MAY 2012
VOL. XVII, NO. 4
Join us for “Angela as Risk Taker, Open to the Spirit” e’ve learned how Saint Angela taught us to adapt to change. We’ve heard her words used to show us how to be peacemakers and reconcilers. As we prepare for Associates and Sisters Day on June 9, we will look forward to learning how our dear friend Angela calls us to be guided by the Holy Spirit to be risk-takers. “Angela as Risk-Taker, Open to the Spirit,” is the theme for this year’s special day at the Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center. Response was so positive to last year’s format, we will replicate it, with two presentations in the morning, and a panel discussion after lunch. The session will be led by Sister Maureen Griner, who ministers in Memphis, Tenn., as director of the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality and director of music for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Sister Maureen served six years on the Ursuline leadership Council (2004-2010) and it was her writing on Angela as a risk-taker that inspired this topic. “We will begin by talking about risk in general,” Sister Maureen said. “Risk is a part of all of our lives. Some risks we choose (jobs, marriage, choice of school) but others are thrust upon us by circumstances,” she said. “Even though risk normally comes with some hesitation and fear and even doubt, we have no choice. Risk is part of everyday life.” Her talk will focus on “spiritual risk-taking,” that is, “a chosen risk that rises from within and ultimately affects our relationship with God and with the world.” It was that sort of risk that was taken by: Saint Angela when she formed the Company of Saint Ursula; Ursuline Sisters of Louisville who came by The in 1874 to open Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Maple Mount; The sisters who sought an independent community called the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph 100 years ago; And the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council, who began their work 50 years ago this year. Some of the questions Sister Maureen will explore are:
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Associates John Little, Karen Siciliano, and Martha Little pose for a picture in the Motherhouse Chapel. Karen and Martha will be speaking on Associates Day on June 9.
Why would anyone take a spiritual risk? What enables or empowers a person/s to take a spiritual risk? What role does “certainty” play in spiritual risktaking? What stands in the way of spiritual risk-taking? “I hope to raise awareness of our need to be open to spiritual risk-taking and also help the participants understand that such risk-taking arises from the Holy Spirit and is made possible by grace,” Sister Maureen said. The second session is called “Guided by the Spirit,” and will be led by Associates Martha Little and Karen Siciliano, both graduates of the Spiritual Direction Training Program at Maple Mount. Karen will share her story of how the Holy Spirit has moved in her life. “Angela had her vision of the Ursuline company when she was a young woman,” Little said. “We know from the books written about her she prayed and listened to the Spirit all through her life. Sometimes this is hard for us ‘regular’ people to grasp. Is the guidance of the Holy Spirit stronger for the religious communities? I think we like to believe this to be true because it helps us to step back from our place in God’s world and let the religious communities, our church hierarchy, our do the ‘work,’” Little government said. “If you have been fortunate enough to have sisters or priests for friends you know they are in this world struggling Continued on page 3
Associates and Sisters Day is Saturday, June 9, 2012 A registration form can be found on the back page. A schedule for the day is on page 2.
UPDATE MAY 2012.indd 1
4/24/2012 10:46:11 AM