World Youth Day unites faithful - pilgrims of all continents. See Page 5 - Fall 2009
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Fall 2009 World Youth Day unites faithful pilgrims of all continents. See Page 5. Sister Denise Marie Vlna (center, wearing red) shares a moment with fellow travelers and new friends in Sydney, Australia, for 2008’s World Youth Day.
Message from the President
Dear Friends, traveled, we served God’s people.
That is what we were all about.
We are living in
an extraordinary Today we are still about serving
time in history—in God’s people. We have many of
our country, on the same opportunities for service,
our planet and but now in an interdependent
in our Church and Religious Life. global setting interconnected
Words like interconnectedness, by fast-paced communications
interdependence and collaboration systems and travel.
The Ursuline Sisters News is aren’t just nice words to add to
published four times a year for
friends and supporters of the our vocabulary; they are becoming When our foundress, St. Angela
Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland. the very building blocks of change, Merici, advised us to change with
growth and vision for the future. the needs of our times, she could
Sister Susan Durkin never have imagined the world of
Director of Development
New challenges lurk around today. Yet, as you will read in this
sdurkin@ursulinesisters.org
or (440) 449-1200, Ext. 105. every corner, but in seizing those issue of Ursuline Sisters News our
challenges new and wonderful Sisters continue to respond to the
Comments/Corrections: opportunities present themselves. needs of God’s people in multiple
Debbie DiMascio As Ursuline Sisters we understand and varied settings, proclaiming the
Director of Marketing
this very well. Our 475-year history Gospel message in response to our
and Communications
ddimasci@ursulinesisters.org has been filled with challenges Ursuline mission of transforming
or (440) 449-1200, Ext. 198. that brought about opportunities lives “through contemplation,
to be of service to God’s people. justice and compassion.”
Sister Susan Bremer
Communications Associate
I love to hear our retired sisters The challenges and opportunities
sbremer@ursulinesisters.org
or (440) 449-1200, Ext. 251. tell stories of “the good old days” of today may be different but
when, with a scarcity of food on God’s blessings continue in
Change of Address: our own tables, we fed the poor abundance. On behalf of the
Cindy Johnson
who came to the back door of Ursuline Sisters, I thank you for all
Associate Director
of Development our Motherhouse at 55th and you do to support our commitment
cjohnson@ursulinesisters.org Scovill Avenue. And the sisters to service and our fidelity to
or (440) 449-1200 Ext. 166. still talk about riding the streetcar Ursuline life. Thank you for your
from 55th to the schools in which friendship. May God bless you.
Mailing address:
they taught. When Villa Angela
Development Office
Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland served as our Motherhouse, Yours in St. Angela,
2600 Lander Road sisters traveled to and from their
Pepper Pike, Ohio 44124 schools by convent buses. No
matter where we lived or how we Sister Angelita Zawada, OSU
Join us for November Liturgy
Our annual memorial liturgy for Deceased Relatives & Friends will
be celebrated in The Ursuline Educational Center’s (Motherhouse)
Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity Sunday, Nov.1, at 10 a.m.
A continental breakfast will follow in Daley Dining Hall and the sisters’
dining room. For more information, call 440-449-1200, Ext. 199.
Retirement Rally promises 129 cash prizes! Drawing dates:
Would you like to have a little place it in the hopper for your Nov. 3, 2009
fun while helping the sisters? opportunity to win prizes of $50, Dec. 1, 2009
We certainly hope you’ll enjoy $100 and $250 in eight monthly
Jan. 5, 2010
participating in our inaugural drawings that will take place
Retirement Rally, designed to November through June 2010, Feb. 2, 2010
reward participants as they when an additional $500 will be March 2, 2010
contribute to the continued care awarded for the final drawing. April 6, 2010
of our aging and infirm sisters. After a winning ticket is pulled May 4, 2010
The Rally will offer each from the hopper, it will be placed June 1, 2010
participant chances to win cash in the hopper again for a chance
prizes every month for eight at future winnings. All participants, Each month
months. It’s easy to participate regardless of winnings, will we’ll draw:
by calling a sister you know, be included in all drawings. 12 $50 winners
contacting the development office Also each month, $25 will be 3 $100 winners
at 440-449-1200 or visiting the awarded to two “sister sellers” if 1 $250 winner
Ursuline Educational Center/ winners purchased their tickets
Motherhouse to make your from an Ursuline. If more than
$25 donation. You’ll receive a In June a $500
two winning tickets for the month bonus prize will be
ticket to complete with your are sold by sisters, the first two awarded as well!
contact information and we’ll pulled will receive the award.
Attention all former members of past and present. If you’ve never
Welcome the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland! attended, perhaps this is the time
Please save the date and join us to get reacquainted.
former for our 2009 Re-member Day, The program will include time
Ursulines! scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17.
If you’ve participated in previous
for visiting, a 4 p.m. Liturgy in
celebration of the Feast of Saint
Re-member Re-member gatherings, you know Ursula, and supper. For more
gathering Oct. 17 how wonderful it is to reconnect information, call Sister Susan
with community friends of the Durkin at 440-449-1200, Ext. 105.
Fall 2009 • 3
Ursulines bond with global Church
Sisters those from different countries and Sister Maria has also served on an
Maria cultures throughout the world. international steering committee for
Cimperman Also internationally known for the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance
and Denise her contributions to theology (an international network of Christian
Marie Vlna as they relate to the global churches) gathering an international
continue the pandemic of HIV/AIDS, Sister body of Christian ethicists,
tradition of Maria first developed an interest practitioners and people living with
spreading in theological responses to HIV/ HIV to advance prevention efforts.
the Ursuline AIDS while exploring subjects
charism far for her doctoral dissertation. “If I “Working with
and wide,
addressing 21st Century needs
was going to write something, I all people of good
wanted it to be useful,” she says.
with 21st Century responses. New
An eight-week trip to Ghana
will, the pandemic
technologies and the sisters’ gifts
of engagement make serving the unexpectedly invited her to explore can be stemmed
local and global realities of HIV and
global church—and connecting
AIDS, particularly as they affected
and eradicated.
with humanity—much easier than
in the past. the poor and marginalized. “A week May it be so.”
before I left the region, a woman
Both sisters connect to the with end-stage AIDS, ‘Cecilia,’ went “There is certainly much yet to
global community in different to the Shekinah Clinic, and the staff be done among God’s people in
ways. Sister Maria was recently asked Cecilia to share her story terms of responding properly with
promoted to associate professor with Sister Maria. prevention, care and treatment,”
of moral theology and social she says. “The Church and our
The conversation sealed the theological tradition have much to
ethics at the Oblate School of
deal for Sister Maria. She knew offer our world struggling with HIV
Theology in San Antonio, Texas.
what her dissertation would today. Working with all people of
She witnesses the powerful
address. And the dissertation good will, the pandemic can be
impact of the global church
turned into a book, “When stemmed and eradicated. May it
through her teaching ministry,
God’s People have HIV/AIDS: An be so.”
which serves students throughout
Approach to Ethics.”
the United States as well as
Sister Maria helps connect “younger set”
In addition to ministering at the Oblate School while novices today receive the support of their
of Theology, Sister Maria serves as one of six core congregations throughout the formation process,
team members of Giving Voice. they generally don’t experience it with a “set” of
Giving Voice started more than 10 years ago women of their own generation.
to serve “a significant minority” of sisters 50 As a core member of the Giving Voice team,
and younger throughout the United States. Sister Maria helps coordinate various aspects of
Giving Voice has grown to include regular the organization’s offerings. A woman with a full
conferences, a Web site and enewsletters plate, she says, “Passion for ‘the life,’ passion
for these sisters. The organization has begun for God and passion for God’s people,” keep her
engaging women religious in congregations in committed to the work of Giving Voice. “I believe
other countries as well. we’re called to give our lives away in love. I don’t
While Sister Maria affirms “all ages are great,” do it perfectly by any means, but I try. What keeps
she says, “There is also a need to be with people that commitment going is prayer.
in your own generation for support and visioning.” “As a woman religious under 50, I also have a
Through the 1960s, women entered religious huge commitment to doing my part to engage the
congregations in “sets” of novices who would life in my time, just as the giants ahead of us have
go through religious formation together. And done,” she adds.
4 • Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland
Sister Denise Marie engages youth, young adults in faith
Sister Denise Marie, pastoral associate at St. “It’s important that the young use their gifts in a
Charles Borromeo Parish, serves people of all variety of ways and we should encourage them
ages, but focuses on youth and young-adult to become active members and leaders of the
ministries. She says young people today hunger church,” says Sister Denise Marie. “They don’t
for spirituality and a deeper understanding of their have to wait until they are older. They have so
faith. They’re “questioners,” with curiosity and much to offer now.”
interest. These groups are often referred to as One of the most powerful experiences she
Generations X (born in or after the 1960s) and Y has offered young people is the opportunity to
(born in or after the 1980s). participate in World Youth Days, which were
Sister Denise Marie says it makes sense introduced by Pope John Paul II in 1986. Sister
these generations want knowledge about what Denise Marie took 33 people to Rome, Italy, in
it means to be Catholic today, as “Gen Xers” 2000; 110 to Toronto, Canada, in 2002; 55 to
first came into the world while the Church was Cologne, Germany, in 2005; and 42 to Sydney,
transitioning to Vatican II. Australia, in 2008. Perhaps
New forms of catechesis Pope John Paul best
were being developed— explained the influences of
there would be no more such experiences in a 1996
required memorization of letter to Cardinal Eduardo
the Baltimore Catechism, Franciso Pironio:
but rather church “With the passing years,
teaching that would World Youth Days have
humanize and relate the proved themselves to be
Gospel to modern times. not conventional rites,
The 21st Century’s but providential events,
young Catholics want occasions for young people
and need catechesis Sister Denise Marie Vlna and Sara Cole, a member to profess and proclaim faith
of St. Charles Young Adults group, on a side
and Sister Denise Marie in Christ with ever greater joy
trip to New Zealand’s Agrodome, a theme park
is delivering. The youth showcasing the country’s agriculture. … and in doing so, they join
and young adults she hands, forming an immense
serves participate in spiritual, volunteer and social circle of friendship, uniting in faith in the Risen
activities. She says young people will become Lord all the different races and nations, cultures
involved with the Church if they are invited and and experiences.”
feel a sense of belonging. Sister Denise Marie says young people embrace
Sister Denise Marie adds, “Young people the opportunity to stay in touch with their
are searching for a faith community that offers local and international friends through today’s
direction and hope, and for a church where they technology, which helps foster global peace and
are not only welcomed, but empowered to share understanding as they share their faith.
their gifts and talents. They seek to be, as Pope Sisters Maria and Denise Marie, Gen Xers
John Paul says, ‘the saints of the new millennium.’ themselves, say the 21st Century is an exciting
It’s important for them to know there’s a time. They acknowledge something big and
welcoming place for them to celebrate their call to wonderful is on the horizon for women religious—a
discipleship and to partake in the life and mission revitalization of religious life evident through
of the Church.” their modern-day experiences and predicted by
At St. Charles, the voices of the young are heard sociologists. The sisters say they look forward
at parish council meetings and their presence is to what is yet to unfold in the great gifts and
apparent at liturgical services and at parish events. challenges religious life offers.
Fall 2009 • 5
Sister Joachim’s 36-year service draws to a close
Parmadale richer for “Sister Jo’s” legacy of care, compassion
Thirty six years and 14 job the students who were making able to depend on each other. It
descriptions ago Sister M. no progress and made them was quite remarkable.”
Joachim entered Parmadale a learning community unto Sister Joachim acknowledges
Village (St. Anthony’s Home) as themselves, much like pioneer she has been changed by
a volunteer filling in for a friend families of old or today’s home her years at Parmadale. The
on vacation. During that brief schooling model. The students experience has made her “more
stint, she lost her heart … to a lived, recreated and attended tolerant of the foibles of young
community of young people in school in one cottage designated people and all they’ve been
turmoil and to a staff committed for the program. Sister Joachim through.” The things they’ve
to helping them. So began taught them academic subjects seen and experienced, she
Sister Joachim’s storied tenure but she also assisted them in notes, have had a powerful
at Parmadale and a ministry developing life skills. effect on them and, as a result,
of care and presence that
“they’ve fallen into habits
concluded June 4 with her
and behaviors that make
retirement and a gathering
everything more difficult.”
of thanksgiving.
That reality gives rise to
Even after three and a her hope the Parmadale
half decades of service, the community will continue to
85-year old can still recount
work with these kids who’ve
each of the job descriptions
seen little but the harsh side
she received, but it is apparent
of life. “We need to build
that the “what” of her doing
their hope and to provide
always took a back seat to the
them with a sense of peace
“how.” She offered sensitivity,
and security.”
compassion and a fair amount
of humor as an antidote to She carries with her a
the often harsh and sobering lifetime of memories, but
backgrounds that brought “her none so dear as her 80th
kids” to Parmadale. birthday celebration when
Her favorite assignments Ursuline Sisters President Angelita Zawada the boys from Cottage 14
were those that afforded approached “Sister Jo”
(right) celebrates with Sister Joachim bearing bouquets of artificial
opportunities to encourage Mullins at Sister Joachim’s Parmadale
character development flowers, fell to one knee and
retirement party. Visit ursulinesisters. offered a rousing rendition
in her young charges. In
org to read about her 36-year ministry of “My Girl.” “That was
the Learning Center, for
instance, Sister Joachim at Parmadale, a residential treatment precious,” she says.
encouraged her students center for youth, and what the So what does retirement
to apply themselves, to future holds for “Sister Jo,” as the hold in store for Sister
achieve, to aspire, to do residents and staff fondly knew her. Joachim? She has already
their best, to be their best. begun assisting with the
She was their teacher, but she Ursuline Prayer Line and is
Involvement in that
was also a mentor, cheerleader considering volunteer work at
program was a highlight of
and advocate. Hillcrest Hospital and/or the
Sister Joachim’s Parmadale
Likewise in the Pioneer experience because it taught Metro Parks. One thing is for
Parenting program she helped the kids how to cooperate, how sure, she says. “Whatever I do
establish, Sister Joachim to get along. “We became a it will involve people. I want to
fostered so much more than family,” she says, “and the kids, see people, be with people.
learning. The program took many for the first time, were That’s what keeps me alive.”
6 • Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland
Beaumont move inspires memories, new beginnings
A 63-year chapter of Ursuline in May and shared memories of and Lee Road, the new homes
history has given way to a their years together. According will allow more contact with
new beginning as nine sisters to Sister Donna Mikula, the neighbors and greater visibility
departed Beaumont convent for move was bittersweet. “Leaving in the neighborhoods.
new residences. The century-old such beautiful and blessed
mansion, formerly the Painter space and the breaking up of Holding fond memories
estate, had become too costly our community … is our loss,” of their years together at
for the congregation to maintain she notes, “but moving into a Beaumont, they begin again,
due to its age, deteriorating new space is our blessing.” trusting that new memories
condition and the small number and blessings await them in
Sister Madonna Marie joined a the months and years ahead.
of sisters in residence.
small Ursuline community at St.
The building and property Anselm’s convent in Chesterland.
now belong to Beaumont
School and figure prominently
The others – Sisters Donna, Mary
McNulty, Cheryl Mentkowski,
M i n i s t ry
in the school’s future plans
for growth and expansion.
Mary Ann Murphy, Brigetta,
Christine DeVinne, Ann Wojnar
Milestones
The sisters’ move, meanwhile, and Mary Eileen Boyle – opened Sister Caroline Kocur
was an emotional undertaking, two new Ursuline residences, With the conclusion
especially for those Ursulines who one in University Heights, the of the year 2008-
had called the convent home for other in Cleveland Heights. Living 09 school Sister
almost 30 years and for Sisters only about a mile apart, the Caroline stepped
Mary Lynn and Chichi, members two groups hope to gather for down as principal of
of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart celebrations throughout the year. St. Vincent de Paul
community in Nigeria who lived School after 13 years
The houses will provide smaller, of service. This was her third tenure
at Beaumont while studying
more economical and more as elementary school principal;
at John Carroll University. The
easily maintained living space she also served in that position at
pair graduated in May and
from which they can commute Immaculate Conception School,
returned to Nigeria in June.
to their individual ministries. And Willoughby, and St. Jerome School,
The small community unlike the secluded, walled-in Cleveland. The 48-year veteran of
celebrated a final supper together convent at Fairmount Boulevard elementary education is discerning
her next phase of ministry.
Sister Rosemary Hocevar
Sister John Vianney packs books Sister Rosemary is
on the final day of the Beaumont retiring from Ursuline
move. She was joined by a team of College after 20
Ursulines and young men from Villa years. She has served
Angela – Saint Joseph High School as vice president
who volunteered to help move for institutional
heavier items from the convent. advancement, taught
in the education department and
most recently served as a professor
From left, Beaumont Board
in the educational administration
President Joe Gambatese,
program. Her ministry career has also
school President Sister Gretchen
included teaching at the secondary
Rodenfels, Ursuline Sisters level and serving as principal at Villa
President Sister Angelita Zawada Angela Academy. She is currently
and the congregation’s Treasurer, discerning future ministry options.
Sister Joan Peine sign documents
to complete the sale of the convent. Fall 2009 • 7
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Ursuline Academy of Cleveland
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Cleveland, OH
Permit #3796
Development Office
2600 Lander Road
Pepper Pike, Ohio 44124
www.ursulinesisters.org
Looking for inspiration? Visit ursulinesisters.org!
If you’re looking for under the Feed Your Faith section also written more in her
spiritually inspired reading, on our home page (bottom left) series on experiencing
visit ursulinesisters.org, where to read “Deepening Our Spiritual cancer with palliative care.
you’ll find writings by Ursuline Lives.” She also shares an
Sisters. explanation of what the church
Sister means by “Ordinary Time.”
Maureen Additionally, Sister Jennifer
McCarthy Corlett, holistic psychologist
has become and Gestalt-trained clinician,
a regular offers “Slowing Down: A
contributor Prescription for Personal
to the Web and Community Health.”
site. Look Sister Anita Whitely has
Contact Sister Maureen to Feed Your Faith
In addition to contributing to featured speaker at parishes. “a guide for the 21st Century
our Web site, Sister Maureen Some of her topics include woman;” Catholics’ calling
McCarthy speaks on a variety dealing with loss; praying with to social justice; the “power
of spiritual topics before groups Scripture; spiritual health; prayer of joy in our lives;” and many
of all sizes, including those and developing “the ultimate” other subjects important to
meeting in homes. She conducts relationship; women of Hebrew our world and lives today.
retreats that last from one day Scripture; women of Christian For more information, call
to one week and is often a Scripture; Saint Angela Merici, 440-449-1200, Ext. 373.
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