Sisters Patricia Homan and Mary Jerome Buchert set the theme for the day by introducing us anew to key aspects of Angela Merici’s person. Her life, like ours, occurred within the confusing world of a changing Church with the plight of women and warring elements moving through her town of Brescia. Sister Patricia indicated that Angela’s response was always one of forming “companionships.” Sister highlighted how at each point of Angela’s life she drew together women and men who shared her experience and sought to support one another in faith; furthermore, in specific ways, Sister Patricia indicated the parallel of companionship needs in our times.

Sister Mary Jerome emphasized diversity as central to the reality of these companionships. Angela’s Rule provided guidelines and flexibility for living within the chaos of their times. Centered around the women who had dedicated their lives as consecrated virgins in the world, her guidelines included mothers, widows, and men of faith in her community. Diverse in education, economics, and life experience, they formed a wide community of love and mutual support, always adapting to the demands of the times.

During the day we gathered for “table talk” in which we met new companions and shared our personal stories of being related to the larger Ursuline story. There was space and blocks of time around lunch to extend conversation through a variety of options. Sister Agatha deepened our understanding of relationship with Angela by a Power Point presentation; Sister Mary Paul opened the Archives for re-discovering the pioneer roots of our Brown County and Cincinnati communities; some explored the campus, visiting our community residence. Sisters Pat Meisner and Pat Brockman invited open dialogue in the large group in order to hear one another’s ways of sharing their lives and ministries.

Father Michael Savino joined us for the Mass of the Body and Blood of Christ. Former local pastor and chaplain for the sisters, it was he who had shepherded the three local parishes into the current unified Saint Angela Merici parish.

It would be difficult to name all those who joined in the preparations, hosting, and carrying out the event. The day itself was a real “companioning” experience! Pat Meisner and Pat Brockman would like to offer thanks and appreciation to those who pushed and pulled tables and chairs, arranged liturgy, tracked down and computerized address lists, helped clean up, offered Angela material – all those small and large efforts that make up life in community. Don Nesbitt’s photos are available on our site.

Many asked how they could continue to connect with one another. Have we your permission to share e-mails and phone numbers with other Companions? Please note the attachment about future events to which all of our Companions are welcome. If you no longer wish to receive information about Companions, let us know.

For those who were able to be present, please share freely any evaluative comments about our time together or suggestions for future gatherings.

Thank you!