Joy filled the chapel of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown Jan. 26 as a celebration took place honoring two events: the Jan. 27 feast day of Ursuline Sisters’ founder St. Angela Merici and the welcoming of seven new associates. The Associates program is a way for the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown to further the mission of St. Angela. Watch this video to enjoy the beautiful reflection offered by Sister Nancy Dawson, General Superior.
Text of Sister Nancy’s Reflection on the occasion of acceptance of Associates

On Jan. 26, the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown celebrated two events: the Jan. 27 feast day of Ursuline Sisters’ founder St. Angela Merici and the welcoming of seven new Associates. We now have more than 50 Catholic Adults who are Associates – local lay people who share our values and mission. Watch this video to see the ceremony that welcomed our latest group of Associates.

 

Text for Acceptance of Seven Associates

The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown will welcome seven new Associates during a ceremony and Mass Thursday, Jan. 26 at our Motherhouse Chapel. The Associates program forges a deeper relationship between the Ursuline Sisters and Catholic adults who share our values and mission. The program also is a way for the Ursuline Sisters to further the mission of St. Angela Merici, the 16th-century Italian saint who founded the Ursuline Order more than 475 years ago. Her feast day is celebrated Jan. 27. These new Associates join 45 others in the program, now in its 11th year. Sister Norma Raupple, standing second from left, is the program’s director

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.

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.

Associates, Sisters and Guests exchanged lively conversation and warm greetings at their “annual picnic” on June 26th. The time together began in the gathering space outside of the Motherhouse chapel. During the prayer we reflected once again on the presence and vision and spirit of our Founder, St Angela Merici. The picnic food included delicious casseroles, salads and deserts contributed by the Associates as well as Chicken and beverages. Summertime allows for relaxed and animated interaction among us as we share our journey of faith.

Ursuline Sisters, Members of the Company of St. Ursula and Associates throughout the world remember their “Mother” and Founder, St. Angela Merici on January 27th each year. In Youngstown, Ohio, the Spirit was alive and well as the entire Community of Sisters and Associates gathered for Mass and Dinner. After Sister Nancy Dawson’s challenging words to us, seven men and women came forward to enthusiastically announce their decision to be associated with the Ursuline Community. The Sisters proudly responded by expressing their intent to share their lives, their prayer and their ministries with the Associates. Angela was among us as we enjoyed each other with hospitality,encouragement and renewed energy.

The entire Community of Ursuline Sisters and Associates gathered to celebrate the gift of St. Angela, their Founder. They celebrated their lives and their faith with the Eucharist and a special meal. They were inspired and challenged by the message of their Superior, Sister Nancy Dawson. Seven new Associates were welcomed. They brought new life and energy to the enthusiastic gathering.

Seeds of the Ursuline Charism were planted in Matamoros Mexico in 1997 when five Ursuline Sisters arrived in Brownsville, Texas to serve at the Border. Sisters Maria Teresa DeLlano (Roman Union Central), Michelle Guerin (Roman Union East), Elizabeth Miller (Ursulines of Chatham), Gia Mudd (Maple Mount), and Norma Raupple (Youngstown) gathered in order to live among the people and offer service. Within the first year there were women who were attracted to the spirit and vision of St. Angeal Merici. They soon began a process to become Ursuline Associates. Silvia Alonso was one of these women. Silvia came with a friend to the house where the Sisters lived to participate in “Via Cruces” during Lent of 2000.

In 2006 Sister Norma and four Associates made a pilgrimage to Italy sponsored by two Ursulines from Brown County. The highlight of the trip was spending time with two members of the Company of Angela known as “The Secular Institute of St. Ursula”. Through research of Mary Cabrini Durkin, we were connected with Mirella Turri, the Director of the Company in Trent, who speaks Spanish. Mirella spent the afternoon with us giving us an orientation to the original model of Angela’s Company. This was the beginning of Silvia’s discernment to learn more about the Company. Eventually the Company in Trent, Italy, discerned that they would give birth to a new Company in Mexico.This would be the first in a Spanish-Speaking Country among the International Federation of Secular Institutes.

Silvia began the formation process three years ago. Silvia has become accustomed to living her new way of life which is similar to religious life. She has been in dialog with Mirella each month and has reflected with Sister Josefina Granada from Iguala, Mexico,regularly. She visits the Mexican Ursulines for community gatherings and retreats in Puebla. Sister Miriam Fidelis from the Cleveland Ursulnes and the Associates in Brownsville also support Silvia. Since she retired after 28 years of teaching, she has dedicated herself to evangelization, religious education and pastoral ministry. She serves in “Los Pinos”, a very poor area where the people are trying to build a small church in their colonia. Silvia’s mother , Santos, who is also an Ursuline Associate, lives with her.Their home is the gathering place for immediate and extended family where all find a place of welcome and love.

Silvia made her vows of poverty,chastity and obedience on November 25, 2010. This is the day that St. Angela officially started the first Company in Brescia, Italy in 1535. At this time the women did not live together in convents but gathered for prayer and support. This original model is the model of the members of the Federation which Silvia has become a part of. Mirella and two other members from Trent, Italy, the priest from the diocese of Matamoros, Silvia’s family and two Associates witnessed her profession of vows.

Scott says “The spirit and mission of the Ursuline Sisters and the impact they have had in the past and the present is what drew me to the program”.  Scott has known the Ursulines since attending Ursuline High School.  He is a believer in education and sees that  the Ursuline Sisters have been in the forefront of education in the Mahoning Valley through the years.  Scott is Vice President, Sr. Trust Investment Officer and Treasurer at Farmers Trust Co.  He also serves as a Trustee of  at Youngstown State University and various other community organizations.  He is an active member of Our Lady of St. Carmel.