Powerhouse of Prayer

Sister Kathleen Dueber prays with a song in her heart

When Sister Kathleen Dueber was in the seventh grade at St. Agnes School in Roeland Park, Kan., the Ursuline Sisters asked her and her older sister Mary Ellen to lead the music for the 7 a.m. daily Mass.

“The Sisters had done it up until then,” Sister Kathleen said. “Mary Ellen played the organ and I sang. I did that until I entered the convent.”

Singing is one of the ways Sister Kathleen has always prayed. Another is praying the rosary, which was a common practice several nights a week in her home growing up.

“My dad’s sister was a Dominican Sister from Springfield, Ill.,” she said. “Seeing her say her prayers was a great example.”

Sister Kathleen was an Ursuline of Paola prior to the merger with Mount Saint Joseph in 2008. Since moving to Maple Mount in 2009, she has served a term as an elected member of the Leadership Council and as director of transportation for the Sisters. These days she is focused on serving in the Powerhouse of Prayer, praying for all those in need, and especially the Mount Saint Joseph Retreat Ministry staff.

She enjoys saying the rosary in her room. The rosary she is using now came from the Holy Land and is made from olive wood.

“My favorite rosary is the one my mother gave me when I entered the convent,” she said.

When she prays in her room, she uses several items hanging on the wall or a shelf.

“I use the picture of the Paola motherhouse and the picture of the Paola Sisters,” she said. “The crucifix on the wall is from my dad’s casket. I have a small Saint Francis of Assisi figurine made from curly redwood. I’ve always loved it.”

She enjoys reading spiritual books and partaking in community prayer with the Sisters.

“Praying with the Sisters helps me feel more supported – and supportive,” she said.

She has two favorite prayers. The “Peace Prayer of Saint Francis” has long appealed to her because of the contrasts involved – “where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon. …”

“I can contrast the good parts of my life and the less than desirable habits in my life,” she said.

Another prayer she enjoys is “Suscipe,” attributed to Saint Ignatius of Loyola. It is the Latin word for “take” and is the basis for the hymn “Take Lord, Receive” (see prayer card at left).

Sister Kathleen is quick to say that formal prayer is only one way to pray.

“When I was driving the Sisters, that was one of the times that I prayed. There is always time for a short prayer,” Sister Kathleen said.

“Prayer is not so much the formality; it’s being close to God – talking to God,” she said. “People think you can’t pray unless you know the rosary or some other formal prayer. They are only a way to help you pray.”

Friends can write to Sister Kathleen at 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.n

Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.

Sister Kathleen Dueber holds her figurine of Saint Francis of Assisi. She purchased Saint Francis in 1979 on a trip to Carmel, Calif.

Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph

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