The End of the Decade (the ‘80’s)



“A review of the Eighties reveals a remarkable period of Community growth, a time of sunshine and shadows marked by a firm faith in Divine Providence. The Toledo Ursulines knew more surely the presence of their foundress in their midst as they faced communal joys and sorrows against the backdrop of changes in the Church as well as profound societal changes.

Within those ten years they mourned and accepted losses: the Ladyglen Farm, Nazareth Hall, and the Collingwood Motherhouse and campus. They mourned the loss of forty-three Sisters and rejoiced at the entrance into eternal life of these dedicated women.

The Community prayerfully encouraged its leadership through difficult property negotiations. The Sisters supported the decision to build the Ursuline Center and girded their communal strength for packing, disposal, and moving.

They rejoiced in canonical approval of their Constitution and Directives. They reviewed the goals of the previous decade and set new ones as they approached the 1990’s with a firm faith in their futures as daughters of Angela Merici.

Within this decade the Toledo Ursulines had welcomed back former members with a joyous celebration of life in reunion, had rejoiced at the beatification of Mother Mary of the Incarnation, and had grieved over the martydom of Cleveland Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel. They had been enriched by their participation in the diocesan Synodal process. The work of PAX CHRITI caught the attention of Angela’s daughters in their commitment to reconciliation and the community registered its membership in that organization.

Apostolic dimensions continued to expand in the strange and loving ways of God. Communally and individually the Sisters experienced revivified liturgical renewal and entered into a deeper study of the directives of their foundress, particularly that of finding themselves at the feet of Jesus.