Associates and Sisters Day brings friends together to share faith and learn about the Eucharist

One of the best moments of the year at Maple Mount is Associates and Sisters Day, a chance to bring together the lay people who have committed to share in the mission of the Ursuline Sisters.

This year’s Associates and Sisters Day was June 24, 2023, with Sister Cheryl Clemons serving as the keynote speaker. Sister Cheryl wowed the crowd with her topics, “From Incarnation to Eucharist,” and “Living a Eucharistic Life,” incorporating the importance of the Eucharist with the insights of how Saint Angela Merici and Saint Mere Marie of the Incarnation viewed the Body of Christ.

At the end of the day, the Ursuline Sisters welcomed four new Ursuline Associates who committed themselves to embrace the charism of the Ursuline Sisters. Here are pictures from the day.

Associate Carol Hill, of Leitchfield, Ky., gathers with Sister Mary Matthias Ward. Carol helped to redecorate the Retreat Center when Sister Mary Matthias was the director.
Sister Mary Celine Weidenbenner, left, and Sister Monica Seaton visit before the day began. Sister Mary Celine is celebrating 60 years as an Ursuline this year, and Sister Monica was at her first Associates and Sisters Day as an elected member of the Leadership Council.
Associate Renee Schultz, left, from Kansas, chats with Louisville Associate Pauline Goebel early in the day. Pauline is a member of the Associate Advisory Board.
Associate Marian Bennett, left, former coordinator of Ursuline Partnerships, is all smiles with Associate Suzanne Reiss, of Lanesville, Ind. Suzanne is a member of the Associate Advisory Board.
As part of the décor in Maple Hall, these banners of Saint Angela and Saint Ursula were on display, along with a copy of the Associate Handbook. Sister Betsy Moyer and Sister Monica Seaton, both on the Associate Advisory Board, set up the display and other decorations.
Sister Cheryl Clemons chats with Memphis Associate George Horishny prior to the program beginning.
Sister Pam Mueller, left, talks with Kansas City, Mo., Associate Pam Knudson before the program began.
Sister Catherine Barber talks with Paducah Associate Mike Sullivan. Sister Catherine taught in Paducah from 1970-75. She is celebrating 70 years as a Sister this year.
Sister Mary Matthias Ward, left, awaits whatever Lewisport, Ky., Associate Joanne Mason was looking for on her phone.
Sister Vivian Bowles, left, and Sister Monica Seaton, right, share a laugh with Leitchfield Associate Carol Hill.
Owensboro Associate Joy Keller, left, talks with her sister-in-law, Sister Martha Keller, as the day was about to begin.
Sister Rebecca White, left, talks with Associate Pauline Goebel as the participants began to gather.
Sister Karla Kaelin, left, talks with Western Kentucky Associates Lois Bell, center, and Sid Mason. Sister Karla met with the Western Kentucky Associates when she served in their area from 2003-08.
Associates, Sisters and guests take part in the Morning Prayer led by Sister Cheryl Clemons.
Sister Cheryl Clemons tells the participants that one of the reasons Saint Angela became a Third Order Franciscan is so she could attend daily Mass and receive the Eucharist.
Participants follow along with Sister Cheryl’s talk. Seated in front, from left, are Sister Claudia Hayden, Sister Suzanne Sims and Owensboro Associate Karen Wells.
Associates and Sisters listen to Sister Cheryl talk about the “littleness” of the Incarnation.
Sister Alicia Coomes, left, takes notes as Alice Durbin does the same during Sister Cheryl’s talk. Alice made her Associate commitment later in the day, with Sister Alicia as her contact Sister.
Sister Ann Patrice Cecil, left, Linda Rocco of Owensboro, center, and Sister Margaret Ann Aull listen to Sister Cheryl. Linda made her Associate commitment later in the day.
Associate Joanne Mason, left, of Lewisport, Ky., and Sister Maureen O’Neill listen to Sister Cheryl talk about how the Eucharist is God entering the material world.
Sister Cheryl highlights the ways in which Saint Angela and the Ursulines valued the Eucharist.
Between her talks, Sister Cheryl asked the participants to focus on one of several questions concerning the role of the Eucharist in their lives. From left, Wes Wheatley, Jamie Durbin and Alice Durbin – who all made their Associate commitments later in the day – listen to Sister Rebecca White and Sister Alicia Coomes.
This table featured several Western Kentucky Associates and Sisters Cecelia Joseph Olinger and Ann McGrew discussing one of Sister Cheryl’s questions. In the center is Associate Betty Boren from Hopkinsville, Ky.
Associate Marian Bennett, center, makes a point during the reflection time, as Kansas Associate Carol O’Keefe, left, and Sister Karla Kaelin react. Also around the table from left are Sister Francis Louise Johnson, Associate Bonnie Marks and Sister Rita Scott.
Sister Sharon Sullivan expresses her thought to Owensboro Associate Maryann Joyce, as, from left, Associates Jennifer Kaminski and Kim Haire, and Sister Betsy Moyer listen.
Sister Betsy Moyer, right, reads her part of the prayer honoring those Associates celebrating significant anniversaries this year, as Associates Renee Schultz and Pauline Goebel follow along.
Paola, Kan., Associate Joanne Thompson, right, reads her part of the prayer, as Mayfield, Ky., Associate Sid Mason joins in. Joanne, who serves on the Associate Advisory Board, wrote the prayer for the Associate anniversaries.
Sister Nancy Liddy places the Associate pin on new Associate Wes Wheatley. Sister Nancy was his contact Sister during formation.
Sister Vivian Bowles places the Associate pin on Linda Rocco following the commitment ceremony. Sister Vivian was Linda’s contact Sister for formation.
Sister Alicia Coomes places Alice Durbin’s Associate pin on her dress, as Alice’s husband Jamie looks on. Sister Alicia was contact Sister for both the Durbins.
Sister Alicia Coomes pins Jamie Durbin following his commitment as an Associate, as his wife Alice smiles.
Ursuline Associates stand and renew their commitments as Associates of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph.
Ursuline Sisters stand and read the response of the community, promising to pray for and affirm the Associates daily.
Sister Mary Henning visits with Memphis Associate George Horishny as the day winds to a close.
Associate Tina Wolken, who serves on the Associate Advisory Board, reads the closing prayer for the day.
The new Ursuline Associates are in front, with their contact Sisters in back. From left are Associates Linda Rocco, Wes Wheatley, Alice Durbin and Jamie Durbin; in back, Sisters Vivian Bowles, Nancy Liddy and Alicia Coomes.
The new Ursuline Associates are from left, Linda Rocco, Wes Wheatley, Alice Durbin and Jamie Durbin.

Comments

  1. Michele Morek

    Hooray! looks like so much fun! Sorry to miss the day, but thanks for making sure you got a pic of everyone. Old and new friends…..

  2. Pamela Knudson, OSUA

    We had a wonderful time at the Mount! I thank Sister Cheryl Clemons for her wonderful presentation. I thank all the Sisters of MSJ welcoming us with their hospitality. I thank all the dietary staff for all the delicious food and for all their hard work. I thank all the Housekeepers for all their hard work in keeping the Mount so clean and welcoming for all of us! I thank Sister Rita Scott and her maintenance staff for all they do in keeping the Mount up and running. I thank Doreen Abbott, Dan Heckle and all the behind the scenes ensuring that all of us have a wonderful Sisters and Associates Day! Bob and I thank all of you for sharing your home with us!!!

  3. Stephanie Render

    Really wish I could have shared the excitement and love and joy.
    Looks like a wonderful day.
    Sister Cheryl always delivers such heart felt knowledge.
    Love to all

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