Kansas Associates and Sisters share Advent reflection, welcome new associates

The three Ursuline Associate groups in the Kansas City metro area came together for an Advent Day of Reflection on Dec. 10, 2016, which doubled as a commitment ceremony for two associates.

The longstanding tradition of the Advent service was held at 10 a.m. at Curé of Ars Catholic School in Leawood, Kan. The three groups – Belles of Saint Rita, Saint Francis of Paola and Our Lady of Brescia – shared the responsibility for the day. As a special treat this year, Kay Howa made her commitment as an Ursuline Associate. Lisa Guenther, who made her initial commitment in 2014 when the process was in two steps, received her lifetime Associate pin at the ceremony.

Here are photos from the day:

Ursuline Associate Irene Quigley lights an Advent candle as Ursuline Associate Rita Wilkus reads a prayer to open the Advent Day of Reflection.
Participants sing “O Come O Come Emmanuel” after the Advent candles are lighted. From left are Ursuline Associates Lily Cloughley and Mariita Rodriguez, and Ursuline Sisters Jane Falke, Marcella Schrant and Martina Rockers.
Ursuline Associates who are members of the Belles of Saint Rita sing along. From left are Victor Monaco, Tammy Milbourn, Linda Monaco and Pam Knudson.
Making a joyful noise from left are Ursuline Associates Lisa Guenther, Denise Heying, Ursuline Sister Helen Smith and Ursuline Associate Nanette “Nettie” Foley.
Ursuline Associate Joanne Thompson sings along with Sister Jane Falke in the background.
Ursuline Sister Angela Fitzpatrick, left, watches new Ursuline Associate Kay Howa read her commitment to the Ursuline Sisters.
Kay Howa smiles as she gets a hug from Sister Angela Fitzpatrick after receiving her Ursuline Associate pin.
Ursuline Sister Jane Falke pins Lisa Guenther to make her final step as an Ursuline Associate.
All the Ursuline Associates present stand to renew their commitments as associates. In the front left are Marian Bennett, coordinator of Ursuline Partnerships; Carol O’Keefe and Janice Arth.
The five Ursuline Sisters present stood to renew their commitment to the associates. From left are three of them, Sisters Jane Falke, Marcella Schrant and Martina Rockers.
Ursuline Sister Marcella Schrant, left, a former Ursuline of Paola who came from Kentucky for the Day of Reflection, congratulates Kay Howa on becoming an associate. Sister Marcella once taught Kay’s children.
Ursuline Associate Irene Quigley reads some opening prayers to start the Day of Reflection. Later those gathered wished her a happy 90th birthday.
Janice Arth, from the Our Lady of Brescia group, led discussion on “Our Advent Message.” Each table was asked to discuss “Do you think of God having tender, heartfelt mercy for you?” and “How does it affect the way you think and feel, and affect your relationships with friends and family?”
Ursuline Associates Mary Benkeser and Jim Wilkus listen to Janice Arth’s talk.
Ursuline Associate Lily Cloughley makes a point about the importance of spirituality during the discussion period. Looking on at left is Ursuline Associate Mariita Rodriguez and Ursuline Sister Jane Falke.
New Ursuline Associates pose with a photo with their contact sisters. From left are Sister Angela Fitzpatrick, Associate Kay Howa, Associate Lisa Guenther and Sister Jane Falke.
Ursuline Associate Carol O’Keefe discusses a plan for the three Kansas groups to share their formation time together.
Ursuline Associate Carol O’Keefe, left, gives Ursuline Associate Pam Knudson a present of items featuring the late Sister Mary Rudina “Rita” Klarer, who was Pam’s inspiration to become an associate. Pam is moving to Georgia because her husband is relocating for work.