We continue to honor our Sisters who are celebrating jubilees of religious profession in 2024. Today, we salute Sister Mary Matthias Ward, who is celebrating 70 years of religious life!

A native of Clementsville, Ky., Sister Mary Matthias’ leadership and deep spirituality have been utilized as a teacher, principal and campus minister in Kentucky, as major superior of her community, and as director of two retreat centers. She earned a bachelor’s degree in American history from Brescia College, Owensboro, in 1966 and a master’s degree in American history from The Catholic University of America in 1972.

She served in Kentucky as a teacher at St. Peter of Alcantara School, Stanley (1956-58) and was teacher and principal of St. Romuald School, Hardinsburg (1958-63) and St. Paul School, Leitchfield (1963-71). She was principal of St. Denis School, Louisville (1971-78). Sister Mary Matthias was associate director of the Saint Thomas Center, Louisville (1978-83). She served as the first director of the Mount Saint Joseph Retreat Center (1983-88), then returned to that role from 2016-19. She served two terms as the major superior for her Ursuline community (1988-96). In Murray, Ky., she was the campus minister of the Murray State University Newman Center and parish administrator of St. Leo Parish (1996-2003).

She then moved to New Mexico to become director of the Sacred Heart Retreat Center, Gallup (2003-2009). While there, she was the diocesan facilitator for adult formation and the bishop’s delegate for women religious. From 2009-16, she served as the director of Local Community Life at the Motherhouse. She was coordinator of transportation at the Motherhouse (2020-21), and since 2022 she has assisted Ursuline Partnerships with formation and prayer.

Congratulations Sister Mary Matthias!