Our Response to the Derek Chauvin Verdict
Mural at 11th and Main Streets, Louisville, Kentucky of Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, David McAtee and George Floyd, photo by WAVE 3 News Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been found convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the May 25, 2020, death of George Floyd. We believe that justice has been served regarding the facts of Mr. Floyd’s death. [...]
Associate Call Newsletter
April 2021
We Decry Killings in Atlanta and Stand With Asian Americans and Call for Action on Gun-Control Bill
We join with the Loretto Community and all those mourning the recent killing by a white male in Atlanta of eight people, six of whom were Asian women. This horrible tragedy touches us deeply, as it does all who decry violence of any kind. The awful act of violence targeting Asian-Pacific Americans speaks to the reality this past year of the growing tension and outright hatred in [...]
2021 Catholic Sisters Week: Memories of Our Sisters
We are celebrating 2021 Catholic Sisters Week with videos we are sharing of Sacred Heart School for the Arts students reading memories of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. These are memories sent to us from alumni of the many schools that our Sisters founded or taught in! Special thanks to Megan Ward and the students of Sacred Heart School for the Arts for sharing their time and talent. #UrsulinesLou #Sistersrock [...]
The Great Women’s March
The following is a speech made by Kathy Williams on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at The Great Women’s March. She was invited to speak at the event by organizer Ruby Hyde, a fellow Ursuline Associate and longtime civil rights advocate. Kathy is also Director of Communications and Public Relations for the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. Mural at 11th and Main Streets, Louisville, Kentucky of Breonna Taylor, David McAtee, George Floyd [...]
Co-signed Statement in Support of “God Is On Your Side” and LGBT Youth
We support the recent statement, “God Is On Your Side,” by twelve U.S. Catholic Bishops in support of at-risk LGBT youth and the work of the Tyler Clementi Foundation. We respect the intrinsic dignity of all human life, including the lives of LGBT youth, who face many challenges, including bullying, harassment and violence, as well as being at higher risk for suicide. As followers of Christ, we are called to [...]
Statement in Support of “God Is On Your Side” and LGBT Youth
We, the leadership of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, support the recent statement, “God Is On Your Side,” by twelve U.S. Catholic Bishops in support of at-risk LGBT youth and the work of the Tyler Clementi Foundation. We respect the intrinsic dignity of all human life, including the lives of LGBT youth, who face many challenges, including bullying, harassment and violence, as well as being at higher risk for suicide. [...]
Zoom Prayer Service to End Human Trafficking
Monday, February 8th marks the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita and the International Day of Prayer to End Human Trafficking. The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville are collaborating with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth to present a virtual prayer service. It will be held at 7:00 pm ET, Monday, February 8th, on Zoom. All are welcome to join this 30-40 minute service. Please contact Lisa Steiner, Social Concerns Liaison at [...]
Books on Saint Angela Merici
The lectures, workshops, homilies, retreats on Angela Merici, conducted over the years by Martha Buser, OSU, are the rich soil from which this book has grown. As Martha breaks open the know facts of Angela's life and gives us an understanding of Angela's spirit...she invites each of us to break open the particulars of our own life to discover the Spirit's energy and grace within it, as Angela did. —Claire [...]
Statement in Response to the Violence in the Capitol
The Leadership of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville issued the following statement in response to the events of January 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C.: Together with many other Americans across the country, we were horrified by the tragic events that unfolded at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. We grieve for the loss of life that occurred and condemn the violence and lawlessness of those involved. We applaud the service [...]
Walking in Love video series
We are pleased to bring you a video series that features a few of our Sisters walking their neighborhoods in love. Wherever they live, the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville bring joy and "walk in love." And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. —Ephesians 5:2 https://youtu.be/B37f5ZZyEsw https://youtu.be/X3US0wjn3t4 https://youtu.be/VODkvCFjKG8
On the 40th anniversary of Martyrdom
By Sister Janet M. Peterworth, OSU Maryknoll Sister Maura Clarke, Jean Donovan, Cleveland Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel and Maryknoll Sister Ita Ford My musings today come from Isaiah (58:1-9a) on the kind of fast that our God wants. I was musing about this in the context of my trip to El Salvador in 2015. The background of that trip started many years ago. A brutal civil war was [...]
Advent Vespers
Please join us every Sunday of this event for virtual Vespers! WEEK 4 https://youtu.be/z6m3Oy14Q7g WEEK 3 https://youtu.be/f0082PyXRXo WEEK 2 https://youtu.be/YW6r5nzTKDc WEEK 1 https://youtu.be/y3acrfVx-C4
Prayer Service Honoring the Four El Salvador Martyrs in Prayer Forty Years Later
Jean Donovan, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel, Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Ford were brutally raped and murdered in El Salvador on Dec.2, 1980, while traveling back from the San Salvador airport. From 1980 to 1992, over 70,000 innocent people were murdered during the Civil War in El Salvador. Many were killed by Salvadoran soldiers, many of whom received training at the U.S. Army School of the Americas (now known [...]
Announcing the Sister Brendan Appalachian Gift Drive!
For 25 years, the community of Sacred Heart Schools has been sharing our hearts with the people of Mingo County, West Virginia, through a Christmas Gift Drive. In reaching this milestone, this year Sacred Heart Schools officially named it the "Sister Brendan Appalachian Gift Drive" in honor of Sister Mary Brendan Conlon, OSU, who created the partnership so long ago during the time she served in Mingo County with Christian [...]
Sept. 23 Grand Jury Decision in Breonna Taylor Case Leaves Ursulines of Louisville, Other Louisville Area Congregations with ‘Feelings of Great Sadness and Injustice’
The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, the Sisters of Loretto/Loretto Community and the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth join together to release the following statement: The grand jury announcement on Sept. 23 in the Breonna Taylor case of three counts of wanton endangerment for Officer Brett Hankison and no charges for the other officers involved, has left us with feelings of great sadness and injustice for her family, friends and our [...]
Say Their Name: A Call for Reform to End Racism
Racism is the original and persistent sin of the United States. Unarmed black people are killed by police authorities and armed members of the public. Say their names: George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Tony Robinson, Trayvon Martin. So many others. We know this. We see this. We grieve. We are angry. We move on. It happens again. Our racist system targets people of [...]
In Your Midst 2020 e-newsletters
December 2020 Dear Friends, We are sharing a bit of Christmas cheer with you during our continued social-distancing and separation. Continued prayers for all of you as well as the COVID-19 victims and their families. May the light of the Christ child shine in you. —Kathy Williams, editor September 2020 Dear Friends, While we still are coping, giving and connecting during this time of uncertainty with [...]
In Your Midst Spring 2020 e-newsletter
Dear friends, We created this photo e-newsletter to share the many creative ways Sisters, Associates, staff and others from our Ursuline family are finding to stay connected, support one another and help their communities during this COVID-19 pandemic. Please know of our continued prayers for each one of you during this time.
A Message of Hope During the COVID-19 Pandemic
https://youtu.be/9cxn68RnWoc Dear Sisters, Associates and friends, Last night, as I walked across the now-empty campus where our Motherhouse and Sacred Heart Schools sit, I pictured in my minds’ eye the little preschoolers, the jostling model school students on the playground, and the young women of the Academy dashing from one building to the next. It is so quiet on campus, you can only hear the birds and of course, [...]
Our Coronavirus Precautions
The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville are keeping everyone in prayer during this time of urgency in dealing with the Coronavirus. Out of concern for the health and safety of the staff who work on our campus and due to the serious and escalating nature of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we are taking the following steps to protect our Sisters, staff and those who would visit. These steps are also being [...]
Sister Mary Theresa Burns transfers her vows to become an Ursuline Sister of Louisville
In 2015, the Discalced Carmelites made the decision to move out of their monastery on Newburg Road in Louisville and sell the building to the Archdiocese of Louisville. Ursuline President Sister Janet Marie Peterworth recalls that, “I received a call out of the blue one day in 2015 from Sister Carol Curtis, then Mother John the Baptist, who explained that, ‘The Carmelites were moving out of their building, [...]
Celebrating fifty-five years of Saint Angela Merici School in Callao (Carmen de la Legua), Peru
By Kathy Williams As Director of Communications, I was privileged to visit the two ministry sites of the Ursuline Sisters in Peru in October 2019, with my daughter, Elizabeth Williams, accompanying me. The two sites are San Miguel in the Andes mountains, and Callao in the Carmen de la Legua area of Lima, Peru. The purpose of my trip was to document the work the Sisters are doing [...]
”Also in Your Midst“ and ”Lover of Us All“ book discussion video series with Sister Martha Buser, OSU is now available!
The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville have produced a video series of Sr. Martha Buser, OSU discussing each chapter from her books: Also in Your Midst and Lover Of Us All. Cost is $15.00 mail by check please, if you would like to purchase them. Here’s how to get one: 1. Make check payable to: Ursuline Sisters of Louisville 2. AND mail to: Ursuline Sisters of [...]
Sister Carol Curtis transfers her vows to become an Ursuline Sister of Louisville
On Friday, November 15, 2019, Sister Carol Curtis made her final profession of vows to become an Ursuline Sister of Louisville during Mass in the Ursuline Motherhouse Chapel. Sister Carol had previously been a nun with the Discalced Carmelites in Louisville. She lived a cloistered life for 25 years, along with her fellow nuns behind the walls of their monastery—a life devoted to simplicity and prayer. Sister Carol, formerly [...]
Advent Vespers offered every Sunday this Advent
Solemn Advent Vespers will be offered every Sunday of Advent at 4:30 pm in the Motherhouse Chapel, 3175 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40206. Prepare for Advent with song and prayer in our beautiful chapel. December 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2019
North American Ursuline Convocation 2019
This article was written by Ursuline Sr. Michele Morek for Global Sisters Report. To view the original article please click here. It was the most life-giving and exciting convocation I have ever attended. Oh, yes, we celebrated. The North American Ursuline Convocations have been celebrated every three years for about 30 years, so we are really good at them! There were 182 of us from Canada, Mexico and all over the United [...]
Community Days 2019
Community Days 2019 was kicked off with a talk by Sister Kathy Neely, OSU, on Migration Causes in Honduras on July 16 at 7 pm in the library. Her reflections on her participation in the reverse caravan this past spring were eye-opening and revealed many insights on the plight of our brothers and sisters in much of South America. Due to construction in the east wing, all of the remainder [...]
A Call to Stop the Inhumane Treatment of People at Our Borders
A Statement from the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville’s Leadership We, the Leadership of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, are heartbroken that people seeking asylum in the U.S. are being subjected to inhumane treatment at our country’s borders. We cannot bear to see families torn apart and young children detained like criminals. Our country was built on the value of human rights and the inherent dignity of all people. Yet today, [...]
Ursuline Sisters of Louisville gift Sacred Heart Schools with property transfer
The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville announced “A Gift of the Heart to The Heart” with their lease transfer of all buildings and land on the 48-acre Ursuline Campus on Lexington Road in Louisville, Kentucky to Sacred Heart Schools (SHS). The Sisters will remain the sponsors of SHS, which are Catholic schools founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, beginning in 1877 with the establishment of Sacred Heart Academy. Ursuline Sisters [...]
“Root Causes of Migration in Honduras” presentation on Tuesday, July 16 at 7 pm
Save the date: July 16 7 pm Ursuline Motherhouse Library 3115 Lexington Road 40206 Sister Kathy Neely, OSU, will give a presentation about the March 2019 Interfaith Pilgrimage she participated in to learn about the The presentation will be on Tuesday, July 16, 7:00 p.m. in the library at the Motherhouse. This pilgrimage was co-sponsored by the Interfaith Movement for Human Solidarity, SHARE El Salvador, the Leadership Conference of Women [...]
A Heritage Day Tour of Louisville
The staff of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville were treated to a “Heritage Day Tour” on Monday, May 13. They were picked up outside the Motherhouse that morning by a small tour bus, and Sister Martha Jacob and Sister Janet Marie Peterworth served as tour guides. The group visited just a small sample of the sites where the Ursulines have ministered since they arrived in Louisville in 1858. [...]
Prayer Vigil to Protest Human Trafficking
Ursuline Sisters, Associates and Sacred Heart Academy students gather downtown at the Anti-Human Trafficking Protest and Prayer Vigil. On April 30, 2019, many concerned citizens gathered in prayerful protest for victims of Human Trafficking. The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville and Associates were there, along with students and faculty from Sacred Heart Academy in solidarity with PATH (People Against Trafficking Humans) who organized this 7th annual prayer vigil and rally. [...]
Motherhouse Road Trip Podcast
The Motherhouse Road Trip from A Nun's Life Ministry was a great success! Sister Maxine (Max) Kollasch, IHM, Sister Julie Myers, OSF, and Kelly Zlatic of A Nun’s Life Ministry/Motherhouse Road Trip, visited our Motherhouse to do a special school edition of the “Motherhouse Road Trip” live video podcast from Sacred Heart School’s library on March 21. Sisters Jean Anne Zappa and Janet Marie Peterworth were interviewed by Sister Max. [...]
The Ursuline Sisters’ Social Concerns committee and PATH sponsored “Act Justly,” a workshop on Human Trafficking on January 19
Sponsored by: PATH (People Against Trafficking of Humans) and our Social Concerns committee, "ACT JUSTLY" was Facilitated by: Sister Joetta Venneman, PBV, and held in the Ursuline Motherhouse library on January 19. The workshop explored the following: What is human trafficking and what is its impact on our world, including the citizens of Kentucky? How are women religious responding both globally, locally and within Kentucky? Examine these topics and reflect upon practical opportunities for addressing [...]
Ursuline Leadership Joins LCWR in Call for Protection of Immigrants
We, the Leadership of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, denounce the Trump administration’s policies that continue to restrict immigration and punish immigrant families. We oppose the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s proposed changes to the public charge regulation. The regulation would force parents to make impossible choices between the well-being of their families and the prospect of future citizenship. Implementing this new rule will create barriers to obtain lawful status [...]
Gratitude for the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville’s commitment to the Catholic Climate Declaration
Dear President Peterworth, On behalf of Catholic Climate Covenant’s episcopal liaison, Bishop Richard Pates, and our board, staff, and partners, I thank you for the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, Kentucky’s endorsement of the Catholic Climate Declaration. The Declaration announces your support for the Paris Climate Agreement and affirms our shared commitment in prayer, word and deed to meet its goals for the sake of the one human family and Our [...]
Our Leadership affirms the following statement on sexual abuse committed by Catholic priests issued by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR)
The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville join the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in being left sickened and ashamed of the church we love, trusted, and have committed our lives to serve by the recent news detailing the extensive and sometimes brutal sexual abuse committed by Catholic priests in the United States. We weep and grieve with all who over the decades have been victimized by sexual predators within the [...]
The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville strongly denounce the decision by the Trump administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 200,000 Salvadorans
The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville join the Leadership Conference of Women Religious as together we strongly denounce the decision by the Trump administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 200,000 Salvadorans. El Salvador is the fourth country whose citizens have been stripped of their right to protection by President Trump’s administration. Rescinding TPS from human beings under continuing threat of violence of all types is inconsistent with [...]
Sister Janet Marie Peterworth to attend UNANIMA Board of Directors meeting
Sister Janet Marie Peterworth will be attending her first meeting as representative of the Ursuline Charism Family in the United States on the board of directors of UNANIMA International. The Ursuline Charism Family is made up of independent Ursuline Communities and two Roman Union Provinces across the USA. UNANIMA International describes itself as "a non-governmental organization (NGO) advocating on behalf of women and children (particularly those living in poverty), immigrants [...]
Sr. Regina M. Bevelacqua, OSU ’64 UC & Mary Jo Payne, OSU-A ’72 inducted into Bellarmine’s Gallery of Distinguished Graduates:
Co-Founders of St. Mary’s Center in Louisville St. Mary's Center is a Louisville nonprofit that has served intellectually challenged members of the community since 1993. St. Mary’s Center enhances the lives of its clients through its adult day training, teen after-school program and athletic activities for all ages. For more info visit our Facebook post or the Bellarmine University website.
Ursuline Sisters of Louisville receive Bellarmine’s Monsignor Horrigan Distinguished Service Award
Bellarmine University is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the merger between Bellarmine and Ursuline College in the 2018-19 school year. This award celebrates the rich history of the Ursuline Sisters and the many benefits Bellarmine University gained from the merger. The current president of the Ursuline Sisters, Sr. Janet Marie Peterworth, OSU ’61 UC, acceptedt on behalf of the organization. For more info visit our Facebook post or the Bellarmine [...]
Bellarmine names Ursuline Terrace in honor of bond with Ursuline Sisters
Bellarmine University and the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville dedicated a new reminder of the university's enduring Ursuline roots this afternoon, as a patio on Bellarmine's quad was named Ursuline Terrace. The terrace's naming is part of a yearlong commemoration of Ursuline College's merger with Bellarmine College 50 years ago, forming a co-educational college that is now Bellarmine University. Sr. Janet Peterworth, president of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, speaks at the [...]
The Tale of Two Widows
6th Century mosaic, Left side of nave, Church of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy This reflection was given by Sister Janet M. Peterworth OSU, at a Mass of Remembrance on November 11. The Mass readings are below the reflection. You have heard of the Tale of Two Cities? Well today’s readings can be titled the Tale of the Two Widows. It was the best of times. It was the worst [...]
Sister Paula Kleine-Kracht receives Award
Sister Paula Kleine-Kracht receives Honorary Alumnus Award from Holy Cross High School Congratulations to Sister Paula Kleine-Kracht, OSU, who received an Honorary Alumnus Award from Holy Cross High School on Saturday, November 10 at their Hall of Fame banquet. Sister Paula was principal of Angela Merici High School from 1978-1984. Angela Merici merged with Bishop David High School for young men the following school year, creating a new co-educational high [...]
Sisters and Students Featured on WLKY News
Sister Janet Peterworth and Sister Brendan Conlon were on WLKY News last night, with students from SH for the Appalachian Gift Drive This year marks the 23rd year the students at Sacred Heart have collected gifts for the Appalachian Gift Drive. In between packing and loading, they got a chance to sit down with Sisters Mary Brendan Conlon and Janet Peterworth, the women who created this project 23 years ago [...]
Celebrating Our Legacy
50th Anniversary of Ursuline and Bellarmine College Merger is Focus of Year-Long Celebration posted on: Friday, June 15, 2018 Fifty years ago this month, Ursuline College and Bellarmine College merged to form a co-educational college that is now Bellarmine University. The university and the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville have launched a year-long celebration of the merger's anniversary, featuring events celebrating the legacy of Bellarmine's enduring Ursuline bonds. Information about the [...]
Dr. Cindy Crabtree receives the Angeline Award
posted on: Tuesday, October 23, 2018 Every two years, the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville honor a woman whose life reflects the Ursuline charism that is inspired by Saint Angela Merici, the foundress of the Ursulines: "A contemplative love of God resulting in an openness and eagerness to serve the needs of others." On Sunday, October 21, the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville honored Dr. Cynthia Crabtree with the Angeline Award at [...]
Ursuline Leadership Joins LCWR in Call for Protection of Immigrants
posted on: Thursday, September 27, 2018 We, the Leadership of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, denounce the Trump administration’s policies that continue to restrict immigration and punish immigrant families. We oppose the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s proposed changes to the public charge regulation. The regulation would force parents to make impossible choices between the well-being of their families and the prospect of future citizenship. Implementing this new rule will [...]
Sister Paula Kleine-Kracht Guest Speaker at Bellarmine
Sister Paula Kleine-Kracht, OSU spoke at Bellarmine’s teacher induction ceremony about three individuals whom she hoped would be an inspiration to the inductees: Saint Robert Bellarmine, Thomas Merton and Saint Angela Merici.
Afghanistan Refugee Family Settles In Louisville, KY after a 20-Year Wait!
Through the efforts of Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement ministry and sponsorship from the Ursuline Sisters, a family of eight arrived in Louisville from Pakistan on Friday, April 1 to begin their new life in the United States. Arifa, along with her seven children, one son and six daughters ages 9 to 22, were enthusiastically greeted at the airport then transported to refurbished apartments. It's been a long journey for the [...]
Prayers for Peace Event Prompts Remembrances and Prayers for All
The Ursuline Sisters welcomed the surrounding community into the Motherhouse Chapel for moments of prayer on September 11, recalling in a special way the tragic loss of life and heroic actions on that date in 2001. Young and old gathered throughout the day for silent prayer, for Mass, for praying the Rosary, and for a silent Holy Hour. Sister Janet Marie Peterworth, president of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, presented [...]
Improving Economic Structures Topic of Pope Francis 102
Economist and international lecturer Sister Amata Miller, IHM, gave a history lesson on the United States’ economy, as well as suggestions for its improvement, to close to 100 people on July 25 during “Pope Francis 102: Challenging Our Economic System.” Sister Amata has worked as the education coordinator and economic advisor at NETWORK, a national Catholic social justice lobby, and has written and lectured extensively. She earned a doctorate in [...]
Panelists Offer Ways to Support New Energy Alternatives
Over 50 Ursuline Sisters, Associates and guests from other congregations and parishes were present June 13 for the panel discussion entitled, “A New Energy Vision: The Time Is Now.” Sponsored by the Social Concerns Committee and held in the Motherhouse library, the event included a PowerPoint presentation accompanied by presenters with firsthand knowledge of the problems that the processes of mountaintop removal mining and fracking create for the planet and [...]
Ursulines Attend Downtown Human Trafficking Prayer Vigil
Holding signs reading, “Trafficking is slavery” and “Human trafficking: second largest criminal industry in the world,” Ursuline Sisters and Associates joined dozens of others downtown on April 28 for a prayer vigil and peaceful demonstration to raise awareness of human trafficking. Friend to the Ursulines and a human trafficking survivor, Margeaux Gray attended the event with her guide dog June Bug. Answering questions posed by reporters, Margeaux shared her story [...]
Prayers for Peace
In response to continued violence and injustice around the world, the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville opened their Motherhouse Chapel to the wider community for “Prayers for Peace,” an event that also allowed the community to pray for those who died or were touched by events on September 11, 2001. The schedule for “Prayers for Peace” included time for silent prayer, Mass celebrated by Father Tim Hogan of the Archdiocese of [...]
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