Author: Avery Furlong

Nearly a decade ago, Kevin Talley graduated from the Ursuline Sisters Mission Scholars Program.

We connected with him recently to discuss the program’s impact on his life.

Kevin resides in Pittsburgh with his family, where he owns two businesses and is a recruiter for UPMC.

He began his relationship with the Ursuline Sisters under a program with Sister Jerome Corcoran. When he was a social work student at Youngstown State University, he took Sister Nancy Dawson for World Religions and learned about our Scholars Program.

The demands of school and working full time were difficult, in addition to having experienced homelessness and other challenges. He wasn’t sure he was the best candidate for the Scholars program, but Sister Nancy (left, with Sister Jerome) encouraged him to take a chance.

“I entered the program with a 1.3 GPA but graduated with a 3.3 GPA,” he says.  As a first-generation student, “the program benefited my life, made my life easier.” It allowed him to work less and focus more on being a student.

He has advice for other non-traditional students juggling a full plate: “Hang around people who are like-minded, who get A’s and B’s. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Have fun but also keep an eye on your degree.”

One day, Kevin said, he’d like to be able to donate to the program himself to honor the memory of Sister Jerome, who “saw young people with bright futures and a love for learning very early on.”

A retired adjunct instructor of World Religions studies at Youngstown State University and former General Superior for the Ursuline Sisters’ community, Sister Nancy Dawson misters as a chaplain at Youngstown’s Ohio State Maximum Security Penitentiary.

Sister Nancy shares gospel readings for each Sunday of the year in her weekly classes at the prison. Inmates discuss how the readings relate to their personal journeys while being incarcerated.

One individual writes, “It does not take all that much to have all you need in this life. Prison has shown me how much money and time is wasted on acquiring an excess of what we really need.”

Another reflects, “I get excited when I hear that I am a part of God’s plan for the world. It’s nice knowing I have purpose.”

Several members of the Ursuline Sisters Mission staff and Ursuline Sisters Associates are letter writers with the ministry, and Ursuline Associate Gerry Mansour assists Sister Nancy with the organizational work.

The prison ministry reminds us that all lives are valuable and that the spirit can flourish everywhere. 

As Jesus said in Matthew 25: “For I was in prison and you visited me…I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least of my brothers, you did it for me!”

Artwork at right created by an incarcerated man for Sister Nancy.

The 28th Annual Window World Golf Tournament benefiting Ursuline Sisters Mission and Beatitude House is Mon., July 15 at the beautiful Lake Club in Poland – and you can be part of it!

The event features an 18-hole course, lunch, a buffet dinner and fabulous prizes. Registration starts at 9 a.m., with the shotgun start at 10 a.m. Golfing and sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Teresa Boyce at 330-744-3147 x. 100 or email [email protected], or Sheila Donnadio at 330-793-0434 x. 358 or email [email protected].

The popular event began nearly three decades ago when Joe Vivacqua and his wife, Linda, gathered friends at a local golf course with the goal of raising money to help Beatitude House.

Ursuline Sister of Youngstown Margaret Scheetz founded Beatitude House on Youngstown’s north side in 1991. Her objective was to help families stay intact and thrive by assisting homeless women and their children with housing and earning an education.

“I was very impressed with the Beatitude House mission and how it was positively impacting women and children in our local community,” Vivacqua said.

Linda’s father and brother, Fred and Pat Moran, owners of Window World, quickly became involved in the fundraiser.

“Their leadership has made it into one of the most successful golf outings in northeast Ohio. It makes us feel proud to see how many families were helped and how the mission has grown over the years,” Vivacqua said.

Pat Moran, in turn, credits his brother-in-law for founding the fundraiser.

“I give my brother-in-law, Joe Vivacqua, all the credit for starting this and having the vision to support this great charity that helps our community in many ways,” he said. “I thank all of our supporters for all they give to make this such a successful fundraiser. God willing, we will have continued success over many more years.”

Keshia Bales, USM chief program officer, began working at Beatitude House nearly 15 years ago. During that time, she’s witnessed the considerable good the golf outing has achieved.

Last year alone, funds raised from the event helped USM purchase a vehicle for its Children’s Program, allowing kids to be safely transported to and from tutoring and enrichment services.

“As a result, we’ve seen great improvement in their learning and socialization, and it’s allowed them to foster positive relationships with peers,” Bales said. “This is just one example of the lasting impact the proceeds from this amazing event have had on the members of the community we are serving.”

Today Beatitude House helps individuals as well as families. Clients are offered a fully furnished apartment and supportive services, which include educational and enrichment opportunities for adults and children.

As Christians prepare to celebrate the Easter Mysteries, we at Ursuline Sisters Mission are guided by our belief in the Resurrection, in New Life, as we work toward seeking “Fullness of Life” for all.

As we observe the death of Jesus on Good Friday, we know that is not the end. There are far too many individuals and families in our community who are burdened by hopelessness and what may seem like no way out of poverty. This does not have to be the end of their story.

Our work is more than just providing basic needs such as housing and food. Through our family programs, tutoring, mentoring, and simply being a compassionate presence, we work in partnership to build new lives, to restore hope. This is equity in action. This is the work that seeks what is right and just, allowing all people to become who God created them to be. It is with your prayers and support that we can continue this ministry.

Together we tell the story of Resurrection, of New Life, over and over again through the lives of our neighbors and friends. For that, and so much more, we are eternally grateful.

From our archives, by Sister Therese Ann Rich

Blessings as we begin the great season of Lent!

Ash Wednesday starts preparations to celebrate the high point of our faith — The Paschal Mystery, the suffering, death and resurrection of the Incarnate God.

Formerly it was a time of severe penance. We purified ourselves from sinful habits before celebrating the Paschal Mystery and renewing our commitment to following Jesus.

But our reflections shouldn’t only focus on the negative. Over the next six weeks, we should ask:

• What positive things should be part of my daily life?
• How do I behave toward family, friends, colleagues and others I meet?
• How active am I as a member of the Christian community, my parish?
• What difference do I make in the world, within my limitations?

Remember that real penance is to live life well. Be the mercy and peace of God toward others.

Just over a year ago, Ursuline Sisters Mission formed an Equity Team. Our primary goal was developing an understanding of equity that supports USM mission, vision, and values.

One of our key principles is that equity ensures every person has what they need to be successful. Sometimes it looks like providing someone with the resources they both need and have a right to. Sometimes it looks like removing barriers so that they can better use their own resources to enjoy Fullness of Life.

Our team created a training session so that every staff member had the opportunity to be part of this conversation, to ground their work in our collective understanding of equity.

Now, as Lent begins, we can use this season as an opportunity to reflect even deeper on our work to build equitable communities where individuals and families thrive.

During this season of conversion, we’re called to examine our attitudes and practices. How does what we say and do build up the Kingdom of God, how does what we say and do build up God’s people? How does our work reflect Gospel service in a world longing for justice, hope and peace?

For the entire USM family, may this Lent be a time of transformation so that we can all be what God created us to be.