Jubilees

Sister Mary Angela Gaietto

After graduating from Tiffin, Ohio’s Calvert High School and working two years at the GE plant there as a secretary, Sister Mary Angela Gaietto realized she instead desired to teach little ones. She entered the Ursuline Convent from St. Mary’s Parish in 1958, following in the footsteps of her sister, Sister Merici.

Going wherever the need was, Sister Angela taught elementary children at St. John the Baptist School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Patrick of Heatherdowns, and St. Angela Hall in Toledo, and also at St. Mary, Tiffin; St. Gerard, Lima; and St. Rose, Perrysburg. Sister Angela says at that time, it wasn’t unusual for her to have up to 50 children in one classroom.

Following her long ministry in teaching, Sister Angela became part of the Development Office staff at St. Ursula Academy for six years and served her community as office assistant at the Ursuline Convent offices until her retirement.  Today, Sister Angela’s ministry is one of prayer and presence.

With a beautiful smile, Sister Angela says, “I am very happy with my decision to enter the Convent. I have wonderful memories teaching primary grade children. It was meant to be and I’ve been blessed in many ways.”

Sister Nancy Mathias

“I remember it very clearly, even after 65 years. It happened at the daily school Mass at St. Joseph School, Tiffin, Ohio where I was an eighth grader. A voice said to me, “I want you to serve me as an Ursuline nun.” No one around me seemed to hear the voice. I took the call seriously, asking my grandmother to allow me to go to Toledo and attend the Ursuline prep school at St. Ursula. I received a resounding no. I continued to carry the call in my heart. In my senior year at Calvert I told her I wanted to enter the Ursuline Convent. Her refusal was even a more adamant no. That summer I was able to get six college credits at Mary Manse College and in the Fall I began teaching second graders at St. Mary School in Tiffin. The Sisters in the school knew of my desire to become of them. They helped me get what I needed. And on February 2, 1959 I caught a Greyhound Bus to Toledo and became a postulant in the Ursuline Community. 

“It has been a blessed journey with Christ and the Ursuline Community. It is hard to believe it has been 65 years. Christ and I have had a wonderful journey together. He has provided so many opportunities to serve Him in the Church, from teaching school in east Toledo, serving as a principal for St. Teresa School in the central city, serving on the Ursuline Leadership team and then becoming the superior of the Community, serving in the diocesan schools office, and then finally serving as a Delegate for Consecrated Life for 16 years. What an adventure Christ has given me! I have met and worked with so many wonderful people who serve the Church in numerous ways. They have inspired me and helped me to be a better person.

“I know Christ continues to call me to be His and to serve Him. He will make it known how as we travel the years to come together.

“How blessed I am to know, love and serve my Spouse, Jesus Christ!”

Sister Kenwyn Steger

Sister Kenwyn Steger entered the Ursuline Convent from Rosary Cathedral Parish, Toledo in 1959.

Sister Kenwyn’s ministries included teaching and library science. Her teaching assignments began at St. John the Baptist School in Point Place and continued at Rosary Cathedral, St. Agnes, Good Shepherd, St. Angela Hall, Toledo, and at St. Joseph, Tiffin and St. Gerard, Lima. “I always enjoyed teaching,” says Sister Kenwyn. “I enjoyed getting to know the kids and their parents. Now I appreciate hearing from former students.”

Following graduate work at Villanova University and Bowling Green State University, Sister Kenwyn became a librarian at St. Angela Hall and continued her library work at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns, substituted at Toledo Lucas County Libraries and assisted in the library at St. Ursula Academy for many years. She also assumed care of the library at Ursuline Center and enjoyed volunteering in the ICU Waiting Room at Mercy Health - St. Anne Hospital, Toledo, where she would be available for anyone who wished to talk, visit or pray. Today, Sister Kenwyn says she enjoys her times of prayer and being present to others in many different ways.

Seventy years ago I left my home and family to join the Ursuline Community for a new home, the first of many to follow. It was the most important decision of my life.

Through the years, I served in a variety of ministries. My first fifteen years was teaching in various grade schools in the Toledo Diocese, after which I became a student myself. In 1970 I received an MASL in library science. This opened the door for my wonderful serving in four libraries - Lime Public, Mary Manse College, St. Vincent School of Nursing, and twenty years at St. Ursula Academy. I then retired to join a group of volunteers as a spiritual visitor to residents at the Ursuline Center. In 2012 I became a resident myself at the Center until its closing in 2021. I found my final home at the Woodlands location across from the Center.

Yes, it has been a very full, busy seventy years. In my new home and life style I have had the time for reflection and to increase my spiritual life and make new friends. I am so grateful for all the blessings I’ve received being an Ursuline Sister. The Lord has directed my life, and indeed, He has saved the best for last.