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Sister Stephany Nelson Enters the Novitiate July 16, 2016

Stephany Nelson completed her postulancy and entered the novitiate of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph on July 16, 2016, becoming Sister Stephany. Please join all the sisters in welcoming her and praying for her on her journey.

Here are a few photos from her Rite of Entrance held in the Motherhouse Chapel.

Sister Stephany Nelson, left, smiles as she is joined by Sister Ann McGrew, director of Novices, whom she will work with the next two years. To Sister Ann’s left are the four sisters who will make up Sister Stephany’s Formation Community – Sisters Michael Ann Monaghan, Mary Sheila Higdon, Joseph Angela Boone and Luisa Bickett.
Sister Mary Henning, who has worked with Sister Stephany as the director of Postulants the past two years, provided the music for the Rite of Entrance.
The Motherhouse Chapel was full of Ursuline Sisters to welcome Sister Stephany to the community.
Sister Ann McGrew, director of Novices, proclaims a reading from Jeremiah 29: 11-13.
Sister Stephany Nelson responds to Sister Sharon Sullivan’s question, “What do you ask from us?” by saying, “I have been drawn here by the love of God. I ask you to teach me to follow Jesus and to live the life of a vowed woman religious. Help me to live the Gospel in my daily life. Teach me your Ursuline way of life and help me to learn to love as Jesus commanded.”
Sister Stephany Nelson, right, receives a copy of the Ursuline Way of Life from Sister Sharon Sullivan, congregational leader, during her Rite of Entrance. “May God increase your desire and willingness to live as a woman religious in this community of Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph,” Sister Sharon said.
As a sign of her willingness to look honestly at herself in the light of the Ursuline Constitutions, Stephany mingles water from the church of her baptism with the waters flowing in the Ursuline community.
Sister Sharon Sullivan tells Sister Stephany she has the support of the Ursuline community and welcomes her as a novice.
Sister Sharon Sullivan, left, commissions the sisters making up Sister Stephany’s Formation Community, who will walk with Sister Stephany in a special way during her days in the novitiate. From left they are Sisters Michael Ann Monaghan, Mary Sheila Higdon, Joseph Angela Boone and Luisa Bickett.
Sister Barbara Jean Head, left, was one of many sisters to congratulate Sister Stephany following her entrance.
Sister Stephany Nelson, right, poses with Sister Martha Keller following her entrance into the community. Sister Martha was the director of vocation ministry who walked with Stephany on her journey until she became a postulant.
Sister Nancy Murphy hugs Sister Stephany following her entrance.
Sister Larraine Lauter, left, strikes a pose with Sister Stephany in the Motherhouse Chapel.
Sister Sara Marie Gomez, the lone Ursuline serving in New Mexico, gives Sister Stephany a congratulatory hug.
Sister Amelia Stenger hugs Sister Stephany after the ceremony. The two sisters were in the same bonded group while Sister Stephany was considering joining the Ursuline Sisters.
Sister Pat Lynch, left, is all smiles as she welcomes Sister Stephany to the community.
Sister Stephany stands next to a table filled with gifts provided by her Ursuline Sisters.

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