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Youngstown Diocese celebrates women religious

Ursuline Sister details history in the Mahoning Valley

GIRARD — The Diocese of Youngstown is nearing the end of its yearlong 75th anniversary celebration, which will conclude with a final Mass June 9 at St. Columba Cathedral.

Various programs and speakers have been held through the Diocese to mark the milestone.

Sister Regina Rogers, OSU, a member of the parish ministry at St Edward Parish and the leadership team of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, spoke at various venues, including St. Rose Parish in Girard, about “History of Women Religious in the Youngstown Diocese.”

Rogers said there are three religious orders of women serving the Diocese — Roman, Byzantine and Maronite rites.

The Sisters of the Humility of Mary were very involved with the establishment of the St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown in December 1911. Rogers said it was a dream to have a Catholic hospital in the city.

Rogers said the hospital was needed to meet a need in the community.

“The Catholic hospitals became a viable part in the American healthcare system,” she said.

The sisters later founded St. Joseph Hospital in Warren.

When the Humility sisters came to the United States in the 1800s, they focused on education of children and as needs changed so did the ministry. Many schools, orphanages and health facilities that were needed were established through their efforts.

“Over the years, women religious were fast becoming an important part of the Catholic way of life and reflected the ways of the Catholic Church, which reflected the larger American society,” Rogers said.

Into the 20th century, women religious continue to lead the way in educating children in the many newly constructed parochial schools.

“The women religious played a major role in shaping the American Catholic community,” Rogers said.

She said as women began pursuing advanced degrees, it was not until 1944 when they were allowed to study philosophy and theology.

During World War II, women helped where they were needed.

Bishops looked to women religious in foreign countries to help meet the needs of their people, primarily in education and health care, Rogers said.

The Ursuline Sisters were the first women religious to come to North America, Rogers said, coming to Youngstown in the 1870s as elementary school teachers.

In 1905, the order founded the all-girls Ursuline Academy, which was then an elementary and secondary school. Rogers herself taught at Ursuline High School for more than 40 years before her retirement.

The Ursuline Sisters today run the Beatitude House that helps disadvantaged women and children out of poverty and an HIV / AIDS ministry. Ursuline Sisters also work in social services, health and wellness, and addiction counseling, Rogers said.

As society changed in the 1950s to the 1970s, Rogers said the women religious also changed in dress and ministry.

Into the 21st century, women religious continue to serve the churches and the Dioceses through inspiring, serving and mentoring others. Rogers said such topics as immigration, human trafficking, those affected by war and the environment have reflected changes in society and what women religious take part in through the church.

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