Sister M. Ursula Jascur

december 1, 1910 - april 15, 1952

Sister M. Ursula was born on December 1, 1910, in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. There, she graduated from Sacred Heart School in 1925, and wishing to help her family financially, worked in the local silk factory until 1930. During that year, her call to the religious life became so pronounced that she exchanged the silk factory for the convent on March 13, 1930. During her postulancy at Mount Assisi Convent in Pittsburgh, Pa., she pursued her studies. Completing the necessary six months as a postulant, she received the holy habit on September 16, 1930. The following year on September 17, Sister Ursula made her first vows.

Her first assignment after novitiate was at St. John School in Barnesboro, Pa., where she taught third grade for two years. The next year, she was transferred to St. Ann School in Farrell, Pa. Sister Ursula was privileged to prepare her charges for their First Holy Communion. From 1935 to 1937, Sister taught at St. Gabriel School in Pittsburgh and in Clarksburg, W.Va., where, in addition to third grade she helped with sacristy work. Finally, the day arrived when Sister Ursula consecrated her entire life to our Lord by perpetual vows, which she made on September 17, 1937.

Since Sister had good teaching ability, she was selected in 1937 to help the Mercy Sisters teach in St. Paul Orphanage in Crafton, Pa. The next year was spent in teaching grades 5 and 6 in Clifton, N.J., followed by a year at St. Gabriel School. The years from 1940 to 1942 found her once again helping the Mercy Sisters, this time at St. Cyril’s on Pittsburgh’s North Side. For the following two years, Sister was reassigned to St. Gabriel’s, this time to the sixth grade. The years 1944-1946 were spent not only in teaching grades 5 and 6 in Erie, but also in studying at Villa Marie College, where she received a degree in 1946.

The following four years found Sister Ursula teaching grades 4 and 5 at Assumption School in Jersey City, N.J. There she resumed church work and displayed delight when decorating the altar of the Blessed Virgin in the church where special honor is paid to Our Lady. In August 1950, she was among the pioneer Sisters who were sent to a new mission in San Antonio, Texas. Her frail health not permitting her to bear excessive heat brought about a transfer back to Farrell, Pa.

In the summer of 1951, she was appointed the superior at New Castle, Pa. Not many days lapsed before she became critically ill.  For several months Sister bore her illness with patience and resignation to the Will of God. On Easter Tuesday morning, April 15, 1952, shortly before Holy Mass, Sister M. Ursula breathed her last. Immediately, the community Mass was offered for the repose of her soul. In the minds and hearts of her fellow religious, she remains a God-loving soul, humble, and conscientious, desiring to please God alone.

Sister Ursula is buried in St. Francis Cemetery at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa.