Ursulines. From the United Nations to Frankfort, Ursulines Influence Policy UNANIMA. Jubilarians. Good to Great. New Mexico Reunion

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1 Ursulines Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph Freeing and Nurturing Women and Children Summer 2007 Volume 5, No. 3 UNANIMA Jubilarians Good to Great New Mexico Reunion From the United Nations to Frankfort, Ursulines Influence Policy

2 U r s u l i n e s A L I V E Memo from Mission Advancement Dear Friends of the Ursuline Sisters, Sometimes it is easier for us if we don t know what is happening in our world. When we come to know, the Spirit compels us to respond. Saint Angela tells us to Act, move, believe, strive. With this issue of Ursulines Alive, you will read how the Ursulines are responding, acting, and moving to end human trafficking in our world. You will also learn how you can help us to change this plight, this slavery of the human person. Each of us has the power of one and together we have the strength of the Body of Sister Suzanne Sims, OSU Christ. This issue marks the beginning of the sixth year for this magazine, designed to keep you informed about our mission, ministries, and the life of the Sisters. Also with this issue, there s a new look and lots of color. Finally, this is the first issue of Ursulines Alive not edited by Sister Ruth Gehres. Our lay colleague, Mrs. Jennifer Kaminski, is now responsible for the magazine. We have to say our heartiest thanks to Sister Ruth. Before the next issue is in your mailbox, Sister Ruth will be located in Chile at Casa Ursulina. We wish her the very best in her new ministry and thank her for the depth of reporting she has given all of us during these years she served in our communications office. Gratefully yours, Sister Suzanne Sims, OSU, Director of Mission Advancement Cover: An anti-human trafficking bill was signed into law in Kentucky by Gov. Ernie Fletcher on March 26, Among those present at the bill signing in Frankfort were Sister Catherine Barber, far left; Sister Jacinta Powers, second from left; Phyllis Troutman, OSUA, third from left; Sister Mary Lois Speaks, directly to left of the governor, and Senator David Boswell of Owensboro, sponsor of the bill, far right. Background Cover photo: The United Nations building in New York, New York, where the Ursulines are represented by UNANIMA International, an NGO (non governmental organization) working to eliminate human trafficking. Ursulines Alive is published by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, Maple Mount, Kentucky. Three issues are published each calendar year. Editors: Jennifer Kaminski and Jerry Birge MISSION ADVANCEMENT STAFF: Sister Suzanne Sims, Director of Mission Advancement Sister Rose Marita O Bryan, Director of Mission Effectiveness Jerry Birge, Director of Marketing and Communications Marian Bennett, Director of Ursuline Partnerships Sister Marietta Wethington, Director of Spiritual Formation Jennifer Kaminski, Graphic Design/Communications Assistant Melanie Sears, Administrative Assistant Christi Bowman, Administrative Assistant In this issue UNANIMA International... 3 The Ursulines are members of an NGO that is allowed to present to the United Nations Jubilarians in Ursulines Alive in Pictures Waterflow Reunion... 9 First ever Ursuline reunion for Catholic schools in New Mexico Good to Great...11 Sisters adopt new philosophies for their community and organization Soli Deo Gloria We rejoice in the gifts of our sisters, given for the kingdom of God OUR MISSION We, the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, sustained by prayer and vowed life in community, proclaim Jesus through education and Christian formation in the spirit of our founder, Saint Angela Merici. OUR CORE VALUES Service Empowerment Justice Contemplative Presence Spirit of Angela CONTACT US: Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph 8001 Cummings Road Maple Mount, Kentucky Fax: info@maplemount.org 2

3 Before delegates from the United Nations convene at their headquarters in New York City, a coalition of 15 congregations of women religious is working behind the scenes, helping prepare some of the drafts that will be reviewed. This religious coalition, UNANIMA International, is a nongovernmental organization that collaborates with other NGOs on reports that will help shape international policies, particularly those promoting the welfare of women and children throughout the world. The UN in UNANIMA stands for United Nations, and anima is the Latin word for soul, vital principle, and feminine spirit. Its mission of global justice focuses on women and children living in poverty, immigrants and refugees, and the welfare of the planet. Among the members of UNANIMA are the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. The UNANIMA membership is one of the many ways that we Ursulines have of living out our mission of social justice, said Sister Grace Simpson, chair of the community s peace and justice committee. This is accomplished by providing opportunities for participation in an international organization that works for a world united for peace and human dignity. Sister Rose Marita O Bryan, who was Summer 2007 Ursulines one brick in the wall in campaign to stop human trafficking UNANIMA membership creates ties to the United Nations By Jennifer Kaminski Mount Saint Joseph Staff Sister Mary Lois Speaks talks to a TV reporter following the signing of the human trafficking bill in Frankfort. congregational leader when the community became a member, said, It was exhilarating to consider the possibility of working with other women religious congregations to stand up for the rights of women and children and to encourage environmental awareness. This became one more way our community could work to eliminate the causes of oppression and contribute to the building of a more just society. Continued on page 4 UNANIMA Coordinator Catherine Ferguson, SNJM, left, met with board members Sisters Mary Lois Speaks, OSU, Kathleen Scanlon, RJM, Mary Ondreyco, SNJM, and Marie Zarowny, SSA, at the UNANIMA office in New York City for a three-day board meeting March 16-18, Sister Mary Lois is holding a couple of greeting cards the group planned to send. WE WORK TOWARDS A WORLD where the rights of women and children receive equal respect with those of men; where justice and respect for international law protect immigrants and refugees; where all people care for and protect our planet. -- Vision of UNANIMA International 3

4 U r s u l i n e s A L I V E Ursuline Sisters celebrate Jubilees of religious profession Eighteen Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph who are celebrating jubilees this year have dedicated 285 years of service to God s people. The jubilarians were honored at a day-long celebration July 7 at Maple Mount. Organized by the sisters serving in New Mexico, the celebration featured a Southwest theme. A liturgical celebration featured Bishop John J. McRaith as celebrant and homilist. Sister Mary Clement Greenwell 80 years Sister Mary Charlesine Bowling 75 years Sister Mary Regina Boone 70 years Sister Mary Durr 70 years Sister Joseph Angela Boone 60 years Sister Dorothy Helbling 60 years Sister Frances McDonagh 60 years Sister Francis Mary Wilhelm 60 years Sister Grace Simpson 50 years Sister Catherine Kaufman 50 years Sister Rosemary Keough 50 years Sister Lois Lindle 50 years Sister Mary Elizabeth Ballard 40 years Sister Suzanne Sims 40 years Sister Maureen O Neill 40 years Sister Clara Johnson 40 years Sister Judith Nell Riney 40 years Sister Sharon Sullivan 25 years UNANIMA From page 3 Sister Mary Lois Speaks, who is currently serving a three-year term on the UNANIMA board, said the experience of another sister influenced her decision to serve. My first reaction to this endeavor to extend our efforts to the international arena came as a direct result of our traumatic involvement in the abduction and sexual exploitation of our own Sister Dianna Ortiz. That is what grabbed my heart and would not allow me to reject the request to represent us on the board, she said. Sister Mary Lois, who is employed full time at Marion County High School in Lebanon, Kentucky, said that her commitment to the board is worth the sacrifice because of the goals. The reason the Spirit would not let me say no is because the UNANIMA vision and ministry has a focus almost identical to Angela s outreach to women and children. Saint Angela s association with the Third Order of Saint Francis offers another Ursuline connection. Franciscan International was one of the first religious groups to achieve consultative status with the United Nations, which means it can participate in UN debates and decisions. Franciscan International was a role model for UNANIMA. It was just interesting that it was Franciscan and not another group of religious, since Franciscans were mentors in the spiritual life for Saint Angela, commented Sister Mary Lois. The current focal point of UNANIMA s efforts is human trafficking, now ranked as the world s third largest organized crime behind illegal weapons and drugs. Trafficking is fueled by sexual exploitation and Continued on page 5 4

5 UNANIMA forced labor. It is so important to develop awareness of this social sin and to be involved as Ursulines committed to justice, Sister Grace said. The largest number of trafficking survivors (about From page 4 A 2003 UNANIMA board meeting. Front: Catherine Ferguson, SNJM, Louise Cleary, CSB, Stella Storch, OP for the CSAs. Back row: Roselle Santivasi, MSC, Jacinta Powers, OSU, Mary Lou Simcoe, SUSC, Francisca Mota, CCV, Lesley Sacouman, SNJM, Janice Farnham, RJM, Jean O Meara, SHCJ. 375,000 a year) are from war-torn countries of Africa, third-world countries of South America, poverty areas of India, and overpopulated areas of Southeast Asia. The former Soviet Union is the largest new source of victims, especially from Eastern European countries. Most victims are women or girls who are promised legitimate jobs, but instead have their passports stolen and are then forced into prostitution. Debt bondage, isolation, threats and violence are used to trap them in horrendous circumstances. If we had anything to do with stopping human trafficking, it (joining UNANIMA) was the right thing to do, said Sister Jacinta Powers, the first Ursuline to serve on the board. We are one brick in the wall. I just feel privileged that this little community could partner with others to affect the lives of others. The Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph are the smallest congregation belonging to UNANIMA and have a limited international presence. All of their UNANIMA Member Congregations Brigidine Sisters Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna Congregation of the Sisters of St. Agnes Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal Filles de Jesus (France) Holy Union Sisters Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart (Stella Maris Province) Religious of Jesus and Mary Sisters of Bon Secours of Paris Sisters of Providence Sisters of Saint Anne Sisters of Sion Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary Society of the Holy Child Jesus Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph ministries are located in the U.S. with the exception of Casa Ursulina in Chillán, Chile. But when UNANIMA was getting off the ground in 2002, the Ursulines were among the first to respond to a call to join. In their vision statement that same year, the community pledged to stand in prophetic witness to the world by living in right relationships with earth and the human family to effect justice through systemic change. Sisters on the board attend meetings twice a year in March and September. They are also encouraged to attend one UN session each year. UNANIMA brings peace and justice issues to the person on the street so that governments do not have all of the power to make decisions, said Sister Mary Louise Knott, who attended a UN meeting in May UNANIMA members meet at the organization s office at 211 East 43rd Street, NYC, which is just a block away from the UN. Just being in New York for the first time was exciting, but to see and hear 191 nations dialogue on the Commission on Sustainable Development was rather awesome, Sister Mary Louise said. Usually many of these nations are at war with one another, but here Children near Popayan in Columbia gather for a picture during a peace delegation mission by UNANIMA International coordinator Catherine Ferguson. they are taking turns at the invitation of the chairman. The focus of that two-week meeting was environmental sustainability. Sister Jacinta called it an awesome experience to attend UN meetings, where one sees a myriad of countries responding to issues. She said that the large group of NGOs who are working for peace, social justice and the environment are making a difference on the world stage. It does the heart good to see so many people want to make improvements in the world, she said. One negative noted by both Sisters Jacinta and Mary Lois was the antagonism between the Israel and Palestine delegates, and the obvious favoritism shown by the U.S. towards Israel. My experience sitting in a session of the UN gatherings opened my eyes to the power-play position of our own U.S. representative to side with Israel against the pleas of the Pakistani Continued on page 8 5

6 U r s u l i n e s A L I V E LONGTIME FRIENDS Three academy alumnae Sister Mary Agnes (Patsy) VonderHaar, left, Ann Hall DeCapua, center, and Doris Ann Bennett Hobbs, right, reunited at the May 20 Mount Saint Joseph reunion. All are members of the class of The trio started first grade together at Saint Brigid School in Vine Grove, Kentucky, and have been close friends ever since (63 years!) Left: Sister Joan Mary (Joanie) Riedley walked in her first Derby mini-marathon in Louisville on Derby Day, May 5. Joanie joined over 20,000 other runners and walkers on the 13.1 mile route. The best feeling of all was crossing the finish line, where there were lots of people cheering, she said. Sister Joanie ministers for Saint Matthias Parish in Louisville. Sister Rose Marita O Bryan, Sister Susan Mary Mudd and Sister Eva Boone attended a Step It Up National Day for Climate Change rally April 14 at Brescia University. Sister Michele Morek, right, spoke at the rally. Mary Jean Russell Payne, left, was among 50 former sisters who returned to Maple Mount for a June 10 reunion. Her aunt, Sister Joseph Adrian Russell, is at right. Youngest and Oldest Sister Monica Seaton is blessed by Sister Agnes Catherine Williams in the chapel on June 10. Interna represe met i displac dialog. Among at the f congre Great B 6 The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) Louisville region visited Maple Mount June 26. Front row: Jean Anne Zappa, OSU-L, Mary Swain, SL, Joye Gros, OP, Michele Morek, OSU. Row 2: Rosemary Rule, OP, Charlene Moser, OP, Sue Scharfenberger, OSU-L. Row 3: Brenda Gonzales, SCN, Ann McGrew, OSU, Anne Mary Lochner, OSU-L, Adeline Fehribach, SCN. Back: Teresa Tuite, OP, Jo Ann Jansing, OSU-L, Barbara Jean Head, OSU. Sister Suzanne Sims accepts a check from Daviess County Judge Executive Reid Haire at the Daviess County Fiscal Court meeting January 18. Reid Haire was representing the Daviess County Parks Department, which gave five not-for-profit organizations the opportunity to earn funds by volunteering at Christmas at Panther Creek Park. Sister Suzanne represented the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. The check was for more than $900 and was used for Ursuline ministries. Sisters Suzanne Sims, Joseph Angela Boone, (standi Mary Cabrini Foushee and George Mary Hagan (sea joined Father Leo Craycroft at his 50th ordination celebration. The Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph have a full-page entry in the newly published second edition of the Kentuck Almanac and Book of Facts. The photos and article (written Sister Ruth Gehres) are located the religion section.

7 S u m m e r tional Union of Superiors General 850 leaders nting over 800,000 religious women worldwide n Rome May Topics discussed included women, ed persons, the environment, laity, and interreligious The group had a private audience with the Pope. the attendees were Sister Michele Morek, standing ar right in the back row. She is shown here with gational leaders from Canada, Rome, India, Africa, ritain, and Texas. Sister George Mary Hagan and Sister Catherine Barber receive holy oils for the Mount Saint Joseph chapel from Bishop John J. McRaith during the Chrism Mass on April 3 at the Owensboro Sportscenter. A large crowd turned out that evening despite the stormy weather. Ursulines volunteered at the Saint Benedict Joseph homeless shelter in Owensboro which is open during the winter. Molly Jacques traveled to the Mount from New Mexico to make her first commitment as an Ursuline associate June 23. Twelve other women and men have made first commitments this year. Left: Sister Julia Head, Sister Judith Nell Riney and Director of Ursuline Partnerships Marian Bennett enjoy the Empty Bowls soup kitchen benefit April 20 at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church. Right: Marian and Sister Marietta Wethington raise plywood up to the roof at a Habitat for Humanity Women s Build house in Owensboro. Other sisters and staff volunteered at the house during June. Quilt Club Memberships ng) ted) PICNIC Sister Jean Madeline Peake The Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph stay busy making beautiful quilts. A new quilt is raffled each month.you can get 12 chances to win a quilt with our Quilt Club annual memberships. y by in License No To purchase your Quilt Club membership for only $20, call , ext. 278 Annual Quilt Club drawings begin October 1, Order tickets now to get 12 chances to win! License No

8 8 U r s u l i n e s A L I V E UNANIMA From page 5 women, Sister Mary Lois said. These women openly and poignantly shared their plight with the world members (such as not being allowed to cross into Israel to give birth in their hospitals), but to no avail. When UNANIMA asks various countries to report about human trafficking, HIV/AIDS or sustainable water, it attempts to put a face on the issue by inviting individuals who have seen or felt the impact firsthand. This provides an alternative report, said Sister Mary Lois. We don t have a clue about what others are enduring in our world. People are moving in order to get away from the rape and pillage and burning. They are uprooted, and those on the move run the risk of being exploited by trafficking It brings tears to my eyes. UNANIMA Coordinator Catherine Ferguson of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SHJM) said that one of Sister Janice Farnham, RJM, left, and Sister Cheryl Clemons, OSU, at a UNANIMA meeting. her responsibilities is to integrate the work of member congregations into UN work for systemic change. On my recent trip to Australia, it was so exciting to see the many, many women in Sydney and Melbourne who are working actively to stop trafficking in human beings and to assist those women and children who have been victims of this human rights abuse, Catherine said. Now, during the Commission on the Status of Women in New York, I have been so touched by the testimony of the girls and women we have sponsored from Togo and Haiti, in bringing the truth about the sexual exploitation of girls to the UN and in proposing concrete solutions for this modern-day slavery. The current plan is for UNANIMA s 17,000 members in 65 countries to eliminate trafficking by raising awareness, sharing information, building networks and lobbying for change. Their strategies involve attacking six P s profit, power, pleasure, patriarchy, poverty and politics. The campaign is called Uproot the Demand. In a recent report to the Ursuline community, Sister Mary Lois outlined local efforts. These included outreach to police, housing authorities, and Kentucky state legislators. Kentucky State Senator David Boswell introduced a bill that would make human trafficking a crime in the state. The bill passed unanimously and was signed into law by Governor Ernie Fletcher on March 26, Sisters Mary Lois and Jacinta, along with Sister Catherine Barber, who urged Boswell to sponsor the bill, witnessed the signing at the state capitol in Frankfort. Ursuline Associate Phyllis Troutman also attended. We will keep working with our legislators to make it a felony to solicit prostitution or to buy/ sell/trade humans for bondage, explained Sister Mary Lois. About 40,000-50,000 women and children have been trafficked to the United States. While most cases occur in New York, California, and Florida, Sister Mary Lois believes that trafficking exists in some form in every state in the union. In a known 1994 case, women were shuffled between U.S. brothels, including one in Kentucky. Victims are rotated to further ensure that they are not able to solicit outside help. Sister Mary Lois once called a brothel in Louisville run by Asian women and asked if its staff had been unwillingly brought to the U.S. from other countries. They hung up on her. Some countries have tried to fix the problem by legalizing prostitution, but this has only worsened the situation, Sister Mary Lois said. The degradation experienced by prostitutes is then considered legal, and the women as objects stereotype only becomes further entrenched in society. One strategy employed by UNANIMA has been to publish a workshop kit entitled Trafficking in Women and Children in four languages English, French, Italian and Spanish. Our community homework is to utilize every avenue of prayer, our educational endeavors, and every facet of our ministries to raise awareness of human trafficking, Sister Mary Lois said. This aim aligns with the Ursuline Sisters focus on freeing and nurturing women and children. It also blends with a UN Millennium Development Goal to promote gender equality and empower women. For more information, contact Sister Mary Lois at Visit the website The book, The Natashas: The New Global Sex Trade by Victor Malarek, is recommended reading. Sister Mary Lois invites all to share your gifts and become participants in this noble effort UNANIMA hopes to be a voice whose message changes policies, laws, world views, and individual and national lives. Retired? Continue earning and doing good works through an annuity with the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph

9 Left: Several Ursulines attended the Waterflow Reunion June 1-3 in New Mexico. Front row: Sisters Suzanne Sims, Fran Wilhelm, Cecilia Joseph Olinger, Vickie Cravens. Second row: Sisters Mary Mercedes Knott, Michele Morek, Marie Montgomery, Sheila Anne Smith. Back row: Sisters Mary Angela Matthews, Mary McDermott, Mary Evelyn Duvall, Sara Marie Gomez, Margaret Joseph Aull, Michael Ann Monaghan, Clara Reid. Waterflow Reunion! We eagerly scanned the faces of the people gathering in the gym, wondering how many we would recognize. There were a few we didn t know without a sneak peek at nametags, but others (with just a little more grey hair, wrinkles, and maybe a few extra pounds) were greeted across the room with cries of delighted recognition. We represented different generations and schools, but we all shared something in common an education in one of the Ursuline schools in San Juan County of northwestern New Mexico. Nine Ursuline Sisters arrived in New Mexico on September 12, 1919, and three days later went to start schools in Blanco, Farmington and Waterflow. The graduates of those schools were to become, as Father Dan Cassis commented in a homily, the backbone of the local churches in northern New Mexico. When my classmates and I graduated from Sacred Heart Academy (Waterflow) in May 1961, we didn t realize it would be 46 years before we saw some of our number again. But the high school and grade school closed just a few years later, and with no provisions made for an alumni office its graduates scattered with the southwest winds. Some of us would talk about how nice it would be to get together, but busy about our own lives, we let the subject drop. It took a visit from another Kentucky Ursuline, Sister Suzanne Sims, to resurrect the idea. Soon a small group of determined alumnae, including Sister Sara Marie Gomez, went to work. On Friday night, June 1, almost 200 of us met in the gym in Farmington, at a spaghetti dinner hosted by Sacred Heart School Foundation. Pictures and posters and slide shows jogged our memories of what we used to look like! Above right: Sister Mary Mercedes stands at the entrance of Sacred Heart Academy (shown above) where she was a cook and housekeeper from Left: Kathy Necaise, left, talks to New Mexico native Sister Fran. By Sister Michele Morek, OSU The next morning we gathered at Waterflow for an outdoor Mass and catered picnic meal. Tours of the former Academy were hosted by the Cartwright family who had converted the structure into a care center for homeless Navajos. Sister Mary Mercedes Knott inspected her old kitchen, and Sister Charles Marie Coyle s former students exclaimed over the chalkboard border that still proclaimed, Today We Follow, Tomorrow We Lead. We wondered how we ever fit in that tiny auditorium for plays and dances. Speaking of dances, Saturday night featured live music, and dancers of all ages including Sisters Marie Montgomery and Margaret Joseph Aull, who cut a rug with a former student. Those who could still move the next morning were given special recognition at a parish Mass at Sacred Heart in Farmington, and the 15 sisters sang their signature Magnificat to close the service. The wonderful weekend ended with a reception and tours of the old Saint Thomas School and convent. Of the 13 girls (and one boy) in the Waterflow class of 61, two girls became judges, the boy is a leader in his church, and there are nurses, teachers, a writer, a college professor, and three Ursulines (Sara Marie, Sheila Anne Smith, and Michele Morek). A Navajo alumna said all the Navajo boys who graduated from Waterflow went on to make something good of themselves, a record that would be hard to top by other schools near the reservation. Five Ursulines still minister in New Mexico (two teachers Sister Clara Reid in Albuquerque and Sister Sara Marie in Farmington) but the impact of the Ursuline schools in New Mexico will be felt for generations. 9

10 10 U r s u l i n e s A L I V E Sister Alicia named vocations director Sister Alicia Coomes is shown here in her new office on the second floor of Saint Angela Hall. Sister Alicia Coomes has been named vocations director for the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. Sister Alicia recently completed a year of studies at the Institute for Religious Formation at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She was previously a pastoral associate and parish nurse for Blessed Mother Parish in Owensboro. She has also been director of nursing for the motherhouse infirmary and youth minister for Saint Joseph and Holy Spirit parishes in Bowling Green. My personal view is that the vocation director is not a recruiter; rather, I am one who will discern with another her vocation in life, Sister Alicia said. I will not force or coerce but gently invite women to look at the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. If they are a fit, we will proceed with discerning their religious vocation with us. Sister Alicia entered the Ursuline community as a postulant in 1979 and took her final vows in A native of Henderson, she has five brothers and four sisters. Sister Cheryl speaks at Ursuline Convocation Sister Cheryl Clemons, assistant congregational leader of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, was the plenary speaker when Ursulines from the United States, Canada and Mexico gathered at the Galt House in Louisville July for the North American Ursuline Convocation. This large gathering of sisters, company members, associates and colleagues only occurs once every three years. It is a time for prayer, sharing, learning and visioning. The focus of the 2007 convocation was Angela: The Foundation and Promise, a tribute to the 200 th anniversary of the canonization of Saint Angela Merici. Sister Cheryl has a doctorate in historical theology with minors in feminist theology and church history. She has been a full-time and adjunct university professor and has given presentations on multiple religious topics. Brescia names new president Reverend Larry Hostetter, S.T.D. became the fifth president of Brescia University on June 1. After a national search, Brescia s board selected Father Larry to succeed retiring president Sister Vivian Bowles, OSU, Ph.D., who had served as president since Father Larry was previously an associate professor of theology and campus minister at Brescia. He has served as pastor and chaplain in various places. Father Larry earned his doctorate in sacred theology from Alphonsian Academy in Rome, Italy. Father Larry expressed his desire to see Brescia continue growing as the only Catholic University in western Kentucky. My hope for Brescia is rooted in its character as a living and dynamic institution and in its unique identity as a Catholic and Ursuline University. A four-year liberal arts university, Brescia was founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph in The campus is located in Owensboro, Kentucky. Ursuline Sisters Charitable Annuity Program Sister Cheryl Clemons stands at the podium in the Galt House in Louisville prior to her presentation at the North American Ursuline Convocation.

11 S u m m e r Ursulines adopt Good to Great philosophies In the summer of 2006, the Ursuline leadership team took some decisive steps that launched the Mount Saint Joseph community into what it called new life, new growth and new energy. These steps are part of the Good to Great process by Jim Collins. Over the years, Collins and his team of researchers have studied many good organizations. They wanted to find out why some good organizations faltered, while others became great and were able to sustain that greatness over a long period of time. The book Good to Great talks about the study and its findings. Collins outlines those qualities and characteristics that mark 25 organizations that made the leap from good to great and shows examples of the common stepping-stones that led to long-term (15 years or more) success. On July 9 Ursuline leadership team members hosted meetings in Owensboro, Louisville and Paducah, Kentucky, to explain the concepts of Good to Great and the ways it can be adapted to the community. Sisters, associates and Mount Saint Joseph employees were invited to the meetings. A DVD made especially for the workshop and featuring some sisters, associates and staff was shown, and copies were given to all in attendance. Here s a DVD excerpt: After extensive study and prayer, we, the leadership team, believes the Good to Great transformation process has elements that could be applied to the Ursulines and could help us to move confidently into the future, challenging us and even enabling us to move from a good community to a great community. Not all of the Good to Great concepts work for us. We have our own unique strengths and weaknesses. However, we believe that the overall process is one we can use for our benefit. We believe the process can thrust us into the future. The Ursuline Sisters are moving from Good to Great. From this came the ultimate focus...freeing and nurturing women and children. Sister Barbara Jean Head addresses attendees at a Good to Great meeting at Brescia University. Held simultaneously in multiple locations on June 9, these were the first-ever joint meetings for sisters, associates and lay employees. The leadership team, with much input from members of the community, has already conducted much of the research needed to implement the Good to Great steps. They defined the community s core values: service, empowerment, justice, contemplative presence, and the spirit of Angela. They thought big when identifying this goal: Wherever our members and associates minister, we will be recognized as leaders in addressing poverty of body, mind and spirit, especially in women and children. From this came the ultimate focus for the future: Freeing and nurturing women and children. In Good to Great, this is called the hedgehog concept because a hedgehog, unlike a fox, doesn t detour from his primary purpose. New initiatives will include an associate formation program, more collaborative missions with associates, and added support for vocations. Ministries will be targeted, but not limited, to six geographic areas: Owensboro, Louisville, Memphis, New Mexico, Kansas (if the Paola Ursulines merge with Mount Saint Joseph), and rural areas. Help the Sisters AND pay less in taxes! Give my IRA to the Ursuline Sisters... without reporting it to the IRS as income? Available only in 2007 Pension Protection Act 2006 Other provisions of this law: Donor must be age Make donation directly by the IRA trustee to the Ursuline Sisters Direct the IRA funds to the charity during your lifetime Donor may not receive any benefit from the charity for the contribution Contact Sister Suzanne Sims, OSU ssims@maplemount.org 11

12 NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID OWENSBORO KY PERMIT NO Cummings Road Maple Mount, Kentucky Soli Deo Gloria We rejoice in the gifts of our sisters, given for the kingdom of God Sister Mary Jude Cecil has retired after 55 years of teaching. She spent 36 of those years in Paducah, Kentucky, where she taught at St. Mary High School and was principal at Rosary Chapel Elementary School. An Open House to honor Sister Mary Jude took place at St. Mary High School on May 4. Since July 1992, Sister Maureen Griner has served the Diocese of Memphis as director of the Diocesan Office of Liturgical Music and director of music for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. While she continues her role as music director for the Cathedral, Sister Maureen resigned as Diocesan Director of Music in November after a lengthy discernment process which confirmed a call to work with homeless families in Memphis. She joined Judy Gray, lifetime Ursuline Associate, as co-director of the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality, which provides transitional housing for homeless families. Sister Maureen continues to serve on the community s leadership team. Sister Marie Montgomery, left, and Sister Mary Evelyn Duvall retired from ministries in New Mexico in March and returned to Maple Mount. Sister Marie, a native of St. Lawrence, Kentucky, in Daviess County, served in New Mexico schools for 41 years, the last 10 as a teacher at St. Francis School in Gallup. Sister Mary Evelyn, a native of Sunfish, Kentucky in Edmonson County, served in New Mexico schools for 34 years, the last 10 as a librarian at St. Francis School. Sister Jacinta Powers and three other nurses made a trip to Jamaica May to help Ursuline Associate Mary Danhauer in her medical clinic in Maggotty. Mary also makes home visits if patients are not able to travel. Mary asked the nurses to bring vitamins. Of the 560 pounds in luggage, we probably had 520 pounds of vitamins. That means thousands of vitamins!! Sister Jacinta said. She is shown here filling a prescription for medications in Jamaica. Sister Susan Mary Mudd has accepted a new position as director of institutional research for Brescia University. Sister Susan was previously academic dean, assistant principal and teacher for Owensboro Catholic Middle School. She joins eight other sisters who minister at the university founded by the Ursulines. Sister Ruth Gehres will begin a new ministry at Casa Ursulina in Chillán, Chile, in September. Approximately 200 women of Chillán benefit from this ministry, founded in 1997 by Sister Mary Elizabeth (Mimi) Ballard and seven Chilean coworkers. Offering a diverse schedule of classes, Casa Ursulina helps women move toward economic, psychological, spiritual and physical well-being. Sister Ruth will work with Sister Mimi and the women in expanding this ministry. Sister Ruth was formerly associate director of communications for the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. She has edited the Ursulines Alive magazine since its inception in the fall of Her duties included photography, writing and editing, graphic design, and helping promote special events.