Ministering 140+ Years in the Mahoning Valley
Creating Tomorrow’s History Dear Friends of the Ursulines, When Pope Francis called for the “Year of Consecrated Life,” he began by stating that Religious not only have a glorious past, they have a history still to be accomplished. The Ursulines in Youngstown are creating that history each day. In these pages you’ll see some of the ways in which we are creating our Sister Mary McCormick history. Over the past four years we have invested more than $4 million in General Superior renovations to the Motherhouse. These included new rooms for the Sisters, new administrative offices, the creation of apartments for our Ursuline Sisters Senior Living ministry, and most recently, the renovation of our Sisters’ Health Care facility. This investment of resources into our living space and ministry is a pledge to keep creating a history for the Ursulines in the greater Youngstown area. Last September, we marked 140 years in Youngstown. As we begin our 142nd year, we look toward continuing to develop our ministries and outreach. Here are just some examples:
Over the next several months, we will be seeking input on how best to use the second floor of The Ursuline Center. Most recently it was used as temporary housing for Health Care. Before we initiate any renovation of that section, we want to have a clear plan for how to best use the space. (If you have any ideas, let us know!) We will continue extending our outreach to young adults. Over the past several years, our Young Adult Outreach ministry committee has created service learning programs for young adults. These provide opportunities for them to gain experience by working or volunteering in the ministries of the Ursulines’ social service agencies (Beatitude House and HIV/AIDS), with older adults (for nursing), with young children (for early childhood education), and more.
It is always a joy to welcome visitors and guests to the Motherhouse. If you are in our neighborhood, stop in for a visit, walk the labyrinth, or pray in our chapel. Know that you, our friends, our families, and our colleagues, are in our prayers each day. May God bless you and those whom you love.
Sister Mary McCormick, OSU General Superior
Ministry In Motion
Our Alternative Spring Break for Kent State University students was a wonderful experience. KSU even named us an “Outstanding Community Partner.” We put together a short video from our KSU ASB experiences. Find it on our YouTube channel. Scan below or visit www.theursulines.org and click on the icon. Above is Sister Bridget Nolan with students visiting SilverSneakers ® .
Sister Nancy Pawlen jokingly calls her car the “nun-mobile,” and you’ll often see her driving it around the Valley for ministry. She’s the director of homebound ministry for St. Rose Parish, Girard. She’s active with our Young Adult Outreach ministry, visiting schools, colleges and parishes, and leading volunteer opportunities. Sister Nancy, front row, recently visiting Ursuline High School. Back left is Sister Sister Nancy also is an assistant Regina Rogers, asst. principal, and back director of The Ursuline Center, right is Stephanie, one of our young adult volunteers who was helping Sister Nancy. serves on its volunteer Program Development Committee and Sister Mary Dunn brings hope, sometimes leads Center events. love and encouragement to those within her ministry. She meets weekly with kids at the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center, hearing their concerns and praying with them as they face difficult decisions. Sister Mary helps and advises college students in Sister Jerome's Poor: Mission College, staying on top Sister Mary of each student's performance. lunches, Weekly, Sister Mary serves hot packs serves meals meals at the St. Vincent de Paul and welcomes Dining Hall, offering the poor a guests at the St. Vincent de Paul hug or a kind pat on the hand. Dining Hall in downtown Youngstown.
Marking anniversaries as Ursuline Sisters are Sisters Norma Raupple (50 yrs.) and Martha Reed (25 yrs.) with Msgr. Peter Polando, who celebrated their jubilee Mass. Also observing jubilees are Sisters Jerome Corcoran (80 yrs.), Mary Ellen Dean, Eileen Kernan, Janice Kusick, Helen Nordick (60 yrs.), & Gertrude Paris (65 yrs.).
Sister Kathleen on retreat with St. Rose Confirmation students.
“I love what I do. It energizes me daily,” says Sister Kathleen McCarragher of her ministry at St Rose Parish, Girard. As the Director of Religious Education, Sister Kathleen is connected with all ages and active with all stages of faith formation. Sister Kathleen leads the CCD and Youth Ministry programs and oversees Summer Bible School. She’s involved with service projects, Adult Education and Lenten programs. She facilitates a book club, trains Altar Servers, and more.
Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown: Ministering 140+ Years in the Mahoning Valley
Generosity Aids Health Care Renovation
“For how do you know, you, that those who seem to you to be the least and lowest are not to become the most generous and most pleasing to His Majesty?” St. Angela Merici Our Founder
We’re very grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of our Motherhouse Health Care Renovation Project. Our special thanks go to the Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation for a $103,500 grant to purchase numerous items for the bedrooms, exercise room and solarium, as well as other equipment, and to SOAR! Support Our Aging Religious, for a $25,000 grant to fund the creation of three handicapped-accessible bathrooms. Our Sisters live in health care when they’re in need of assisted living care, have chronic conditions or are recuperating from surgery. Above are Mike Senchak, president and chief executive officer of the MVH Foundation, with Sisters Mary McCormick, General Superior, Patricia McNicholas and Norma Raupple, Leadership Team members.
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URSULINESISTERS@ THEURSULINES.ORG We’ll include them in our daily prayer
URSULINE SISTERS OF YOUNGSTOWN 4250 Shields Rd. Canfield, Ohio, 44406 330-792-7636
www.theursulines.org
UC Readers Book Club Tues., Sept. 22, Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng Tues., Nov. 10, Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer Discussions begin at 6:30 p.m. Free to attend. Preregistration is appreciated. Prayer Shawl Ministry We’re in need of yarn to create our prayer shawls, which bring the comfort of God’s love to the seriously ill and are given free of charge. If you can help this ministry with a donation, please contact Ursuline Associate Eileen W. Novotny at 330-533-3831.
Guided Labyrinth Walks Tues., Sept. 8, 6:30 p.m.: Celebrating Peace Sunday, Oct. 4, 2 p.m.: Celebrating the Feast of St. Francis/Solidarity with the Poor Our labyrinth walks are free to attend. The labyrinth is open from dawn to dusk year-round to all persons of faith. Facilitators are available by request for group walks. Please call at least two weeks in advance.
THE URSULINE CENTER 4280 Shields Rd. Canfield, Ohio, 44406 330-799-4941
www.theursulinecenter.org
For more on The Ursuline Center’s events, ministries, and upcoming programs, visit www.theursulinecenter.org or call 330-799-4941. Newsletter Editor Michele Ristich Gatts
Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown: Ministering 140+ Years in the Mahoning Valley
Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown 4250 Shields Rd. Canfield, Ohio 44406
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Women in Ministry Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown Summer 2015 Newsletter
Young Adults Shine in Summer Service Ministry This year brought a first for our six-week Summer Service Learning Program for college students. It’s not unusual for some of the interns and volunteers to stay with us longer, but this year everyone continued serving in our ministries. You see some of the 14 vibrant young adults in these photos. A few faces are familiar. They’ve returned from previous years and serve in our ministries throughout the year. We are truly blessed. You can read what the students say about their experience and see more photos on our blog. Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown: Ministering 140+ Years in the Mahoning Valley