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

The inaugural Sister Martha Buser Spirit Award and Lecture series will take place on October 17 at Bellarmine University’s Cralle Theatre. The event, which is free to attend, honors the legacy of Sister Martha Buser, who was an Ursuline Sister of Louisville for 72 years and passed away in 2023 at the age of 92.

Kathleen Norris, known for her books “The Cloister Walk,” “Dakota,” and “Acedia and Me,” will deliver the lecture. The first recipient of the Spirit Award is Dianne Aprile, a Louisville poet and author who teaches creative non-fiction at Spalding University’s Master of Fine Arts in Writing program. According to the Ursuline Sisters’ announcement, Aprile was taught by Sister Buser at Sacred Heart Academy in the 1960s and “credits her with launching her writing career.”

The award aims to recognize people who reflect Sister Buser’s spiritual values, creativity, and resilience. Filmmaker Morgan Atkinson, serving as spokesperson for the event, said: “Martha impacted so many lives within her congregation, the Archdiocese of Louisville and virtually any person she met or taught. Presenting the inaugural award to Dianne Aprile is not only a tribute to Sister Martha but also a grateful recognition of the contributions made by Dianne to the community.”

The Company of St. Angela—a spirituality group co-founded by Sister Buser—sponsors the award and lecture series. Co-sponsors include organizations such as the Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion, Thomas Merton Center, Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, and Center for Interfaith Relations.

Registration for this free event can be completed online at dgcec.wildapricot.org/event-6350838/Registration.