February Chapter of Affairs Sets Direction
for the Next Four Years

The Toledo Ursuline Community met February 21 and 22 for the opportunity to discuss where they would like to direct their hopes and dreams for the next four years. In circles of conversation, Sisters and Associates looked at issues and concerns that need to be addressed or new ideas to be explored. Facilitated by Sister Cheryl Clemons, OSU, of Maple Mount, KY and her assistant, Sister Marietta Wethington, the discussions were wrapped in the context of the writings of St. Angela Meric, the Community Constitution and Scripture. The Mission and Vision Statements were reaffirmed.

The Directional Statement changed to reflect a new understanding:

"Living in holy relationship, a contemplative presence in an ever changing world"

Relationships in the life of St. Angela Merici were of extreme importance to her, especially her relationship with God. The Sisters and Associates will continue to be the contemplative presence that the world longs to experience.

Chapter of Elections begins Thursday, March 27 with a Day of Discernment for endorsees for leadership.  Friday, March 28, Community members will meet with the endorsees.  Saturday, March 29, Community elections will take place.

Lenten Reflection

"so it is fitting that fasting and abstinence be the source and means of all our spiritual good and profit"
(St. Angela's Rule on Fasting)

"In Angela's writings the concept of charity is used to describe in particular a general human – or inner – disposition toward others....Angela identified "charity" with "love."... Angela viewed charity as a human quality as a tool for helping others." (Mazzonis - Spirituality, Gender, and the Self in Renaissance Italy)

We know how often Angela speaks to us of charity in her writings. In her life, charity flowed from her deep prayer and life of fasting and abstinence. We may not be able to live to the extremes that she did, but we are challenged to look at the way we pray and the means by which we fast.

We may choose this Lent to fast from something or fast by doing something more. We may choose to reach out to others more often. We may choose to be more aware of how we are charitable to others. We may choose to simply pray more and just be in God's presence. May this time of conversion and change be truly a blessed time. May charity abide in our hearts as we meet others on this sacred Lenten journey.

Angela – From Vision to Mission
The Founding of the Company

Sunday March 9, 2014 Angela – Dream Realized

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Ursuline Center Chapel
Presenter - Sister Donna Frey, OSU

For Sisters, Associates and Ursuline Friends

 What will we carry forward to keep Angela's spirit alive?

Come join us to reflect on Angela's journey. 

To RSVP please contact Val at 419-536-9587 or vmyers@ursulinecenter.org

A Ministry of Presence
Sister Nelda Chafitelli, OSU

Residing in Abingdon, Maryland, Sister Nelda Chafitelli, sees her overall ministry in life as being "a ministry of presence. In particular, for the past twenty-five years I have been ministering at Ursuline Counseling Services and Psychological Services providing psychotherapy, spiritual direction, and consultative services to lay, religious and clergy.

The greatest gift has been the privilege of companioning another in the search for the authentic self and God. I have grown in deep appreciation for the uniqueness and preciousness of each individual. I am awed an humbled by the Diving's ways of healing in a person's life and the soul's journey.

"The qualities of St. Angela that I most admire include: her contemplative spirituality; her capacity to nurture and empower others through generative relationships; her charism to adapt and respond to the needs of the time; her spirit of cultivating unity with diversity. She was a woman of vision, deep interiority, compassion and generativity. Angela inspires me to live my life as she lived her life. Angela is a woman for all times.

Some things I enjoy include nature, walking, reading, reading, music, cooking, baking, movies, and of course, the ocean."

Down Memory Lane

Sister Agnes Therese Yakobian, OSU

Sister Agnes Therese Yakobian died before she was 17 years old. She had the unique privilege of receiving the habit on her death bed. Dr. Ignatius Kelly gave her the habit on January 22, 1929 as the choir sang the traditional music for the occasion.

Sister Agnes Therese Yakobian was born Rita Yakobian in Constantinople, Turkey on May 1, 1912. When her father, an officer in the Armenian Army, was killed by the Turks her mother brought Rita and her brother George to the United States. They lived in St. Francis de Sales parish. Mrs. Yakobian was ill and died before Rita and her brother were 15. They were taken care of by Mrs. Kennedy, Sister Dominic's and Sister Mary Eleanor's mother. Rita entered the Community in 1928 and was ill shortly after her entrance. She died February 1, 1929.

Elizabeth Thornton entered the Ursulines in August after Sister Agnes Therese's death and was given her name in religion in honor/memory of Rita (Sister Agnes Therese Yakobian).