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.