New Ursuline Leadership Council installed with prayers from Sisters, friends and family

The Ursuline Sisters installed their new Leadership Council during Mass in the Motherhouse Chapel on July 17, 2022. Bishop William Medley was the celebrant for the day.

Sister Sharon Sullivan was installed as congregational leader, and Sister Martha Keller as assistant congregational leader. The two councilors are Sister Monica Seaton and Sister Ann McGrew. The Council will serve for four years. With an increase in Covid cases locally, everyone was urged to wear masks. Here are pictures from the day.

Three members of 2016-22 Council – from left Sisters Pam Mueller, Pat Lynch and Judith Nell Riney – share one more laugh before they leave office.
Sister Martha Keller, second from left, the incoming assistant congregational leader, says something to Bishop William Medley before the installation that made both of them laugh. At left is Sister Suzanne Sims, seated in the center is Sister Ann McGrew, an incoming councilor, and at right is Sister Pam Mueller, who was leaving office as a councilor.
Sister Judith Nell Riney, left, who was leaving office as a councilor, shares a laugh with Sister Martha Keller before her installation as assistant congregational leader.
Bishop William Medley leads the outgoing and incoming Councils in prayer before the ceremony began. At right is Sister Helena Fischer, the first lector.
The new Council members were allowed to invite family and friends to their installation, which mostly filled the chapel.
After Sister Marilyn Mueth carried in the processional cross, the incoming Council processed in, while the congregation sang “For the Faithful Who Have Answered.” From left are Sister Ann McGrew, Sister Martha Keller and Sister Monica Seaton.
The outgoing Council processed in next. From left are Sister Pam Mueller, Sister Amelia Stenger, Sister Judith Nell Riney and Sister Pat Lynch.
Bishop William Medley was the last to process in to begin the installation.
Sister Amelia Stenger, outgoing congregational leader, lights a taper from the Paschal Candle. She told the congregation, “The lit Paschal Candle symbolizes the light of Christ coming into the world. When this candle is lit during baptisms and religious professions, it signifies the Holy Spirit. Today, we will use its light to represent the guidance of the Holy Spirit passing from the current to the new leadership.”
Sister Amelia Stenger lights the candle of each of the women who served with her on the Council. Here she lights Sister Pat Lynch’s candle. “We light each candle to reflect the spirit each has shared,” she said.
The outgoing Leadership Council members hold candles lighted from the Paschal Candle and read the words of Saint Angela Merici as they prepared to pass on their light to the incoming Council. From left are Sister Amelia Stenger, Sister Pat Lynch, Sister Pam Mueller and Sister Judith Nell Riney.
Sister Amelia Stenger faces the new Council and says, “As you begin your service of leadership and on behalf of the community gathered here and gathered in prayer, we share with you this light. May this light remind you of the presence of the Holy Spirit. May the light represent for you, in Saint Angela’s words, ‘the counsels and inspirations which the Holy Spirit unceasingly sends into your hearts.’ May this light be for you a guide and consolation throughout the next four years.”
Each member of the outgoing Council passed their candle to their counterpart on the new Council, saying “I share with you the light of the Spirit and pray God’s blessing upon you.” Here, Sister Pam Mueller hands her candle to Sister Monica Seaton.
The new Leadership Council reads Saint Angela’s words that “we regard ourselves as ministers and servants, knowing that we have more need to serve, than you have to be served by us.” From left are Sister Ann McGrew, councilor; Sister Monica Seaton, councilor; Sister Martha Keller, assistant congregational leader; and Sister Sharon Sullivan, congregational leader.
The Ursuline Sisters raise their hands in blessing over the new Council and pray with Saint Angela’s words, “May the strength and true consolation of the Holy Spirit be with you all so that you can maintain and carry out vigorously and faithfully the charge laid upon you.”
Bishop William Medley, second from left, is joined by Father Ray Goetz, chaplain at Maple Mount, in offering his blessing to the new Council. He asked God to give the new Council “hearts full of compassion for the Sisters entrusted to their care. By word and example may they encourage their Sisters to grow in love of you and their neighbor. Together with their Sisters, may they live the life of the Gospel and enter with them into the unending joy of heaven.”
Each of the new Council members placed their candles next to the altar. Sister Ann McGrew is the final Sister to place her candle.
Father Ray Goetz, chaplain at the Motherhouse, read the Gospel from Luke 10:38-42, the story of Martha and Mary. Bishop Medley gave the homily, saying that like the Ursulines, we need to be both Martha and Mary, both contemplatives and in active service.
Sister Barbara Jean Head, left, and Sister Ann Patrice Cecil present the gifts to Bishop Medley and Father Ray Goetz.
Sister Nancy Murphy, right, congratulates Sister Sharon Sullivan after Mass. The two served together on the Council from 2010-16.
All in attendance were invited to the dining room for lunch. Sister Laurita Spalding, right, chats with Sister Judith Nell Riney, left, and Sister Pat Lynch.
In her first official duty as congregational leader, Sister Sharon Sullivan informed everyone it was time to eat.