Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Four Ursuline Sisters of Louisville are marking significant milestones in their religious lives, celebrating jubilees ranging from 60 to 70 years.

Sister Janet Marie Peterworth, originally from Louisville, commemorates her 70th year as an Ursuline Sister. She is an alumna of the former Ursuline Academy and holds degrees from the old Ursuline College and Creighton University. Her contributions within the Archdiocese of Louisville include teaching at Our Lady of Lourdes School, St. Joseph School in Butchertown, and Central High School, as well as serving as principal at St. Joseph. Sister Peterworth has also held roles such as member and director of the Ursuline Leadership Council and president of the Ursulines from 2014 to 2020. Her service extends beyond Kentucky, having worked in Maryland, Indiana, and West Virginia. She was a disaster counselor following the 1977 Tug Valley Flood and founded ABLE Families while volunteering with Christian Help of Mingo County for two decades. Currently, she writes homilies for St. William Church and serves on nonprofit boards.

Sister Ruth Ann Haunz celebrates her 60th anniversary with the Ursulines. A native of Oldham County, she graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, Spalding University, University of Dayton, and Bellarmine University. Her work within the Archdiocese includes teaching at Sacred Heart Academy and Angela Merici High School and serving in various leadership roles such as retreat director and vocation director at local churches. Additionally, she directed adult and lay ministry formation for the archdiocese. Today, Sister Haunz manages Dare to Care programs at St. John Paul II Church while also engaging in spiritual direction and volunteer work with refugees.

Sister Paula Kleine-Kracht marks her 60th jubilee this year. Born in Louisville, she attended St. Therese School and Sacred Heart Academy before pursuing higher education at Bellarmine University (then Bellarmine-Ursuline College), Notre Dame University, and the University of Chicago. In her career within the Archdiocese of Louisville, she taught at Sacred Heart Academy where she established key academic programs like the International Baccalaureate Programme before co-founding Nativity Academy at St. Boniface in 2003.

Lastly, Sister Rita Ann Wigginton is also celebrating six decades of religious life this year. Originally from Louisville herself, she studied at Angela Merici High School before attending Gallaudet University and earning advanced education credentials from Boston College. Her educational career spans several dioceses including Toledo and Brooklyn where she helped establish services for deaf communities.

These sisters continue to contribute significantly to their communities through various roles such as educators or leaders within religious councils.