Over 350 men and women are Associates of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph — persons affiliated with the mission and spirit of the Ursuline community, sharing in its goals, ideals, and challenges, and striving to live the Gospel in the spirit of Ursuline founder St. Angela Merici.
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Our Chilean Associates enjoy some relaxed time together during their monthly gathering. From left, Evelina Salas, Yolanda Moraga, Inés Gálvez, Sonia Pradenas, Sister Mimi, Carola Pulgar, Paty Jamett, and Raquel Sepúlveda.
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Seven of these Ursuline Associates are women of Casa Ursulina. These are the women who, working together with Sister Mimi Ballard, brought to reality the dream of "a center that would make it possible for us to invite more women into the community and to help them learn skills to support themselves and their families," as Sister Mimi explains. They became Associates in 2001 when then congregational leader Sister Rose Marita O'Bryan came on a visit to Chillán.
One evening each month, the associates gather to share prayer and
community. "What stands out is the
way we pray . . .
it's not just saying prayers, but learning to meditate, to be with God, to relax in the presence of God," says Paty Jamett.
Although they are some 5000 miles away from the Ursuline motherhouse in Kentucky, the Chilean associates say they feel a strong bond with the Ursuline Sisters and with their founder, Saint Angela Merici. "For us, this is a personal commitment," says Carola Pulgar, in whose home the ministry of Casa Ursulina began. "We feel ourselves connected to a larger group, and we feel welcome in a great circle."
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A group of associates works together during the Monday afternoon Volunteer Workshop, using donated materials to make clothing for others in need. From left, Inés, Raquel, Lorena (Yolanda's daughter), and Yolanda. "My greatest desire in life is to help the many persons who need spiritual support, and to teach what I have learned in life," Yolanda says. |
As it is for Ursuline Associates everywhere, service is a daily part of life for these Chilean associates. Inés, for example, works with terminally ill patients and those with HIV. Carola works with people in need. Evelina leads a weekly Tai Chi class for women in a parish building. Raquel is director of a center for mothers and president of a group working in a government program for promotion of health, justice, and employment. All of the associates are dedicated volunteers at Casa Ursulina.
Raquel expresses well the belief these women have in this ministry: "Casa Ursulina is more than a house, more than a ministry that keeps expanding," she says. "Important beyond all of that is the change that it produces in persons."
