“Opening the Doors of Mercy” at Associates and Sisters Day June 11, 2016

Ursuline Associates and Sisters came together June 11, 2016, at the Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center for a wonderful Associates and Sisters Day titled “Opening Doors of Mercy.” Keynote speaker Lisa M. Gulino related Pope Francis’ call for Year of Mercy to how each person can show mercy to others and to themselves.

Eleven people became Ursuline Associates in the afternoon, and five others who had made an initial commitment received their permanent pins. Four Associates shared how their lives had been affected by acts of mercy during the afternoon panel discussion. The day was concluded with Mass, in which the presider was Father Joe Mills, who was celebrating his 30th year as an Ursuline Associate.

Here are pictures from the day.

Associate Gloria Cecil, left, talks with Sister Emma Cecilia Busam, as Associate Sid Mason, upper left, smiles.
Associate Rise Karr, left, hugs Associate Joan Perry as they share a laugh with Associate Jean Simpson, right. All three are members of the Associate Advisory Board who helped plan the day.
Associate Pauline Goebel, left, shares a smile with Sister Vivian Bowles in the registration line.
Associates Suzanne Reiss, left, Brenda Semar, center, and Carol Hill registered more than 100 sisters and associates for the day.
Sister Betsy Moyer, left, talks with Sherry Newton, center, and Alisa Clark prior to the opening presentation. Newton and Clark work in the Finance Office for the Ursuline Sisters, and both became associates later in the day.
Sister Mary Matthias Ward, left, director of the Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center, talks with Lisa M. Gulino prior to the program.
The call to prayer was begun by bells being rung by Sister Pam Mueller (in the purple jacket) and Sister Marietta Wethington.
The call to prayer included several processions to illustrate how they relate to mercy. Associates Mary Teder, right, and her daughter Associate Joan Teder carry altar clothes to dress two tables, as the words, “God of love, dress our innermost being with your mercy and adorn our soul with your grace” were read.
The next in the procession were four candle bearers, who brought the light to each of the tables in Conference Room A. In order are Associates Ed Cecil, Jean Simpson, Joan Perry and Phyllis Troutman.
Martha Alle, who made her associate commitment later in the day, lights the candle at her table.
Nanette Foley prepares to transfer light from Associate Phyllis Troutman’s candle to the candle on her table. Foley became an associate later in the day.
Sister Nancy Murphy is partly hidden by the picture she is carrying of Jesus knocking on the door, inspired by Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.” The picture was the impetus for “Opening Doors of Mercy.”
Associates Gail Davenport, left, Genon Putnam and her husband Keith Putnam discuss a definition of mercy at their table.
Postulant Stephany Nelson, center, smiles as she discusses the definition of mercy with Sister Claudia Hayden, Martha Alle, Sister Betsy Moyer, left, and Sister Alfreda Malone.
Sisters Mary Sheila Hayden, left, and Mary Angela Matthews discuss their definition of mercy.
Kris Mango, left, and Aimee McCarty smile over a comment as they sit across from Sister Mary Celine Weidenbenner. Mango and McCarty each made their associate commitment later in the day.
Associate Leon Donahue shares what his group defined as mercy, as his wife Betty Donahue, center, and Sister Frances Louise Johnson look on. Betty Donahue became an associate later in the day.
To begin the first of three vignettes, “A Mercy that Reaches Deep Within,” Associate Ed Cecil carries in the cross bearing the crucified Christ.
Associate Joan Perry leads the procession of holy oils, followed by Associate Phyllis Troutman and Sister Ruth Gehres.
Sister Nancy Murphy lays a stole on the altar table after bringing it in the procession, as Associate Ed Cecil looks on. The audience sang “Lord, You Have Come to the Seashore” during the procession.
Associate Jean Simpson lays a chalice and paten on the table as the final part of the procession.
Lisa M. Gulino speaks to a full house in Conference Room A of the Retreat Center.
Lisa M. Gulino, right, the keynote speaker, talks with Sister Marietta Wethington before the day began. Sister Marietta helped plan the day, and was responsible for ringing a bell to call everyone to prayer.
Postulant Stephany Nelson, left, talks with Lisa M. Gulino during a break.
Doreen Abbott carries an icon of Jesus with a lamb wrapped around his shoulders to begin the procession for the second vignette, “A Mercy that Goes Forth.” Abbott made her associate commitment later in the day.
Associate Ed Cecil carries in a photo of Pope Francis kissing the feet of prisoners.
Aimee McCarty carries incense in the procession as the audience sings “The Summons.” McCarty became an associate later in the day.
Lisa M. Gulino, right, a native of Attleboro, Mass., utilizes the expertise of fellow New England native Associate Joan Perry to teach the audience how to speak “Massachusetts.”
Sister Betsy Moyer begins the procession for the third vignette, “Mercy in the Life of Saint Angela and the Ursuline Vocation of Sister and Associate,” by carrying a picture of Saint Angela.
Associate Charlotte Paez carries a banner naming the various Associate groups as the audience sang the “Prayer of Saint Angela.”
Associate Debbie Lanham carries a map that shows the 27 states and two foreign countries where Ursuline Associates live.
Sister Ann McGrew carries in a cross to complete the procession.
Associate Marian Bennett, right, coordinator of Ursuline Partnerships, hands Lisa M. Gulino a Saint Angela statue as a small token of appreciation.
Ursuline Associates and Sisters sing “All Are Welcome” at the opening of the Associate Commitment ceremony in the Motherhouse Chapel. The commitment ceremony was held earlier in the day separate from Mass this year.
Sister Sharon Sullivan, congregational leader of the Ursuline Sisters, offers some remarks at the beginning of the commitment ceremony.
New associates read their commitment statement as their contact companion stands behind them with a hand on their shoulder. From left is Betty Donahue and her contact companion Sister Ruth Gehres; Nanette Foley and her contact companion Associate Marian Bennett, substituting for Sister Angela Fitzpatrick; Lynn Fromm and her contact companion Sister Mary Matthias Ward; Victor Fromm and his contact companion Sister Ann McGrew (not pictured); Kris Mango and her contact companion Sister Rose Marita O’Bryan; and Aimee McCarty and her contact companions Associates Martha Little (her mother) and John Little.
More of the 11 new associates read their commitment papers. From left are Doreen Abbott and Martha Warren, with their contact companion Sister Suzanne Sims; Martha Alle, with her contact companions Sister Amelia Stenger (left) and Sister Michael Ann Monaghan; Alisa Clark and Sherry Newton, with their contact companion Sister Pat Rhoten.
Sister Suzanne Sims places an Associate pin on Doreen Abbott, as Martha Warren awaits hers.
Martha Alle gets a hug from Sister Michael Ann Monaghan following her Associate pinning.
In 2015, the Associate commitment process was changed from two commitments to one. However, some associates who previously made initial commitments had yet to receive their permanent pins. Five associates are pictured here making their final commitment, along with their contact companions. From left are Jennifer Kaminski and her contact companion Sister Marietta Wethington (partially hidden); Pam Knudson with Marian Bennett substituting for her contact companion Associate Carol O’Keefe; Genon Putnam and her contact companion Sister Rose Karen Johnson; Keith Putnam and his contact companion Associate Valentino Simpao; and Joan Teder and her contact companion Sister Amelia Stenger.
Genon Putnam smiles as she prepares to receive her Associate pin from Sister Rose Karen Johnson.
Jennifer Kaminski receives a hug from Sister Marietta Wethington after receiving her pin.
Keith Putnam receives his pin from Associate Valentino Simpao, who substituted for Keith's contact companion, Associate Lisa Day.
Ursuline Sisters read their response of the community for the associates gathered.
The 11 new Ursuline Associates are, from left, first row, Victor Fromm, Nanette Foley, Martha Alle, Betty Donahue and Kris Mango; second row, Lynn Fromm, Alisa Clark, Sherry Newton and Aimee McCarty; top row, Martha Warren and Doreen Abbott.
Associates who previously made their commitment but received their final pin on June 11 are, from left, Pam Knudson, Keith Putnam, Joan Teder, Genon Putnam and Jennifer Kaminski.
The panelists who spoke on how their life had been affected by acts of mercy were, from left, Associates Gloria Cecil, Tammy Milbourn, Betty Girten and Sally Scully.
Sister Amelia Stenger talks with Father Joe Mills prior to Mass. Father Mills is celebrating 30 years as an Ursuline Associate.
Associate John Little carries in the processional cross to begin Mass.
Sister Mary Henning played the piano for Mass and the Associate Commitment ceremony.
Postulant Stephany Nelson led the singing during Mass.
Associate Brenda Semar delivers the first reading.
Associate Martha Little offers the second reading.
Associate Charlotte Paez reads the prayer intentions as Father Joe Mills looks on.
Associates Marilyn Katzer, left, and Mary Ann Stewart present the offertory gifts to Father Joe Mills.
Associates read their renewal of commitment following the pinning ceremony.

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