2009 Schedule
(Please scroll down to meet our 2008 Jubilarians)

For more information or to register for any of the below programs,
call Ginny Schaeffer at (502) 896-3945 or e-mail gschaeffer@ursulineslou.org

Seminar on Human Trafficking in Kentucky
Join the Ursuline Sisters as we band together with others in Kentucky to increase education and spread
awareness about this terrible practice of human trafficking.

Date: January 10

Time: Noon until 4:30 p.m.

Cost: FREE

Location: Brescia Hall (bldg 3) on the Ursuline Campus, located at 3105 Lexington Road in Louisville.   

Early Registration Deadline: January 5 (you can register day of event from Noon until 12:45 p.m.)

How to Register: call Ginny Schaeffer at (502) 896-3945 or e-mail her at gschaeffer@ursulineslou.org

What is Human Trafficking?
The great misconception about human trafficking is that it only involves immigrants. Runaways from homes in the United States
are also caught up in this often horrific practice.   Men, women and children are being coerced, forcibly removed from their homes
and misled about the work waiting for them.  Many of the women and children are sold into the sex trade.  Other human trafficking
victims have their identifications taken from them by employers so they can never return home.  Some are living in deplorable conditions
with no hope of finding a way out and are afraid to go to the very people who could do something about it such as law enforcement officers,
churches and other religious organizations,  service providers, advocates and even their neighbors.
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Centering Prayer:  If you have had an introduction to Centering Prayer and would like to be with others in this
practice of contemplative prayer please consider joining us each month as we seek God in the deep quiet.

Dates:  The third Tuesday of the month ( 1/20/2009, 2/17, 3/17, 4/21, 5/19, 6/16)
Time:  7:00pm
Place:  Brescia Hall, 3105 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY
Facilitator:  Sister Margaret Ann Hagan, OSU
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Other Services

Spiritual Direction
An opportunity to talk with a trained director who will help you to reflect on your life experiences,
questions, and prayer in a way that can help you come to a deeper sense of God's presence in your life and the invitations God may be extending.

Suggested donation: $40 per session
Spiritual directors: Numerous spiritual directors are available through the AMC.

Reiki
A healing art that transforms all levels of your being - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual by
inducing the relaxation response. It is also a tool for connecting with the Ultimate Healer, God. Many
have found it to be a satisfying way to quiet and prayer.
Reiki is offered at the AMC by trained practitioners.

Sessions generally last about an hour. A stipend of $40 is requested for each session.

Group Experiences
The staff is available to facilitate both on or off site days of reflection, evenings of reflection and workshops.
Presentations may include topics such as: living contemplatively, spirituality, prayer, visioning for the future,
discernment, nourishing one's spiritual live, Centering Prayer, and praying with Scriptures.

Brescia Hall Conference Rooms
These three conference rooms are available to non-profit adult, educational, inter-faith, religious groups and individuals for prayer,
reflection, planning, staff-development, in-service opportunities, etc. If you, or your group, are interested in renting a space, which has
grown out of the Ursuline charism "…openness and eagerness to serve the needs of others", please contact Betty Bradley at 502-212-4633.

A Time to Celebrate!
Jubilarian: one celebrating an anniversary, esp. the 50th or 25th, of entering a religious order

When they enter the community, Ursuline Sisters of Louisville take four vows: The vow of celibacy, the vow of obedience, the vow of teaching Christian living and the vow of poverty. This month, nine Ursuline Sisters celebrate their Jubilees. Not only does 2008 mark a combined service of 600 years for these Sisters, but it’s also significant because the Sisters are commemorating their 150 th anniversary in Louisville.

They'll celebrate with a special program on July 31 during the Sisters' Community Days events. The program is set up by the
Angela Merici Center. Below are their thoughts about their years of service:

Sisters Honored This Year:
Celebrating 80 years (1928)
Sister Thelma Sheehan

“I focused much of my 80 year ministry on teaching young students.”

I was introduced to the Ursuline Sisters while attending Sacred Heart Academy. I graduated in 1929, a year after my investment date as a Sister. I entered Ursuline College and studied theology and education. I served at St. Vincent de Paul and then St. Francis in West Virginia. My ministries called me to Evansville, Indiana for a time where I served at St. Boniface. My work took me to parishes in Mississippi, Nebraska and West Virginia. I returned to Louisville in 1968 where I taught elementary students at St. Rita School until the 1979-80 school year. My ministries then turned to convent, administrative and volunteer duties at the Ursuline Motherhouse. I now live and prayer with my Ursuline Sisters, family and friends at Marian Home.

Celebrating 75 years (1933)
Sister Blanche Spriggs

“My ministry focused on attending to the medical needs of others.”
I’ve spent much of my 75 years as an Ursuline Sister attending to the medical needs of others. It was the calling I devoted most of my focus to throughout my years. I was a nurse’s assistant and then a nurse’s aide at Marian Home for more than ten years. I also worked as a nurse’s aide at Nazareth Home. I served at the Motherhouse by supervising food services for my fellow Sisters. In addition, I spent my ministry serving at the Chancery in Louisville, Kentucky working as the Director of Food Services for half a dozen years. I began working in volunteer services and convent duties in 1990 until 2005. I’m now in prayer and worship with my Ursuline family and friends while living at the Motherhouse.

Celebrating 70 years (1938)
Sister Elissa Adams

“Teaching was my favorite ministry because I could watch my students grow.”
 I am living in ministry with my fellow Ursuline Sisters and friends at Marian Home. I currently visit with the sick at Marian Home and visit with my Ursuline Sisters. I have spent much of my time in ministry fulfilling and focusing on my vow of teaching Christian living. I taught, among other places, at the University of Louisville, Ursuline Academy, Bellarmine University and Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville, Kentucky. I’ve also spent time ministering outside Louisville, traveling and teaching in other cities, including Cumberland, Maryland, Columbia, South Carolina and North Platte, Nebraska.

Sister Laurana Burke

“A kind act, a cheerful word, a ray of hope goes a long way.”
I honestly don’t have a favorite ministry. I have enjoyed each and every one, teaching and helping all to grow in their experience with God is what I’m about as a person. My current ministry is helping each and every person I meet realize their place in the mind of God and how they can grow in their life. My parents prepared me well to live a good Christian way of life. Their way of teaching me the right way to live and to relate to people has carried over all these year. I am not perfect, but I try to share what I can with others who may not have had the kind of life and guidance that I received. My ears are open to anyone who needs to be heard.

Sister Esther Fehringer

“I worked to become a more competent person … in community renewal and formation”
I began my 70 years as an Ursuline Sister by enrolling in Ursuline College, where I focused my studies on theology and education courses. After completing my degree at UC, I received my Masters of Arts in Religious Education from St. Louis University. It was there that I took part in the Institute of Religious Formation to become a more competent person to carry out the functions entailed in the work of community renewal and formation. I later answered a call at St. Patrick’s Parish in Sidney, Nebraska. I served as pre-school, elementary and secondary religious education coordinator and home visitation. I also ministered at Our Lady of Guadelupe Parish in Hershey, Nebraska as pastoral minister.

Sister Georgine Grabenstein

“Many blessings and joys touched my life during my time teaching.”
My favorite ministry for more than forty years was teaching. Teaching was a challenge and a joy. It was wonderful to be with the children, helping form their minds and character and helping them live as exemplary Catholics. During my years teaching, I worked with students at elementary schools in Louisville, Nebraska, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Many blessings and joys touched my life during my time teaching and serving in God’s parishes. My current ministry is volunteering at the St. Mathews Area Ministries where I can help the needy. I feel being a Catholic Sister I can touch many lives there as I try to bear witness to Christ and his Church. I look forward to celebrating my Jubilee here in Louisville and with my family and friends in Maryland.

Sister Terence Schmitt

She was among 1,200 people who shivered in the cold in February while showing their support for House Bill 164, also known as the Stream Saver Bill
I came to Louisville after learning about the Ursuline Sisters while attending school at St. Patrick Academy in Sidney, Nebraska. After graduating in 1937, I attended Ursuline College and like my fellow Jubilarian, Sister Esther Fehringer, I went on to attend St. Louis University where I received my Masters degree in Education. I later went to Nazareth College for some furthering education so that I could serve effectively in my ministry as a teacher of Christian living. I spent much of my ministry teaching in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at Ursuline Academy. I later acted as assistant facilities director at the Ursuline Center. I spent eight years ministering at the Friendship House in Pittsburgh as the relief manager and then house manager. My most recent focus for my ministry has been volunteering at Marian Home, the Motherhouse and working in crafts. I also am very passionate about working to protect our environment and have protests in Frankfort regarding problems with strip mining in Kentucky.

Celebrating 60 years (1948)
Sister Lelia Kirchner

“ It was a blessing to live in the midst of … a contemplative people discovering a newness in giving witness to Gospel values”
I am happy and full of gratitude for the many blessings my ministries have given me. Without a doubt my favorite ministry was all the years I lived and shared with my Peruvian families and friends. Daily living amidst humble, poverty-stricken families offered me the chance to understand their daily sufferings. I felt honored and humbled to baptize hundreds, work closely with dedicated rural catechists and above all walk the long and steep horse trails while carrying with me THE BLESSED SACRAMENT that was shared in para-liturgies and with the sick. In Peru, I discovered a loving God, the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Mother became my greatest confidant and my immediate family, friends, community of Sisters and Associates never let me journey alone. I currently minister to Centro Latino in Shelbville and volunteer for the Spanish hotline.

Celebrating 40 years (1968)
Sister Jean Anne Zappa

“I’ve seen how God is actively moving in the experience”
I have been energized and found each ministry I’ve been involved with life giving in its own way. Each has had its special challenges, joys and blessings. My current ministry is in service of others as the President of the Ursuline Sisters, a six-year term that ends July 31 st of this year. Among other ministries, I taught at Angela Merici High School, was the first mission effectiveness director for the Ursuline Campus Schools and was a formation mentor for candidates. I’ve seen how God is actively moving in the experience, claiming it and sharing it with others. Encouragement and faith formation and love of my family and friends, the nurturing and support of my community and God’s faithfulness have all helped me along my faith journey.