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Sisters return to the Mount to celebrate annual Community Days

The Ursuline Sisters celebrated Community Days from July 12-14, 2023, a tradition that dates back to 1917 in which as many Sisters as possible come to the Mount to spend time together. On July 15, the Sisters celebrated the jubilees of 13 Sisters who have significant anniversaries of religious life this year. Here are some photos, courtesy of Sister Ruth Gehres.

Sister Sharon Sullivan, congregational leader, gives her annual address to kick off Community Days at 6:30 p.m. July 12, 2023.
Sister Mary Ellen Backes, right, who serves in Springfield, Ill., talks with Sister Marie Joseph Coomes in the chapel following the opening address.
The tradition of Community Days is for members of the Leadership Council to serve treats to the Sisters following the opening address. Here, Councilors Sister Ann McGrew, right, and Sister Monica Seaton, center, make sure Sister Michele Ann Intravia gets a bowl of popcorn.
Jaklyn-Mahree Hill, executive director of the Owensboro Human Relations Commission, gives one of her presentations on July 13 as Sister Francis Louise Johnson looks on. Hill’s presentations were on “Unpacking Privilege and Bias” and “Understanding Cultural Competency.”
Becky Brandle, left, community coordinator for the Owensboro Human Relations Commission, talks with Sister Betsy Moyer during a break in the presentation. Brandle assisted Jaklyn-Mahree Hill with her presentations.
Jaklyn-Mahree Hill, right, talks with Sister Cecelia Joseph Olinger during a break.
From left, Sister Joyce Marie Cecil, Sister Joan Riedley and Sister Mary Timothy Bland stop to pose for a photo. The three entered the community together 59 years ago.
Sister Mary Henning, director of Worship for the Sisters, plays the piano for Mass on July 13.
Sister Jane Falke, who serves in Mission, Kan., seems to have found a way to communicate with the barn cats.
Sister Karla Kaelin, left, Sister Marie Joseph Coomes, center, and Sister Grace Simpson are in deep discussion about some topic. Sister Karla and Sister Grace both served in Louisville at the same time, and Sister Grace still volunteers there.
Sister Kathleen Kaelin, left, who serves in Louisville, signs a document with Sister Sharon Sullivan as her witness.
Sister Tien Mai, left, and Sister Cecilia, Vietnamese sisters visiting the Mount, make their delicious spring rolls for Community Days.
Sister Pam Mueller, left, has a captive audience listening to her, which consists of Sister Alicia Coomes, left, Sister Barbara Jean Head, center, and Sister Michele Morek.
Sister Martha Keller, left, assistant congregational leader, and Sister Monica Seaton, a Leadership Council member, embrace Sister Mary Celine Weidenbenner, who is celebrating 60 years as an Ursuline this year.
Sister Vivian Bowles finds something entertaining in the Messenger-Inquirer.
Sister Ruth Gehres, left, our intrepid photographer for Community Days, steps in front of the camera with, from left, Sister Mary Celine Weidenbenner, Sister Helena Fischer, Sister Margaret Ann Aull and Sister Judith Nell Riney.
Sister Amelia Stenger, left, and Sister Cecelia Joseph Olinger, center, gather with Sister Carol Shively, who serves in Shreveport, La.
Sister Pat Rhoten, left, makes a point as Sister Rebecca White listens. Sister Pat is celebrating 60 years as an Ursuline this year.
Following the Mass on July 15 in honor of the Sisters celebrating jubilees, Sister Paul Marie Greenwell prepares to enjoy a special meal. She is celebrating 70 years as a Sister this year.
Sister Naomi Aull gets ready to enjoy a special jubilarian meal on July 15. Sister Naomi is celebrating 80 years as an Ursuline.
Sister Pat Rhoten smiles as she prepares for her jubilee meal. Sister Pat is celebrating 60 years as an Ursuline.
Sister Suzanne Sims, left, Sister Mary Timothy Bland, center, and Sister Elaine Burke enjoy their meals on jubilee day.
Sister Cecelia Joseph Olinger, left, enjoys meal time with Sister Melissa Tipmore on July 15. Sister Melissa celebrated her birthday the following day.
Sister Sharon Sullivan, left, congregational leader, talks with Sister Clarita Browning over lunch. Sister Clarita is celebrating 75 years as a Sister this year. Sister Sharon’s early years of serving at Brescia College overlapped with the final five years of Sister Clarita’s time at Brescia.
Sister Margaret Ann Aull, left, Sister Nancy Murphy, center, and Sister Laurita Spalding are all smiles in the dining room on July 15. Sister Margaret Ann is celebrating 70 years as an Ursuline this year.
Sister Vivian Bowles, standing, tells a story as Sister Rita Scott, left, and Sister Jane Falke listen.
Sister Michele Morek, who serves in Kansas, discusses the types of trees that produce good walking sticks with Father Ray Goetz, chaplain at the Mount.
Normally the Sisters take turns operating the switchboard on the weekends, but to accommodate them for Community Days and jubilee on July 15, Mario Palmer manned the phones. Mario normally works Monday through Friday.

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