Sister Raymunda Orth is a woman with many missions. Her ministry would tire someone half her age; yet she moves through the day with both determination and grace. She is someone who knows where she is going but is always open and eager to pause and attend to the needs of others.

Her day begins with prayer in the little oratory at Sacred Heart Academy Convent, Louisville, Kentucky, where she lives with 14 sisters and serves as house treasurer. For Sister Raymunda, prayer, especially praying with her sisters, is the anchor of her life and the source of her energy for the day. Her ministry takes her daily to the Ursuline campus mail and duplicating office. She also assists with programs offered by the Angela Merici Center.

Her love of music led her to think about becoming a sister. When she began studying organ in the seventh grade in Evansville, Indiana, she met sisters who encouraged her in her desire to serve God. She has generously shared her musical talent through the years. Since 1991 she has been organist for Marian Home, a nursing facility on the Ursuline Campus, and is available to help out with other liturgical needs. She also gives private music lessons.

Sister Raymunda has been committed to working with persons with special needs since 1968 when she began teaching children with learning differences. Through the years she has been a loyal advocate for adults with mental disabilities.

An early influence in her life was Mother Gilberta Belshoff. Sister Raymunda easily recalls her words of admonition regarding personal growth in the spiritual life: "If you have the fervor of a novice, you haven't progressed much." Through prayer, reading, conferences, personal reflection and service, Sister Raymunda continues to grow in her faith and love of God and to keep abreast of the times.

Sister Raymunda celebrated 50 years as an Ursuline Sister of Louisville in 1997. Today she says with enthusiasm and a warm smile, "I have no regrets"! She finds a sense of peacefulness in the words of Saint Angela Merici, the founder of the Ursuline Sisters, who promised "she will be with us at all times, even now." This promise and the sustaining presence of the Blessed Sacrament give Sister Raymunda hope for the future of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville.