Volume 6, No. 2 Fall 2010

New^

Dr. Jim Nalley and his sister Kathy Nalley-Schembra

found a home they never knew they had in July. The two were embarking on a weeklong vacation in Kentucky on July 10, and the first place they wanted to see was Maple Mount, a place their late mother spoke of fondly for so long. Their mother, born Mary Jane Hardesty, was a student at the Mount Saint Joseph Junior College in 1935-36. Born in St. Mary, Ky., in the “Kentucky Holy Land” of Marion County, Jim Nalley suspects the Great Depression was likely the reason his mother did not return to the Mount to graduate. “She always spoke very fondly of Mount Saint Joseph,” Nalley said. “She obviously was very proud to have been able to go there.” Mary Jane Hardesty married Thomas Albert Nalley of St. Francis, Ky., and had seven children. Jim is an anesthesiologist in Pensacola, Fla., and Kathy was a teacher and volleyball coach at Roncalli High School, in Indianapolis, Ind., where she recently retired as the second winningest coach in Indiana history. “When I was 3 years old, the family moved to Indianapolis in

Siblings come to Maple Mount to visit Mom’s school

Please join us for the Alumnae Memorial Mass on Nov. 6The annual Alumnae Memorial Mass is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 6, at 10:30 a.m. at the Mount Saint Joseph Motherhouse Chapel. The presider will be Msgr. Bernard Powers. This Mass is celebrated in remembrance of all deceased classmates, faculty, family, and friends of Mount Saint Joseph Academy and Junior College. Mass will be followed by lunch with the Ursuline Sisters. Please let us know if you are aware of any alumnae who passed away in the previous year. Please RSVP by Oct. 29. Call Marian Bennett at 270-229-2006 or e-mail alumnae.msj@maplemount.org.

Jim Nalley of Florida and his sister, Kathy Nalley-Schembra of Indiana, visit with Sister Emma Cecilia Busam at Maple Mount on July 10. They came to Maple Mount to see the place where their mother had gone to school.

order for my dad to find work. Most of them are still there,” Jim Nalley said. His mother died in 2004 at age 87. The two siblings longed to see Maple Mount, and arrived on the afternoon of July 10, in the midst of the annual Associates and Sisters Day.

“After Mass on Saturday, Kathy started a conversation with a sister who sat in front of us, and she invited us to have dinner and that is how we met the other sisters,” Nalley said. That sister was Sister Emma Cecilia Busam, the former

archivist for the community and now the archivist for the Diocese of Owensboro. She gave them a tour of the campus. “We were very impressed with the Rosary Walk, and with the beauty, serenity, and tranquility of the entire campus,” Nalley said. “No wonder Mom loved it so much there.”

The siblings visited briefly the following morning, then began the rest of their trip across the bluegrass, including stops at Kentucky Lake, Dale Hollow, and Lexington. “The week was too short. I hope to

do it all over again,” Nalley said. After his return home, Nalley ordered a brick in the Rosary Walk to honor his mother. It’s been 74 years since Mary Jane Hardesty left Mount Saint Joseph, and yet her passion for this special place led new friends to visit this summer. What new friends will the current alumnae inspire? - By Dan Heckel, Mount Saint Joseph staff

“We were very impressed with the Rosary Walk, and with the beauty,

serenity, and tranquility of the entire campus.”

Alumnae from the class of 1960 (l. to r.) Theresa Coomes Jones, Marianna Willett Robinson, and Francil Riney Higdon met at the Mount March 3 to plan their class gathering at the 2010 reunion. If you would like help planning a special reunion for your class, contact the Alumnae Office for guidelines and information.

Extending the Missionof Mount Saint Joseph Academy and College

into the 21st Centurywww.ursulinesmsj.org/alumnae

The NEW Mount 2 Fall 2010

How the Office of Ursuline Partnerships can be of service:Prayer Network. Send your prayer requests to alumnae.msj@maplemount.org. Many people around the world will be praying for your needs. If you would like to join our prayer network, please let us know.DeceaseD MeMbers. Please contact the office with the alumna’s first, maiden and/or married name, class year if you know it, and the date of passing. If you have a photo, we will print it if space allows. Thank you.traNscriPts are available from Mount Saint Joseph Archives. However, our archives office is temporarily closed at this time. We will notify alumnae by e-mail and on our website when it reopens.

It’s all about connection Hey, Mount Girls! It was so wonderful to see everyone at Alumnae Weekend in May this year! Our next gathering – mark your calendars – is the Memorial Mass on Nov. 6. If you can come, please do. It’s a lovely Mass to remember all of our alumnae who have died in the past year. And it’s not too early to mark your calendars for NEXT year’s alumnae weekend – May 14-15, 2011. One thing I remember from my high school days was how important the “Buzz Book” was to get before everyone left in May for summer vacation (run off on the old faithful mimeograph machine!). In those days, writing letters and sending cards was our main means of keeping in touch. Long distance calls were costly, so those were rarely an option for anyone. Visiting back and forth was sometimes an option, but didn’t we all just live for those letters? Look at us now! We have a Facebook page, a website (connected to the Ursuline Sisters); we have a blog; and e-mail. If we wanted, I’m sure we could all be texting and twittering as well! It’s about CONNECTION. We wanted it then and we want it now. We want to be connected to our friends. And the friends and bonds we made back at MSJ are so important. I have been so excited about the number of people

New^

is published twice a year by the Office of Ursuline Partnerships for alumnae of Mount Saint Joseph Academy and Junior College.

Director of UrsUline PartnershiPs: Mrs. Marian BennettDirector of sPiritUal forMation: Sister Marietta Wethington

Director of DeveloPMent: Sister Amelia Stenger A’67 Director of Mission effectiveness: Sister Rose Marita O’Bryan A’60Director of Mission aDvanceMent/coMMUnications: Dan Heckel

Communications/GraPhic DesiGn: Jennifer KaminskiaDMinistrative sPecialist/Web DeveloPMent: Tiffany Orth

8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356Phone: 270-229-2006 • Fax: 270-229-4953

www.ursulinesmsj.org • alumnae.msj@maplemount.org

The Alumnae Association fosters loyalty, friendship, and community among graduates, former students,

and the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. In the spirit of Saint Angela Merici, the association upholds Catholic ideals, promotes Christian formation, and supports involvement in Christian service.

ALUMNAE MISSION STATEMENT

Susan Cagle Gentry A’71(back row) and Kathleen Keel Riester A’71 (front row) attended the Aug. 21-22 “Life and Writings of Saint Angela Merici” retreat at Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center. Twenty-seven people attended the retreat which was led by Sister Marietta Wethington, OSU.

If you haven’t paid your Alumnae

Association dues for 2010, now’s the time. An envelope is included for your

convenience. Thank you!

I have been able to reconnect to on Facebook. I urge all of you to check these means of communications out – and keep on digging up people who are not on our lists (yet). We share a special bond. Let’s stay connected!Carolyn Sue Cecil A’73President, MSJ Academy Alumnae Association

“Read Carolyn Sue Cecil’s blog!”www.msjalumnae.blogspot.com

Look for “Mount Saint Joseph Academy (KY)” – our alumnae group – on Facebook!

PresidentCarolyn Sue Cecil

A’73

Vice President Stephanie Warren

A’73

Secretary Paula Chandler Gray

A’73

TreasurerTina Weber Smith

A’74

Mount Saint Joseph Alumnae Association Officers

MOUNT GIRLS CAN DO!Each year the Mount Saint

Joseph Alumnae Association makes a donation in support of Ursuline ministries. This year,

Casa Ursulina in Chillan, Chile, was selected. Many alumnae

went above and beyond by matching the Alumnae

Association donation. In all, $1,395 went to support Sisters

Mimi Ballard A’66 and Ruth Gehres A’51 and Casa Ursulina

families affected by Chile’s severe earthquake.

“Do you receive the Ursuline Sisters’ monthly e-zine, The Pilgrimage?”

If not, send your name and e-mail address with a Pilgrimage request to alumnae.msj@maplemount.org

Sarah Kranz A’72 hadn’t attended Alumnae Weekend for several years. She was prepared to use the weekend to move into a new home. Her sisters, Margaret Kranz Romios A’66 and Marian Kranz Shreiner A’69, changed all that. They conspired to convince her to make the trip from Hopkinsville for a day at the Mount. A lifelong educator, Sarah retired from the public school system, but quickly came out of retirement to become principal of Saints Peter and Paul School in Hopkinsville. She was nominated by one of her Mount Saint Joseph teachers, Sister Eileen Howard C’47.

Fall 2010 3 The NEW Mount

Dorothy Payne Krumpelman A’46(left) joins outgoing Alumnae Association President

Nancy Mills after winning the 2010 Maple Leaf Award on May 16.

Sarah Kranz A’72(left) accepts the 2010 Maple Leaf Award from

incoming Alumnae Association President Carolyn Sue Cecil at the alumnae weekend banquet.

Dorothy Payne Krumpelman A’46 of Louisville, Ky., grew up on a farm in rural Kentucky. She worked for many years in the banking industry, while participating in her children’s school activities. Now retired, she and her husband, George, are active in their parish through charitable works. No matter what their ages, they attend Alumnae Weekend together, participating in all events and enjoying fellow alumnae. Dorothy was nominated by her sister, Benita Payne Jolly A’52, and her nomination was read by Sister Mary Agnes VonderHaar A’52.

“From the time we arrived we were warmly welcomed.”- 2010 Alumnae Weekend evaluation

Far left: Alumnae attend a prayer service in the Memorial Garden at Mount Saint Joseph on the first evening of the 2010 alumnae weekend. Left: Bishop William Medley of the Diocese of Owensboro, Ky., greets Gertie Hall Mayhew A’49 after the alumnae weekend Mass.

The 2010 Maple Leaf award winners

PICNIC FUN: Alumnae from the Class of ‘78 decided to meet at the information booth at the Sept. 12 Mount Saint Joseph picnic. (l. to r.) Janice Cecil, Kim Cecil Terry, Mary Bowers, and Mary Roberts. Right: Sister Mary Eileen Howard C’47 had lunch with Peg Eileen Bourke C’48 at the picnic.

The Maple Leaf Award, presented during annual Alumnae Weekend festivities recognizes graduates who are making a difference. Awardees personify the values of their Mount Saint Joseph education through contributions to their local faith communities, civic communities and/or Mount Saint Joseph. They may be nominated by alumnae, associate alumnae or faculty of the former academy or junior college. Awardees are chosen by an anonymous panel of MSJ alumnae and former Maple Leaf Award winners.This year’s Mount Saint Joseph alumnae received their awards at the May 16 alumnae reunion banquet.

Class of 1955 ............ 55 Years(Left to right) Mary Kennedy Moore, Dorothy Weaver Morrison, Mary Louis Jolly Higdon, Jean Spalding Allen, Betty Reader Schulz, Liz Ruckriegal Berger, Shirley Hayden Gilliland, Mary Ford Voncannon, Sister Catherine Marie Lauterwasser, Ann Settles Gibbs, and Joyce Short.

Class of 1945 ............ 65 Years(From left) Sister Mary Irene Cecil, Dorothy Walz Jackson, Louise Fowler Gaddie, Dora Thompson McCarty, Mary Riggs Braden, and Mildred Higgins Schwartz.

Class of 1960 ............ 50 Years(Left to right) Marianna Willett Robinson, Sister Helena Fischer, Madelyn Denniston Keach, Sister Rose Marita O’Bryan, Linda Riney O’Nan, Ana Cletus Troutman Brangers, Joyce Lee Godfrey, Francil Riney Higdon, Theresa Coomes Jones, Sister Kathleen Kaelin, Marilyn Smith Vessels, and Sister Julia Head.

Class of 1949 .................. 61 Years(From left) Betty Rumage Bickett, Sister Joan Walz, Sister Mary Angela Matthews, Gertie Hall Mayhew, and Sister Elaine Burke.

Class of 1946 ............ 64 Years(From left) Mike McCarty A’44, Theresa McCarty, Martha Powers Taylor, and Dorothy Payne Krumpelman.

Class of 1966 ..................................44 Years(Left to right) Sister Suzanne Sims, Phyllis Costello Bresnik, Mary Margaret Drury, Anna Mattingly, Elaine McCarty Glenn, and Mary Lou Byrne Payne.

“Did you know that all of Saint Angela Merici’s writings are available on our website?”

Visit www.ursulinesmsj.org and click on the Saint Angela Merici tab.

“Personalized bricks are still available along our Memorial Rosary Walk

for a donation of $125.00 or more.”

Contact Sister Amelia Stenger at 270-229-2008 or e-mail amelia.stenger@maplemount.org

Mount Saint Joseph

Academy &Junior College

ReunionMay 15-16, 2010

What did most people say they liked

best about the 2010 reunion?

“Seeing their classmates!”

The next thing cited was the liturgy and

Bishop William Medley’s presence

and homily.

Class of 1955 ............ 55 Years(Left to right) Mary Kennedy Moore, Dorothy Weaver Morrison, Mary Louis Jolly Higdon, Jean Spalding Allen, Betty Reader Schulz, Liz Ruckriegal Berger, Shirley Hayden Gilliland, Mary Ford Voncannon, Sister Catherine Marie Lauterwasser, Ann Settles Gibbs, and Joyce Short.

Class of 1960 ............ 50 Years(Left to right) Marianna Willett Robinson, Sister Helena Fischer, Madelyn Denniston Keach, Sister Rose Marita O’Bryan, Linda Riney O’Nan, Ana Cletus Troutman Brangers, Joyce Lee Godfrey, Francil Riney Higdon, Theresa Coomes Jones, Sister Kathleen Kaelin, Marilyn Smith Vessels, and Sister Julia Head.

Class of 1975 ..........35 YearsCarol Mulligan Hall, left, and Kay Drury Clark.

Class of 1972 ............ 38 Years(Left to right) Patricia Schwartz Flahardy, Sarah Kranz, Nancy Mills, Patty Mattingly Arnett, Rita Thomas Tanner, Dorothy Ford Riggs, Mary Ann Shewmaker Payne, and Carolyn Thomas.

Oldest Alumnae

Regina Walz A’40, left, and Sister Frances Miriam Spalding C’40 were the most senior alumnae of the Academy and the Junior College at the reunion.

Class of 1966 ..................................44 Years(Left to right) Sister Suzanne Sims, Phyllis Costello Bresnik, Mary Margaret Drury, Anna Mattingly, Elaine McCarty Glenn, and Mary Lou Byrne Payne.

Class of 1970 ............ 40 Years(Left to right) Kathy Ford Young, Jennifer Speaks McGee, Beth Henderson Calhoun, Becky Henderson McCarty, Christine Schwartz Beets, and Patricia Woodridge.

Class of 1973 ..................... 37 Years(Left to right) Stephanie Warren, Debbie Alvey Frederick, Paula Chandler Gray, Marian Lanham, Kathleen Komp McConnell, and Carolyn Sue Cecil.

Class of 1974 ............. 36 Years(At left, left to right) Janet Meyer Calhoun, Karen Calhoun McCarty, Tina Weber Smith, and Vicki Bickett Gibson.

“Find more reunion pictures on our

website!”

ursulinesmsj.org

“Personalized bricks are still available along our Memorial Rosary Walk

for a donation of $125.00 or more.”

Contact Sister Amelia Stenger at 270-229-2008 or e-mail amelia.stenger@maplemount.org

“Are you on Facebook?” Become a fan of the Ursuline Sisters

of Mount Saint Joseph! www.facebook.com/ursulinesmsj

The NEW Mount 6 Fall 2010

Alumnae AdventuresSArAh MAttingly WAlKer A’40: You don’t know how sorry I am since I’m unable to attend my 70th anniversary. I was blessed for 50 and 60 years attendance. I turned 88 this June. Will spend summer in Colorado Springs with daughter and three granddaughters and grandsons. Have a nice reunion. Thoughts, prayers are with you.

JeAnne F. hArDeSty Allin A’44: Some of the happiest years of my life were spent at the Mount (1940-44). I am a widow, living still in my large home, active in the community, and have only a minor health problem. I have seven children and nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. I try to meet my siblings in Kentucky at Christmas each year.

SiSter eileen hoWArD C’47: I am living and working at the Mount now – not retired, just re-cycled. It is always a joy to have a visit from a “Mount girl.” Blessings on you and yours!

roSA PAlAzzo SChMiDt A’51: I returned from a two week European Pilgrimage on May 1 to face all the storms and flooding in the Nashville area – where my home in Brentwood, right outside of Nashville, had the basement flooded. That has been a big struggle ever since. I am still dealing with some of the mold that accumulated in the interim. Time has truly gotten away from me, and though I still hoped to make it to the Mount for Alumnae, when the weatherman said more rain and storms all weekend, I just decided I am too tired to fight any more big storms on the road. So, for now – I believe next year will be a big anniversary for my class – be the Good Lord willing, I shall be there with bells on! For this year, I shall be with you in spirit! Have a great reunion, a great weekend!!!

iMogene MCBriDe Stull A’54: Very often I thank God for parents who made the supreme sacrifice to send me to MSJ for my high school education. Very proud to be educated by the Ursulines. Thanks.

Connie MillS A’61: Retirement is wonderful!

MArty BiCKett FroSt A’67: I just completed 30 years on the faculty of Plattsburgh State University of New York, the last 15 as chair of the Department of Human Development and Family Relations. Husband Rich finished 38 years of practicing internal medicine.

KAthleen KoMP MCConnell Asc’72: I am a botanist, ecologist, wetland scientist, whatever. I have worked all over the United States doing biological surveys for protected species, wetlands, and stream protection. I have three daughters and four grandchildren. Been living in Florida for the past five years.

leSlie Dover lAShley A’76: I am married to Eric Lashley and live in Orange Park, Fla. We have two children (Crystal and Donovan) and three grandchildren (Penelope, Jordan, and Annalee Kalei).

Ursulines at HeartJune 27, 2010

Former Sisters

reunion at Mount

Saint JosephTherese Fraize A’58, left, visits with

Mary Jo Nault Sweatt A’49Sister Jane Miriam Hancock C’43

with Anna Sue Fulkerson Clements A’61 Mary Danhauer A’71

Anita Shock Michael A’63

Mary Kennedy A’49 Ann Jenkins Caspar A’62

Carol Scroggins Krampe A’60

Martha Ann O’Reilly Matthews Asc’50

Rose Howard A’54

Arnida Teder Altman A’63

Beverly McAuliffe A’62

Betty Moorman A’58

About 50 attended from as far away as

California and Texas.

Send your news by e-mail: alumnae.msj@maplemount.org Or mail to our Alumnae Office

It’s not too late to purchase your annual Ursuline Quilt Club membership for only $20!

Sign up by Nov. 4 to get 11 chances to win a handmade quilt while supporting the Ursuline

Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph!

Call 270-229-4103, ext. 278Only 2,000

tickets will

be sold!

Fall 2010 7 The NEW Mount

• Sister Mary regina Boone, oSu, 92, died April 29 at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 73rd year of religious life. The New Haven, Ky., native was an educator for 47 years, noted for instilling a love for math in her students. She was an avid reader, enjoyed saying the rosary, loved her family, and was always grateful for any kindness shown to her. She taught in schools in the Diocese of Owensboro, in Louisville, and in Nebraska City, Neb. She taught at both Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Maple Mount (1979-83), and Brescia College (1983-88). From 1983-93, she served as director of hospitality at the Mount Saint Joseph Guest House. Survivors include seven sisters, Sister Joseph Angela Boone, OSU, Owensboro; Margie Johnson, Bardstown; Cecilia Johnson, Mary Jean Hagan, and Teresa Thompson, all of New Haven; Josephine Dworzan, Orange, Calif.; and Catherine Keene, Louisville; nieces and nephews, and the members of her religious community. • Sister vickie Cravens, oSu, 59, died Aug. 5 at Owensboro Medical Health System, in her 13th year of religious life. A native of Lebanon, Mo., Sister Vickie ministered in the Ursuline archives from the time she entered the community in 1997, serving as director of the archives since 2001. She was also curator of the community museum, and an integral part of the yearly Mount Saint Joseph Picnic. Sister Vickie was a great student of Ursuline history, and loved to tell the story of the sisters. She did research for relatives of deceased sisters, provided transcripts for graduates of Mount Saint Joseph Academy, and gave tours of Maple Mount to the public, all in an effort to “keep the stories alive.” Survivors include her sister, Beth Shields, of Lebanon, Mo., nephews, and the members of her religious community. Note: Gifts in memory of an Ursuline Sister may take the form of donations to the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.• Mary lois Craycroft gahlinger A’52 died July 14. A native of New Haven, Ky., she was a retired executive assistant for General Electric Co. with 25+ years of service. She is survived by Jim Gahlinger, her husband of 53 years, three daughters and a son.• Margaret Ann (Margie) hardesty A’45 died Sept. 17 in Louisville, Ky. An accomplished writer and admired musician, she was a retired chairperson of the Humanities Department of Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark. Survivors include her sisters, Jeanne Hardesty Allin A’44 and Mary Jo Hardesty Roberts A’53.

• Freda Byrne holden C’40 died March 6 in Barnesville, Ohio. A retired third grade teacher from St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, Moundsville, W.Va., Freda is survived by her husband, Noel W. Holden, two sons and a daughter. She was the aunt of Margie Byrne Rode A’58, Sister Elaine Byrne A’64 and Mary Lou Byrne Payne A’66. • Mary Jo Campbell Jenkins A’42 died March 15 at Jefferson Manor in Louisville, Ky. She was a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, and a past treasurer of the Kentucky Nurses Association. Her husband, Edward Jenkins, Jr., and a sister, Martha Campbell C’41, preceded her in death. She is survived by a daughter and two sons.• norma Jean Clements Knight A’45 died Jan. 29 at age 82. She was a teacher at Beechland Baptist, Beth Haven, and St. Clement. Her husband, John L. Knight, preceded her in death. Survivors include two daughters and a son.• Mary Bertrand Ballard o’Bryan A’33 died Sept. 22 at the Carmel Home in Owensboro at 95 years of age. Her hus-bands preceded her in death: J.C. (Clarence) O’Bryan in 1977 and Allen Dean Mackey in 2007. She is survived by four sons and her daughter, Clarice O’Bryan A’52.• Carol Carrico roby A’71 died Sept. 17 at her home in Beaver Dam, Ky., at the age of 57. She is survived by her children Beth and Sherri and her husband, James Herman Roby, as well as seven brothers and five sisters.• Charlene Swift A’49 died May 8 in Owensboro. She had worked at both Owensboro Daviess County Hospital and Mount Saint Joseph. She is survived by two sons and four daughters, including Paula Crabtree A’69.• Mary Catherine (Cay) Clark Westerfield A’42 died Feb. 15 at age 86. Her son, Clark Westerfield, wrote, “She always spoke fondly of her time at the Mount.”

We Extend Deepest Sympathy To:Sister Mary lois Speaks, oSu,’62, whose brother, Joseph P. Speaks, Sr., died Oct. 20, 2009.elizabeth Powers’43, Martha Powers taylor’46, Celine Powers Kahalley’48, and Maddalenea Powers leach’44, whose sister, Mary Patricia Powers Garvin, died Feb. 2.theresa luckett Dobbings’52, whose sister, Gertrude Luckett Brady, died March 28.Katherine Cooper Fuller’79, whose husband, David Fuller, died July 17.

••

••

In Loving MemoryPlease include the following alumnae, faculty and family in your prayers

Sister Regina

Sister Vickie

Carol Carrico Roby

Please make a note of the following corrections:Page 76, “Sausage Dish.” Word should be sausage, not sage; also drained, not rained.Page 76, “Scourge.” Word should be browned, not bronwed.Page 96, “Apple Dumplings.” Word should be apple, not apply.Page 104, “Chess Pie.” Insert phrase, except coconut, after the word ingredients.We apologize if any of these errors have caused you any inconvenience.

Over 200 new Mount Saint Joseph Alumnae Association cookbooks have already been sold. Order your copy today!

To order, send your check for $15 payable to Mount Saint Joseph Alumnae Association. (If you need your book mailed to you, please add $5 for postage and handling).

Note: If you would prefer to read The New Mount only on our website (under both Publications and Alumnae), contact us and we will take you off the mailing list.

8001 Cummings RoadMaple Mount, KY 42356-9999270-229-4103www.ursulinesmsj.org • info.msj@maplemount.org

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAID OWENSBORO KY

42301PERMIT NO. 120

Please help us update our mailing list. If there are errors in your address, please inform us so that we may correct them. Phone: 270-229-2006 • alumnae.msj@maplemount.org

Thank you to all of our volunteers who helped make the Ursuline Sisters’ 40th annual picnic on Sept. 12 a big success!Mark your calendars! Alumnae Memorial Mass: Nov. 6, 2010

Alumnae Weekend: May 14-15, 2011

Birds fly with urgencyunder the cloak of maple trees, chattering, singing, sharing their migrating odysseys.The old gossip tree gently sways leaning to hear more sacred stories as it has done for over 100 years.Secrets forever carved into its spirit while its sap freely flows with laughter and tears.

My muses swirl within my head as I smell the scent of roses, dogwood and lilac trees.I can hear girls chattering, laughing, sisters’ rosaries rattling, chapel bell ringing, silence beckoning wisdom blooming, prayers ascending!

For all of us, Mount Saint Josephis our shelter, safe haven and abode. The spirit of Maple Mount leads us to the true meaning of home.That spirit nurtured, taught us to find inner strength in the women we were becoming. Saint Angela Merici

fostered our femininity through her community of sisters, urging us to travel all roads, fearlessly spreading the word.

Like the gossip tree, let us listen to one another’s chatter, joys and sorrows, all the while honoring the person each has become through the spirits that have led us thus far, still burning within us. May we continue to weather the years, mindful of our gifted moments, hopeful for moments yet to be. Growing gracefully, let us lovingly lean to embrace each others’ journeys and all God’s wondrous mysteries. Indeed!Let us honor the legacy of our gossip tree!

- Madelyn Denniston Keach A’60

Giving Back... One never knows what God has in store for us. After 12 years at the Retreat Center, I was asked to become the development director for the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. In that capacity, I will be working with all our alumnae, associates, families, friends, and benefactors to tell the story of the Ursulines and invite everyone to become a part of our mission. The Ursuline Sisters have been a great part of all of our lives. When I came here as a freshman at age 13, I had never been away from home. Everything in my life centered on a 40-acre farm in Southeast Missouri and St. Teresa’s parish and school. The Ursuline Sisters taught at St. Teresa and were a part of everything we knew. When I came to the Academy, it felt like an extension of home. I didn’t realize at the time how much the sisters really did for us. During my time here, Sister Helen Marie, Sister Francesca, and Sister Marita became our “mothers” in the dorm. They took care of us when we were sick, taught us our subjects during the day and helped us in so many ways. They and many other sisters did all this for $625 tuition a year. We went to school about 175 days so that comes to $3.57 a day. Can you imagine? On top of that, most of us worked our way through high school so very little real money ever came to the sisters. In essence, they gave their lives for us and asked very little in return. They challenged us to be the best we could be and today we are doctors, lawyers, teachers, mothers, and on and on. As director of development, I hope to be able to talk to each of you in the future about doing something special for the sisters who worked with us. Think about it. Can we give back? Get in touch for ways to show your appreciation. Call me at 270-229-2008 or call my cell phone 270-929-5101.– Sister Amelia Stenger A’67