The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown - (330) 792-7636

We are Catholic nuns who respond together to the most critical needs of God’s people in northeast Ohio, especially the greater Mahoning Valley since 1874. God touched our hearts with a call to live a life of service for the sake of the Gospel.

Our ministries include the founding of and continuing educational endeavors at Ursuline High School in Youngstown, Youngstown Community School and The Ursuline Preschool and Kindergarten, Canfield. Some Sisters teach at other schools and in higher education. An immeasurable number of students have benefited from our care.

In 1991 we founded Beatitude House, with locations in Youngstown, Warren, and Ashtabula. This program has helped thousands of homeless women and their children break the cycle of poverty by providing transitional housing, guidance in parenting and other assistance. The Potter’s Wheel, Youngstown, helps disadvantaged women succeed through educational and employment assistance.

We co-sponsor the Dorothy Day House on Youngstown’s north side. Mondays through Thursdays, 80-100 free meals are served each day to those who might otherwise go hungry.

In 1993 we began responding to the needs of children and adults infected or affected by HIV/AIDS and continue in three ways. The Ursuline Sisters’ HIV/AIDS ministry offer a Comprehensive Care Center clinic in the Renaissance Center, Youngstown, which treated 250 patients in 2011 and offered HIV testing to 190 persons. No HIV Positive babies have been born to infected mothers in our care; The Guardian Angel Café & Angela’s Place served over 1,200 meals last year and distributed more than 2,000 bags of groceries, household supplies and personal items; Casa Madre, a house on the city’s south side, provides tutoring and mentoring for children affected by or infected with the virus. Most of the adults and children we serve are at or below poverty level.

Our Motherhouse Pool serves more than 800 people weekly with swimming lessons for children and preventive health care for adults. Additionally, we are a site for the SilverSneakers Program, which helps those 55 years and older stay fit and healthy while enjoying socialization. It has 250 participants and continues to grow.

Thousands benefit from ministries offered at our educational facility, The Ursuline Center, with such opportunities as: Adult Enrichment Classes; a Labyrinth open to all; Prison Ministry; Pastoral and Bereavement Counseling; Prayer Shawl Ministry, which brings the comfort and security of God’s Love to the ill; Spiritual Direction and Retreats; and The Ursuline Center Book Club. Also offered at the site are Walsh University Accelerated Program; Pymatuning Rehab Speech and Hearing Services. New to The Ursuline Center is Sister Jerome’s Poor, which aids 150 families, many working poor, with emergency expenses.

The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown also minister in social work and as chaplains in area healthcare, rehabilitation and nursing home facilities, and in area parishes.

Our name comes from St. Ursula, a 3rd century virgin and martyr. Our heritage comes from St. Angela Merici, a 16th century saint.

We get our energy from our relationship with Jesus and the story of St. Angela. Angela’s yearning to live a life reflective of Jesus inspires us to find the God who loves unconditionally. We hope to nurture that yearning in others.

Tags: Religious Organization