Spirituality

As a ministry of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, we understand how important spiritual wholeness and faith are to overall health and wellness.

We offer a number of spirituality enrichment programs throughout the year, such as individual activities for both women and men, women’s spirituality workshops, and guided labyrinth walks for all ages. We also offer special events, such as speakers, plays and music concerts, as well as the ministries listed here.

Please visit our calendar for the most up-to-date class schedules.   

Spirituality & Education Calendar

Walking the Labyrinth

The Ursuline Center Labyrinth is a tool for prayer and meditation, consisting of a winding path that leads to a central space and then out again by the same path. It is not a maze meant to confuse but a sacred walk meant to open hearts and minds.

Labyrinths have existed for over 4,000 years and are used by nearly every major religion. They’ve been an integral part of many cultures, such as Native American, Greek, Celtic and Mayan. By walking a labyrinth, we rediscover a long-forgotten mystical tradition.

The Ursuline Center Labyrinth is patterned after the Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth in France, which was created around 1220.

The Ursuline Center Labyrinth is free to experience and open year-round from dawn to dusk to all persons of faith. There are guides to walking the labyrinth located in the black box near its entrance.

Guided walks are offered April through October. For specific dates, times and themes, please view our calendar of events.

Customized Guided Walks

Groups can request a facilitator for walks created to meet your customized theme. Please call two weeks in advance. A $20 donation is appreciated.

Spiritual Book Club

This club is for anyone who wants to nurture their spiritual life. It offers the opportunity to read, reflect on and share in the discussion of spiritual books that explore the writings of the great spiritual thinkers, both contemporary and classic.

The Spiritual Book Club will resume its monthly discussions from 1 p.m to 2:30 p.m. on September 19, 2022 at the Ursuline Center. The group has chosen to read, "Hanging onto Hope: Reflections and Prayers for Finding Goof in an Imperfect World," by Norte Dame Sister Melannie Svoboda. 

There is no cost to attend, but freewill offerings are accepted. For more information and to register, contact call the Ursuline Center at 330-799-4941 and leave your name, phone number, and interest in the book club. The group facilitator will get back to you. 

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Our group’s purpose is to stitch and pray for those who need physical and psychological healing. The prayer shawls provide comfort and are an expression of God’s Love.

The shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient. The intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Upon completion, a final blessing is offered before the shawl is sent on its way. Some recipients have continued the kindness by making a shawl and passing it on to someone in need. Thus, the blessing ripples from person to person, with both the giver and receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, mothering God!

Prayer shawls made by our ministry are donated to local hospitals for neonatal and cancer patients, to healthcare programs and given by request for someone in need.

Donations of good quality yarn are always appreciated.

The group meets the third Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. New members are always welcome. For more information, contact us at 330-799-4941.

Spiritual & Bereavement Counseling

Ursuline Sister of Youngstown Sister Pauline Dalpe, a licensed professional counselor, helps others to heal from whatever grief life has brought their way.

Bereavement counseling is assistance and support to people with emotional and psychological stress after the death of a loved one. Bereavement counseling includes a broad range of transition services, including outreach, counseling, and referral services to family members.

Individual Spiritual and/or Bereavement Counseling is offered by appointment. Contact Sister Pauline Dalpe, who also holds a Master’s degree in Education, at 330-792-7636.

In this short video, Sister Pauline shares her thoughts on her counseling ministry -- and her tears -- and invites you to tea.

Spiritual Direction

Are you looking for more meaning in your life? Our Spiritual Director can help you on your journey of discovery, providing a listening ear and an encouraging presence from one attuned to the spiritual life.

The Ursuline Education & Wellness Center offers two forms of Spiritual Direction: Individual Spiritual Direction and Retreats in Daily Life.

Individual Spiritual Direction

The purpose of spiritual direction is to respond to God’s invitation to draw closer in relationship, and to recognize God’s purpose and place in our everyday life.

Many people ask “Where is God?” in their daily experiences. All of us long for a clearer experience of God’s presence and love. God speaks to us both in word and action. We have the ability to respond.

What Happens in a Spiritual Direction Session?

A session may include exploring ways to pray, discussing critical issues, looking at life choices, or simply acknowledging a longing or question that persists over time. The spiritual director remains present to the directee by deeply listening, posing questions, offering support, and creating a safe environment where one can openly and prayerfully explore where God is leading. A spiritual director is not a therapist, teacher or counselor. All sessions are treated with confidentiality and respect.

Because spiritual directors are trained professionals, directors ask for a fee, or for a free-will donation at the time of the direction session. Generally, there is a sliding scale of $25 to $45 per session.

About Our Spiritual Director

Our Spiritual Director, Eileen W. Novotny, holds an MA in theology from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. She has extensive experience teaching adults, offering retreats and days of reflection, in parish pastoral council formation and both group and individual spiritual direction.

Eileen earned a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Ignatian Spirituality Institute at John Carroll University, University Heights. She also is an Associate of the Ursuline Sisters. Eileen retired from the Diocese of Youngstown, where she served as the Director of Lay Ministry Formation and Parish Pastoral Council Formation.

For more information, contact Eileen at 330-533-3831 or [email protected].

Retreats in Daily Life

Unlike traditional retreats, which require extended time of silent prayer and reflection away from everyday life, Retreats in Daily Life offer feature prayer and reflection within the context of daily living.

Based on the teachings and spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the retreat is a time set apart in the midst of everyday life to help participants discern more clearly God's movement in their hearts. It focuses on the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus through a prayerful encounter with Scripture.

The Ignatian principle of "finding God in all things" lies at the heart of the retreat. It provides the opportunity for individuals who cannot take the time away from work, family, etc., to experience a form of prayer that can be life changing. The Retreat in Daily Life usually takes eight weeks and can be done with a small group or as an individual.

"Christian Women Celebrate" Spirituality Series

Come for prayer, praise, insight, small group faith sharing (if you choose), and true fellowship with each other through the Spirit of the Savior! Invite a friend or two, especially if they need to feel the unconditional love of Jesus! 

Each presentation is realistic, with moments of exceptional humor. Sessions begin with music and scripture. After a DVD presentation, participants share their thoughts with women at their table. Sessions conclude with a challenge to live that month’s theme and a song of praise.

Gatherings are at either 10-11:30 a.m. or 6:30-8 p.m. one day a month. No RSVP necessary. There is an optional $5 donation to help defray costs for the presenter, Carol Craven. If there are extra funds, they are donated to Ursuline Ministries.

Prison Ministry

The Ursuline Sisters’ Prison Ministry, led by Sisters Nancy Dawson and Therese Ann Rich, serves the spiritual and religious needs of Catholic inmates in the prisons of the Mahoning Valley, as well as other inmates seeking to know about the Catholic faith and way of life.

The United States continues to incarcerate more people, and a higher percentage of its population, than any other nation on Earth.

Sister Nancy is a Chaplain contracted by the Diocese of Youngstown to offer Theology, Scripture and World Religion classes for inmates. She is a former instructor of World Religions courses for Youngstown State University.

She also leads RCIA -- Rite of Christian Initiation -- classes for inmates of other religions who wish to convert to Catholicism, or for those who never completed their sacramental faith journey. Sister Nancy completes this program through the mail.

Sister Nancy attends weekly Mass at the prison and delivers the Sacrament of Eucharist to those inmates unable to leave their cells.

Many Sisters, Ursuline Associates and volunteers participate in our Letter Writing Program. The primary focus is that of spiritual encouragement in the form of Christian friendship. Letters bathed in spiritual realities are a source of comfort to the inmates.

For more information, call Sister Nancy at 330-792-7636.

Sr. Nancy Dawson

Sr. Therese Ann Rich