville, Ill., who merged with Mount Saint Joseph in 2005, also had a pinning ceremony in 2010. Comments made at Associates and Sisters Day were typed up and the Associate Advisory Board reviewed them before meeting on Oct. 11. The members were unanimous in their belief that the current formation process fully prepares candidates to be Ursuline Continued on page 3