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Associates and Sisters learn about Franciscan spirituality together

More than 50 Ursuline Sisters and Associates met for social interaction as well as listening and learning during Associates and Sisters Day on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Maple Hall in Mount Saint Joseph. Some Associates came from Kansas, Indiana and Missouri while others visited from various places in Kentucky. Franciscan spirituality originating from Saint Francis of Assisi was the focus of an interesting presentation by Friar Ken Bartsch of Mount Saint Francis, Indiana. This was followed by a panel of Ursuline Sisters explaining how the congregation implemented Laudato Si, Pope Francis’ encyclical on care for the environment and our common home. Prayer, table discussions, trivia, and In Memoriam and Happy Faces videos were also part of the annual gathering.

Here are some photos from the day.

Sister Mary Matthias Ward, left, talks with her friend, Associate Bonnie Marks of Owensboro, before the program begins.
Will McCarty, left, grandson of Associate Martha Little, center, and Associate Therese Wilhite greet guest speaker Friar Ken Bartsch at the start of the day.
Sister Barbara Jean Head, left, visits with Associate Martha House of Owensboro on Associates and Sisters Day.
Associate Ed Cecil of Owensboro catches up with Sister Betsy Moyer, left, and Sister Monica Seaton in Maple Hall.
Sister Michele Morek and Associate Randy Shelby of Paducah were happy to see each other. It had been a few years since Randy left his position as pastoral care coordinator in Saint Joseph Villa.
Sister Cecelia Joseph “C.J.” Olinger, left, gets to know Marilyn Wurth Roof of Paducah, who attended as a guest.
Sister Ruth Gehres, right, greets Associate Marian Bennett near the main entrance. Marian previously served as coordinator of Ursuline Partnerships. Marian’s son, Alex, left, who brought her, stopped to talk to Associate Suzanne Reiss.
Associate Marilyn Terry of Eddyville, Ky., converses with Sister Ann Patrice Cecil in Maple Hall.
Sister Michele Morek greets Associate Joanne Thompson of Paola, Kansas, at the event.
Sister Mary McDermott, left, and Sister Sharon Sullivan chat with Marilyn Terry.
Sister Nancy Murphy talks to Associate Carol O’Keefe of Overland Park, Kansas.
Associate Joyce York-Higginbotham of St. Louis, left, speaks with Sister Nancy Liddy the morning of the program.
Coordinator of Ursuline Partnerships Doreen Abbott welcomes everyone and goes through a quick agenda for the day.
Congregational Leader Sister Sharon Sullivan says, “welcome home” and thanks for coming to all of those gathered in Maple Hall.
Sister Monica Seaton, a member of the Ursuline Leadership Council, left, led the opening prayer, along with Associate Tina Wolken of Owensboro.
Friar Ken Bartsch, who serves as a spiritual director for his Franciscan community in Indiana, told everyone about the life of Saint Francis of Assisi.
All the attendees listen to the presentation by Friar Ken Bartsch. He was taught by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph in grade school in Louisville.
Sister Michele Morek, right, a member of the community's Laudato Si Committee, tells attendees about the Ursulines’ 10-year environmental plan.
Sister Angela Fitzpatrick mentioned ideas that each of us could use to help the environment, such as placing eggshells around plants.
Associate Bonnie Marks Owensboro shares what she wrote about coming back to the Mount. At right is Associate Carol Hill of Leitchfield.
Associate Suzanne Reiss honored more than 40 Associates who were celebrating anniversaries with a prayer written by Associate Charlotte Paez.

 

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