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Ursuline Sisters install new Leadership Council for 2026-30

The Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph installed their new Leadership Council for 2026-2030 on July 19, 2026, with a ceremony that has been handed down for generations.

Sister Sharon Sullivan returns for a second term as congregational leader. She is joined by three new members – Sister Alicia Coomes as assistant congregational leader, Sister Judith Nell Riney as a councilor and Sister Larraine Lauter as a councilor. They replace Sisters Martha Keller, Monica Seaton and Ann McGrew.

The installation occurred during Mass in the Motherhouse Chapel, and featured a ceremonial “sharing of the light,” with the previous Council handing a lighted candle to the new members. Here are the pictures from the day.

Sister Sharon Sullivan, left, and Sister Martha Keller share a smile before the festivities began. Sister Sharon has been congregational leader and Sister Martha the assistant leader for the past four years.
Sister Monica Seaton, left, laughs with Sister Larraine Lauter before the ceremony. Sister Monica has served as a councilor the past four years, while Sister Larraine is new to the Council.
Sister Judith Nell Riney, who was installed as a councilor, talks with Father Ray Goetz before the ceremony. Father Ray has been chaplain at the Mount for 16 years and was the chief celebrant at the Mass.
Sister Sharon Sullivan, right, talks with Sister Rita Ann Wigginton, who is vice president of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville.
Sister Ann McGrew, who concluded her term as a councilor, speaks with Father John Vaughan, who concelebrated the Mass.
Sister Judith Nell Riney, left, smiles with Sister Helena Fischer. The two served together at Brescia University for 35 years.
As many of the Ursuline Sisters as possible attended the installation. Before Mass, Sister Betsy Moyer, center, and Sister Mary Henning share a laugh. At the end of the row are Sisters Susan Mary Mudd and Helena Fischer. In the back are Sister Rose Jean Powers, left, and Sister Angela Fitzpatrick.
Ursuline Associate Patsy Beauchamp, left, of Louisville, chats with Sister Grace Simpson prior to Mass.
Sister Pam Mueller carries in the processional cross to begin Mass.
Sister Ann McGrew bows at the altar, as Sister Monica Seaton follows her in the procession. Both Sisters were concluding their four-year terms on the Council.
Sister Monica Seaton heads to her seat as Sister Martha Keller approaches the altar and Sister Sharon Sullivan follows her. Sister Sharon was both concluding her existing term and leading the new Council into office.
Sister Alicia Coomes heads to her seat, as Sister Judith Nell Riney and Sister Larraine Lauter follow her in the procession.
Three Ursuline Associates played a role in the Mass. Seminarian Wes Wheatley, in white, served at Mass, while Father Ray Goetz, right, and Father John Vaughan concelebrated.
Sister Martha Keller, assistant congregational leader, lights a taper from the Paschal Candle. She then told those gathered, “The Paschal Candle is a symbol of the light of Christ that has come into our world. During baptisms and religious professions, the light symbolizes the presence and gift of the Holy Spirit. Today, the light of Christ is passed on to represent the guidance of the Holy Spirit being transferred to the new leadership team of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph.”
Sister Martha Keller lights four candles, two each held by outgoing Council members Sister Monica Seaton, right, and Sister Ann McGrew.
The three outgoing members of the Leadership Council – from left, Sisters Ann McGrew, Monica Seaton, and Martha Keller – read from Saint Angela Merici’s Prologue to the Rule, “Blessed are you into whose hearts God has breathed the light of truth, and to whom God has given the will to yearn ardently for your heavenly home. Seek to preserve and follow the voice of truth and this holy desire.”
The entire congregation read a response to the outgoing Council. Pictured here, from right, are Sisters Rita Scott, Mary Timothy Bland, and Nancy Liddy.
Sister Martha Keller, left, addresses the new Council to the right. “As you begin your service of leadership on behalf of our community gathered here, we extend to you the light of Christ. May this light remind you of the counsels and inspirations which the Holy Spirit unceasingly sends into your hearts. May this light be for you a guide and consolation throughout the next four years.
Sister Martha Keller, left, hands Sister Sharon Sullivan a candle and says, “I share with you the light of the Spirit and ask God’s blessing upon you.”
Sister Martha Keller, left, passes a candle to her longtime friend Sister Alicia Coomes, the new assistant congregational leader.
Sister Monica Seaton, left, passes her candle to Sister Judith Nell Riney, a new councilor.
Sister Ann McGrew, left, passes her candle to Sister Larraine Lauter, a new councilor.
The new Leadership Council reads from Saint Angela Merici’s First Council, “We regard ourselves as ministers and servants, knowing that we have more need to serve than you have to be served by us.” From left are Sister Sharon Sullivan, Sister Alicia Coomes, Sister Judith Nell Riney, and Sister Larraine Lauter.
The community of Ursuline Sisters responded with Saint Angela’s words, “May the strength and true consolation of the Holy Spirit be with each of you so that you can maintain and carry out vigorously and faithfully the charge laid upon you. We beg God to enlighten, direct and teach you what you have to do for love of God in this task. Truly this is a great grace. Have hope and firm faith in God who will help you in everything, since without any doubt God has entrusted this work to you and will give you the strength necessary to accomplish it. Amen.” The Sisters here from left are Sisters Susan Mary Mudd, Helena Fischer, Betsy Moyer and Mary Henning. In the back is Sister Angela Fitzpatrick.
Sister Cheryl Clemons, left, played the piano as Sisters Mary Ellen Backes and Suzanne Sims led the singing during Mass.
Sister Jane Falke delivers the second reading during Mass. Sister Jacinta Powers delivered the first reading.
Sister Michele Morek reads the intercessions.
As the celebration ended, the congregation rose and extended their hands toward the new Leadership Council and offered them a blessing. It included, “We, their Sisters, surround them with the promise of our prayerful support as they generously give their lives in wholehearted service,” and concluded with “May they know themselves as worthy bearers of your Word and daughters of Saint Angela so that, in all things, you alone may be glorified.”
The new Council gathers for a playful hug following the ceremony.
The first photo of the 2026-2030 Ursuline Leadership Council. From left, Sister Sharon Sullivan, congregational leader; Sister Judith Nell Riney, councilor; Sister Larraine Lauter, councilor; Sister Alicia Coomes, assistant congregational leader.
The new Council greeted a steady stream of well-wishers. From right, Sister Alicia Coomes gets a hug from Sister Helena Fischer, Sister Judith Nell Riney greets Sister Betsy Moyer, while Sister Barbara Jean Head waits her turn.
Sister Alicia Coomes gets a hug from Father John Vaughan after the ceremony. It was Father John who in the 1970s brought Sister Alicia to a “come and see weekend” to introduce her to the Ursuline Sisters when she was a teenager at Holy Name Parish in Henderson, Ky.
Sister Monica Seaton leads everyone in prayer before lunch in the dining room.

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