Associates Volunteer at the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality Ray Novotny, Paulette Smith, Sr Norma Raupple, Karen Calabria, Flo Schneider, Mickey Fata, Colleen Flanagan and Sr Mary Alyce Koval On Wednesday, March 31st a group of Ursuline Associates gathered at the Dorothy Day House at 620 Belmont Ave. to prepare and serve a meal. This is one of many Houses of Hospitality which were inspired by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin. The Youngstown Catholic Worker Initiative is a group of faith-filled people who have been meeting for more than a year to put the principles of the Catholic Worker into practice and to establish a home where Christ’s Work’s of Mercy Mickie Biasella are lived out on a daily basis. Since November 2009 groups and restaurants have been serving a hot supper to those who are hungry three times a week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Other Associates who are not in the pictures also contributed by preparing food. They are Mary Yvo Assion, Jean DiVincenzo, Carol Mentges, Peggy Mills, Rosemary Yaniglos. Flo Schneider and Colleen Flanagan Ursuline Associate, Colleen Flanagan shares her memories of her Father which led her to the Dorothy Day House: “I so enjoyed the humbling experience at the Dorothy Day House last night. I look forward to working more on that Ministry in my retirement! If you don’t mind, I’d like to give you a little background as to my understanding of the homeless and the under-resourced. My father was an independent Pharmacist in the Akron area. His drugstore was in the heart of the African- American section of downtown Akron. When I was a child growing up in Akron the homeless were referred to as “bums”, many of them lived under the high level bridge down the street from my father’s store. He gave them shelter from the cold and many meals. Mother would sometimes get a phone call to get some food ready to feed someone he was sending to our house that was in need of a hot meal. He and the owner of the Cigar store on the corner and the pawn shop owner next door took it upon themselves to provide as much help for these men as their resources would allow. They had a standing agreement with the local funeral director down the street to provide a decent burial for those who died. The pawn shop owner provided decent clothing and Ray and dad provided the money for the burial. One of our priests at St. Vincent’s, William Cosgrove was a close family friend. Father Cosgrove became Bishop Cosgrove and eventually was assigned to the Bellville Indiana diocese. Colleen Flanagan, Patricia Canton and Ray Novotny My father died at the young age of 66 in 1967. Bishop Cosgrove was not able to come for his funeral but did pay Mother and I a visit at our home. He shared with us at that visit that he never forgot what my dad told him as he was leaving our parish and also moving up in the church hierarchy, He said Ben told me ” As you move on and into positions of power, don’t forget about the people with the seat out of their pants and not a dime in their pockets. ” Bishop Cosgrove hosted a huge Thanksgiving meal for the homeless and under-resourced at his Bellville parish every year during his tenure there as well as doing other social justice work in that area. He came back to the Cleveland Diocese in his retirement and Mom and I got to visit with him in Elyria before he died. I am blessed to have been given such a wonderful example in my childhood of caring for the poorest of the poor. So, I see my current ministry in my parish’s Matthew 8:20 homeless program and the Dorothy Day house as opportunities to carry on a legacy given to me.” The mission of the Catholic Worker Movement is to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, care for the sick, clothe the naked, visit the prisoner and work to expose and eradicate the injustices, systemic and otherwise that plague the vast majority of our human family. If you would like more information visit the website: www.youngstowncatholicworker.wordpress.com
Welcome to our Newest Associates The chapel at the Ursuline Motherhouse was full on January 27th, the feast of St. Angela Merici, our Founder. I was thrilled to hear and see our Nuns and Associates warmly greeting each other. This is the day each year that we welcome our new Associates and this year we welcomed four women and two men. This year also marks 475 years since St. Angela met with a group of women in Brescia, Italy and formed the first “Company of St. Ursula”. Fr Mike Garvey, Dan Eicher, Maureen Russo, Joan Subler - front: Peggy Eicher, Jean DiVincenzo Laura Kotheimer and Michelina Biasella, two Associates, were the musicians who opened the liturgy with “We Are Many Parts”. Father Michael Garvey was the presider. Mike also became an Associate this year. Sister Patricia McNicholas proclaimed the Scripture: “… put your gifts at the service on one another… (1Peter 4:8) Sister Nancy Dawson reflected on the Gospel of Mark. In Mark 9 the disciples had been arguing about who was the most important. Jesus puts his arms around a child and continues talking to them about welcoming children. Sister Nancy challenged us to be child-like in our service. As we left the chapel on our way to enjoying a meal together we sang “Companions on the Journey” we grateful and joyful hearts.
Prayer Shawl Ministry Flourishes A group of Valley women found a way to take a hobby and turn it into a way to help people that suffer from long term illnesses. The Prayer Shawl Ministry first began in 1998 in Hartford, Conn. Today it has blossomed into hundreds of chapters in every corner of the world. “The idea is, when each one of us starts at a home, or wherever we’re knitting, mentally we pray that whoever receives this garment will experience warmth and healing and comfort,” said Eileen Novotny, Ursuline Associate who is the organizer of the the local chapter here at the Motherhouse of the Ursuline Sisters. Click here to view local coverage of the Prayer Shawl Ministry as seen on WYTV
Associate Brigid Kennedy was awarded the 1st Annual Ohio Department of Health Pioneer Award Associate Brigid Kennedy was awarded the 1st Annual Ohio Department of Health Pioneer Award for her leadership, passion and dedication to HIV community planning. According to ODH, Brigid demonstrates “a commitment to the ideals of community planning and the execution of those ideals in an innovative and forward thinking manner.” Brigid was also honored recently as one of the Mahoning Valley Professional’s 40 Under 40 for her professional accomplishments and community service. Brigid was also singled out as one of five MVPs the night of the event. Here is her acceptance speech: “I first want to thank my co-honorees here tonight as well as all of the past and future 40 under 40 honorees for making this Valley a better place to live. Some of us consciously chose to return to our hometowns and others couldn’t imagine ever leaving, but whichever the path, our future is brighter because of you. And I need to thank some important people, some of whom are with me tonight, who are the reason I am here before you. One thing people who know me well can tell you is that my work and my family are the most important things in my life, and that often there’s not much distinction between the two: my family gets co-opted for the cause and those with whom I minister become my family; and then rinse and repeat. My family of birth, my family of choice, my children, the Ursuline Sisters and Associates, our HIV/AIDS Ministry, Children’s Services, Catholic Charities, my parish, my friends, . . . they all overlap and interconnect to lift me up and keep me going, and I am grateful for all of them. St. John of the Cross said “In the evening of life we will be judged by Love.” There are many labors of love going on in the lives of tonight’s honorees. We are all under 40 (though speaking for myself, some of us barely,), so the evening of life is hopefully at some distance, but we can say that we are getting it done now. And I am proud to be counted among you. Thank you.”
Associate Terry Mitchell Awarded 2009 Frontline Nurse Distinguished Service Award Our own Associate Terry Mitchell, RN of the Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Ministry clinic, was honored November 21, 2009 in Florida as a 2009 Frontline Nurse Distinguished Service Award by the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care at their annual conference. Congratulations Terry. Now the rest of the world knows what we do—our patients couldn’t ask for a better advocate, friend and caregiver.
Home For The Holidays Shelia Triplett, Director of Transitional Housing at Beatitude House, welcomed six families to the new apartments in Warren, House of Blessing. The new addition at 1370 Tod Ave. includes 6 apartments, a computer/classroom, a children’s playroom and offices for staff. Beatitude House is committed to serving disadvantaged women and children in the Mahoning Valley. By creating homes, providing educational opportunities and fostering healthy families, they provide women with the opportunity to transform their lives. Shelia has been on the staff of Beatitude House since 2007 and most recently she has the responsibility of working with 29 families who are residents at one of three Beatitude House locations. Shelia works with staff in overseeing the multi-faceted program which includes case work, counseling, parenting, budgeting, and studying. Shelia brings such a positive but firm support to the women as they strive to build better lives. Her sense of humor and warm presence is just what the mothers need. Shelia says “Working at Beatitude House is the most fulfilling professional experience I’ve ever had. I am blessed to work in a place that gives women and children roots and wings: roots that provide safe housing and a positive environment and wings to reach higher than they ever dreamed possible, creating a better life for themselves and their children” In addition to serving on the staff with four Ursuline Sisters, the Ursuline Community is privileged to have Shelia’s presence among them as an Ursuline Associate. She is so positive and open and affirming. As an Associate she participates in community gatherings throughout the year and joins with all Sisters and Associates for special days and events.
Ursuline Associate Brigid Kennedy Receives Honor The Mahoning Valley Professionals 20/30 Club and the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley have announced the 40 individuals to be honored at the fifth annual 40 under 40 Awards. The 40 Under 40 Awards program honors Valley residents 40 years old or younger who are making a positive impact in their professions and have demonstrated a commitment to community involvement. Among the 40 honorees for 2009 is Ursuline Associate Brigid Kennedy. Brigid is the Associate Director of the Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Ministry. Brigid was selected based on her ministry and community service within our HIV/AIDS Ministry. Five of the 40 honorees will be recognized for special accolades as MVP Award winners during a ceremony 19 Nov 2009 at the Ford Family Recital Hall in the DeYor Performing Arts Center.
Ursuline Associate Mary Ann Critell Receives Golden Apple Award Sr Nancy Dawson, General Superior, presents a gift to Ursuline Associate Mary Ann Critell on the occasion of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Mary Ann Critell, Kindergarten teacher at the Ursuline Preschool and Kindergarten, was recognized for 17 years of dedicated service as a teacher. Her generosity and her ability to relate to children is outstanding. Mary Ann is also a vital part of her parish, St. Luke in Boardman, and she is involved in various local charities. Several Sisters and Associates celebrated with her at the “Golden Apple” banquet held at the Youngstown Country Club on May 7, 2009. The Golden Apple Award is the “Academy Awards” for Catholic School teachers. Mary Ann was one of seven recipients for 2009. Shortly after high school, Mary Ann entered congregation of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, but after six years, discerned that her vocation was not to be a nun but to be a mother. She and her husband have raised three wonderful children. Mary Ann now extends the spirit of the Ursuline Community as an Ursuline Associate. Ursuline Associates are women and men of prayer and service who resonate with the vision of St. Angela Merici, founder of the Ursulines. Mary Ann models daily this vision, prayer and service with everyone in her life.