Tuesday, October 21 was a great day for celebrations. In addition to it being the Feast Day of Saint Ursula, the Academy celebrated the transfer of the Ursuline Academy sponsorship from the Ursuline Sisters to the Ursuline Education Foundation (UEF). An important milestone in the 175 year old school’s history, more than 400 Academy students, faculty, staff and Board of Trustee members joined the Ursuline Sisters Provincial Team and Canonical Stewards of the UEF for a transfer ceremony led by Sister Peggy Moore, Provincial Prioress. Honoring the day as Mass Celebrant was Most Reverend Mitchell T. Rozanski, Archbishop of St. Louis, who also joined students for a reception reflecting the Italian roots of Ursuline Foundress, Saint Angela Merici.
“Decades ago, the Sisters saw that their future ability to fulfill the role of sponsor for the Central Province schools would be limited by their aging community and the national trend of fewer women choosing religious life,” said Peggy Slater, Ursuline Academy President. “In response, the Sisters established the Ursuline Education Foundation, a sponsorship body recognized by the Roman Catholic Church and comprised of school leaders, lay people, and Sisters who will assure that the Academy’s commitment to Catholic education, rooted in the Ursuline tradition, remains unwavering well into the future.”
What does this transition mean for the Academy? From the perspective of current Ursuline families, potential students, staff and faculty, and the public, nothing will change concerning the educational experience or faith formation. The Ursuline Sisters’ long history with the Academy, spanning from roles as administrators and teachers to supporters of student events, will long be remembered.
“We want to extend our sincere gratitude to the Sisters for their foresight and dedication to the young women served at Ursuline Academy, and to the generations who will benefit from their continued ministry across the world,” added Slater.
Click here to read the UA story featured in the St. Louis Review!
Scroll through the photos below to see more of the Transfer of Sponsorship Ceremony and the Feast of St. Ursula:
Ursuline Academy students with Archbishop Rozanski
Ursuline Academy students celebrating the Feast of St. Ursula
Ursuline Sisters giving their blessing over the transfer ceremony
Sister Peggy Moore, Provincial Prioress, leading the transfer ceremony
Ursuline Academy students eating lunch with Archbishop Rozanski
Archbishop Rozanski celebrating the Feast of St. Ursula Mass
Ursuline Academy students in prayer at the Feast of St. Ursula Mass
Archbishop Rozanski and the Canonical Stewards of the Ursuline Education Foundation (UEF)