A GIFT OF SHOES
The happy women and children in this photo are just a few of our many friends who have come to Casa Ursulina during March and April to share in a gift of shoes! These are shoes that come from St. Joseph Parish in Bardstown, Kentucky . . . Sister Mimi's home parish. Every year during Advent, the members of the parish participate in an Angel Tree, giving each person the opportunity to provide a gift for someone at Casa Ursulina. The theme gifts for past years have included jackets, blankets, school supplies, children's underwear, polar fleece for making baby blankets, and already several times, shoes.
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In the above photo Sister Mimi holds a stack of socks, a nice bonus that came in the 20-some boxes of shoes, T-shirts, and sweat shirts. The photos at left show some of the children who found new shoes for the winter, which is soon coming to Chile.
St. Joseph Parish also sends a substantial financial gift annually for the support of Casa Ursulina. We are deeply grateful for the generous partnership of this parish in our ministry.
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A GIFT OF NEW FRIENDS
On April 11, we enjoyed a visit from our new friends from Santiago: Kate Masterson and her husband, Dr. Gonzalo Mendez, their daughter Valentina, and Gonzalo's Aunt Veronica, who actually lives in Chillán. Kate is the daughter of Joe and Gerry Masterson of Danvers, Massachussets, whom Sister Ruth met in December in Santiago. Kate's parents, who were on their way back from a visit with the family, happened to be on the same delayed plane as Sister Ruth. They discovered each other and shared an hour of "getting to know you" over a glass of wine. Joe and Gerry became very interested in Casa Ursulina.
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While Gonzalo and Kate were visiting in Chillán, they stopped by Casa Ursulina to deliver several boxes of baby clothes and toys, sheets and towels, and other items to be shared with the needy people who come to the Casa. We took photos to remember our meeting. Left, from left: Kate and Valentina, Gonzalo, Veronica, Sister Ruth. At right, Sister Mimi facilitates a meeting between our tamest cat, Autumn, and Valentina, who was fascinated by our cats. We enjoyed this visit and are grateful for the generosity of these new friends.
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A GIFT OF CHAIRS
Every year at Christmastime our friends Ed and Gloria Cecil . . . both Ursuline Associates, both graduates of Brescia College . . . ask, "How can we help you this year?" The first year their donation was to purchase spinning wheels, and the next, looms . . . each time four in honor of their four children. This year we needed something different: chairs!
In the course of a year, chairs at Casa Ursulina get a good workout, as the number of women in the house reaches 30 or 40 every day. There are casualties that can be fixed, and some that can't. Last year we purchased some simple plastic stools to help with the overflow. But we knew we needed sturdier chairs, and Ed and Gloria's donation has been a godsend.
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At left, some of the first chairs we have purchased with Ed and Gloria's donation . . . in all, ten of the steel-frame folding chairs and four of the larger plastic chairs. Since we've found both types practical, we plan to purchase more. At right, Berta, Mirta, and Ingrid enjoy serving as models to show off the new chairs. |
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A GIFT FOR THE FUTURE
Ever since he was a little boy, Juan Campos has wanted to be a doctor. For this son of a street sweeper/garbage collector and a mother who works odd jobs to help ends meet, this was a tremendous challenge. But, as his mother tells us, Juan worked hard in school and made good grades . . . excellent grades, so that he could earn the scholarship that would make it possible for him to go to medical
school.
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Today Juan, pictured at right at his high school graduation, is doing excellent work in his second year in the medical school at the Catholic University in Concepción, about 65 miles west of Chillán. He has a full tuition scholarship, but to continue in school, he needs help with expenses for board and room, books, and transportation. With the support of generous friends, Casa Ursulina is making a monthly donation toward Juan's living expenses. The donation is actually coming from more than $1400 given last year by the Alumnae Association of Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Kentucky, along with $1000 from another donor. This fund is also covering some incidental expenses for several other young students who are children of members of the Casa Ursulina community.
Education is so important here . . . it's a major force in helping young Chileans to move beyond the generations of poverty into which they were born. Through the Mount Saint Joseph Alumnae Education Fund, we hope to make a better life possible for a few of them. Please note: anyone may contribute!
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A GIFT OF BEARS
Casa Ursulinabecame the temporary home of two gigantic pandas when a family moving out of town realized they couldn't take them along. Their friend, one of our women, suggested that they donate the stuffed bears to the Casa, since there are always children coming here with their moms. We didn't have space for them either, but we soon found two youngsters who were delighted to take them home. In the photo, Marcelo pets his panda while his mom, Marcela, struggles to keep it from tumbling to the floor. Marcela is the daughter of Gabriela, our across-the-street neighbor and friend, who is also a participant at Casa Ursulina. |
These are just a few stories about the generous people who make possible
the ministry of Casa Ursulina.
All told, there are now 123 persons who, through their regular financial support,
are active partners with us.
There are many more, including members of our Casa Ursulina community,
who make in-kind donations to our food pantry
and our used-clothing boutique.
We are encouraged and energized by all this support,
and above all, by support of your prayers for our work.
To make a financial gift, simply send a check to the Development Office
at Mount Saint Joseph: 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.
For your gift to be tax-deductible,
it's important to make out the check to "Ursuline Sisters,"
since the Ursuline congregation is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization.
Then be sure to write "Casa Ursulina" on the memo line of the check.
If you have questions, or if you'd just like to get in touch,
you can click on the "Contact Us" button at the top of this page. |
