Be kind and compassionate toward each other.
ST. ANGELA MERICI
We Are Ursuline
The Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union, Central Province, are members of a worldwide community whose lives and mission are rooted in the Gospel of Jesus and the spirit of our foundress, St. Angela Merici. We are grounded and empowered by our relationships with God and one another, in prayer and community, seeking always to be a compassionate, reconciling presence of God in our world.
Serving God by Serving Others
Education has long been the hallmark of Ursuline ministries. At the same time, contemporary social conditions call for service directed to unmet social needs. Ursulines have responded in the spirit of St. Angela according to current circumstances. In all they do, Ursulines strive to fulfill the commitment of St. Angela to peace and reconciliation among peoples in a multicultural society.
Commitment to Justice
As part of an international community, we are able to impact the lives of women on six continents. Advocacy, action and prayer are the hallmarks of our approach. We journey with those who are marginalized in our society and support the tradition of social justice as a key component of an Ursuline education.
Need a Prayer?
The Ursuline spirit is rooted in and draws its nourishment from prayer. It is our face-to-face encounter with the living God. We will gladly pray for your intentions.
Join Our Community
The Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union in the United States are members of a worldwide community whose roots date back to 16th century Italy. We would love to share something with you about Ursuline life today.
Support Our Mission
Your gifts of friendship, financial support, service and prayers allow us to continue serving the needs of God’s people. We are grateful to all who accompany us on our journey.
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We just received the 2021 Ursuline Beacon from the Ursuline Academy of Galveston Alumnae Association. We are proud of the way these women have remained united with each other and with us. ... See MoreSee Less
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We're proud to be one of 24 congregations sponsoring this series. We hope you'll tune in!How can we help those we cannot see? How does one empower those who are in chains? Human trafficking, as far-reaching and insidious as a global pandemic, knows no boundaries – whether by online home invasions or physical coercions dressed as dreams. Join us for our next episode of “Exploring Intersections: Catholic Sisters on Racism, Migration and Climate”—airing live at 3 p.m. Central on Wednesday, July 14—where our three panelists, Sister Ann Oestreich, IHM; Angela Aufdemberge; and survivor Bailey; will offer avenues of action along with powerful personal experiences in unlocking the chains of human trafficking as they engage with host Charish Badzinski in a forthright and eye-opening conversation. Registration is free and open to the public at zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nMyI6R7FTnaZAWIPDE4Bwg ... See MoreSee Less
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Scenes from the border--week 5: Sisters Maria Teresa de Llano and Karen Schwane share more pictures, worth a thousand words, of their ministry at the border with Laredo Catholic Charities. ... See MoreSee Less
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So grateful for the important humanitarian work that these Sisters and others are doing on the border 🙏❤️
We are so proud of you. Sending my love.🥰
Thank you so much for your visible presence as you continually serve others, especially at the border! MT, you are living the word SERVIAM!
MT, you are in your element! 😚. @Maria Teresa de Llano
Hello MT from the Philippines!
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We congratulate Sr Bridget Haase OSU on the publication of her new book “Thirty Days Praying the Imitation of Christ: A Companion to the Classic”. On the publisher's website, Paraclete Press, we can find out about the book: Designed to be used alongside “The Imitation of Christ” or on its own, the little book includes daily excerpts, prayers, and reflection questions, along with space for drawing or journaling. Sifting through the text, Sister Bridget has uncovered golden “nuggets of spirituality” that can enrich and guide our everyday lives.
Her website is www.wisdomwonder.com. ... See MoreSee Less
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I still have my original “Imitation of Christ” from the early 1960’s when I was at Ursuline in Galveston.
Congratulations dear Sister XX
Last week was another challenging but fulfilling one for our Sisters Karen Schwane and Maria Teresa de Llano as they continued to serve alongside other women religious--including Sister Sandy Wardell of our Eastern Province--the immigrants and asylum-seekers at the border in Laredo. ... See MoreSee Less
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Servían, alive and well!
Shout-out to the “Wacky Weekend Weeders’ – our benefits coordinator, Michael Puetz, and family, plus Sister Jean—who braved the heat and humidity on Saturday to make our courtyard look springtime fresh again! ... See MoreSee Less
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Please join us in praying for the repose of the soul of our beloved Sister Joan Bretz, who died peacefully this morning at St. Andrew’s at Francis Place in Eureka, Mo.
The daughter of Elmer J. and Eva Kramer Bretz, she was born Oct. 31, 1931, in Springfield, Ill. She entered the Ursuline community July 15, 1950, and professed her vows on Jan. 16, 1951. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the College of New Rochelle in New York and master’s and doctoral degrees from St. Louis University. She also studied theology at Weston School of Theology in Cambridge, Mass.
Known for her brilliance, Sister Joan (Mother Christopher) was a teacher, communicator, photographer and local leader who served in Springfield, Ill.; Jennings and Crystal City, Mo.; and Galveston and Laredo, Texas. She taught at Springfield College in Illinois from 1956-57 and from 1973-1990. She also taught at Ursuline Academy in Springfield from 1957-59, St. Patrick School in Galveston from 1959-60, Corpus Christi High School in Jennings from 1960-66, and Ursuline Academy in Laredo from 1966-67.
Sister Joan served in public relations for the Central Province from 1967-68 and became the first director of communications and development for the province, building the office from scratch in 1996 and serving until 2010.
She retired to the Loretto Home in her native Springfield, later moving to the Ursuline’s healthcare center in Alton, Ill., then to Francis Place in 2014.
Arrangements are pending. ... See MoreSee Less
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May she Rest In Peace.✝️ Praying for her family and Ursuline sisters.🙏🏻
Prayers for her
Sr. Joan Brett, Rest in peace, Special prayers🙏🙌
I was humbled and honored that Mother Christopher had trust and faith in me. I loved her.
Rest in peace!
Rest in eternal peace Sister
May she Rest In Peace! 🙏🏻
Sr. Joan was a terrific English teacher and I was one of her many students at Corpus Christi High School in Jennings, MO. She gave so much so that we, her students, could give much back. May she be at peace! Dave Layman
Condolences for Her Family! Prayers for Her Family and Friends! May She RIP!
Love and prayers for all grieving and loving Ursulines!
MAY GOD GRANT HER PEACE AND JOY. i REMEMBER MOTHER CHRISTOPHER AND HER KIND SWEET WAYS.
Loved her. She was our class moderator when we were seniors (1964). Had her for home room and we call ourselves the Mickey Mouse Club after her - Mother Mary Christopher. One day we all brought Mickey Mouse ears and when she turned her back we all put them on, she got such a kick out of it. Had wonderful and loving memories of her. She was an amazing English teacher and touched the lives of so many people. RIP MMC ❤️🙏
Many fond memories of Sister Joan from Ursuline Academy, Springfield, IL. We were class of 1960!! May she rest in peace! 🙏
She was a very special lady and teacher. Thank you for posting.
Sr Joan ❤️ Rest in peace
One of my first mentors
May sister Rest In Peace.
Sr. Joan taught English at Springfield College in Illinois during my time there 1982-1984. Rest In Peace!
Rest in peace sr.
Rest In Peace🙏
She was so young, pretty, and kind. May she RIP.
May she Rest In Peace.🙏🏼
Rest in peace
May God rest her soul.
I remember her as Mother Christopher at Corpus Christi High School and thought she was so pretty and friendly - and how accomplished she was, too, after reading this.
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So many decades of love and devotion to Ursuline Academy and the Ursuline Sisters. . . .You will always be in our hearts.It is with both a heavy heart that we share that Thelma Hartnett went home to God early this morning and relief that her passing was as she would have had it, peaceful and surrounded by those closest to her. Thelma's legacy lives on in her family and the many students and coworkers she impacted as a teacher, mentor, colleague, friend, and the heart of Ursuline Academy.
Thelma never stopped teaching us how to live to the fullest. She gave us the gift of her constant smile and a living example of gratitude to God for all that she experienced. She set the bar quite high for those of us who will continue to do her work on behalf of Ursuline Academy.
The family plans to hold a memorial service in the coming weeks. We will share information as it is available.
We will hold a prayer service tomorrow evening, June 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel at Ursuline Academy, which is open to the community. Plans are also underway for a memorial for Thelma, open to the entire community, early in the upcoming fall semester. We hope you will join us in lifting Thelma and her family in your prayers. ... See MoreSee Less
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🙏🙏🙏❤️