VOLUME XI, NUMBER 2
MAY 2006
At a March 6 associate gathering at Casa Ursulina with visitor Sister Ruth Gehres (center) are: Evelina Salas, Yolanda Moraga, Inés Gálvez, Sonia Pradenas, Carola Pulgar, Patricia Jamett, and Raquel Sepúlveda. These women helped Sister Mimi Ballard, OSU, develop Casa Ursulina. They became associates in 2001, when then major superior Sister Rose Marita O’Bryan, OSU, visited Chillán, Chile.
OUR ASSOCIATES IN CHILE: “PART OF A GREAT CIRCLE” “Someone had a dream — a dream of working in community, doing something for others, around work, around prayer — sharing the spirit in all. In the beginning, the dream wasn’t very clear. We opened ourselves to new possibilities.”
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n these words, Sonia Pradenas reflected on her life as an Associate of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, and of her membership in the community of Casa Ursulina in Chillán, a city in central Chile. She is one of seven women who officially became associates on March 13, 2001. Long before 2001, though, these future associates — Sister Ruth Gehres, OSU, associate director of Evelina, Yolanda, Inés, Sonia, Carola, Paty, and Raquel — communications, wrote this story after spending the were among the first co-workers with Sister Mary month of March at Casa Ursulina. Elizabeth (Mimi) Ballard, OSU, in the development of the Dianna Ortiz Center for Women. Known as Casa Ursulina, Sister Mimi and the women first gathered in the the center is located in the Población Vicente Pérez home of Carola Pulgar, using a tiny room to create Rosales, a large area of Chillán whose residents constantly fancywork and crafts — crocheted items, knitting, struggle to make an adequate — and better — life for their tatting, dolls and angels made with natural materials, families. and other products emerging from the talents of the Working with women in this struggle was a longtime group and what they were learning from one another. dream for Sister Mimi, who first worked in Chillán as a When they took these items to craft fairs in Chillán and pastoral minister from 1978-85. After several years’ other cities in the area, they found a good market. They absence, she returned in 1993 and began to gather the reinvested their profits in materials and began to women she had known earlier. Some had been teenagers in expand their project. Continued on page 4 her youth groups, and others were their mothers.
You are invited to Associates and Sisters Day Saturday, July 8, 2006 • Mount Saint Joseph Keynote Speaker: Rev. Timothy Sullivan of Memphis • Theme: Our Baptismal Call See Story on Page 3
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Associate Update, May 2006
Ursuline Associate Gatherings... Right: Henderson associates met February 3 at the home of Annette Stokes. Front row: Larry Denton, Jane Denton, Wanda Gibson, Nellie Coffman, Sharon Speaks, Louise Leasor, Jo Flener. Back row (standing): Therese Fraize, Beatrice Porter, Don Speaks, Sister Marietta Wethington, and Annette Stokes. Below: Belleville, Illinois, covenant members met January 28. Front row: Sister Dorothy Helbling, Roberta Noble, Loretta Thein, Lea Biehl, Laurine Scott. Back Row: Sister Nancy Murphy, Marian Bennett, Joe Hubbard, Ralph DiTucci, Diane DiTucci, Dolores Bechtoldt, Maribeth Clancy, Bobbie Laker, John Laker, Sister Frances McDonagh, (in front of Mr. Laker), Merle Weilbocher, and Sister Marietta Wethington.
Below: Owensboro associates met March 21. Pictured (seated): Margie Hill, Helen Miles and Ruth Bittel; (standing) Bernadette Howard, Father Leonard Alvey, and John Howard.
Above: Louisville associates met November 5. Front row: Pauline Goebel, Sister Marietta Wethington, Leon Donahue, Lorraine Luken, Penny Burns. Back row: Marian Bennett and the late Ann Thomas. Right: St. Louis, Missouri, associates met January 29. Left to right: Sera Mesnier, Gary Mesnier, Pam Brickler, Sister Marietta Wethington, Francis Steffen, Marian Bennett, and Jean Steffen.
Associate Update, May 2006
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“Our Baptismal Call” Focus of July 8 Associates Day
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ur Baptismal Call is the theme of the upcoming Associates and Sisters Day at Mount Saint Joseph. “When the life-giving waters of this first sacrament of initiation were poured over our heads, we received a call to love and to mission,” reflects Sister Marietta Wethington, OSU, co-director of Ursuline Partnerships. “Our call as Associates and Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph is to make our world a better place by responding to the commission we received at baptism.” Saturday, July 8, is the day Ursuline Associates and Sisters will come together for prayer, renewal and meaningful communication at Maple Mount. All associates are invited to attend the celebration. The day begins with breakfast and prayer. There will be presentations in the morning and afternoon, with a break for lunch. The Chapter Outreach Commission of the Ursuline Sisters will help participants reflect on the particular ways they live the charism of Saint Angela Merici as they make a personal response to their baptismal call. The day will end with Mass in the motherhouse chapel. The keynote speaker and presiding minister for the event will be Father Timothy Sullivan, a member of the Missionary Society of Saint Paul (Paulist Fathers) and pastor of Saint Patrick Church in Memphis. A native of Norwood, Massachusetts, and the second oldest of 10 children, Father Timothy was ordained in 1985 at the Paulist Mother Church in New York City. He has served as associate pastor in parishes in Texas and in New York City, and as a campus minister at Saint Thomas More
ANGELA’S CORNER Always seeks to bring peace and concord wherever you are. -Fifth Counsel, St. Angela Merici
Newman Center at The Ohio State University. Father Father Timothy holds a Timothy bachelor’s degree in education Sullivan from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree in counseling from Boston State College, and a master of divinity degree from Washington Theological Union. Other involvements are director of Interfaith Hospitality Network for sheltering homeless families, Landings for welcoming back inactive Catholics, and social justice outreach programs. For more information about Associates and Sisters Day, or if you are interested in becoming an associate, contact the Office of Ursuline Partnerships at 270-2292006 or e-mail associates@maplemount.org.
Associates Day Schedule of Events Saturday, July 8, 2006 8:45 a.m. .......... Registration 9:00 a.m. .......... Welcome, Introductions, Prayer 9:15 a.m. .......... Our Baptismal Call presentation and process 10:15 a.m. ........ Break 11:45 a.m. ........ Our Baptismal Call continued 12 noon ............ Lunch 1:15 p.m. .......... Our Baptismal Call and Angela’s Charism 2:15 p.m. .......... Break 2:30 p.m. .......... Liturgy at motherhouse chapel: Father Timothy Sullivan presiding 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: 270-229-4103 • Fax: 270-229-4953 Website: www.ursulinesmsj.org E-mail: associates@maplemount.org CO-DIRECTORS OF URSULINE PARTNERSHIPS: Marian Bennett, OSUA and Sister Marietta Wethington, OSU DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS: Jerry Birge EDITOR: Sister Ruth Gehres, OSU GRAPHIC DESIGN: Jennifer Kaminski
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Associate Upda
GETTING TO KNOW OUR CHILE
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t a meeting at Casa Ursulina on the evening of March 27, I asked each of the associates there to write a little about her family, her life, and the commitments that are most important in her life. The following sketches reflect their responses… with added information and help with translation from Sister Mary Elizabeth “Mimi” Ballard, OSU, the director of Casa Ursulina. INÉS GÁLVEZ lives with her mother, who is 92 and a semi-invalid. During the Pinochet dictatorship, Inés’ husband had to leave the country and never returned to his family. Inés has one son and a five-year-old grandson “who is my great love.” “Among the activities that are most important to me,” she says, “ are my work in our Casa Ursulina and — through the Public Health Department of our area — giving Reiki to terminally ill patients and those with HIV.” Inés, who is a ball of energy, volunteers in the knitting and yoga courses at Casa Ursulina. PATRICIA (PATY) JAMETT, a teacher of mathematics and religion in an elementary school, has one son and a granddaughter. Paty has volunteered in the after-school tutoring program as well as in the “sala cuna,” the daycare room for the children — and grandchildren and sisters and brothers — of the women taking classes at Casa Ursulina. Paty is intensely dedicated to the ministry of Casa Ursulina. “It goes against something in me if I don’t pray for it every day,” she says. YOLANDA MORAGA is married, with two sons who are studying in the university. Her daughter, Lorena, who is studying to be a kindergarten teacher, is a faithful volunteer at Casa Ursulina. Yolanda volunteers in the childcare room, helps in the knitting and crocheting courses, and works in the program Associates join in the Monday afternoon voluntary workshop, Inés and Sister Mimi enjo for pregnant teens. “My greatest desire in life making blankets and clothing for others in need. From left: Inés, Wednesday evening Engl Raquel, Lorena (Yolanda’s daughter), and Yolanda. is to help many persons who need spiritual enrolled in this class.
OUR ASSOCIATES IN CHILE (continued from page 1) From the beginning, the basic focus of these women was not what they were producing, but a spiritual solidarity that has moved like leaven through and beyond the original group. “It is not about work, but about reflection,” Paty says. “What stands out is the way that we pray…it’s not just saying prayers, but learning to meditate, to be with God, to relax in the presence of God.” In their prayer, these women found God in one another, in their surroundings, in the universe. As the craft work continued to expand, it outgrew the tiny room that Carola had offered. “We needed more space to work and to store our materials,” Sister Mimi explains. “We began to dream of a house, a center, that would make it possible for us to invite more women into the community and to help them learn skills to support themselves and their families.” Houses in the población are small and modest. Built by the government, they are purchased by residents through
long-term bank loans. In 1997, through a campaign carried out by the Ursuline Sisters, the Ursuline congregation was able to purchase half of a duplex house that Mimi and the core group transformed into Casa Ursulina. This space — 16 by 23 feet — held a tiny kitchen and dining area, an entrance/living room area, plus two bedrooms and a bathroom, which were Sister Mimi’s living quarters. The first classes took place in the living and dining rooms and in two “rancheritas” — basically shacks — behind the house. Since 1997, as financial resources permitted, the house has been expanded with a sewing room and kitchen/classroom in the back (replacing the shacks), and an upstairs section used as living quarters for Sister Mimi and other Ursulines who have served at Casa Ursulina. In 2002, the other half of the duplex was purchased, including a shack-like portion now used for storage. An activities room has also been added to provide space for a classes in Reiki, yoga, Pilates, and many other types of natural relaxation and exercise. Classes, all taught by volunteers, include many types of
ate May 2006
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AN ASSOCIATES EAN support, and to teach what I have learned in life,” Yolanda says. SONIA PRADENAS, married 43 years, has two children and a grandson. Her husband is a retired teacher, and her son and daughter are also teachers. “I love to serve others, especially those most in need of love and compassion,” she says. “I enjoy being at home embroidering, crocheting, sewing, and doing all kinds of handwork.” Sonia volunteers in childcare and teaches embroidery at Casa Ursulina. CAROLA PULGAR and her husband Sebastián have four children — two older sons and two younger daughters. Carola, an artisan who makes beautiful crafts from natural materials, teaches in the program for pregnant teens. She also enjoys working with natural foods (she helped teach a class in this) and consistently works with people in need. Carola has ten siblings, including her sister Dominga, who has taught sewing at Casa Ursulina for many years.
EVELINA SALAS, married 50 years, has four
Paty explains the importance of Casa Ursulina in her life, and especially in her prayer.
sons and 12 grandchildren ranging from one to 24 years old. “I have dedicated a great part of my life to my family,” she says, “but also to serving the community, in which I feel very happy.” Evelina leads a weekly Tai Chi class for women in a parish building. At Casa Ursulina, she volunteers to answer the door and the phone and as a salesperson in the “bazaar,” where the women are able to purchase donated clothing at nominal prices. An energetic 75-year-old, Evelina is enrolled in Sister Mimi’s English class and in an embroidery course.
oy some time together after Mimi’s ish class. Several associates are
RAQUEL SEPÚLVEDA, a retired biology teacher, is a widow with three sons and eight grandchildren. A volunteer in the program for pregnant teens, Raquel is also “trying to learn English at Casa Ursulina.” Her parish and community commitments are amazing. She instructs parents and godparents in preparation for a child’s baptism. She is director of a women’s group and of a center for mothers and president of a group of women working in a government program for promotion of health, justice, and employment. She is director of the women’s department of her political party. And, oh yes, she works with senior citizens.
sewing, crafts, fancywork, and cooking, as well as courses in beginning, feel a deep commitment to the ministry of Casa communicating with one’s children, self-esteem, and personal Ursulina, to each other, and to the Ursuline Community. “This development. Sister Mimi teaches a weekly English class. A is a personal commitment,” says Carola. “It is to feel program for the support of pregnant teens ourselves connected to a larger group, to helps the young mothers-to-be to prepare for feel welcome in a great circle.” their babies psychologically, physically, and Reflecting on the prayer of the group, spiritually. Because of the intense poverty, most she adds, “We learn to relax, to be silent, cannot afford blankets and clothing for their to connect ourselves to the interior peace newborns. All participants learn to make these which can’t be anything but God.” things from used materials that are donated by Yolanda speaks of the importance of the women of Casa Ursulina and friends in community. “As associates, we give Chile and the States. much,” she says. “People come because Each year, the number of women coming they see that we are here to give.” for courses grows — 165 are registered this Raquel rejoices in the progress of the year. Child care is provided by volunteers for past eight years, but she looks beyond it. all who are enrolled in classes. The house will “Casa Ursulina is more than a house, a soon need more expansion. ministry that has kept expanding,” she Carola and her mother, Marcelina — The seven Ursuline Associates, who have says. “Important beyond all of that is the now 80 — have a good time working been at the core of this effort from the change that it produces in persons.” together at Casa Ursulina.
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Associate Update, May 2006
Remembering Special Days... June Anniversaries of Acceptance: 21 Years Andy and Annette Chavez, Sandy Luz 19 Years Loni Daniels, Fay Higdon, Margaret Tasaka 18 Years Alice Blazina, Odelean Hill, Loretta Oliver, Mary Ann Schilling 17 Years Joe Buckman, Kay Buckman, Nellie Coffman, Wanda Gibson, Judy Krese, Joanne Mason, Ramona McConnell 16 Years Betty Boren, Peggy Clark, Jodie Fulkerson, Risë Karr 10 Years Randy Lamastus 8 Years Irene Rapier 7 Years Laura Lampe, Jeanne Miller 6 Years Rose Mary Egli, Angelina Glomb, Benjamin and Carolyn Head 4 Years Karen Beavers, Maxine Beavin, Marian Bennett, Sheila Clark, Cecilia McEldowney, Betty Medley 3 Years Carlene Braun, Catherine Gawarecki, Jean Gutierrez, Ola Higdon, Carol Hogan, Louise Leasor, Mildred McDowell, Coreen Moore, Shirley Palmer, Jody Ziegler 2 Years Carol Alvey, Ed and Gloria Cecil, Mary Jo Dodson, Carol Hill, Debbie Walker, Chris Geary, Violet Hamilton, Fr. Brian Johnson, Gary and Sera Mesnier, Brenda Semar, Don and Marlene Monaghan, Teen Robinette 1 Year Grace Dell Aquilla, Amy Payne, Meghan Payne, Sarah Payne, Tom Payne, Will Payne, Eddie Prunty
June Birthdays: 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 16 17 19 20 21 22 24 26 27 28 29
Gary Mesnier Ruby White Gertrude Tyrala, Lina Trujillo, Connie Del Muro Nettie Castle Mildred Shrewsbury, Jeff Goldsmith Ann Collins Carol Hogan, Ramona McConnell, Bobby Christian Martha Matthews Cletus Weidenbenner, Pat Sullivan Anna Dye Rebecca Leonard, Louis Peak Helen Pfeiffer Jean Grant Jo Morelli, Fr. John Vaughan Perla Pike Phil Dees, Elenita McConnell Raynell Prado Carolyn Baseheart, Grace Dell Aquilla
July Anniversaries of Acceptance: 22 Years Mary Kennedy, Cathey Seaton 21 Years Fr. Leonard Alvey, Lil Wilson 20 Years Mary Brown, Mary Bryant, Patsy Claussen, Fr. Joe Mills 19 Years John Allen, Fr. Freddie Byrd, Marilyn Terry 18 Years Fr. Joe Nangle 12 Years Hita Merchant 10 Years Trudy Peak, Louis Peak 9 Years Jeff and Barbara Goldsmith, Rev. Carol Owen, Paul and Judy Gray 8 Years John Howard, Mary Lyne 7 Years Mary Lowry, Polly Mouser 5 Years Leon and Sue Donahue, Gustavo and Charlotte Paez, Jacinta Garinger 1 Year Bonnie Adams, Don Adams, Barbara Boatner
August Anniversaries of Acceptance: 22 Years Marjorie Cook, Sue Hudon 21 Years Albert and Teressa Hayden, Ann Leonard, Bishop John McRaith, Lina Trujillo 19 Years Margaret Brasuel, Margaret Chavez 18 Years Gloria Adams 16 Years Bruce and Sheila Blandford, Doris Kolb-Hopkins 15 Years Rose Archuleta, Fr. Brian Roby, Lorraine Luken, Tony and Mary Margis, Bernadette Howard, Mary Costello, Bea Porter, Phyllis Troutman 11 Years Maria Galles, Fanny Gonzalez 8 Years Stella McClure 6 Years Michael Conley
July Birthdays: 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 13 16 17 19 20 22 23 24 25 27 30 31
Sara Scully, Ione Deken Helen Miles June Fowler Philomena Bollinger, David Henderson, Chris Walls Barbara Boatner Fr. Tony Shonis Shirley Eckert, Mary Jo Johnson Mary Lowry Don Speaks, Gloria O’Hara Mary Danhauer, Chico Irizarry Ann Leonard, Carolyn Dowdy Trudy Peak, Jean Simpson Fr. Joe Nangle, Laura Lampe, Sr. Ann Middlebrooks Judy Krese Raymond Morelli Larry Denton Suzanne Gochenouer Sarah Bowling Marjorie Cook Gustavo Paez, Lorraine Luken, Debby Ludwig, Gloria Adams, Michael Conley
August Birthdays: 1 3 5 8 9 11 12 15
Sandy Luz Bob Beam Barbara Goldsmith, Betty Medley Dottie Clark Tony Margis Bonnie Marks, Ruth Bittel Wilma Howard Don Hobbs, Isabel Crenshaw, Jacinta Garinger 16 Irene Rapier, Thurman Mullen, Shirlene Quinn 17 Michael Bufalini, Mary Brown 18 Carol Hill, Meghan Payne 19 Larry Dowdy 21 Bruce Blandford 24 Sid Mason 27 Mary Leda Rice 28 Marty Darst, Pat Riordan, Juanita Burke, Adrian Bumpus 31 Risë Karr
Associate Update, May 2006
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Welcome to Our New Associates!
Remembering...
Ann Thomas
Ann Thomas, OSUA, 64, died on March 9, 2006, in Louisville. Ann graduated from Mount Saint Joseph Academy in 1959 and was a self-employed business owner for most of her life. She is survived by a brother and three sisters. A warm and caring person, Ann is described as “willing to help anyone anywhere and at any time.” She was a faithful listener whose love of God was evidenced through her many friends.
John and Martha Little JOHN T. LITTLE is a member of Saints Joseph and Paul Church in Owensboro. Educated by Ursuline Sisters beginning in grade school, John is active in many areas of parish life, including lector, eucharistic minister, RCIA team member and the parish council. MARTHA McCARTY LITTLE is pastoral associate for Saints Joseph and Paul Church as well as a student in the Spiritual Direction Training Course at Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center. Among her many parish duties, she is director of the RCIA program. It is said of Martha, “She works tirelessly for others and always has time to uplift you.” The Littles have four children “and a cat.” Sister Ann McGrew is their contact sister. ANNA D. CONN is a member of St. Ann Church in Morganfield, Kentucky. She is married to David, her high school sweetheart. They are the parents of Kelly, Karla and Will Tom. Closely involved with the TEC program on both the local and national levels for many years, Anna is described as “a person of deep Anna Conn faith, always asking the important questions to help her understand and grow in her faith.” Her contact sisters are Sister Eva Boone and Sister Mary Cabrini Foushee.
Bobbie Nell Smith
Bobbie Nell Smith, OSUA, 77, of Central City, Kentucky, died on March 18, 2006. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Central City and with her late husband, Frank, was owner of Conrad and Smith Gas Company. Bobbie Nell became an Ursuline associate in 2004 and was active with the Muhlenberg County associate group. A great friend of Sisters Rose Karen and Rose Theresa Johnson, Bobbie Nell enjoyed many visits to Mount Saint Joseph. She described the Mount as “this place of silence and solitude which is so serene and moves me closer to the Lord.”
Prayer Requests OUR SICK: • • • • • • • •
Jeanne Lamastus Ruth Metschuleit Susan Scott Mike Troutman, husband of Phyllis Thomas Troutman Maxine Riney Cecil, mother of Betty Cecil Medley Randall Donahue, brother of Leon Donahue Bill Goodwill, brother of Pat Wilson Eddie, grandson of Mary Rita Trittschuh
MAY THEY REST IN PEACE: • Bobbie Nell Smith, OSUA • Ann Thomas, OSUA • Robert Young, father of Brenda Semar
• Audrey Clemons, sister of Norma “Teen” Robinette
• Billy Vaughan, brother of Father John Vaughan
• Generose McClure, mother-in-law of Stella McClure
• Virginia McKeehan, mother of Sharon Speaks
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID OWENSBORO,KY 42301 PERMIT NO. 120 Please help us update our mailing list. If there are errors in your address, please inform us so that we may correct them.
Upcoming Meetings and Events... • Alumnae Weekend: Activities for alumnae of Mount Saint Joseph Academy and College — May 19-21.
It will be here before you know it!
Mount Saint Joseph Picnic Sunday, September 10 Make plans to volunteer, and be here to enjoy the food and the fun!!!
• Belleville and St. Louis Associates Meeting — May 27. Ursuline Convent in Belleville, Illinois. • Western Kentucky Associates — June 2. 6 p.m., Sid Mason’s home, Mayfield, Kentucky. • Ursuline Hospitality Weekend: Single Catholic women ages 18-30 invited to the Mount — June 2-4. • North American Conference of Associates and Religious (NACAR) — June 2-4. Cincinnati, Ohio. • Grief Workshop at the Mount: Understanding Loss — June 9-11. Speakers: Rev. Dan Phillips, Betty Medley. • Grayson County Associates — June 9. 9 a.m. June 24. 7 p.m. Outdoor Mass. • Louisville Associates — June 10. 1 p.m. EST, St. Angela Convent, 1731 Edenside Ave., Louisville. • Christian Rock Concert at the Mount — June 23. • Associates and Sisters Day at the Mount: Our Baptismal Call — July 8. Led by Father Tim Sullivan. • Centering Prayer Retreats — July 16-23. Leaders: Father Justin Langille and Jean Johnson. • Mount Saint Joseph Picnic — September 10.