Louisville filmmaker Morgan Atkinson has released a new documentary, “In the Company of Change,” focusing on the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. This is Atkinson’s second film about the congregation, following his 1987 work, “A Change in Order,” which explored how the Ursuline Sisters were influenced by cultural changes during the 1980s.

Atkinson explained that his relationship with the late Ursuline Sister Martha Buser was central to both projects. “Going back to that first documentary, you know, I asked for someone from the Ursulines who could sort of guide me through what, to me, was a mystery. She was presented as that guide,” he said.

The new documentary examines shifts in U.S. culture and religious communities through Sister Buser’s life story. Atkinson noted that he did not plan on making a second film after completing his first project. Instead, it was his ongoing friendship with Sister Buser—who died in 2023—that inspired him to revisit the subject.

“When I finished the first one in the ‘80s, I thought, well, that’s that,” Atkinson said. “I wasn’t consciously thinking at the time, well, we’ll do a documentary in 30 or 40 years.”

Over time, Sister Buser became both a spiritual advisor and friend to Atkinson. “We were friends, and she was also my spiritual director. And so I would go to her and talk to her about anything that was on my mind.”

The film includes archival footage from interviews with Sister Buser conducted in the 1980s as well as more recent material. According to Atkinson, this combination highlights an evolution in her spirituality over several decades.

He described the documentary as both a tribute to Sister Buser and an acknowledgment of the Ursuline congregation’s resilience: “He sees the Ursulines as ‘role models of people who have been there through the good and persevered through the bad, who have been true to the promises and vows that they made in their life,’ he said.”

“Seeing this congregation — the way they’ve been active and vital, despite the headwinds that they’ve had to deal with — it has been an inspiration.”

A pre-screening event took place on August 7 at the original motherhouse of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. Attendees included members of Sacred Heart Schools’ administrative staff and friends of the congregation.

After viewing the film, Ursuline Sister Jean Anne Zappa—president of the congregation—remarked: “I believe this documentary by Morgan Atkinson clearly reflects the wisdom of St. Angela in facing changes of our times and circumstances. One can view the changes of religious life in our community through firsthand experiences of Sister Martha Buser’s life.”

The documentary will air on KET on September 14 at 2 p.m., with additional broadcasts scheduled for KETKY on September 19, 20, 24 and 27 at various times. It is also available online at https://vimeo.com/1088506320.

Atkinson has previously produced two documentaries about Thomas Merton; further details are available at https://morganatkinson.com/.