Sister Cecilia Huber is the newest author to join the long list of distinguished Ursulines of Brown County writers.

With a lovely small book containing her story of the six years she spent in the Alaskan missions she says, “The beautiful child on the cover of this volume has become a symbol of my gratitude to the Eskimos who shared their lives with me during my six years of ministry among them. Her soft “Quyana” – thank you in Yu’pik – as she received her gift from Santa that Christmas Eve – seems the only fitting title for this work. I shall remain eternally grateful to these courageous, open-handed people who taught me so much about faith and courage and the little we need to be happy.”

People have asked me why I went to Alaska in the first place and what kept me there for six years. I feel the answer is a simple one. I had one of those GOD-MOMENTS. We all have them, I think. Somehow we just know that God has spoken and nothing will satisfy us until we have responded. There is no chartered course, no clear vision of what we are to do, but the peace that comes with the invitation tells us it is of God. God is already there – waiting for us- and will certainly accompany us on the journey.

“Inspired by the radical call of the Gospel, led by God’s Spirit and companioned by one another, we embrace our time as holy, our leadership as gift and our challenges as blessings.” 

Prologue of the Call of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious

On Saturday, March 19, 2011, the Ursulines of Brown County met in the Chapel at Ursuline Academy in Cincinnati in order to consider new leadership for our community.  Sister Patricia Homan, the present Congregational Minister, has graciously served two four year terms in that position and the wisdom of our foremothers advises that eight years is enough time for one to shoulder the burdens of leadership.  With trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Sister Lucia Castellini was elected Congregational Minister for the next four years.

Sister Clare Ragazzo is well known for being resourceful as well as creative.  For years she has been making cards from interesting scraps joined together in surprising ways.  Recently Sister has been combining her gardening skills and her craft ability using pressed flowers to create unique works of art.  These lovely cards are now in print as Impressions Pod Notes, available through the Sisters of Saint Joseph’s Ministry of the Arts Catalog, on-line at www.ministryofthearts.org.  Or you can send for a catalog at LaGrange Ministry Center, 1515 W. Ogden Avenue, LaGrange Park, IL 60526-1721 or call 800-354-3504 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. CST.  It’s worth a look!

On Monday, January 31,2011,  Ursuline Academy welcomed the Ursulines of Brown County to  celebrate Catholic Schools Week and the Feast of St. Angela Merici.  The Assembly entitled: “Celebrating Our Ursuline Heritage” featured several of the Sisters as speakers, including: Experiencing the Legacy by Sr. Phyllis; Teaching the Legacy presented by Sr. Lawrence; Supporting the Legacy described by Sr. Ruth and Handing on the Legacy from Sr. Patricia.  At the conclusion of the event, the Ursulines present blessed the students and faculty, concluding with these words: “Through the intercession of St. Angela, may God bless you and nurture your soul, intellect, heart and imagination. Amen.”

Sister Joan Brosnan of the Ursulines of Brown County died Wednesday February 9, 2011 at Notre Dame Health Care Center after a long illness. A visitation at Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Martin, OH from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. will precede the Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, February 14th at 4:00 p.m.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1923, she entered the Ursuline Community in September of1941 and was professed in August of 1944. While studying toward her baccalaureate degree from Our Lady of Cincinnati College Sister Joan began her teaching career with third graders at Ursuline Academy in Cincinnati.  Her aptitude and interest in English soon led to a Masters in English from Xavier University and many years teaching High School English at Ursuline Academy in Cincinnati and at the School of the Brown County Ursulines in St. Martin and Chatfield College. After serving as Superior General of the Ursuline Community from 1973-1979, Sister Joan moved to Chicago to earn a Masters Degree in Religious Studies at Mundelein College and became Assistant Director of the Graduate Religious Studies Program and an Instructor at Mundelein and Barat Colleges.  Upon returning to the Greater Cincinnati area she taught English and Theology at Xavier University, the Athenaeum of Ohio and English at Northern Kentucky University as well as Chatfield College where she was interim President and later a Trustee.  Throughout these years she was active in Religious Education in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the St. Martin area and was Founder and Coordinator of the Ursuline Spirituality Institute.  She served as a member of the Ursuline Leadership Council. Sister Joan wrote and published two books: Monica Maginnis: a Life in 1995 and Maddalena and Elisabetta Girelli: Their Story lives; women of their Time, Women of the Future.

Ignorance, I believe, narrows possibility. When asked to respond to an outreach request to facilitate writing classes for adults with Down syndrome , out of ignorance I thought, It’s not possible. But I trusted the invitation and counted on Women Writing for a Change processes and rituals.  My yes brought me to a table of people no different than the women in my writing classes delighted by the chance to write.

As a faculty member in a women’s writing school, womenwriting.org, not only do I facilitate writing circles with women, I often do outreach programs or classes with other organizations. The opportunity to work with adults with Down syndrome was a first. In my entire life I have known only two people with Down syndrome. Saying yes to the request expanded my educational and personal worlds beyond belief. As I shared with these adults as they created, I heard endearing stories. I came to know wonderful human beings. I edited and helped facilitate a published collection of their writings, Writing Our Lives, http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1791063. And I was overwhelmed when honored at the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati annual Holiday Celebration and Awards Ceremony, December 2010, with the reception of the Enhancing Lives award. What a journey this has been!

The concert, "Who Is Coming To Our House?" based on the book by Joseph Slate, featured Sister Cecilia Huber’s original music for the Chatfield College annual Christmas concert, held the first Friday of December at the Sacred Heart Chapel on the St. Martin campus.   The St. Louis School Children’s Choir led by Martha Wetzel participated by singing the parts of the various animals.  With more than 300 guests, this year’s concert saw record attendance.

Also participating in the concert were Mariah Blair, Soprano II; Holly Burkhardt, Bassoon; Sam Ivers, Tenor; Sue Toth, Flute; Martha Wetzel, Soprano I, and Terry Wenninger, Alto.  “The evening found our Sacred Heart Chapel filled with a wonderfully responsive crowd.   It was our Christmas gift to all and I felt that everyone left with a touch of the true Christmas joy of anticipation. A big thank you to all those who helped make it such a lovely evening!” commented Sister Cecilia.

The program was funded through the Chatfield College Lulu O. Craig Fine Arts Fund, making the concert free to all of those in attendance. After the concert, guests enjoyed refreshments and cookies at the reception in the Mongan Academic Building.