December Evening with an Ursuline

Ursuline Sister Ann McGrew shared an ancient prayer tradition during her presentation of “Advent and the O Antiphons,” on Dec. 4, 2018, the final “Evening With an Ursuline.”

Participants gathered in the Brescia Conference Room at the Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center. “Evening With an Ursuline” began in September 2014 as a way for Ursuline Sisters to share their knowledge with others. Beginning Jan. 9, 2019, it will be replaced by a monthly “Twilight” program featuring a different priest speaking. Father Ray Goetz is the first Twilight speaker.

Here are photos from the Evening With an Ursuline:

Sister Ann McGrew holds one of the books she used to prepare her talk on the “O Antiphons.”
Laura Baker, left, Kathy Devine, center, and Ursuline Associate Amanda Nichols take notes as they listen to Sister Ann.
Ursuline Associate Marian Bennett, left, joins Steve and Rita Patti, and Sister Pat Rhoten, right, in listening to Sister Ann say that the “O Antiphons” detail the prophecy of Isaiah about the coming of the Messiah. Steve and Rita Patti live in Colorado and were at the Mount visiting Rita’s aunt, Sister Mary Angela Matthews.
Sister Marietta Wethington, left, listens along with Chris and Joyce Kormelink as Sister Ann asks how the Dec. 17 O Antiphon – “O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!” – can help us prepare for Christmas. Sister Marietta said she would sit with open hands and ask for wisdom.
Sister Rose Jean Powers, left, and Ursuline Associate Jennifer Kaminski listen to Sister Ann say that the Dec. 18 O Antiphon – “O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!” – talks about the great events of Exodus and teaches us how we begin to know God.
Sister Pat Rhoten, left, and Sister Alfreda Malone listen to Sister Ann say the “O Antiphons” are said each day through Dec. 23, with the last one, “O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!”