Today we honor the fifth Ursuline Sister celebrating 70 years of religious life this year, Sister Mary Gerald Payne, a native of Knottsville, Ky.

Sister Mary Gerald is a deeply prayerful person with a great devotion to Mary. After 48 years as a teacher, she shared her talents as a craft maker to benefit her community. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Brescia College in 1968, and earned a master’s degree in elementary education from Western Kentucky University in 1974.

She taught at St. Romuald School, Hardinsburg, Ky. (1955-56), St. Benedict, Wax, Ky. (1956-59), St. Paul, Leitchfield, Ky. (1959-64, 1985-86), St. James, Louisville, where she also worked in the summer remedial reading program (1964-67), and at St. Brigid, Vine Grove, Ky., where she also worked in faith formation (1967-68, 1986-87). She taught at Holy Cross School, Loretto, Ky. (1968-72), and Flaherty School, Flaherty, Ky. (1972-80). She taught at St. Charles Borromeo School, Albuquerque, N.M., and was a Eucharistic minister in the parish (1980-84). She taught at St. Denis School in Louisville (1984-85, 1987-88), at St. Teresa, Glennonville, Mo. (1988-89), Christ the King, Madisonville, Ky. (1989-97) and at Mary Carrico Memorial, Knottsville (1997-2000). She served in the after-school program at Holy Angels in Sorgho, Ky. (2000-02).

At the Motherhouse, Sister Mary Gerald offered transportation to the Sisters (2003-16) and served as a craft maker (2003-19). She is retired at the Motherhouse and is active in the Powerhouse of Prayer.

Congratulations Sister Mary Gerald!

Jubilee congratulations may be sent to 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY., 42356.