Sisterhood of the traveling nuns

Several Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, who are either from Southeast Missouri or have taught school in Catholic schools in Southeast Missouri, are among 20 sisters who are celebrating jubilees of religious profession this summer at Maple Mount, Ky.

Established in 1874, the Ursulines of Mount Saint Joseph trace their origin to Saint Angela Merici, who founded the first teaching order of women in the Church, the Company of Saint Ursula, in Brescia, Italy, in 1535. In 1858, Bishop Martin John Spalding invited the Ursulines from Straubing, Bavaria, to establish a foundation in Louisville, Ky., according to the order's Web site.

By 1974, the 100th anniversary of the order, more than 1,600 women had attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy. Now over 160 sisters — the youngest of them approaching the age of 40, according to Tiffany Orth of the Ursuline Sisters, the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph minister in the states of Kentucky, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee, Washington, D.C., and in Chile, South America.

Sisters begin celebrating jubilees at their 25th anniversary, said Orth, communications specialist/web developer for the Ursuline Sisters. After that, they celebrate their 40th, 50th, and 60th and after their 70th, they celebrate in five-year increments.

"We'll have a celebration for all of them in July," Orth said. "We'll have a special Mass, and meetings and if their families and people in the community want to, they may come and congratulate them on their service."

Among those celebrating are;

Sister Jamesetta Knott, OSU, native of Wilhelmina, Mo., in Dunklin County, is celebrating 60 years of religious life. She taught at St. Angela Merici School, Florissant, (1980-81) along with several schools in Kentucky and Nebraska. She served as parish minister in the Owensboro Diocese and was director of food service at Mount Saint Joseph in Maple Mount, Ky. Currently, Sister Jamesetta is retired and volunteers in the archives department at Mount Saint Joseph.

Sister Amelia Stenger, OSU, is celebrating her 40th year of religious life. A native of Glennonville, Mo., also in Dunklin County, Sister Amelia was a teacher, principal and eventually superintendent in the Owensboro (Ky.) Diocese, as well as superintendent in the Archdiocese of Louisville (1991-97). Since 1997 she's been director of the Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center, Maple Mount.

Sister Mary Eileen Howard, OSU is celebrating her 60th year of being an Ursuline Sister. She taught at St. Teresa School, Glennonville, (1973-74). Sister Mary Eileen also taught music in many schools in Kentucky. She served many years as a parish liturgist in the Diocese of Owensboro and music instructor at Brescia College (1982-1996). Currently, Sister Mary Eileen serves as the coordinator of Liturgy worship at Mount Saint Joseph. She is a native of Whitesville, Ky.

Sister Mary Sheila Higdon is celebrating her 60th year of religious life. An educator since 1950, she was a teacher at Seven Holy Founders School in Affton, Mo., from 1959-70. From 1996 to 1999, she was pastoral minister and director of religious education at Sacred Heart Parish in Dexter, Mo. Since 1999, she has been the pastoral associate for three churches in Missouri, Saint George Parish in Van Buren, Saint Catherine Siena Parish in Piedmont, and Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Williamsville. She also taught in Kentucky and Nebraska. She is a native of Owensboro, Ky.

Sister Rose Karen Johnson, OSU is celebrating 50 years of religious life. An educator for 29 years, she taught at Sacred Heart School, Poplar Bluff, Mo., (1985-86). She was principal of four schools in the Diocese of Owensboro, Ky., from 1978-85. She also taught at several Kentucky schools. Since then, she has ministered as a pastoral associate and healing touch therapist at St. Joseph Catholic Center in Greenville, Ky. Her sister, Sister Rose Theresa Johnson, OSU, who ministers in the same location, is celebrating her 60th jubilee this year. Both are natives of St. Lawrence, Ky.

Sister Mary Louise Knott, OSU is celebrating her 60th year of entering religious life. An educator for 22 years, she taught at St. Teresa School, Glennonville (1978-79) and Seven Holy Founders School, Affton (1957-60). She also taught at several schools in Kentucky and Nebraska and recently spent several months teaching sewing in Jamaica. Sister Mary Louise also ministered in health care at the Mount Saint Joseph Infirmary in Maple Mount, Ky., and was a parish minister in Kentucky. Sister Mary Louise is a native of Browns Valley, Ky.

Sister Mary Renee Monaghan, OSU is also celebrating 60 years of religious life. She taught in the Cape Girardeau Diocese for 23 years where she served as principal and teacher at St. Teresa School, Glennonville, (1964-70) and Sacred Heart School, Poplar Bluff, (1982-89). She taught and was principal in many school in Kentucky. She also served as parish minister in parishes located in Kentucky, Indiana, and Missouri. Sister Mary Renee currently works on the archives staff at Mount Saint Joseph. She is a native of Central City, Ky.

Sister Claudia Hayden, OSU, is celebrating 40 years of religious life. She taught at St. Angela Mericia School in Florissant from 1973-76. She also taught for two years in Kentucky before entering the nursing profession, where she has ministered for more than 30 years. Sister Claudia attended the Barnes School of Nursing in St. Louis (1977-79) as well as the University of Louisville School of Nursing (1988-91). She has been employed by hospitals in Owensboro, Louisville, and Paducah, Ky. Currently, she serves as a staff nurse at Mount Saint Joseph and is helping to raise her niece and two nephews. She is a native of Beech Grove, Ky.

Congratulations to the Ursuline jubilarians may be addressed to 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, Ky. 42356.