Our SISTERS
Sister Patricia Homan
Congregational Minister
Following a career that included teaching Home Economics and serving in administration, Sister Patricia served as Congregational Minister from 2003 - 2011. Chatfield College claimed her focus for the next eight years moving between campuses and taking on many roles. She now once again serves as Congregational Minister, elected to the role in 2023-2027. In addition to overseeing the care of the Members and keeping up with day-to-day business, she represents the Ursulines at programs and events as necessary. Additionally, she serves on the Boards of The Chatfield Edge and oversees the development of the Archives.
(513) 875-2020
Sister
Pat Brockman
After 65 years of ministry that took her from teaching at Ursuline Academy to helping chronicle the life of the New Jerusalem Community, Sister Pat now resides at Mt. Notre Dame Health Center. During her first year there, she published a sold-out book of poetry about St. Angela called Angela's Promise. She received her PhD from the Union Institute and University. Her experiences led her to provide spiritual renewal opportunities through retreats. She published a book called The Community Dream: Awakening Tribal Consciousness. Pat’s presence at Mt. Notre Dame provides prayers and support for the community and her friends.
Sister Lucia Castellini
Sr. Lucia Castellini celebrated her 60th Jubilee as a professed Brown County Ursuline in 2025. During those 60+ years she has been in different ministries using the gifts God has blessed her with: Elementary teacher, Ursuline Camp director, Formation/Vocation director, Co-developer and Co-director of First Step Cleaning Company, Congregational Minister, and currently retired Co-director of Hope Emergency Program. She continues to support her former ministries and works with the Ursuliine Companions and BCU Alumnae Association.
Sister Francis Hogan
For many years, Sr. Fran’s ministries have taken her deeper into the heart of pain and loss. She now finds a new life in a space with promise of returning to a music ministry centered in healing and wholeness.
Following Angela into new neighborhoods with a sense of presence and listening is both challenging and complementary. This call to grace and prayer fills her days in a myriad of ways.
Sister
Mary Ann Jansen
After many years teaching, facilitating retreats, and coordinating workshops, Sister Mary stepped into retirement or “maybe retirement.” She's grateful for the time to: read, study, write, walk, while dealing with and discovering challenges from a 2014 bone marrow transplant for leukemia.
One way or another she is still involved with people. St. Angela’s inferred insight plays out: Every encounter reveals the human soul, the other’s, and one’s own.
Sister Jeanette Johnson
From full time classroom teaching, to subbing and then private tutoring, Sister Jeanette is now retired from the teaching career she loved. She is now living at Mount Notre Dame Health Center and spends time ministering in various ways to Brown County Ursulines who are in residence with her and enjoys walking in the lovely outdoors.
Sister Phyllis Kemper
As a former nurse and compassionate caregiver, Sr. Phyllis is a supportive presence to our members and to those living at Mount Notre Dame Health Care Center who are completing their journey to eternal life. In her retirement, she is managing the Archives of Ursuline Academy. This service is important to her because the Ursuline Academy community needs to be well-grounded in the legacy of St. Angela and the Ursulines of Brown County, as they will keep our legacy alive as the sister move into the Ever-Living.
Sister Debbie Lloyd
Unlike most of the Brown County Ursulines, Sister Debbie is not from Cincinnati. She was born in Troy, New York, and grew up in Latham, about fifteen minutes north of New York State's capital. Following a career in teaching Spanish and working in the Ursuline Archives, Sr. Debbie is in residence at Mt. Notre Dame Health Center. She continues to stay in touch with her family, despite the distance.
Sister
Mary Virginia Macke
After years in education as a teacher, principal and tutor, Sister Mary Macke managed the Emergency Department of Dayton Catholic Social Services. She moved on to become Pastoral Administrator of Mother of Christ Parish. As a member of St. Bernard Spring Grove Village parish community, she continues to assist those in need through St. Vincent de Paul association and care for her feline friends.
Sister
Ruth Podesta
Sister Ruth arrived at Ursuline Academy as a first grader and 12 years later she entered the Community in 1950. Following a life of travel and service in a variety of ministries she returned to Brown County. Reflection on Ruth’s past relationships and many ministries shows how many people and geographic areas have been touched by the presence of Ursulines. Sr. Ruth moved to Mount Notre Dame Health Center in October 2018. She spends her days participating in the activities and spiritual enrichment provided by the care center.
Sister Christine Pratt
After 30 years in Northwest Ohio working in rural and social justice ministry for the Diocese of Toledo, Christine returned to continue her ministries in Cincinnati. She is presently with the Catholic Social Action Office of the Archdiocese to serving as the coordinator for the rural Eastern Region which includes Adams, Brown, Eastern Clermont, Clinton and Highland counties. Her focus in all she does is to build relationships and bring awareness of gospel justice and Catholic Social Teachings through education, service and advocacy.
Sister
Lucy Schmid
Being an Ursuline of Brown County is the way Sister Lucy lives out her relationship with God. She looks at her past to understand her present and looks at her future to better live today. She entered the Ursulines of Brown County in 1980. The Sisters gave her the freedom, encouragement and responsibility to focus on the deepening of her interior life with Jesus and to minister to and with God’s people. Lucy has retired from teaching Religious Studies at Ursuline Academy in Cincinnati. The students at UA remain the heart of her ministry, as she serves as a substitute teacher. Over the years Lucy has become a hopeful woman, realistic in her view of the world, committed to a positive attitude toward and purpose in life.
Sister Lawrence Sickman
Sr. Lawrence’s days continue to be lived by the motto that: “Life is a mystery to be lived and not a problem to be solved.” She has been working one day a week at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center, a retreat/conference center. This has provided a variety of duties. Time with family is always a treat and a blessing. The energy and zest for life in the younger generation is a reminder of aging. Hospitality and gardening have been a major part in her life and is still something she treasures and enjoys. St. Angela’s call to hospitality continues to be an inspiration for her.
Sister Nancy Vollman
Sr. Nancy’s life is joy filled. She has retired from serving as a spiritual director and occasionally a retreat facilitator. She has been involved in spiritual direction and retreat work for over 40 years. She considers this her greatest blessing. She now lives at Mt. Notre Dame Health Care Center, which offers her opportunity to serve those in residence with her. Truly she feels blessed!
