The new leadership of the sisters of Visitation Monastery in Toledo are, from front left, Sister Sharon Elizabeth Hoch and Sister Marie de Sales Kasper, and from back left, Sister Mary Bernard Grote, Sister Gloria Marie Rowe and Sister Maria Consuelo Gonzalez. (Photo courtesy of Visitation Sisters)

Bishop Leonard P. Blair presided at the election accompanied by Father Michael Billian, episcopal vicar, and Ursuline Sister Nancy Mathias, vicar for religious.

Following the election, the community welcomed the new superior in a para-liturgical ceremony and a separate election was held May 10 to elect four councillors, one of whom is chosen by the superior to be her assistant.

At the councillor election Sister Sharon Elizabeth Hoch was elected as a councillor, and subsequently chosen as the assistant. The other councillors elected are Sister Gloria Marie Rowe, Sister Marie de Sales Kasper and Sister Maria Consuelo Gonzales.

The Sisters in the Toledo monastery have the privilege of papal enclosure, meaning they spend most of their life within the monastery, leaving only for business, medical needs and other duties. However, the sisters welcome all who wish to join them for prayer in the community’s chapel, for both daily Mass and Sunday afternoon Vespers. Prayer intentions are always welcome.

For further information about the life of the Visitation sisters, or to request remembrance in their prayer, write to Monastery of the Visitation, 1745 Parkside Blvd., Toledo, OH 43607; call 419-536-1343 or visit www.toledovisitation.org.