LAURELS Ursuline Sisters of the Central Province Summer 2020

Inside Message from the provincial • New leadership missioned • Adapting during the pandemic • Following in Angela’s footsteps • Perspective on racism • Jubilarians 2

New Ursuline Leadership Team Missioned

he Ursuline Sisters of the she has served the Central Province missioned a Central Province T new leadership team with in leadership as a a prayer service on June 9 at local prioress and the Ursulines’ provincial offices in on the provincial St. Louis. Serving for the next five years council. She are Sister Elisa Ryan, provincial; Sister returns to ministry Jean Hopman, councilor; and Sister in the province Peggy Moore, councilor. after 10 years as a Sister Elisa is a graduate of Ursuline theology teacher Academy in St. Louis. Her Ursuline at Ursuline ministry has included high school Academy in education, as a teacher and principal. She St. Louis. previously served in leadership for the Sister Jean Ursulines, first in the Central Province grew up in San and then on their international leadership Francisco and team in Rome. Most recently, she has entered the Serving on the Ursulines’ 2020-25 leadership team are, from left, Sister Jean Hopman, councilor; Sister Peggy Moore, councilor; been vocation director for the Ursulines Ursulines of and Sister Elisa Ryan, provincial. of the provinces. the Western Sister Peggy is a graduate of Ursuline Province in Santa Rosa, . to the Central Province. She served as Academy, Springfield, . She has Fluent in Spanish, she ministered with co-director of vocation ministry for the served as a high school science, math and the Spanish-speaking population in United States Provinces until she was theology teacher as well as in high school various settings for 20 years. She later called to full-time province leadership campus ministry. In addition to teaching, was missioned to and transferred in 2017.

Parades have never been more At left, Sister Mary Troy greets a parade of well-wishers on her birthday as students, popular than during this pandemic! co-workers and alumnae of Ursuline Academy in Dallas feted her with a drive-through celebration. Helping her gather balloons, flowers and other birthday offerings is Sister Glenda Bourgeous. At right, Sister Ginger Cirone holds a sign for Sister Carla Dolce at a parade for residents of Our Lady of Wisdom in New Orleans. 3

A Message from the Provincial

y mother was born in of worldwide St. Louis in the summer catastrophe, I am M of 1918, to parents already strengthened by the blessed with three small children. By belief that they are fall of that year, the Spanish flu raged with us. Each one around the country. Stories say the remained hopeful mayor of St. Louis at the time and a when the road German-born doctor imposed measures ahead was not at on the city that saved it, even though all clear. the chaos of World War I continued. Likewise, on I’ve always loved my grandparents, this side of eternity, but I have felt closer to them these past where planet earth six months than ever before. Yes, they keeps turning in have long since passed from this life. time, as our new But I converse with them every day Ursuline Central now, asking them to pray that we will Province Provincial come through the present pandemic Team moves into the mission entrusted We, in heaven and on earth, are one just as they survived the flu crisis. to us, we are encouraged by the support body in Christ. And we do not ever I have felt the courage and faith and connection of many. Blessed with stand alone. of these dear grandparents of mine, superb colleagues in province service, an and I know their presence. Others on Ursuline community that is truly global, the opposite side of the “thin veil” and active collaborators and friends, we that separates us from those in eternity want to keep widening our circles. The Elisa Ryan, osu are also very near: family and friends, spirit and legacy of St. Angela Merici will Provincial Ursuline Sisters, important Saints and continue only if we can fully engage the Ursulines of the Central Province everyday saints. As one newly called to wisdom, energy and help of all who carry leadership of the Ursulines in a time this Ursuline story with us.

hank you to all of our generous donors. Your faith and support fill our hearts, and we are T grateful for your presence on our journey. 4

In Remembrance “I am more alive now than Sister Mary Patrice Sister Rosemary Meiman Clifford Feb. 4, 1929 – when I was with you.” Sept. 2, 1935 – July 11, 2019 —St. Angela Merici March 29, 2020 Professed 1949 Professed 1956

We remember with gratitude the lives of Sister Celeste Cour Sister Mary Margaret our sisters who have passed into eternal life Jan. 11, 1924 – Prenger since February 2019. Feb. 24, 2020 March 11, 1923 – Sister Mary Peter Professed 1947 April 9, 2019 Bachand Professed 1945 Nov. 2, 1925 –

March 24, 2020 Sister Mary Ann Luth Sister Ann Smith Professed 1956 May 28, 1920 – Oct. 5, 1927 – June 28, 2020 July 31, 2019 Sister Barbara Becnel Professed 1943 Professed 1949 Oct. 23, 1937 – May 3, 2019 Professed 1958 Sister Marie McCloskey Sister Wilma Wittman Feb. 17, 1914 – May 2, 1924 – Oct. 4, 2019 March 3, 2019 Professed 1941 Professed 1945

You can ready the sisters’ obituaries at www.osucentral.org.

The Ursuline Sisters are among the Catholic Sisters of St. Louis who have partnered with the Incarnate Word Foundation to stand up for racial justice with a billboard campaign in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The billboard is being featured throughout the metro area for two months. The Incarnate Word Foundation is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. 5 My Perspective

Pauline Lorch, osu hen I grew up in St. my judgments, my way of seeing, my Mary’s, Missouri, Black way of listening. I need humble, focusing W people were not allowed corrective lenses to see more clearly the “They look but do not within the city (a town of less than a power that racism has, and empathic see, they listen but do thousand) limits. Black Catholics, many hearing aids to hear the voices raised in not understand.” of whom had been catechized by Mother pain and frustration, desperation even, Isadore Ripperger, osu, worshipped trying to help understand that Matthew 13:13 in the three back, left-hand pews of racism not only affects Black Americans Immaculate Conception Church. Despite but all Americans. this blatant racism, my parents acted out There have been other times when of a different set of values. there was hope that racism would My earliest sense be, could be addressed in a just and of neighbor was Miss comprehensive manner. Think of the Madora, a Black woman hopes of Reconstruction following the who lived “up the hill Civil War with the radical retrenchment and across the road” from of rights and respect which followed, the us. Aunt Madora was Civil Rights movement of the 1960s with my friend and protector its inherent compromises. But is this now during the rough and the moment in history when we will truly tumble of early childhood. face the power that racism has on our Dad’s good friend and society? I hope, I pray that this time we co-worker, Henry Cole, will truly perceive the depth of racism in a Black man, died in a our minds, our hearts and our policies house fire while Dad and be willing to address and change had to be forcibly held our country and ourselves. I, we, have a “I need humble, focusing by firemen to keep him from trying to long way to travel. There is hope in the save Mr. Cole. In his later years, Dad possibility of a new America even in the corrective lenses to see threatened to resign from the Knights face of so much rhetoric to the contrary. more clearly the power of Columbus when a well-respected In the conclusion to his book Christ in that racism has, and William Coffman was about to be Crisis, Jim Wallis includes some practices empathic hearing aids blackballed (how ironic) simply because which all of us could embrace when we of the color of his skin. I am grateful for mourn our inability to join the marchers to hear the voices raised my parents’ example, but for many years for social justice. in pain and frustration, I had no idea of the extent of the racism • We need to start each day with desperation even, trying in which I and they were complicit. a “yes” to our faith and to our Only time and graced opportunities; own personal and public integrity. to help Americans many friends and companions who were We need to say yes to engaged understand that racism also struggling to understand the origins citizenship, civil discourse, service not only affects Black and consequences of a thoroughly racist, to what is right and courageous unjust justice system; the reality of white resistance to what is wrong. Americans but all privilege; the myth of Black inferiority, • We need to have the courage to say Americans.” particularly intellectual inferiority; and “no” when that is required and to the magnitude of targeted housing made whatever requires it. law by Congress, have brought me to • The opposite of fear is trust, and begin to realize that I am racist and that when fear is the political energy of a I must re-form my attitudes, my choices, nation, we need to rebuild the trust. 6

Ursulines adapt according to times and circumstances

“And if, according to times but now that we are in a rhythm, it has including Sister Karen Schwane and circumstances, the need become a fruitful way to begin the day.” in San Antonio and Sister Susan Kienzler in St. Louis. Sister Karen arises to make new rules wears one of her own creations while or do something differently, joining the Sisters of Divine Providence do it prudently and with in their sewing room. They are making masks for the staff in the Sisters of good advice.” Divine Providence’s skilled care facility. – St. Angela Merici Sister Susan is making masks for her community as well as her nephew, a During the Covid-19 pandemic, nurse assigned to a COVID-19 unit in The prayer bowl at the sisters’ Fairdale house Ursulines throughout the Central keeps filling up. Denver, and his co-workers. Province have been finding new ways Just before Because of covid-19, our sisters in to pray together and with others the coronavirus lockdown, the Ursuline community of five New Orleans and their SBP (St. Bernard while apart, help the most vulnerable Parish) partners working on Ursuline- among us, and spread messages of on Fairdale in St. Louis made and hope and faith. distributed cards to their Here are some of their stories: neighbors in the 24 houses on their street. The card read: “Dear Neighbor, We, Catholic Sisters who live at the beginning of Fairdale Avenue, want you to know that we care about you and pray for you, your family and loved ones. This is a very challenging time for our whole world, but we trust that Sister Mary Jacqueline Pratt leads a scripture- God is with us always. If, at any sharing group at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. time, you have a special need or intention that you would like Since February, Sister Mary us to include in your prayers Jacqueline Pratt has been facilitating just email or phone us (email Sunday scripture sharing for a small and phone number included), group at Mother of Perpetual Help in and we will put it on our St. Louis. When all group activities prayer table. United with you were canceled on March 16, the activity all, Sisters Elisa, Mary Ellen, director asked if she would facilitate Pauline, Rita Ann and Susan.” scripture sharing each day. Since Prayer requests that they lockdown began, she has been meeting receive in response are put in in the chapel with a group of about 10 the “prayer bowl” on the table residents—spaced six feet apart—for where they gather each day for prayer and sharing on the daily scripture. community prayer. It is filling up. Meeting Monday through Friday for about 45 minutes, Sister Mary Jacqueline Ursuline mask makers have Sisters Karen Schwane, top, and Sister Susan says, “Initially, it seemed like ‘work,’ been at work across the province, Kienzler went into mask-making mode as soon as quarantine began. 7

Sisters Regina Marie Fronmüller, Ginger Cirone and Mary Anne Holmes get creative at their Valence Street house in New Orleans. sponsored houses have been unable to go sisters in our Sutherland community in out and rebuild. Instead, they are keeping St. Louis adapted quickly. in touch by phone with those they have Notes Sister Madonna O’Hara, Sisters Nancy Vandeveer, top, and Brendan helped, offering hope, encouragement “Our Sutherland community (St. Louis) Jacoby are staying safe and strong with and, when needed, food. had offered to prepare a meal for the 20 workouts in their basement gym. As a sign of hope in their Valence persons presently in the Room at the added a time each morning to pray Street neighborhood, Sisters Regina Inn program for homeless families. A together for those affected by the Marie Fronmüller, Ginger Cirone, week before, we received word that their virus. They posted a sign of hope in their Mary Anne Holmes (and Magdalita policy needed to change, and they no front yard and spent much of their days Roussel) painted a rainbow on their longer could accept prepared food from in quarantine calling, texting and writing driveway. the outside. However, we were able to friends of their Springfield community, direct our energies to the lunch program Adaptability can be key to success Ursulines in assisted-living and skilled- at St. Vincent de Paul Parish by getting in helping others these days, and the care facilities—and elsewhere around the prepackaged items for the province—and their families and friends. huge numbers of lunches During this pandemic, self-care is they give out daily. important, too. After doing what they “As with so much can to support and comfort others, Sisters of our lives these days, I Nancy Vandeveer, Brendan Jacoby and have come to realize that Theresa Davey in Springfield, Illinois, efforts to help others need look after their own health by working to be flexible and easily out in their basement gym. changed.” Meanwhile, Sister Rosemary Skelley When quarantine in nearby Decatur spends time each day began, Sisters Theresa at her parish church, where parishioners Davey, Brendan Jacoby often come to speak with her—from a safe and Nancy Vandeveer distance. The conversations are mutually in Springfield, Illinois, beneficial, she says. Sister Madonna O’Hara and her Sutherland house community help with a parish lunch program. 8 Following in St. Angela’s footsteps

ngela was a contemplative, unknowingly, over and over. Slowly feel Angela’s words in my heart. It is a captured by the Lord whom she I have come to realize the special gift for me to start off the day with a cup A sought and found everywhere, gift of his answer to the child will be of coffee and an hour to deepen my love following him with love ever alert and unwrapped in ordinary moments when of God and feel God’s love for me. faith ever discerning. “Everywhere” for I become aware of holding and being Angela is a companion for me during this her meant in long hours of prayer; and held. I invite you to unwrap these time of prayer. Contemplation for me is it also meant everyplace where she felt moments in your life also … being “present to the presence” of God she had a task to do; every person whom ­— standing as a teenager on a street and Angela journeying with me, sensing she met, regardless of age, sex or rank; corner, aware of my happiness and their presence in those quiet moments. every service that she rendered according contentment in that moment, Taking time together and sensing their to needs and circumstances. For at all — eyes and hands lingering over paper spirits energize me as I move into times she acted under the influence of splashed with brilliant watercolor hues ministry carrying God’s love and Angela’s love, at once liberating and unifying, and lines etched by crinkled Saran wrap, gentle presence with me. which in a single thrust brought her to — being with the elderly sister cradling Sometimes I ask Angela what she God and to her fellow [women and] the dying baby hummingbird in the would like me to share with our students men. (Lead a New Life, Constitutions warmth of her hand, and co-workers at Ursuline Academy of the Roman Union of the Order of — sitting on the banks of the when I begin the day with them, and I Saint Ursula, 1969) Mississippi, listening to the river tell share at times over the PA system. Later, Since their founding in 1535, me her story accompanied by the flute as I walk down the hall at school and Ursulines have lived the lives of player’s longing strains, greet the students along the way, some of contemplatives in ministry. Here seven — weaving with warp threads of red and them may stop and tell me how great it of our Central Province sisters share white (not really my choice!) but weft was to hear what St. Angela wanted them about their lives as contemplatives. threads of every hue and choice… the to know or pray for. birth of a dawning realization that my It is a joy for me as an Ursuline to Sister Elizabeth Susan loving Master Weaver and I are weaving make an annual retreat, days of prayer Hatzenbuehler, San Antonio, Texas my being for others together. which I call my “vacation with God.” The invitation to And yes, for each of us, the answer When I am at a retreat center, a special be contemplative of the sculptor to the child in Nouwen’s kind of contemplative prayer for me for me invites book continues to be one of unfolding is the outdoor labyrinth. This is a a smiling heart mystery and discovery: tradition dating back thousands of years and travels back “I knew there was a lion in the in religious cultures, and many kinds to a retreat near marble because before I saw the lion in of labyrinths have been created. This Grottaferrata, the marble, I saw him in my own heart. concentric walking pathway is a way Italy. Do come The secret is that it was the lion in my for me to prayerfully center myself and and join me if heart who recognized the lion in the “be present to God’s presence,” moving you wish. The story begins here: marble.” (Nouwen, p. 103) toward a center, and then moving out In Rome, a sculptor is carving a lion again, bringing those special moments to out of marble. A little boy comes along Sister Lois Castillon, Dallas Texas others. and pauses to watch. After a while, the Angela Merici These haiku poems suggest what the child says, “Mister, how did you know encourages us fruits of contemplation are for me: there was a lion in the marble?” (adapted to “cultivate the I walk, hearing Angela’s from Clowning in Rome, by Henri vine entrusted “Cultivate the vine” gift from God Nouwen, p. 87) to us.” As I dip Reach out to our world The sculptor’s answer in Nouwen’s into my prayer of Labyrinth wanders book echoes in my life, indeed in contemplation As I wonder, sensing God’s each of our lives, both knowingly and every morning, I Breath on our good earth 9

Sister Thomas More Daly, Sister Chabanel Mathison, consume my energy and punctuate the Alton, Illinois St. Louis, Missouri way we seem to be organizing our lives For 30 years I For several years I while we are being challenged as never was engaged in have experienced before to relate. teaching young my prayer around The computer is not the focus; people in Catholic what is called it is simply the means of bringing us schools. Toward Christian together. The focus is our relationship the end of that Meditation, taught and common purpose as we listen and time, I was graced by the World listen and listen to each other. Zoom with an awareness Community of has become a new human space and we of the real presence Christian “hold” this sacred space together. It is no of Jesus in each of the students before me. Meditation in the tradition of longer being gathered in a meeting room What the students perceived in me, often Benedictine Father John Main. It involves that holds us together. As we tune in to not recognizing it, was the truth of Jesus simply sitting in stillness and repeating each other, we are led to wholeness, not being given to them. We together were over and over to myself an image-free just with those on the screen, but with all living God’s reality. mantra that, like a leaf sweeper, moves living beings—presence to presence. We For me this is the meaning of being aside the clutter of my mind and heart are held together by our contemplative, an active contemplative. Christ’s presence and makes room for the awareness of Spirit-filled awareness. is the grace given to me by letting myself being immersed in Holy Mystery—the be loved by Jesus. St. Angela urged us as God within, and the God around me Sister Mary Ellen Neeves, Ursulines to make Jesus our one, only in every aspect of creation. St. Louis, Missouri treasure and to shelter at the feet of Jesus. It is radically simple but not For me, there are Throughout my life, God the Father necessarily easy, and it is not prayer that two truths that are has deepened my relationship with Jesus can be rated as successful or unsuccessful. the foundation within our hearts together. I just “do it” at both ends of my day for living Now I work in the Ursuline archives with the raw faith that God is living and contemplatively: of our Central Province. People ask me working deep inside of me and all around 1) The presence what I do now, and I tell them that me though I may experience nothing at of the Holy One I work with the dead. They find this all. Sometimes it is a challenge to remain is in all created response humorous, but it is profoundly committed to it when it feels empty reality; true. Researchers, relatives and former and hopelessly distracted. It would be 2) God meets me where I am, physically students of Ursulines ask for information so much easier to pray with measurable and psychologically. about specific sisters who have died. progress marks. Over the years, however, To be contemplative then is to look, At times it is difficult to search out the it has become my way to “come home to listen, to be still in the face of what is. information needed. I ask the sister, living and wait for God.” It is to let “what is” be the place where now in total union in the heart of Jesus Where I do FEEL a difference with the Holy One is revealed. This takes in the communion of saints, to guide me Christian Meditation is that it enhances many shapes and forms. The key is to to what is needed by the one making the my awareness of the presence of look, to be aware of what is. request. Amazingly I discover what the God in the people, the events, and It is in the depths of life where I find inquirer desires. I work in awareness of the circumstances of my days as I the sacred presence of the Holy One: living in God’s reality. move through them. It gives me a in the ordinary, everyday happenings in This is how contemplation empowers contemplative view. An example of how my life; in my city, in our world, in the my ministry in the archives as it did my this happens for me in these pandemic spectacular beauty of creation; in the ministry in the classroom. days is a perspective it has brought to reality of good health and illness; in the the innumerable Zoom meetings that continued on page 10 10

Following in St. Angela’s footsteps continued from page 9 experience of loss and limitations; in first is a quotation from Mary Oliver’s Congratulations the gifts of music, dance, art and poem, Yes! No! to our Jubilarians books; and in the blessings of family, “To pay attention, this is our In 2020 we celebrate the jubilees of community and friends. endless and proper work.” 14 of our sisters who have ministered This is where God meets me. It is I try to pay attention to the world, to God’s people a total of 820 years. in that meeting that I begin to see that others and myself. This takes time and all of life is one. God is here in this some effort. moment. God finds me where I am. The second help is the reminder, 70th Can I find God where the holy is? “Come as you are!” For years, I Sister Kevin Ritterbusch thought that my best prayer time was Springfield, Illinois Sister Carolyn Marie Brockland, when my life seemed to being going New Orleans, Louisiana smoothly—like I was dressed in my I try to be a Sunday best and with no spots on contemplative by my clothes and no skinned knees. paying attention, Of course, there aren’t too many days noticing the ways like that! Then I realized I could be 65th in which God is in the Divine Presence just as I am— present all around tired, happy, crabby, excited, sad, Sister Maria Goretti me—in nature, bored, angry, grateful, worried or Bernier Lewiston, Maine in people, in calm. I feel like I am bringing my events, in my real self into a sacred space where reflections and prayer. I am accepted and loved as I am in I believe it is important to spend this moment. Sister Maria Goretti time in prayer each day, especially to The third source of wisdom is Hotop reflect and try to hear what God wishes a title of a book, Pray as You Can. I Alton, Illinois to teach me. Journaling, or writing don’t remember reading the book, my prayerful reflections, is especially but I remember the title. Although important for me. I reserve a time for quiet each day, I The ministry of spiritual direction have discovered so many ways to pray: Sister Marcella Savoie Lewiston, Maine is a privileged experience of how God participating in the Mass; watching is at work in others and in me during a sunset, a daisy, or children on a our time together. I learn much from teeter-totter; crying with grief; sitting these sacred conversations. quietly in a chapel, or car, or a waiting room; while walking or riding a real Sister Theresa Davey, or recumbent bike; reflecting on 60th Springfield, Illinois the scriptures or on the goodness of God does most friends; listening to a song over and Sister Carolyn Marie of the action in over or listening to a broken-hearted Brockland helping me be a person sharing their pain. As my life New Orleans, Louisiana contemplative. unfolds, I am drawn to various ways Three pieces of of praying. They are all good because wisdom assist me they are flowing from our God. Sister Louis Marie Carter to be receptive to Dallas, Texas that action. The 11

Sister Genevieve We gratefully acknowledge the 60th Congratulations Goessling combined 730 years of ministry to our Jubilarians St. Louis, Missouri Sister Regina Marie of our 2019 jubilarians. Fronmüller New Orleans, Louisiana 70th Sister Ann Mary Hasting Coppell, Texas Sister Patricia Couture Waterville, Maine Sister Ann Mangelsdorf Dallas, Texas

Sister Nancy Vandeveer Springfield, Illinois Sister Rosemary Meiman New Orleans, Louisiana Sister Mary Ellen Neeves (died July 11, 2019) St. Louis, Missouri

50th Sister Ann Smith Eureka, Missouri Sister Ann Marie Owen Sister Ann Barrett (died July 31, 2019) Springfield, Missouri St. Louis, Missouri

65th Sister Rita Ann 50th Bregenhorn Sister Mary Denis St. Louis, Missouri Lessard Sister Maria Teresa St. Louis, Missouri de Llano San Antonio, Texas

Sister Diane Fulgenzi St. Louis, Missouri Sister Mary Troy Dallas, Texas Sister Peggy Moore St. Louis, Missouri

Sister Susan Kienzler St. Louis, Missouri Sister Mercedes Videira Waterville, Maine

Sister Paulette Ann Ducharme Waterville, Maine URSULINE SISTERS CENTRAL PROVINCE OF THE U.S. Nonprofit Org. Provincial Offices U.S. Postage 353 S. Sappington Road ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED PAID St. Louis, MO 63122 Ursuline Provincialate Provincial Sister Elisa Ryan, osu Councilors: Sister Jean Hopman, osu Sister Peggy Moore, osu Laurels Editor Susan M. Whelan

As Ursulines of the Central Province, members of a worldwide community of Catholic sisters, we are women whose lives and mission are rooted in the gospel of Jesus and the spirit of our foundress, Angela Merici. Grounded and empowered by our relationship with God and with one another, in prayer and community, we seek to be a compassionate, reconciling presence of God in our world.

Statue of Angela Merici, Desenzano, northern Italy. Designed by Benedetto Pietrogrande, sculpted by Peter Kostner. Photo by Madeline Kelly, osu.