175 Years of Service: The Ursuline Sisters and The Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine 7.16.2026

The story of the Ursuline Sisters and the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine in Cleveland begins with the city’s first bishop. Just three years into his ministry, the Most Rev. Amadeus Rappe recognized that serving Cleveland’s rapidly growing community would require support. He reached out to both orders, who answered the call—five Ursuline Sisters arrived to educate the city’s children, and a year later, the first public health nurses began caring for local families. For 175 years, the Ursulines and the Sisters of Charity have served Northeast Ohio through education and healthcare, founding and stewarding institutions that have helped shape Greater Cleveland—Beaumont and Urban Community Schools, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, and Joseph & Mary’s Home, among others—and transforming countless lives along the way. Join us for a conversation with leaders from both orders as we explore the enduring legacy of women religious in Greater Cleveland—their extraordinary lives, their service and sacrifice, and their vision for the future of the communities they continue to inspire. Panelists Sr. Laura Bregar, OSU President, Leadership Team, Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland Sr. Maureen Doyle, OSU Leadership Team, Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland Sr. Marian Durkin, CSA Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine Sr. Judith Ann Karam, CSA, LFACHE Congregational Leader, Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine Moderator Christopher Larson President & Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland The Nathu Aggarwal and Roy Blackburn Forum