Four Ursuline Sisters of Prelate celebrate milestone anniversaries

By Joan Janzen

Congratulations were extended to four Ursuline Sisters of Prelate who celebrated milestone anniversaries on August 15th. Sister Rose Anne Engel celebrated 75 years, Sister Charlotte Beier 70 years, Sister Gertrude Sopracolle 65 years and Sister Dianne Sehn 60 years. They were honoured at a celebratory dinner and Mass in Saskatoon.

"Three of us were at the Academy in Prelate," Sister Dianne explained. She taught at the school from 1980 until 1999. "In total I was there 19 years." Sister Charlotte and Sister Gertrude taught at the Academy as well.

Seventy-five years and still counting. Four Ursulines of Prelate celebrated milestone anniversaries on August 15th. (Back row, l-r): Sr. Gertrude Sopracolle, OSU (65 years), Sr. Charlotte Beier, OSU (70 years). (Front row, l-r): Sr. Rose Anne Engel, OSU (75 years), and Sr. Dianne Sehn, OSU (60 years). PHOTO BY FELICITAS DROBIG, OSU

Sister Dianne grew up at Richmound, Sask., and took her grades 11 and 12 at the Prelate school for girls. Throughout her years at St. Angela's Academy she was vice-principal, principal and taught home economics.

"In the meantime I became general secretary of the Ursuline Sisters of Prelate. We're still a community. The school was just one of our ministries," she explained. Some of their ministries include pastoral care, volunteer work, university involvement, adult education, archives and the fine arts.

"It's basically bringing the message of Christ to people by being who we are," Sister Dianne said. The four women no longer work at ministries abroad, and all reside in Saskatoon, where Sister Dianne continues to be involved in various ministries.

The history of the Ursulines of Prelate began in 1919 when four Sisters originally from Germany arrived in Prelate, Sask., with faith, enthusiasm and ten dollars. At that time they couldn't have foreseen their eventual worldwide influence as educators.

They forged ahead during the difficult years of the Great Depression, teaching in twelve country schools south of Prelate under deplorable conditions. Their membership increased to 100 by 1946.

By 1981 the Ursulines had served in 66 missions, including ones in Swaziland, Brazil and Zimbabwe, and that number kept growing throughout the years. The modern academy was eventually built, replacing the original convent. The academy closed in 2007 after educating young women for 88 years.

Thanks for your decades of dedicated service.