Sister Jerome Corcoran Honored For A Lifetime Of Ministry The Ethnic Heritage Society of Youngstown presented Sister Jerome with a lifetime achievement award Thursday, June 13, 2013 at A La Cart Catering. Sister Jerome’s ministry as an educator spans decades in the Mahoning Valley. She taught for 12 years in the area’s parochial schools, then for 36 years directed the Mill Creek Children’s Center, a preschool for children of lower-income working parents. Sister Jerome is an organizer. She always finds people who are looking for somewhere to give and get them to sign up. This included one event where a large group of students were brought shoes. Sister Jerome’s goal for years has been to help people regardless of age to get a better education, one that they might not otherwise have been able to receive. “Myself and some of the other sisters at The Ursuline Center [an educational facility of the Ursuline Sisters] had a GED [general educational development] program that was mostly people from the South Side. These were working people who couldn’t attend the public school classes because they were held during the day at that time.” During that 10-year period, about 100 people completed the program. When each one finished the program, Sister Jerome went to Lord Chesterfield’s to get them a shirt and tie! Today, Sister Jerome’s newest endeavor is “Sister Jerome’s Poor” sponsored by The Ursuline Center. It is designed to help working families and college students who are struggling to pay bills. The goal is to help poor students so they can stay in college and complete a degree. Read what the Business Journal has to say about Sister Jerome’s Poor. For more information or to support the ministry please contact Sister Jerome Corcoran, OSU by phone 330.792.7636, fax: 330.799.4988 or Email Sister Jerome’s Poor.
Ursuline Sisters Senior Living to Begin Soon There’s been a lot of renovating and reconfiguring at the Motherhouse over the last couple of years. Construction for the final phase of this project, Ursuline Sisters Senior Living, should be complete in August. This new ministry of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown is creating the apartments to provide homes to 12 local people ages 55 and older with moderate income. When construction is complete, we will publicize our new ministry and invite the public for an Open House to view the 12 apartments, 11 of which are single occupancy. The twelfth is a double-occupancy suite. By fall 2013,the Ursuline Sisters Senior Living Board of Directors will begin taking applications and then interviewing potential residents. Local skilled tradesmen are constructing the apartments, which were designed by BSHM Architects, Youngstown. We’ll also have a new website about the ministry. We’ll let you know the address once everything is ready.
Sister Charlotte Italiano: Golden Apple Award The Office of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Youngstown has presented the “principal” recipient of the Golden Apple Award to Sister Charlotte Italiano. Sister Charlotte received her bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University and a master’s degree in supervision and administration from St. John University, Cleveland. Sister Charlotte has served the diocese for 62 years as a teacher and administrator. She is currently parliamentarian for The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, is on the leadership team for the Ursuline Sisters Community, the Diocesan Council of Religious, and the pastoral team at Holy Family, Poland. Sister Charlotte established the enrichment program, Yoga, Summer “Kamp” and developed the yearly parent evaluation form and parent newsletter for the Ursuline Preschool and Kindergarten. At Holy Family Parish, Poland, Sister Charlotte is a Eucharistic minister and lector and served on Christ Renews His Parish. In the broader Mahoning Valley, Sister Charlotte is a Model Cities mentor and a member of the selection committee for the Educational Service Awards at Youngstown State University. She has served on the YWCA Board of Trustees. Writing in support of Sister Charlotte’s nomination, Sister Nancy Dawson, General Superior and president of the Ursuline Preschool and Kindergarten Board of Directors, wrote: “Sister has continually made it her goal to carry out the mandate of the school’s mission statement…. She accomplishes this by working with her staff to keep the curriculum updated with the technologies of the 21st century … by providing a variety of activities, both on- and off-site … by the use of highly motivational techniques that get everyone involved. Sister Charlotte is always open to new ideas and suggestions from her staff and is incredibly respected by the parents of her students.” Kudos!
Women’s Federation Bestows Honors Outstanding women of the Mahoning Valley received honors at the May 15 meeting of the Youngstown Area Federation of Women’s Clubs, which took place at Shepherd of the Valley, 301 W. Western Reserve Road. Recognized for educational excellence was Sister Jerome Corcoran. Sister Jerome founded the Youngstown Community School and is director of Sister Jerome’s Poor, a local ministry of the Ursuline Sisters. Sister Jerome’s Poor is a new ministry sponsored by The Ursuline Center to help needy working families and college students struggling to pay bills. Sister Jerome Corcoran is the director of our newest ministry which is actively supported by Sister Nancy Dawson, president of the Board of Directors of The Ursuline Center and general superior of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown. The Women’s Federation has enriched the community for 106 years, emphasizing continuing education and educational leadership.
Honoring 20 years In Ministry The Ursuline Sisters’ HIV/AIDS Ministry is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The ministry is located at the Ursuline Sisters Motherhouse on Shields Road in Canfield. It was 20 years ago when a few small ideas turned into a major undertaking to reach out to people living with HIV and AIDS. Brigid Kennedy, program co-director, said Sister Kathleen Minchin and three other Ursuline sisters were talking one day about where Christ might be ministering in the world if he were physically on earth today. At the time, Sister Kathleen was the chaplain at St. Elizabeth Health Center, and all four women religious had experiences with people who had been treated poorly because of their HIV or AIDS status. Here is our story
An Ursuline Sister? You? Intern, Volunteer Program Extended You don’t have to become a nun to be a part of our many ministries in the Mahoning Valley. Our Summer Intern & Volunteer Program for young adults age 18+ was so successful this summer that we’re extending it to the fall. Sister Norma Raupple, coordinator of the program, observes, “Young adults have a special connection with young children. They are great role models and they offer a positive, energetic presence to our programs.” College students or recent graduates with a few hours a week to spare and a sincere desire to make a difference in the community are encouraged to apply. Participants gain valuable workplace experience to build their résumés while also enriching their lives, having fun, meeting new people and visiting diverse places. Here’s what just some of our recent participants say about the program: “I learned so much valuable information and would love others to be able to have the same experience.” Lauren, a summer intern. “I very much enjoyed my volunteer experience and would like to thank everyone who made it possible.” Caitlyn, a summer volunteer. “I really liked how the program was set up this year and I think it’s going in a great direction!” Carly, who’s volunteered for two summers now. “Thank you so much! This was a great experience.” Christina, a summer volunteer. “I had a great time helping out and I’d love to do it again!” Natalie, a summer volunteer. “I had a great time working with the children at Potter’s Wheel and at the Villa. It was wonderful to watch them develop their skills and reach their goals over the course of the summer.” Mary Ann, a summer Companion in Mission Hours are flexible, Sister Norma notes, and we can customize internships or volunteer opportunities to meet students’ needs. “The Ursuline Sisters serve in a variety of nonprofit settings in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties with people of all ages and backgrounds,” she continues “Our lives are enriched through our service, and we welcome others to join us and share in our experience.” The Ursuline Sisters serve in a variety of nonprofit settings in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties with people of all ages and backgrounds, such as Beatitude House, housing for homeless women and children in Youngstown and Warren; Potters’ Wheel, Youngstown, offering education and Hispanic outreach; The Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Ministry, at their clinic in Youngstown and at Casa Madre, where they have a program for children; SCOPE of Lordstown, a meeting place for mobile senior citizens; Parkside Health Care Center, a skilled-nursing care facility in Columbiana; Motherhouse Health Care, Canfield, the assisted-care wing for Sisters; Ursuline Preschool and Kindergarten, Canfield; St. Columba Parish, Youngstown; and Habitat for Humanity, Youngstown. For more information or to apply, contact Sister Norma at 330-792-7636 or Email Sister Norma. Applicants must provide a résumé, three references/letters of recommendation and pass a federal background check.
Perspectivas Recuerdo que cuando yo estaba en la escuela primaria, mi PSR (CCD) profesor de PSR (CCD) alguna vez dijo que la fé no es algo que tu puedes tomar cuando vas a misa el domingo y luego te olvidas de ella por el resto de la semana. Mientras que yo encontraba maneras ocasionales de integrar mi fé en el curso de la semana, me encerraba en la rutina de distinguir el domingo del resto de los dias cuando yo no iba a misa. Como parte de la comunidad de fé en el Convento, sin embargo, la rutina de una vida llena de fé me da la sensación de que cada día es domingo, y el tiempo mismo parece tomar un ritmo diferente Cuando completé una semana de mi estancia, tuve problemas para conceptualizar la cantidad de tiempo que había pasado aquí. En algunos aspectos, yo no podía creer que una semana entera había pasado. Entre el tiempo con las hermanas, cumpliendo los compromisos de mi internado, y tomando tiempo para mi reflexión personal, perdí la noción del tiempo escurriéndose de mis manos. En otros aspectos, sentí como si yo hubiera estado aquí por mucho mas que una semana. Yo estaba sorprendida de lo rápido que caí en la rutina y me familiarizé con las hermanas y el personal del Convento y las otras voluntarias y estudiantes con los que trabajé fuera de allí. Reflexion
Turning Downs to Ups From discovering new ways to pray to learning how to touch the hearts of troubled kids, Mary Ann finds much to both enjoy and challenge her every day. In this reflection, our “Companion in Mission” this summer shares how she turns downs into ups, and how the ups help her to soar! Over the past few weeks, Sister Dorothy and I have gotten into the routine of saying prayers together in the evening. I have learned to navigate my way through the various parts of the prayer book, and the routine has become a relaxing way to end the day. On one particular evening, I found myself falling into the routine, and when it came time to say the “Our Father,” I clasped my hands together as I’d been taught to pray from a young age. As I unfolded my hands, Sister Dorothy mentioned that she prays the “Our Father” with her hands open, whether raised in church or laying on her lap in private prayer. It’s a way to show that you are open to giving and receiving God’s love rather than holding onto it too tight. Ever since that evening, I have made sure to pray the “Our Father” with open hands and let the rest of my being follow, and I am still amazed at how different the words feel when I let myself go. Read on….Turning Downs to Ups_ A Companion in Mission Reflection
Dorothy Day House Serves up Food and Hope There’s plenty of green in the garden at the Dorothy Day House on Youngstown’s north side. It’s a welcome sight since food grown there will help feed local children, women and men who might otherwise go hungry. If you are hungry so you need a best and delicious recipes, At richardsonssmokehouse.co.uk website you will get blog about food. And if you are interested in cooking then you should view recipes on this page. When the house was founded in 2009 by the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, Humility of Mary Sisters, and local lay persons, it was thought that a small amount of folks may need its service, but that number has grown significantly. According to HM Sister Susan Schorsten, between 100-115 meals are served each day Monday through Thursday. The house also offers access to showers and a safe, pleasant place to relax. (At left are Ursuline Sisters Patricia McNicholas in pink blouse and Nancy Dawson in tan skirt) Many Ursuline Sisters, Ursuline Associates and Ursuline Sisters’ volunteers prepare and/or serve food at the site, furthering the mission of Ursuline Sisters founder St. Angela Merici, who taught us to care for the poor of pocket and spirit. And as Christ himself stated, “Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, as you do unto me.” (At right, Sister Norma Raupple, third from left, and Sister Mary Alyce Koval, in all blue, with Ursuline Associates) Dorothy Day was an American woman who founded the Catholic Worker movement. At a young age, after her family suffered tragedy and became poor, she learned first hand how hard life can be for those in need – not just from the lack of necessities or frills, but from the humiliation the poor can endure.
Great Group of Young Adults Volunteering Some have plans to study abroad, or recently returned from such an adventure. Others just graduated high school. Some are in the midst of campus life. Others are already out there working. But all of the young adults participating in the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown’s 2012 Summer Intern/Volunteer program have one thing in common: they are smart, energetic, eager to serve others and yearn to learn from the experience. “The Ursuline Sisters serve in a variety of nonprofit settings in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties with people of all ages and backgrounds,” states Sister Norma Raupple, program coordinator. “Our lives are enriched through our service, and we want to welcome others to join us and share in our experience.”
Sister Pauline Dalpe’s Counseling Ministry Though she’s served in many ministries, Ursuline Sister of Youngstown Sister Pauline Dalpe has found her best fit in working as a counselor.Sister Pauline finds fulfillment in helping others to heal from whatever grief life has brought their way. In this short video, Sister Pauline shares her thoughts and tears – and invites you to tea. Ursuline Sister of Youngstown Pauline Dalpe shares what it means to help others heal through her counseling ministry. Sister Pauline: One of the biggest blessings for me is dealing with people who are divorced because I was able to journey with people through their whole review of life to be able to not find fault but to say, “We learn as we age. We learn some things were good for us and some things did not turn out to be the best for us. But we can always start over again.” That was a privilege for me. (pause to fight back tears) So I’m thankful for that. (pause to fight back tears) Because I met so many hurting people, I decided to go back to school for my counseling degree. It’s been a blessing for me, and I think for the people I meet around the table. Once we’ve gotten to know each other with some tea choices here, then we go over and we sit. I think the healing comes as we get together and tell stories. I think we live in such a fast-paced world that it’s a luxury to be able to sit down and just chat and tell me, tell me what life’s been about. And in that I think we heal each other. I cry with other people. I cry easily. But tears are really precious. I’m not afraid of tears. I think that’s why I do a lot of grief work – grief when there’s been a death and grief when there’s been a divorce. Grief with any losses. So if anyone’s interested, come and sit and talk. Come and have some tea. To contact Sister Pauline, call 330.792.7636 or email [email protected].
Congratulations Sister Kathleen! Congratulations to Sister Kathleen Minchin, who received the Cardinal Mooney High School Distinguished Alumni Award of 2012 along with football coach Bob Stoops. Sister Kathleen, who leads the HIV/AIDS Ministry for the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, was honored by the Mooney Alumni Association for “demonstrating a continuing concern and dedication for Cardinal Mooney High School and the values it represents.” Sister Kathleen’s acceptance speech.
BUSY AT THE “WORKSHOP” Sister Charlotte Italiano (left), Principal of Ursuline Preschool & Kindergarten, and Mary Ann Critell, Assistant Principal and Kindergarten teacher, are busy preparing for UPSK’s 23rd Annual Once Upon a Christmas Craft Show. More than 100 crafters, decorations, baked goods and a raffle for numerous large gift baskets are just part of the fun being offered Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ursuline Center, 4300 Shields Rd., Canfield. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 330-792-4150 or visit UrsulinePreschoolandKindergarten.org.
Merry and Bright in Mill Creek Park Visit the Davis Center in Mill Creek Park between now and Dec. 31, Tuesdays–Sundays, 10 am – 5 pm to see a Christmas tree decorated by the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown. The park invites area nonprofits to decorate the trees each year. You’ll find many of our ministries on the tree, see some beautiful ornaments hand-crafted by Sister Mary Ann Coz and Sister Marie Antoinette, and a gift from us under it. On the first three Sundays in December, from 5-7 p.m., meet some of our Sisters and Associates as the public is invited for Merry & Bright Nights featuring music and refreshments.
College Students Invited to Volunteer with the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown are accepting applications for their Ministry Volunteer Program, geared toward college students 18 years or older with an hour or more a week to spare and a desire to make a difference in our community. Applicants should contact Sister Norma Raupple at 330-792-7636 or [email protected]. Sites to volunteer include: Beatitude House/House of Blessing, Casa Madre, HIV/AIDS Clinic, Habitat for Humanity, Potters’ Wheel/Hispanic Outreach, SCOPE of Lordstown, Parkside Health Care Center, Motherhouse Health Care, Ursuline Preschool and Kindergarten, St. Columba Parish.
Kudos to Our Sisters and Associates Thank you to our Sisters and Associates, the many volunteers, vendors and those who purchased the many treasures. With your presence and support our 2011 Car_Trunk Sale was a success.
Ursuline Associates Make a Difference Four Times a year Ursuline Associates provide and serve a meal at the Dorothy Day House at 620 Belmont Ave. These men and women enflesh the spirit of St. Angela Merici today. St. Angela,the Founder of the Ursuline Sisters, challenged people to live a deep spiritual life and to let their faith overflow into service. The Associates live a life of prayer and service in their daily lives and also participate in the many ways the Ursuline Community responds to the needs of the times through outreach to those who are marginalized in society today. St. Angela lived 500 years ago but her presence is with us today as we strive to live the Gospel. The Associates who prepared food and served at the Dorothy Day House on July 13th were: Patty Canton, Patty Ewing, Mickey Fata, Colleen Flannagan, Jackie Fyock, Sean Fyock, Laura Kotheimer, Lindy Kubic, Sr. Norma Raupple, Sr. Isabel Rudge, Scott Schulick, Monique Smith. Other Associates helped by preparing part of the menu: Peg Eicher, Peg Mills, Flora Schneider, Jo Subler,Rose Mary Yaniglos. This enriching opportunity provides Associates a chance to nurture relationships among themselves as well as with the guests at the House. It is also a way to make a difference in the lives of others and to allow ourselves to be challenged.
Sister Dorothy Kundracik Receives Second Master’s Degree Sister Dorothy Kundracik has received a master’s degree in Theology for Pastoral Ministry from the Loyola University Extension (LIMEX) program offered through the Diocese of Youngstown at the Ursuline Motherhouse in Canfield. Her project for the focus course was a Cosmic Walk of the Universe. Sister Dorothy traveled to New Orleans for the graduation ceremony in May. Sister Dorothy was an elementary school teacher for 40 years. She also holds a master’s degree in geography. In fall 2007, Sister Dorothy began her current ministry with senior citizens. She is the manager of the Lordstown site of SCOPE, or Senior Citizens’ Opportunity for Personal Endeavor.
World Aids Day – El Dia de SIDA Mundial Today, December 1, is World AIDS Day. Take a moment to join the Ursuline Sisters and its HIV/AIDS Ministry as we pray for children and adults living with HIV/AIDS in our community and around the world. Pray especially for those who are also vulnerable and marginalized by poverty, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and age. Pray for healing and hope in the face of stigma, prejudice and suffering. Contact the Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Ministry to donate or volunteer. Hoy, el primero de diciembre, es El Dia de SIDA Mundial. Pausa por un momento a unirse con las Ursulinas de Youngstwon, Ohio y su ministerio en servicio a ellos que sufren con HIV/SIDA. Pausa y rece por los ninos y adultos del mundo y de nuestra comunidad que estan viviendo con HIV/SIDA. Rece especialmente para ellos quien son debiles y abandonados por pobreza, racismo, orientacion sexual, y edad. Rece por curacion y esperanza enfrente de la discriminacion y sufrimiento. Para dar una donacion o ser voluntario entre nuestro programa, se ponga en contacto con El Ministerio HIV/SIDA a las Hermanas Ursulinas.
The Ursuline Sisters Celebrate in Thanksgiving for 475 Years of Service Here it is Thanksgiving Day and the 475th Anniversary of the Founding of the Ursuline Sisters. We have much to be thankful for: our lives, our health, our family, our friends, our community. In a particular way this year we are grateful to God for this anniversary. There is no word that immediately comes to mind for a 475th anniversary. If you were to make one up from Latin roots, you might say we are celebrating our dodransquincentennial, a word that means 1/4 century less than 500 years. No matter what you call it, 475 is a long time. People mark anniversaries for 2 reasons: to look back and to look ahead. What we remember is pretty well known to most of us…Sr Mary McCormick’s reflection for 475th Anniversary Nov 25 2010 Local news coverage
The Ursuline Sisters Celebrate the 475th Anniversary of their Founding The Ursuline Sisters are celebrating the 475th anniversary of their founding. For 136 years, The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown have served the needs of the residents in the Mahoning Valley. Today, they invite young women to join them in serving the needs of the poor and marginalized.
Sister Jerome’s New Duties The Millcreek Children’s Center announced the selection of a new executive director for Millcreek Children’s Center, Michele Grant. After orientation, Michele Grant will succeed Sister Jerome Corcoran, who has led the recognized innercity preschool for 35 years. Sister Jerome will stay on to work on projects for the poor, as well as tracking graduates of Millcreek Children’s Center and Youngstown Community School.
Sister Victoria Pascarella October 29, 2010 My Dear Sisters, “Sing with all the saints in glory, sing the resurrection song! Death and sorrow earth’s dark story, to the former days belong. All around the clouds are breaking, soon the storms of time shall cease. In God’s likeness people waking, know the everlasting peace.” Hymn to Joy Somewhere in heaven on the Feast of All Saints, a familiar pianist, Sister Victoria Pascarella, will be keeping pace with the heavenly choirs as they sing the above lyrics giving “Glory to God Alone.” This same song was sung here on earth by our own sisters at the opening of Mass on Thursday,October 28th at the time of Sister Victoria’s peaceful death. What a lovely coincidence! Our Sister Victoria loved lovely things. Almost anytime one of us visited her here at home, she would comment on our clothing or our hair. Often she would be playing a melody slowly on the piano. And we all knew her favorite color was pink. Despite the diabetes that dimmed her eyesight, she recognized loveliness around her (Followed the best blood sugar ultra treats). Now, Sister Victoria’s vision of the loveliness of God in the fulness of heaven is complete. Check out blood sugar premier reviews. And for over twenty-two or more years of teaching music appreciation through her piano lessons, she herself created “loveliness” for others as she graciously shared this art with ever so many persons of all ages. We know that Sister Victoria will be in communion with us at her Mass of Resurrection on “All Saints Day.” And she will most likely be playing the heavenly piano in a much faster beat than usual as we continue in this life to sing another verse of the song. “Life eternal! Heaven rejoices, Jesus lives who once was dead; Join with all the heavenly voices, child of God lift up your head.” At the heavenly banquet after the Mass we can just hear Sister Victoria’s order, “Jesus, I’ll have everything ‘sweet’ on the menu and Lord, please add plenty of sugar.” We will miss the piano notes in the Health Care Center, Sister Victoria, and we found some of your hidden candy treats already. We will miss your welcoming smile and positive greetings as well as the many times you have sincerely said to us and the nursing staff, “I love you.” We continue to love you too, Vicki. You now know the everlasting , unconditional love and peace of Jesus Christ. Sister Nancy Dawson
Charter School Leaps from ‘Academic Watch’ to ‘Excellent’ For many Ohio school districts, it can take years to reach “excellent” status on the state-issued report cards. One local school made the leap in just 12 months. Administrators and teachers with the Youngstown Community School learned late last week their facility jumped from “academic watch” for year 2008-09 to “excellent” for year 2009-10, they are even providing famed writing –online classes service now. The charter school’s principal, Sr. Mary Dunn, said a number of changes were made after last year’s report card came out. Sr Mary Dunn said the school had a lot of intervention, including tutors, a literacy coach and a math coach. The school implemented common planning time for the teachers, so that they could ensure that every standard was taught, she added. “We operate, and it might sound old-fashioned, but it’s tough love,” Sr Mary Dunn said. “There isn’t one child I would trade. We love ’em all, but the expectations are high and must conform to it. Even if parents don’t agree, they have to support it.” The school first opened 13 years ago and now enrolls 322 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Every student lives in the city of Youngstown and nearly 90 percent are from low-income families.
Sister Jerome Corcoran At a spry 94-years young Sister Jerome Corcoran is planning to retire as Executive Director of the Millcreek Children’s Center. Click to view video from The Youngstown Vindicator:Sister Jerome Corcoran
How I Proclaim the Gospel Each year the Ursuline Sisters commit themselves to ministry, the Youngstown Ursuline’s do this around the feast of St. Angela in January of each year. The following is a reflection written about the importance of ministry as it is connected to Jesus’ teaching. “Home,” the poet Robert Frost wrote “‘is where when you go there, they have to take you in.” As Ursulines, we would say that our home is in the “heart of God.” When we live there, we are unconditionally embraced by love and acceptance. However, God’s home is within each of us and among us. So there is ongoing communication between our home and God’s home; our heart and God’s heart. I have always thought of ministry as a call from the heart of God, a call to share what I have received from God’s heart. For me, ministry is always, where God is asking me to create a “home,” a space where others can recognize and continue to be attracted to God. However, I also firmly believe that ministry, is God’s work. God is asking for my heart to be so open, so transparent, like a clear pane of glass, that God’s light can shine through me and reflect God’s love. So how then, do I, as a minister, proclaim this “Good News of God’s Love in Canfield Ohio in 2010 ? I also believe that in the New Testament Jesus teaches us how to minister – we are asked to watch Jesus and imitate him: 1. Jesus was first and foremost a presence to others, so I need to be with “the other” as a presence, as a companion on the journey. 2. I find when others were with Jesus, they felt “at home.” So in ministry I need to be attentive to creating community so that others can also be “at home.” 3. Jesus nourished others, he taught the importance of being fed. So I am called to provide nourishment for others, in a vast variety of ways. 4. Any reading of the gospel uncovers the generosity of Jesus, always the abundance, whether in the story of the loaves and fishes, or the wedding feast at Cana. So I too am called to reflect this sense of abundance, always the more in ministry. 5. Finally, Jesus gave his life for the people; he gave of himself in Eucharist. So I am called too, to empty myself, to give, and give some more, to go the extra mile and not count the cost. Obviously, all of this is done in very human situations, in the simple here and now. The poster that was created for the 400th anniversary of the Ursulines entitled “Angela: A Woman For All Times” hangs several places in the Motherhouse and is a reminder when I read the two lines of writing on it that it is always the wedding of contemplation and action – prayer and apostolic ministry that results in proclaiming the good news of God’s love in this contemporary church. Another poet, this time an anonymous one, uses different images and metaphors to express how to proclaim the gospel. The poet writes:. “The most visible creators I know of are those artists whose medium is life itself.They neither paint nor sculpt- their medium is being. Whatever their presence touches has increased life. They are the artists of being alive.” We Ursulines know how to make others “feel at home” we are the “artists of being alive” and we have learned all this at the feet of the master.
Happy 15th Anniversary of the Cafe The Ursuline Sisters Ministry to people with HIV/AIDS began in 1993 with a monthly support group. The following year we started to distribute pantry bags on the 3rd Saturday of the month, and in 1995 we decided we needed to bring people together for a longer period of time to have an opportunity to talk and share and visit in a safe environment. At that same time, one of our volunteers suggested that we feed people since not many of them were cooking on a regular basis. That was the impetus for launching the monthly Café which soon became a monthly community. In February of 1995 we held our first Café where the volunteers served dinner to our 25 guests! In November of 1995 we provided each of our Café guests with a complete Thanksgiving dinner, and have done holiday basket food distribution for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter from then on. The Café has served 180 meals since 1995; we have never missed a month and the number of guests continues to grow. We now provide bags to an average of 65 households, and a sit-down meal to 130 men, women and children. In the last fifteen years we have been blessed with wonderful volunteers who work hard to provide the food, cook it and get the auditorium and the bags ready, as well as many groups, churches and individuals who have gifted us with food and a variety of donations that we distribute each month.