Both the Owensboro, Ky., City Commission and the Daviess County, Ky., Fiscal Court proclaimed Aug. 15, 2024, as “Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph Day,” honoring the 150th anniversary of the day the Ursuline Sisters had their first meal in what we now call Maple Mount.

The two local government entities normally have their semimonthly meetings on different days, but a schedule change for the county members meant both of the proclamations were made during 5 p.m. meetings on Aug. 6, 2024. Both of the proclamations highlighted the Ursuline Sisters’ impact on education throughout Daviess County, including leading five Owensboro Catholic schools and 10 schools outside the city limits. The Ursuline Sisters also brought higher education opportunities for women by opening the Mount Saint Joseph Junior College for Women in 1925, and providing the first four-year coed college when they began Brescia College in 1950.

The proclamations further honored the Sisters’ ministries at parishes, in serving immigrants and helping people grow in their spirituality. The Ursuline Sisters are celebrating their 150 years of ministering in Daviess County with a series of events and projects throughout this year. Here are some photos from the two ceremonies.