​Ursuline Sister Mary Celine Weidenbenner, OSU, helps one of her eighth-grade Mary Carrico Catholic School students during a history class on Oct. 21, 2021. The student was working on the causes of World War II. The Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, based out of Maple Mount, Ky., have taught in Knottsville for 110 years. COURTESY OF MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH

BY DAN HECKEL, MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH STAFF

Editor’s note: The following are excerpts from a story that originally ran in the Winter 2021 issue of Ursulines Alive. These excerpts have been reprinted with permission.

In their 109 years of existence, bringing quality education to the “country” schools in Kentucky and other states has been a hallmark of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph.

Sister Mary Celine Weidenbenner is still serving in a rural Catholic school, Mary Carrico in the Daviess County community of Knottsville. The school has about 100 students, K-8. Her first 22 years as a Sister were served in rural schools.

“The benefits I experienced in the rural schools was the great faith community, and most of the people claiming the school as theirs with a commitment to keep it going for future generations,” Sister Mary Celine said. “Since I grew up in St. Teresa’s School in Glennonville, Mo., the rural school was more of a home for me. I believe I can do the best ministry when I am at home and included in the joys and sorrows.”