Ursuline Associates and Sisters Day spreads the joy of Caritas

Ursuline Associate Father Larry Hostetter shared the dream of a Caritas Center at Brescia University with participants of the annual Associates and Sisters Day on June 25, 2022.

“Love calls us to try to understand each other, to accompany one another,” Father Larry said. “Hospitality is caritas in action.”

Caritas is the Latin word for “love,” and the dream for the Caritas Center at Brescia – where Father Larry has been president for 15 years – grew out of the desire for the university to express its Catholic identity while recognizing its diversity, he said. Fewer than half the Brescia students are Catholic, he said, “but everyone can agree on love.”

He called the approach to the Caritas Center a three-legged stool. It asks, “Who am I as someone loved who is called to love? As a loved person, what should I know? As someone who is loved, what should I do?”

The Associates and Sisters gathered in the Maple Mount Auditorium for the day of fellowship. Emily DeMoor, who leads the Caritas Center, led a reflection following Father Larry’s talk. At the end of the day, Carolyn McCarty and Therese Wilhite made their commitments as Ursuline Associates. Here are some photos from the day.

Associate Debbie Lanham, left, shares a smile with Carolyn McCarty, who made her Associate commitment later in the day.
Kansas Associate Nanette Foley, left, talks pianos with Owensboro Associate Martha House before the day began. Foley is a musician and piano teacher.
Associate Tina Wolken, left, and Associate Mary Alice Wethington, center, talk with Therese Wilhite prior to the beginning of Associates and Sister Day. Therese made her Associate commitment later in the day.
Associates Bonnie Marks, left, and Marian Bennett look over the free book table.
It’s anyone’s guess what these two have noticed in the distance. Doreen Abbott, left, coordinator of Ursuline Partnerships, prepares the Zoom technology while entertaining Associate Sid Mason.
Owensboro Associates John and Martha Little, right, talk with Sister Betsy Moyer, as Associate Martha House walks by.
Memphis Associate George Horishny is always full of good stories as he talks with Sister Rebecca White.
This group of Owensboro Associates and Sister Rose Jean Powers find something to laugh about prior to the morning session beginning. From left are Carolyn McCarty, Debbie Lanham, Susie Westerfield, Sister Rose Jean, Karen Wells and Donna Favors.
If any shenanigans are afoot, it’s likely this group may be involved. From left, Western Kentucky Associate Lois Bell joins with guest Judy Bickett, Marion County Associate Phyllis Troutman and Western Kentucky Associates Betty Boren and Risë Karr.
Louisville Associate Suzanne Reiss, left, staffs the registration desk with Carol Braden-Clarke, director of Development for the Ursuline Sisters.
Father Larry Hostetter, the president of Brescia University and the keynote speaker for the day, talks with Sister Ruth Gehres during the morning. Sister Ruth was president of Brescia from 1986-1995.
Kansas Associate Nanette Foley leads the singing during the opening prayer.
Sister Michael Ann Monaghan, left, and Sister Ann Patrice Cecil sing as part of the opening prayer.
Owensboro Associate Bonnie Marks and Sister Rita Scott take part in the opening prayer.
Kansas Associate Joanne Thompson leads the room in the opening prayer, with each side praying antiphonally.
Father Larry Hostetter discusses the Caritas Center at Brescia University, and how it follows Saint Angela Merici’s guidance to love one another.
Louisville Associate Pauline Goebel, left, gets a hug from Sister Sharon Sullivan. Sister Sharon will take over as congregational leader in July.
Sister Mary Celine Weidenbenner, left, visits with Western Kentucky Associate Risë Karr during a break.
Emily DeMoor, who leads the Caritas Center at Brescia University, talks about three components of the center – Inspiration, Imagining and Implementation.
During the reflection period, the Sisters follow Emily DeMoor’s directive to draw on a picture of a leaf as “someone loved and called to love.” From left are Sisters Amelia Stenger, George Mary Hagan, Elaine Burke and Ruth Gehres.
Following the instruction of drawing on the leaf, the table participants were urged to share with the others at their table. From left are Sisters Mary Celine Weidenbenner, Emma Anne Munsterman, Mary Henning and Sharon Sullivan.
Sister Larraine Lauter, the 2021 keynote speaker for Associates and Sisters Day, urges Associates to participate in the virtual Ursuline Convocation that begins in September.
The new Associates read their commitment statements in front of the Associates and Sisters gathered. From left is Sister Amelia Stenger, congregational leader; new Associate Carolyn McCarty and her contact Sister Suzanne Sims; new Associate Therese Wilhite and her Contact Associate Marian Bennett.
Carolyn McCarty, left, receives her Associate pin from Sister Suzanne Sims.
Therese Wilhite, left, receives her Associate pin from Associate Marian Bennett.
Ursuline Associates stand and recommit to their desire to be Associates.
Some of the Ursuline Sisters present stand and read their commitments to support the Associates as partners in the mission.
Western Kentucky Associate Lois Bell, left, gets a laugh out of Sister Maureen O’Neill as the day concludes.
The new Associates and the people who helped them through their formation process pose for a photo at the end of the day. In front from left are new Associates Carolyn McCarty and Therese Wilhite. In the back, from left, are Sister Suzanne Sims, Associate Martha Little and Associate Marian Bennett.
The new Ursuline Associates are Carolyn McCarty, left, and Therese Wilhite.

Comments

  1. Stephanie Render

    Looks like a very good day.
    Sorry I couldn’t attend.
    Maybe next year
    Blessings to all

  2. Pamela Knudson

    I really regret not that I was not able to be there to hear Father Hostetter speak. Thank you for sharing his speech with us. I really miss coming to Maple Mount and to Sisters and Associates Day. God bless all of you for all you do. I love you all!

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