FAITH
Faith : Honoring and Stengthening Our Ursuline Connections
St . Ursula Villa ’ s commitment to our Ursuline heritage and identity is apparent through several recent initiatives to engage our community , elevate our Ursuline charism , and ensure the continued legacy of the Ursulines of Cincinnati .
St . Ursula Villa Principal Julie Scherer has joined the Ursuline Education Network as a member of their Board of Trustees . The Ursuline Education Network ( UEN ) promotes the preservation and development of the Ursuline charism and mission in Ursuline-sponsored schools and other educational settings , and celebrates the history , mission , and traditions of Ursuline education . In October , the UEN ’ s Board of Trustees will gather in Cincinnati for their fall conference . As part of this meeting , board members will visit Cincinnati-area schools in the Ursuline tradition including St . Ursula Villa . Ms . Scherer says , “ I am eager to welcome Ursuline representatives and educators to our unique school to demonstrate how the Villa lives out the Characteristics of an Ursuline Education and celebrates our Ursuline heritage . Through my participation on the UEN Board of Trustees , I look forward to working closely with educators from Ursuline schools all across our country to create more opportunities for students , particularly our junior high students , to grow stronger in their faith by engaging more fully with the Ursuline charism .”
The Ursuline Education Network also organizes a biannual convocation and announces a reinvented format for the upcoming 2022 Ursuline Convocation that opens a wide horizon of possibilities and creates an inclusive , earth-friendly experience that is logistically accessible for more members of the Ursuline family . In keeping with Saint Angela ’ s love of pilgrimages , the 2022 Ursuline Convocation will be a virtual pilgrimage where attendees – virtual pilgrims – will explore a dynamic Virtual Oratory ; share contemplative prayer ; and walk , talk , and pray with Angela on six consecutive Fridays beginning September 16 and concluding with the Feast of Saint Ursula on October 21 . Pilgrimage “ stations ” will include Angela ' s Italy ; Brescia College in Ontario , Canada ; the Navajo Nation ; and end with a final celebration in Mexico . Many St . Ursula Villa faculty , administrators , and Board of Trustees members intend to join the 2022 Ursuline Convocation and the Villa will benefit from their personal and professional experiences on a virtual pilgrimage of encounter with Saint Angela Merici and her Ursuline family .
The Villa ’ s Ursuline identity was an important topic during St . Ursula Villa ’ s recent strategic planning process , with many discussions and ideas centered around how to infuse our Ursuline identity into the Villa ’ s school programs , curriculum , and facilities . A newly created position of Director of Mission Integration will focus on identifying , developing , and implementing ways to increase familiarity and appreciation of our school ’ s special Ursuline charism as well as include the previous roles of Campus Minister and Ursuline Identity Coordinator . Ms . Lisa Wolfer has enthusiastically accepted the position and shares , “ I am excited to add lessons and activities to students ’ classroom experiences and deepen their connection with this important aspect of our school . I also hope to incorporate the lives and teachings of Saint Angela and Saint Ursula into worship and faith formation and enrich our St . Ursula Villa community . I enjoyed working on the Strategic Growth Plan Executive Committee and look forward to continuing that work and implementing our action plans .”
St . Ursula Villa ’ s Board of Trustees welcomes Sr . Margie Efkeman , OSU , who brings her lifelong commitment to the Ursulines of Cincinnati and deep love for St . Ursula Villa to this important role . The Board will oversee the implementation of action plans that arose from the recent Strategic Growth Plan , using their skills and expertise to continue discussion and development through Board committee work . Sr . Margie will be a valuable member of the Ursuline Identity Committee as we explore ways to grow knowledge and appreciation of our Ursuline heritage and the characteristics of an Ursuline education shared with other schools in the Ursuline tradition .
We anticipate an exciting year of growth and development as St . Ursula Villa strengthens our Ursuline identity through these school initiatives and connections to our Ursuline heritage .
For more information about UEN and the 2022 Ursuline Convocation , go to ursuline-education . com
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