The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown: Serving the Mahoning Valley since 1874

by Thomas G. Welsh Jr., Ed O'Neill (Foreword)

Pioneers in Ministry When six Ursuline nuns stepped off a train in September 1874, they encountered a smoky industrial town still reeling from economic downturn. Yet, the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown went on to staff more than a dozen parochial schools, while organizing the city's first Catholic high school. Over the next century, they compiled an extraordinary record of community service. When the Mahoning Valley's fortunes eroded in the wake of deindustrialization, the Ursulines gradually expanded their mission to address a host of new challenges. Today, the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown are celebrated for their groundbreaking efforts to assist the urban poor, single mothers, and those living with HIV-AIDS. They remain more committed than ever to meeting the needs of the community, in the face of ever-changing social, political, economic, and religious circumstances.

224 pages, Paperback

Published March 11, 2024

Reviews

[Kristina Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading the history of the Ursuline sisters. They played such an important part of my childhood and helped to shape me as a Catholic educator. I had the joy of teaching with along side some amazing Ursuline sisters. It was always a treat to be welcomed into their home. I always felt at peace when I was there. The preschool was an amazing place, truly one of a kind. I was sad to it shut down. It is sad to think that there are no longer any Ursuline sisters involved in Catholic education. They created a beautiful legacy of social justice ministries in Youngstown.

[Michele Gatts · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the interest of full disclosure, I was the contributing editor for the book.

Author Thomas G. Welsh Jr. crafted a phenomenal work! This story is well written and the pictures are fabulous! Anyone who knows the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown OR lived in the Mahoning Valley in the last 150 years would find it of interest. Welsh wove the Sisters' story together with the events of the times, and he discovered many ways these simple nuns influenced historical events (including the lives of some famous folks!) and improved the community - and world - for everyone.