Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Snow

Here in Westchester, NY we already have had three days of snowstorms.  It is amazing and the official start of winter has not happened yet.  But the snow has come anyway.

I am struck by how beautiful the snow is when it is untouched as you look out over the grass and streets. But once we start walking on and driving around, it becomes all slush and dirty.  Sometimes too the snow is just simply wet and heavy, other times it is light and fluffy and other times it is just a dusting.

Today as I was trudging to my car to clean it off, there was a little boy playing in the snow with his Dad. They were kicking around a big snowball and try to get each other wet. The little boy was laughing away and so was the Dad. It was great to watch.

It reminded me that we need to have joy in our lives every day and make the small moments count.

That is what I plan to do as we get ready for Jesus' coming this Christmas.

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving


On this day of giving thanks for all the wonderful gifts that have been shared with us we take this opportunity to pray for you and your family! November 28th also marks the Foundation of the Roman Union of the Ursuline Sisters.  May this day be filled with many blessings for all.

I would like to share a Thanksgiving Prayer with you...


Prayer of Thanksgiving
God of all blessings, source of all life, giver of all grace:

We thank you for the gift of life:  for the breath that sustains life, for the food of this earth that nurtures life, for the love of family and friends without which there would be no life.

We thank you for the mystery of creation: for the beauty that the eye can see, for the joy that the ear may hear, for the unknown that we cannot behold filling the universe with wonder, for the expanse of space that draws us beyond the definitions of our selves.

We thank you for setting us in communities: for families who nurture our becoming, for friends who love us by choice, for companions at work, who share our burdens and daily tasks, for strangers who welcome us into their midst, for people from other lands who call us to grow in understanding, for children who lighten our moments with delight,
for the unborn, who offer us hope for the future.

We thank you for this day: for life and one more day to love, for opportunity and one more day to work for justice and peace, for neighbors and one more person to love and by whom be loved, for your grace and one more experience of your presence, for your promise:
to be with us, to be our God, and to give salvation.

For these and all blessings, we give you thanks, eternal, loving God, through Jesus Christ we pray.   Amen.

Source: Adapted from "Prayers of Our Hearts" © 1991 Vienna Cobb Anderson.



May our loving God shower us all with many blessings and may our hearts always be grateful!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sr. Pat Schifini, OSU & Sr. Jeannie Humphries, OSU

Saturday, November 23, 2013

A Wonderful Spirit

I have a friend who has moved to Lake Placid, NY.  It is such a beautiful area.

She just posted on Facebook the following from the front page of their church bulletins for St. Agnes and St. Brendan in Keene, NY.

How welcoming!!


No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church;
No matter what your current family or marital situation;
No matter what your past or present religious affiliation;
No matter what your personal history, age, background, race or color;
No matter what your own self-image or esteem;
You are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected at
Saint Agnes and St. Brendan Catholic Churches


I am so touched by this!!

Sr. Jeannie


Thursday, August 29, 2013

Profession Anniversary

Today I celebrate the anniversary of my first profession.  
In 1999, I said Yes to living life as an Ursuline Sister of the Roman Union.  
It is hard to believe that was 14 years ago. 
 I can remember the day like it was yesterday.  
But when I think of all that has gone on since then, I realize it has been a while. 
Such a short time in the life span of so many of my Ursuline Sisters who celebrate 50, 60, 70 years. 
 I hope I can say that some day.
I am very happy that I said "YES".
Sr. Jeannie

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Living Angela's Words

It has been almost a month since I last posted.  I promise to be better about this during this upcoming school year.

I  have a new full-time ministry at Concordia College, NY.  I am an Assistant Professor in the Teacher Education Program and mainly I teach graduate students interested in obtaining their masters in general and special education (grades 1-6).  This past few weeks have been an whirlwind of activity of meeting new people, learning new policies and getting used to a new routine. It's been a bit tough for me.

So I am going to live out the words of St. Angela Merici-founder of the Ursuline Sisters in 1535

Do something....Get moving... Be confident...Risk new things....Stick with it.....Get on your knees.. Then be ready for big surprises!!

Sr. Jeannie

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Weather Struggles

Last week, it was very hot in New York City-high 90s each day but with humidity, the heat index was well into the 100s.  It was really miserable.  Today, though it is much cooler in the upper 60s.  I heard that in Malone, NY, it was 34 degrees this am.  Wow!

All last week, we complained of the heat and today I even heard someone say they were chilly.  Honestly, I was very hot and uncomfortable last week, but today I am just right.

I am struck by the fact that we can have such huge differences in temperture in such a short amount of time and in the same state.

When I was a child growing up, I went to the Catskills all summer long and we do not have air conditioning in our bungalow.  I was in that same Catskills resort this weekend and was grateful for the air-conditioning and am unsure if I would have survived staying there without it.

However, I don't remember it being as hot when I was a child.  But people are telling me it wasn't-the temperature nowadays are just extreme.

This is making me realize that something is happening within our atmosphere-the talk about climate change and global warming is true.  These are topics I have heard about but haven't paid attention to; however the recent weather is causing me to think I better!!

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Connections

Last night, I was able to get to dinner with 2 Mercy Sisters who are around my age. We grabbed dinner together.

Both are nearby taking a week-long course with Ilia Delio, OSF on Love, Evolution and the Emergence of God. They spoke about how good the talks were and the importance of figuring out who and what it is that you love because then you will see and experience God.   Relationships are so vital to our living.  Also they mentioned how everything is always changing-nothing stays the same.

It was great to be able to connect with them, hear their stories and share about our heart's desires. Each one of us believes in the importance of community and sharing and we discussed how we have to continue to find different ways to nourish that desire. We encouraged one another to keep growing and evolving.

It was a great evening.

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Important Quotes to Remember

Faith makes all things possible.  

Life itself is not a destination; it's a journey.


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Home

In the house where I had my novitiate training, we had in the kitchen a picture very similar to this.







Those words,  home is where the heart is, keep coming back to me. Currently, I'm visiting my Ursuline Sisters and friends in Malone, NY.  I spent four wonderful years in this town living with other Ursuline Sisters, teaching at the local public school and made many dear friends.  So many say Welcome Home to me when they see me up here and I have to admit I do feel at home-part of my heart is here.

However, parts of my heart can also be found in Soho, NYC, the Bronx, New Rochelle and other places that I have lived in and places where I have worked-SPN, Cooke Center, St. Ignatius. 

I guess that part of loving is sharing your heart and you always leave a piece behind. But I'm very fortunate I still get to touch into those home places through visits, memories and contacts with people via phone, Skype, or Facebook.

Thank you God for giving me so many homes and for allowing my heart to get touched!!

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Be Happy

Recently I relocated to a different apartment.

While I was going through my belongings, I came across the following mini poster:

The place to be happy is here; the time to be happy is now.

How true and I need to remember that. I can't keep thinking I'll be happy somewhere else or at another time.  Live in the present-find the enjoyable times now.


Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu

Monday, May 13, 2013

Small Changes = Big Results

Yesterday, I received a Weight Watchers magazine in the mail.  My weight is a constant struggle for me.  I think this magazine came free to me because I just recently bought clothes in a "big women" store.

On the cover, there is an advertisement for an article that gives you advice on how you can make small changes in your lifestyle with regards to eating and exercising and this can lead to big results if you keep those small changes consistent.

I thought today about those words: Small Changes = Big Results. and how they apply to many areas of my life.

Small changes of going to bed earlier each night will help me get more sleep.
Small changes of adding a few minutes to my prayer time will hopefully allow me to spend more time on my relationship with Jesus.
Small changes of turning off computer earlier in night will allow me to get other tasks accomplished.
Small changes of taking time to notice the good around will erase some of my negative thoughts at times.

All these small changes will lead hopefully to big results of a better rested, prayerful, well-rounded and grounded woman.

I'm going to give this small changes a try and let you know about the big results later.

How about you?

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, ous


Monday, May 6, 2013

Jubilee Celebration and a First Communion.

This weekend, I had the pleasure of spending both days at celebrations.

On Saturday, my Ursuline Sisters has our annual Jubilee Mass and luncheon.  This means we celebrated and honored sisters who professed their vows 50, 60 and 70 years ago.  In total , we were acknowledging 490 years of service to God, our church, our world, the people of God and the Ursuline Sisters.  These 8 sisters had been involved in ministries of education, pastoral care, missionary work, spiritual direction, social service and retreat work.  It was a beautiful day.  It was nice to be with my Ursuline Sisters and share in Mass and a meal together.

Then yesterday, Sunday, I attended a high school friend's son's First Communion Party,  That was another great day.  We were able to be outside enjoying the nice weather together.  Also they were probably close to 40 little children under the age of 8 running around on the big field at the place of the party.  It was nice to see their enthusiasm and energy.

In a sense over the weekend, I was involved with both ends of life-one day celebrating lives of sisters over 70 years of age and then celebrating a milestone of an 8 year old boy.  I feel very fortunate to have both sets of people in my life. Thank you God for all your goodness to me.

Prayers and blessings of love, joy and peace to all.

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu

Friday, April 26, 2013

Trust: Faith, the Way, the Truth and the Life


In today’s Gospel from John 14:1-6, we read the following:

Jesus said to his disciples:  “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me." 
We also hear Jesus’ response to Thomas-“I am the way and the truth and the life.”

Right now, I have so many pieces of my life up in the air:  living arrangement, dissertation final review, course syllabus and some personal issues.  I keep getting distracted by a troubled heart.

Seeing this words in print made me realize that I have to trust God, my Source of all Being and Jesus, my friend.

Trust is always hard for me; but it is a necessary part of life-one that I must learn to let in more.

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu

Friday, April 12, 2013

Unexpected Joy

Last night, I attended an author lecture at Concordia College in Bronxville, NY.

Dr. Priscilla Gilman was sharing about her book: The Anti-Romantic Child: A Memoir of Unexpected Joy.   Her presentation was engaging, informative and uplifting.  She reminded me of the importance of recognizing each child as an individual with strengths and challenges.

Her use of the words,  unexpected joy, really hit home with me. I need to be sure to be on the lookout for joy in unexpected places, people and situations.  

God wants us to be happy. Sometimes you have to just look a little harder to find those pockets of happiness.

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu


Sunday, March 31, 2013

Easter Greetings



Wishing you an Easter filled with much joy, peace and many blessings!  May the Risen Christ come into our hearts in a new way this Easter! Happy Easter!

Peace,
Sr. Pat and Sr. Jeannie

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Holy Saturday



Tonight Christians all over the world celebrate the Easter Vigil!  It is a solemn Vigil with much ceremony and solemnity.  We begin in darkness symbolic of what our life would be like without the presence of Jesus in it and after the readings from the Old Testament we sing the Gloria with bells and great joy.  The Gospel for this night comes from St. Luke.  It is the story of Easter morning when the women went to the tomb of Jesus to anoint his body.  When they arrived at the tomb it was empty and two men in dazzling garments greeted them. They asked, "Why are you seek the living among the dead?"  
He is not here he has been raised.  The women then carried the message to the disciples who didn't believe them.  Peter ran to the tomb to see for himself and was amazed at the sight.

I love the image of the women being the ones to go to the tomb and bring the message to the others. As we rejoice in Jesus' resurrection let us remember to bring the message to all people with great joy.

Sr. Pat Schifini, OSU

Friday, March 29, 2013



Good Friday has always been a perplexing day for me.  I always remember asking the question, "Why do we call it "Good?"  It became a little clearer for me when I was praying this morning and read the following poem of St. Teresa of Avila, a mystic, religious reformer and the first woman named a Doctor of the Church.  In her poem "The Way of the Cross" she writes that "Within the cross is life and consolation.   It alone is the road leading to heaven."  Her poem goes on but it was this first stanza that struck me.  As I prayed with it I was struck by the images that came to mind as I pondered and reflected.  I thought of the physical cross which would have begun as a tree and was later fashioned by human hands into a tool to inflict a horrible death.  I was also struck by the beauty of this day.  The sun was glorious and shining brightly and it was very quiet outdoors.  Walking in my favorite park there were many people outside many in a reflective stance.  I found this quite to be an important element for today.  When I was at our service this afternoon I was asked to be the voice in the reading of the Passion which gave me the sense of greater involvement. Perhaps each of these experiences will help to answer my initial question.  In the meantime I wait, ponder and pray over the events of this "Good" Friday.

Sr. Pat Schifini, OSU

Thursday, March 28, 2013


Today we celebrate Holy Thursday the beginning of the sacred Triduum.  Christians all around the world today gathered to celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper.  At this reenactment of the Passover Meal we recall that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples -- his friends.  Tonight I participated in the washing of the feet in our local parish.  I was one of the twelve people asked to have their foot washed.  I was struck by the group eleven women and one man. There was a young couple who will be married in June, a member of the Parish Council, one of the altar servers, her mother and several other women who are active members of the parish and a seven year old girl who will make her first Communion in April.  The one who struck me the most was the seven year old, Lacey, whose mother died in January after a battle with cancer.  She was so happy to be a part of the foot washing and her family was very proud too. The experience for me was a humbling one and one I will need to keep reflecting on during this sacred time.  May this night bring peace and comfort to all!

Sr. Pat Schifini, OSU

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Happy Palm Sunday!!!



Today is Palm Sunday and let us try to live the following words:

… we too welcomed Jesus; we too expressed our joy at accompanying him, at knowing him to be close, present in us and among us as a friend, a brother, and also as a King: that is, a shining beacon for our lives. 

And here the first word that comes to mind is “joy!” Do not be men and women of sadness: a Christian can never be sad! Never give way to discouragement! 

Ours is not a joy that comes from having many possessions, but from having encountered a Person: Jesus, from knowing that with him we are never alone, even at difficult moments, even when our life’s journey comes up against problems and obstacles that seem insurmountable, and there are so many of them! 

We accompany, we follow Jesus, but above all we know that he accompanies us and carries us on his shoulders. This is our joy, this is the hope that we must bring to this world of ours. 

Let us bring the joy of the faith to everyone! 
                             - taken from Pope Francis' Palm Sunday Homily

                               My new mantras
  • Bringing up the joy of the faith to everyone.
  • Never give way to discouragement.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!



Let us honor St. Patrick today by remembering the Trinity which St. Patrick explained to us through the shamrock.  God is Three Persons in One-God the Father/Mother, Son, and Holy Spirit!!

Friday, March 8, 2013

International Women's Day


I received the following prayer from one of our sisters, Sr. Maureen Welch, osu who is the Assistant Director for the Partnership for Global Justice at the United Nations. 

Today, March 8th is International Women's Day.

Please join us in praying the following:

Praise Women Leaders for International Women’s Day
by Diann L. Neu


Praise to you, 
women leaders of the seven continents, for your many works of justice.

 
Praise to you, women leaders of Asia, for confronting trafficking of women.
 
Praise to you, women leaders of Africa, for raising your voices to stop AIDS.
 
Praise to you, women leaders of Europe, for your peacekeeping.
 
Praise to you, women leaders of North America, for confronting economic inequities and racism.
 
Praise to you, women leaders of South America, for struggling against U.S. domination of your land.
 
Praise to you, women leaders in Antarctica, for your scientific research.
 
Praise to you, women leaders of Australia, for supporting indigenous cultures.
© Diann L. Neu, dneu@hers.com
cofounder and codirector of WATER,  the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual


"There is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities: violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable.
                                                                             - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon



Sunday, March 3, 2013

Growing Up



                                        "Grow up slow.  It's too much to handle all at once."
                                                                                                       - Shannon, 8
                 
                                                   From Well Said:  Children's Words of Wisdom by Bridget Haase, osu

Friday, February 22, 2013

Tending the Flock-Being an Example


Tend the flock of God in your midst,
overseeing not by constraint but willingly,
as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly.
Do not lord it over those assigned to you,
but be examples to the flock.
From 1 Peter 5:1-4

I must remember this as people learn more by example,
not by speech or lectures.  I know I do!

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine's Day!!


"Let Your God Love You"

               By Edwina Gately

 

Be silent.      Be still.     Alone.   Empty.

Before your God

 
Say nothing.     Ask nothing.    Be silent.   Be still.

Let your God   Look upon you.

 
That is all.

 
God knows.
God understands.

 
God loves you.   With an enormous love,   And only wants

To look upon you    With that love.

 
Quiet.      Still.      Be.

 
Let your God--    Love you.


Wednesday, February 13, 2013

LENT

Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, the 40 days of preparation for Easter. 

Here's a wordle to get you thinking and praying about Lent.


Monday, February 11, 2013

Our Choice


This is our choice in every moment.

 

Do we relate
to our circumstances
with bitterness
or with openness?

 

Pema Chodron

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Love



Love cannot be known

except in relationships,

in being affected

as well as affecting,

in sharing and participating. 

 
                                                                                    Taken from The Emergent Christ by Ilia Delio

Thursday, January 31, 2013

The Human Condition

Right now there seems to be so much sad news coming my way.

These are the people I've been asked to pray for recently:

  • A young woman of 41 with 3 children, 8, 6 and 4-woman is suffering from breast cancer
  • A father raising two adopted boys-father is sick with liver cancer.
  • A friend's mother beginning to show signs of Parkinson's disease
  • A friend's father in the advance stages of Parkinson's disease.
  • Teenage girls dealing with the year anniversary of the suicide of one of their classmates
  • A man going to be executed in a few weeks
  • A friend out of a job for almost two years now
  • Two friends in their 30s who just had their first son and they are in serious need of a babysitter
  • Friends struggling with graduate school work
  • Older people who are suffering from depression
The list could go on and on-I'm sure.  It's hard but it also shows me that people do beleive in the power of prayer.  God is in that prayer and I must remember that when I struggle with all these needs and concerns.  I also must remember that suffering is part of being human.  However we can not just live with the suffering-we also have to look for signs of hope.

I see that hope in the following ways;
  • People signing up to cook and prepare meals for the families suffering with cancer.
  • People bringing in animals and guests to cheer up others in their depression
  • Friends volunteering to babysit on certain days.
  • Friend volunteering to sit with the mother and father suffering from Parkinson's.
  • Counselors being with the teenage girls.
  • People sending my friend job ads and giving her name as a reference
  • Graduate students encouraging each other to keep plugging away.
People are good to one another when the going gets tough. We all have struggles; but we all are here to support one another too.

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu

Friday, January 25, 2013

St. Angela Merici Feast Day

January 27th is the Feast Day of St. Angela, founder of the Ursuline Sisters.

Angela was an amazing woman-one of peace and reconciliation. She said no to the Pope when asked to stay in Rome to start a group of nursing sisters.  Angelas was interested in working with families to make sure all received spiritual guidance.  This woman had a male secretary who scribed her writings for us.  Angela did all this in the late 1400s and early 1500s.  She was way ahead of her times.

Many Ursuline schools, communities, sisters,  colleagues and friends will be celebrating St. Angela over the next few days. 

On the blog Backlit with Joy, there is a special St. Angela video made by Sr. Elisa Ryan, osu and Sr. Jean Hopman, osu.  Try clicking it here to see if you get it-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvVbEEPefas&feature=youtu.be.    If not google, backlit with joy and watch it.

We wish all our friends and family Angela's blessings of peace, reconciliation and following your heart.

Happy Feast Day to all!!


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Catholic Schools Closing in New York

Yesterday, it was announced that 24 schools in the Archdiocese of New York will be closing in June 2013.  I am feel so sorry for all the families involved.  It is hard on the school administration, faculty, staff, students, parents and alumni.  My heart goes out to all involved.  I know some of the people personally and even have been inside many of the schools.

Now that I am an educator connected to various schools  and a board member of the Academy of Mt. St. Ursula, I see more clearly some of the big picture pieces connected to running a school.  It is hugely expensive for upkeep, salaries and new innovations.  I know finances is one of the reasons school have to close. Also sometimes the buildings are just too old and have not been well-maintained so it hard to keep the building going and putting in all  the necessary technology and wiring needed for today.  Plus sometimes there are too few students in the school that is too difficult to have an excellent academic program going on. 

However, I also know that Catholic schools have a spirit of family, service, love and encouragment in each one of their buildings.  That spirit is what makes each school so unique and so special to all who have entered the doors.  So when it is "your" school, it is hard to see it close.  I wish things could be different for all involved.

I pray today for all those affected by these Catholic schools closing and for all students in Catholic schools around the world.  Many say Catholic schools have nourished their faith life.  I hope the Catholic church can figure out some creative and engaging ways to keep the faith life alive for Catholics in our world. 

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Prayer Quote

Each morning as part of my daily routing, I check Facebook.  Yes, I am addicted!!

However, often I find interesting information about friends or they provide some good advice.

Today's advice comes from my former 6th grade teacher and colleague. Mrs. Teresa Fusco,  at St. Philip Neri school in the Bronx.

Here's the quote-

Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout.


What a great reminder that prayer is needed always, not just at time of struggle.

Need to start driving with prayer as my steering wheel more often!!

Sr. Jeannie Humphries, osu

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Remembering Two Wonderful Women





The Ursuline Community celebrates the lives of two extraordinary women.  Sr. Mary Hallahan and Sr. Madeline Welch who served the Ursuline Community for some 140 years combined.  Below you will find a bit about their lives and their commitment to the Ursuline Community.

Sr. Mary Hallahan, O.S.U.
January 17, 1926 – December 31, 2012

Sister Mary Hallahan, formerly known as Sr. Charles, died peacefully on December 31, 2012 at Andrus on Hudson in Hastings-on-Hudson.  Mary entered the Ursulines on July 15, 1945; she made her first vows on January, 16, 1948 and her final vows on January 16, 1951.

Mary was an energetic educator.  She taught at Blessed Sacrament School in New Rochelle, NY, St. Joseph’s Academy in Malone, NY, The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, and Ursuline Academy in Bethesda, MD. Mary served as superior of the community in Wilmington, DE from 1965 to 1968.  She returned to teaching in Malone, and in retirement she did pastoral work in the Malone area.

Mary was born in North Lawrence, NY to Vivian Mc Laughline and J. Carl Hallahan.  She was one of 8 children, 2 boys and 6 girls.  She was predeceased by her brother Daniel.  Mary’s funeral and burial will be in Malone, NY on Friday, January 11, 2012.


Sr. Madeline Welch, O.S.U.
June 14, 1941 – January 8, 2013


Sister Madeline Welch, former provincial of the Ursulines of the Eastern Province USA, civil lawyer and canon lawyer, died peacefully at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx on January 8, 2013.
Legal service was her ministry from the time she received a law degree from Fordham University in 1974; she was admitted to the NY State Bar in 1975.
Madeline was generous in her assistance to those seeking legal advice. From 1974 to 1984, she was an attorney with the Legal Aid Society. She served as superior of the St. Teresa Community in New Rochelle (1984-1987). From there she went to Rome, studied at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas, and earned a JCL in Canon Law in 1989. From 1989 to 1991 she was director of legal services to the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and the National Association of Treasurers of Religious Institutes (NATRI).
She was provincial of the Ursulines of the Eastern Province (1991-1997). She then was deputy director for legal service for the Ministry of Caring (1998-2000) in Wilmington, Del. She next served as attorney to the Community Legal Aid Society in Wilmington, from 2001 to 2007. From there, she became superior of the Ursuline Generalate in Rome. For health reasons, she returned to New York in 2009.
Madeline loved the history of the Ursuline Order; she located and distributed art and music by and about Ursulines. She also delighted in preparing special events, prayer services, and meals for feast days and other occasions.
Madeline entered the Ursulines in 1962 and made her final vows on March 28, 1970. She taught at St. Angela’s School in the Bronx from 1967 to 1981. She held a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from LeMoyne College and a master’s degree in philosophy from Georgetown University. Over the years she served on many boards. She has spoken on legal matters to a variety of groups.
Mary Madeline Welch, named Margaret, was born on June 14, 1941 to Marie McGuirk and Richard Welch, in Syracuse, NY. She is predeceased by her brother Charles and her sister Maureen; she is survived by two brothers, Richard and Sean, and many nephews and nieces.
Wake will be held at the Ursuline Province Center in New Rochelle on Friday, January 11, from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M.
Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on January 12 at 9:30 A.M. at the Province Center, and burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. 

In place of flowers, gifts in their memory may be sent to the Ursuline Retirement Fund, at the Ursuline Provincialate, 1338 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10804.

We are grateful to these women who lived exemplary lives and truly lived the Ursuline charism.

Sr. Pat Schifini, OSU