The Ursuline Sisters
of Youngstown

Local History

On September 18, 1874, six Ursuline Sisters made the long journey from Cleveland to Youngstown to start a new foundation.  The small group, led by Sister Teresa Foley, had been invited to Youngstown to help educate the immigrant children at St. Columba School.  Within days of their arrival, the nuns established a residence in a small house on the property, were teaching teaching school and music classes.  They were also planning an academy that would eventually evolve into the present day Ursuline High School.

Early records describe the sisters arrival:

AT 11:00 A.M., September 18, 1874, Father Brown met Mother M. Teresa Foley, Sister Ursula Croxton, Sister Angela Brown (sister of Fr. Brown), Sister St. John Radnor, Sister Felix Polion, and Sister St. James Sullivan at the railway station.  After dining at the rectory of Saint Columba, the sisters moved into a small frame house on Rayen Avenue.  The women of the parish had made it as cozy and inviting as their own modest resources would permit.  Gratefully and happily the sisters took possession and began work on the little chapel which would be the heart of their new home. 

By 1883, the sisters had added teaching services at "The Immaculate," an East Side Parish.  Over the years, the sisters extended their work to various other schools in the diocese, including Campbell, Struthers, Wellsville, Leetonia, Canton, and Girard.  In the 1950's, they began the first programs of religious education for children with hearing impairments or mental retardation.  When the Diocese of Youngstown was established in 1943, they assisted the set up of the various departments in the new diocesan offices.  They worked at Father Kane's Camp (a summer camp) and offered special educational programs in the inner city on Saturdays and throughout the summer.  Working not only in Catholic schools, they were creatively offering services in many areas of special need.

Then, in the early 60's came the renewal.  In response to the Second Vatican Council, religious women began to examine their roots and to renew their lives; clarifying the essentials and discarding some outmoded customs.  Like their founder, Saint Angela Merici, they believed in moving with the times and the Church.

What are sisters about?  At the start of the new millennium, the Ursuline Sisters remain a vital force in the Diocese of Youngstown and beyond.  We continue to serve in schools.  We sponsor a broad range of ministries, including the Beatitude House and the HIV/AIDS ministry.

As we minister in these many ways, we continue to live in community, join others in prayer and support each other's efforts to serve the church. We endeavor to provide special emphasis to the poor and to those with special needs.

We feel confident that personal life as an Ursuline offers extraordinary opportunities to make a difference in our world.  The women in the Ursuline community lead rich, full lives, they are educated and have opportunities to grow and develop personally as women of our time. At the same time, they aim to make a difference in the lives of others.

What is the link between those original sisters who arrived from Cleveland to teach at St. Columba and the work of the Ursulines today?  The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown continue to dedicate their lives to bringing a nurturing presence in the valley and beyond. We continue to believe that our lives are enriched by our commitment to prayer, community living and service to the church. We promise to hold material possessions with an open hand in our vow of poverty. We promise to love all with whom we come in contact as we vow celibacy. In addition, we promise to listen to the spirit as we respond to the needs of our times.  This is a life of love and service. 

Ursuline Links:

Ursulines of
Brown County
www.ursulinesofbc.org

Ursulines of Cleveland
www.theursulines.org

          The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown
                theursulines@yahoo.com