Sisters of the Humility of Mary, Ursuline Sisters team up to combat hunger
YOUNGSTOWN — The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown are collaborating with the Sisters of the Humility of Mary of Villa Maria, Pa., to combat hunger in their communities.
The initiative was inspired by a challenge from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious for nuns across America leading up to Catholic Sisters Week from March 8 to 12, Ursuline Sister Mary Alyce Koval said in a news release.
"We're working to end hunger by heightening awareness to widespread food insecurity and its underlying causes," Koval, who is parish leader at St. Luke Church in Boardman, said. "We have a number of initiatives to directly fight hunger as well."
Koval and Sister Regina Rogers, who serve on the Ursulines' leadership team, are heading efforts for their community. Rogers is the pastoral associate for St. Edward Parish, Youngstown.
Sister Toby Lardie, pastoral leader of Humility of Mary, and Sister Mary Stanco are coordinating efforts for their community.
The two local communities, who separately offer many ministries in the Mahoning Valley, are asking lay partners to answer the call to combat hunger. Rogers and Koval have also sent appeals to area parishes, Catholic schools and other local communities of faith.
"We understand the corrosive nature of hunger because both communities have numerous ministries that feed those in need," Koval said.
For instance, she says, St. Luke's runs a pantry and contributes food and volunteers to the St. Vincent de Paul kitchen and pantry in downtown Youngstown.
"Our Sister Kathleen McCarragher volunteers there, as do her father, brother and sister-in-law, who are Ursuline Associates, and other of our Ursuline Associates volunteer there," she said.
The Ursulines and Youngstown Catholic Worker volunteers collaborate with the Humility of Mary sisters at the Dorothy Day House of Hospitality near Youngstown State University on the city's North Side. Humility of Mary Sister Ann McManamon is the director.
Several local entities have answered the call, Koval said. Among them, St. John the Evangelist Parish in Summitville is collecting canned goods for the Lisbon food bank.
St. Luke parishioners and CCD students are collecting nonperishable food for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.
CCD students at St. Charles, Boardman, are collecting food or monetary donations for Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley.
Pam Jadue, director of the diocese's five Early Childhood Learning Centers, has asked parents to collect food for either their local church pantries or St. Vincent de Paul.
Ursuline Sister Martha Reed led a collection of canned soup for the St. Columba Parish food pantry. The Mahoning Valley Association of Churches is donating $50 each to five local church pantries.
"The Ursuline Sisters are asking each sister to make personal monetary contributions during Lent, and the community will match them," Koval said.
The Humility of Mary sisters are making a monetary contribution as well, says Kylene Kamensky, communications coordinator for their community.
This story was originally published February 27, 2021 at 7:25 AM with the headline "Sisters of the Humility of Mary, Ursuline Sisters team up to combat hunger."