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Ursuline Sisters begin their year of celebrating 150 years with reception, original play and Mass

The Ursuline Sisters kicked off their celebration of 150 years since their arrival at Maple Mount with a reception and performance of the original one-act play “Legacy Sisters” on Jan. 27, 2024, the Feast of Saint Angela Merici.

Ursuline Associates, alumnae of Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Ursuline Sisters and other guests gathered in Maple Hall to begin the celebration year, commemorating the Aug.15, 1874, arrival of the Sisters who traveled on a flatboat down the Ohio River from Louisville to open the Academy. The theme for the celebration year is “Cultivating the Vine Saint Angela Entrusted to Us.”

Following the program, Mass was celebrated in the Motherhouse Chapel for the Feast of Saint Angela Merici. Here are photos from the day, and links to the video of the program, the performance of “Legacy Sisters,” and the Mass.

Sister Mary Matthias Ward, left, talks with Ursuline Associate Joanne Mason, left, her husband Frank Mason, and Ursuline Associate Carol Hill.
Sister Julia Head, left, and Sister Mary Timothy Bland enjoy a few moments before the program began.
Ursuline Associates Elaine Wood and Father Ray Goetz talk before the program began.
Sister Martha Keller, center, a member of the 150th Celebration Planning Committee, hands programs to Ursuline Associates Donna Favors, left, and Karen Wells.
Sister Barbara Jean Head holds a tray of buttermilk cookies as Ursuline Associate Suzanne Reiss, Sister Judith Nell Riney and Associate Bonnie Marks pass through the food line. Sister Amelia Stenger and other Sisters made the cookies and bourbon balls for the event.
Sister Nancy Liddy, left, and Sister Elaine Burke talk with Sister Elaine’s brother.
Ursuline Associates Marian Bennett, left, and Carol Hill share a few moments.
Gertie Frey, right, helps herself to a slice of watermelon offered by Sister Betsy Moyer. Buttermilk cookies and watermelon were served in honor of the first meal the Ursuline Sisters had when they arrived at Maple Mount in 1874.
Sister Amelia Stenger, second from right, who organized the reception for the day, poses with the actors who were portraying the pioneer Ursuline Sisters in the play “Legacy Sisters.” From left are Mary-Katherine Maddox, Calli Whitmore, Rebecca Volk, Meredith Keller and Kristin Whitney.
Sister Ruth Gehres, left, sits with Western Kentucky Ursuline Associates to watch “Legacy Sisters.” From left are Mike Sullivan, Betty Boren, Risë Karr and Elaine Wood.
Ursuline Sister Pauline “Po” Goebel enjoys an Ursuline tradition, bourbon balls.
The Sims sisters were in attendance for “Legacy Sisters.” From left are Ursuline Associate Delores Turnage, Teresa Edwards, Sister Suzanne Sims and Gertie Frey.
Sister Sharon Sullivan, congregational leader for the Ursuline Sisters, led the group in the opening prayer and shared some of the history that is being celebrated in 2024.
Ursuline Associate Dan Heckel, chairman of the 150th Celebration Planning Committee, details some of the events throughout the year, and introduces his play “Legacy Sisters.”
Debbie Reynolds, right, playing the grandmother Alice, shares the story of the Ursuline Sisters to her “granddaughters,” played by Miranda Bolin, left, and Kate Hamilton, in the play “Legacy Sisters.”
Sister Johanna Froeba, portrayed by Mary-Katherine Maddox, pours one of her tonics for Father Paul Volk, played by Edward Wilson, during the play “Legacy Sisters.”
Ursuline Associate Mike Sullivan carries in the processional cross as Father Ray Goetz follows him to begin Mass.
Nolan Snyder, director of Music at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana, plays the piano as a scola of Sisters sings during Mass. From left are Sister Nancy Liddy, Sister Cecelia Joseph Olinger, Sister Mary Henning (leading the singers), Sister Elaine Burke and Sister Amelia Stenger.

 

 

Mass celebrating the Feast of Saint Angela Merici

 

 

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