Two Ursuline sisters celebrating jubilees

Staff report

CANFIELD

The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown are celebrating the jubilees of two members with Mass and a reception beginning at noon Aug. 16.

Invitations will be issued for the event at the Motherhouse.

Sister Norma Raupple is marking her 50th anniversary as an Ursuline Sister of Youngstown. Sister Norma is a member of the leadership team and ministers as vocation and young adult outreach director for the Ursulines.

Under her leadership, the young adult outreach program was recently named an “Outstanding Community Partner” by Kent State University’s Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement.

She also serves as Hispanic outreach/education coordinator for Beatitude House.

From 1997 to 2007, Sister Norma ministered in Brownsville, Texas, at the request of the Bishop of Brownsville for an inter-Ursuline program serving the poor.

“The time of immersion in the Mexican culture was challenging and rewarding,” Sister Norma said.

“I was inspired by the simplicity and faith of the people. It was a wonderful experience with Ursuline Sisters from many other locations and it provided a context us to invite high school and college students to come for Spring Break Projects and internships with the poor. It also provided a chance for many [Youngstown Ursuline] Sisters to visit, especially in the winter.”

Sister Norma was a teacher at St. Nicholas School in Struthers, St. Rose School in Girard, and Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown. She also has served as director of religious education for St. Vincent DePaul Church in Vienna, St. Jude Church in Columbiana and Immaculate Conception Church in Youngstown.

Sister Norma earned a master of arts in religious education from Boston College and a bachelor of science in education from Youngstown State University.

She has several professional certifications.

A Boardman native, Sister Norma graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School.

Sister Martha Reed is marking her 25th anniversary as an Ursuline Sister.

Specializing in teaching children with autism and other developmental disabilities, Sister Martha ministers as an instructor at Potential Development in Youngstown, where she has worked since 2009.

Since becoming an Ursuline Sister, Sister Martha’s ministry has always focused on education.

She has served as a day-care program director and preschool teacher with Ursuline Preschool and Kindergarten, and as an instructor for Mahoning County Educational Service Center and Easter Seals.

“Twenty-five years ago, I was looking for my place in this world. Today I know that God has transformed my life as an Ursuline Sister in the spirit of St. Angela,” Sister Martha said.

“I believe I am where God wants me to be today.”

Sister Martha also ministers as a catechist with St. Columba Casthedral in Youngstown.

She also has served as a catechist with St. Charles Parish in Boardman, St. Paul the Apostle Parish in New Middletown, and was a youth minister for St. Luke Parish in Boardman.

Sister Martha earned her degrees at YSU and has a master of science in education specializing in early childhood special education, a bachelor of science in applied science and an associate degree in applied science.

She has several professional certifications.

Originally from Hawaii, Sister Martha graduated from Boardman High School.

Also celebrating jubilees as Ursuline Sisters this year are Sister Jerome Corcoran, 80 years; Sister Gertrude Paris, 65 years; and Sisters Mary Ellen Dean, Eileen Kernan, Janice Kusick and Helen Nordick, 60 years.

The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown are Catholic nuns with a 140-year history of responding together to the most critical needs of God’s people in northeast Ohio.

For more information, visit www.theursulines.org.