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Sisters learn about attentiveness to God during Summer Retreat

Several Ursuline Sisters are taking part in a summer retreat July 19-24, 2026, titled “The Morning After God Awakens Us,” led by spiritual author Cackie Upchurch.

The retreat, held in Saint Ursula Hall at the Motherhouse, focuses on attentiveness of how one can deepen what one already recognizes, and freshly encounter God in our midst. Here are some photos from July 20.

Cackie Upchurch speaks with the Sisters in the Saint Ursula Hall meeting room on July 20. Upchurch is the general editor of the Little Rock Catholic Study Bible, a regular contributor to Give Us This Day, as well as The Bible Today. She was assistant director and then director of the Little Rock Scripture Study for 30 years. She is the author of What Does the Bible Say About Slavery and Freedom, as well as four titles in the Alive in the Word series.
Sister Grace Simpson, left, and Sister Mary Ellen Backes listen to Cackie Upchurch. “The bible isn’t about people searching for God. It’s about God seeking us,” Upchurch said.
Sister Monica Seaton, Sister Michael Ann Monaghan, and Sister Michele Morek react to Cackie Upchurch talking about God seeking us. “No prophet ever wanted to be a prophet,” she said. “God called each one of them.”
Sister Mary Timothy Bland, left, and Sister Jane Falke listen to Cackie Upchurch say that we often learn after the fact that God was seeking us. “We are often not paying attention in the moment. We don’t discipline ourselves to be in the moment.”
Sister Suzanne Sims, left, and Sister Melissa Tipmore listen to Upchurch say that we often feel unworthy of God’s attention. “I think we think God wants to pick someone holy or mystical. We expect something miraculous, something big.”
Sister Angela Fitzpatrick, left, Sister Rebecca White, center, and Sister Francis Louise Johnson hear Upchurch say, “Even in the present, our eyes are elsewhere. You hear what you are listening for.”
Cackie Upchurch talks with the Sisters in Saint Ursula Hall, using the example of Jacob’s ladder to make a point.

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