
By Jessica Able, Record Staff Writer
SAMUELS, Ky., — Sister of Charity of Nazareth Evelyn Hurley thanks God every day for her 85 years of ministry as a woman religious.
“God has been so exceedingly good to me. I’m so grateful for my vocation and for everything God has given to me. I couldn’t be happier,” she said.
Sister Hurley, 103, was one of 62 men and women religious recognized at the World Day of Consecrated Life Mass held Feb. 3 at St. Gregory Church in Samuels, Ky. Thirteen jubilarians attended the celebration.
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz celebrated the Mass for men and women marking jubilees of 25 to 85 years during a regular Sunday morning Mass with St. Gregory parishioners.
He told the women and men religious in attendance they were called by the Lord to serve in very specific ways.
“Those of you who have special vocations, you say yes everyday,” he said. “All of us are witnesses to it and the church exalts today in your recommitment.”
Sister Hurley’s 85-year commitment to religious life is rooted in her grade school in South Boston, where the Sisters of Charity educated her and left an impression.
“They were role models for us,” said Sister Hurley during an interview before the Feb. 3 liturgy. “When we were young, they would ask how many of us were going to be Sisters and every hand would go up.”
Sister Hurley joined the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth when she was 17 years old. The following year, in 1933, she received the habit.
Following her role models’ examples, she served as a teacher for 60 years, beginning as a first- and second-grade teacher at LaSalette Academy in Covington, Ky., where she taught from 1935 to 1939.

She then taught at St. Agnes School in Louisville from 1939 to 1947. From here, she ministered as a teacher in Clarksdale, Miss., until 1950.
In 1950, she returned to South Boston and began teaching at Nazareth School (later St. Brigid School and now called South Boston Catholic Academy), the same school she attended. She taught there for 45 years.
“I enjoyed every single minute in the classroom. I had the primary grades and I absolutely loved it,” she said in her Boston accent.
In 1995, Sister Hurley retired from teaching at age 80 but maintained an active ministry of visiting the sick and attending wakes and funerals of the families she had come to know through the years.
In 2014, at age 99, she retired to the SCN Motherhouse in Nazareth, Ky. There, she keeps a busy schedule. She enjoys crocheting, traveling and spends a great deal of time maintaining correspondence with former students and friends and family, she said.
“I am very, very happy here (at Nazareth). I am very well taken care of,” she said.
Sister Hurley turns 104 on March 7 and plans to travel to Boston for a visit with family and friends in April.
All men and women religious in the archdiocese were invited to attend the Feb. 3 World Day for Consecrated Life Mass.
Following is a list of jubilarians who responded to the invitation sent by the Archdiocese of Louisville.
85 years
Sister Evelyn Hurley, SCN
80 years
Sister Genevieve Cavanaugh, SL
75 years
Sister Mary Patricia Brennan, SCN
Sister Mary Katherine Hammett, SL
Sister Antoinette Kostelnik, SCN
Sister Kathleen Tighe, SL
Sister Maurice Wayda, SCN
Sister Mary Wedding, SCN
70 years
Sister Irene Marie du Sacre Couer, LSP
Sister Jamesetta DeFlice, OSU
Sister Kay DeMarea, SL
Sister Paschal Maria Fernicola, SCN
Sister Julienne Guy, OSU
Sister Rose Anthony Heitzman, OP
Sister Rita Maureen Hurtt, SL
Sister Mary Kenneth Hrbal, SCN
Sister Mary Donata Kokot, OSU
Sister Eileen Mary Meyer, SCN
Sister Mary Lee Murphy, SL
Sister Monica Myers, OP
Sister Virginia Mary Sammett, OP
Sister Jane Stuckenborg, OSU
60 years
Sister Brigid Bonner, SP
Sister Janice Campbell, SCN
Sister Gail Collins, SCN
Father Ronald Corl, CP
Sister Jeanne Dueber, SL
Sister Anne Elizabeth Elampalathottyil, SCN
Sister Catherine Franze, OSU
Sister Barbara Gilmetti, SCN
Sister Teresa Gurule, OP
Sister Patricia Ann Healey, SCN
Sister Jeanine Jaster, SCN
Sister Bridget Kappalumakal, SCN
Sister Carole Kaucic, SCN
Sister Eileen Kersgieter, SL
Sister Theresa Knable, SCN
Sister Barbara Ann Lengvarsky, SCN
Sister Genevieve de Marie, LSP
Sister John Loretto Mueller, SCN
Father Eric Meyer, CP
Sister Mary Michelle Naber, SCN
Sister Mary Swain, SL
Sister Barbara Sullivan, OP
Sister Elizabeth Emmanuel Vattakunnel, SCN
Sister Teresa Velloothara, SCN
Sister Mary Terence (Terry) Wasinger, OP
Sister Lorna Weiler, OSU
Sister Joan Wilson, SCN
Sister Kitty Wilson, SCN
50 years
Sister Rita Davis, SCN
Sister Stella Kaiparampatt, SCN
Sister Judy Morris, OP
Sister Bridget Vadakeattam, SCN
Sister Sunita Vayalipara, SCN
Sister Vandana Velleringatt, SCN
25 years
Sister Prisca Bilung, SCN
Sister Beatrice Ann Keller, SCN
Sister Josephine Kisku, SCN
Sister Salomi Linda, SCN
Brother Aaron Schulte, OCSO
Sister Lilly Joseph Vellanayil, SCN
SCN sisters taught me grades 1-12. I appreciate their services.
Classmates and I have many memories.
Loved seeing this post!!!!! Went to Nazareth School in St. Bridget’s Parish from Kindergarten through High School. Nuns were great!!!!