text: Religious Tolerance In our continuing video series Ask A Nun, Sister Nancy Dawson, General Superior of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, answers the question “What are your attitudes toward other religions?” Sister Nancy Dawson: Well, I’m an instructor at YSU [Youngstown State University] in the Philosophy and Religion Department., and I would have to say that my idea of other religions is the idea that we have more in common thank we have differences. And I really enjoy the students – who come from all ages, ethnic backgrounds, religious backgrounds, racial backgrounds – and I try to show them the commonality and invite them to open their hearts to hear the beliefs and the stories, and the rituals, and the community life of all of these other religions, and to share their symbols and their artifacts. I also try to teach them that when they respond to differences they can do that in a non-violent way and without dualistic thinking that one is right, and one in wrong. I teach them that God can be named many things from many different religions – Yahweh, Jesus, Allah, Brahman — but that we need to listen to their stories no matter what name we give to that reality. I find teaching a wonderful way to positively influence young people today and I never cease to become a learner in those classes from the students I teach. Truly, I learn a great deal from them and I’m very grateful for the gifts they give to me and for the gifts God give me to give to them. Wonderful question, thank you! Contact the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown at [email protected] or 330-792-7636.
  How Many Careers Have You Had As a Nun? In our continuing video series Ask A Nun, Sister Nancy Dawson, General Superior of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, answers the question “How many careers have you had as a nun?” Well, I can’t even count the number of careers that I’ve had. I entered when I was 21. I taught elementary school, high school, and now I teach at YSU (Youngstown State University) as a professor in the department of Philosophy and Religion. I was a principal for a number of years. I also worked in a parish in a rural area, which was wonderful to be with the people at that time and in that place. I’ve been in administration for a longer period of time than I would like to name, but it’s a wonderful opportunity to exercise leadership and to energize all of the other sisters for the many ministries that we perform in the diocese of Youngstown and beyond. I worked at the Elkton Prison for a short period of time as a chaplain, and I’ve also been director of the Ursuline Center at Youngstown, where we have ministries of Walsh University campus, AIDS Ministry, adult education, and swimming lessons for children. I’m back into administration at this time, and we’re doing some very exciting things as Ursulines in reconfiguring our life and our space and trying to figure out how we can show the world what it means to be nonviolent in our thoughts, words, and actions in a culture that deals with so much diversity. Thank you. Excellent question! Contact the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown at [email protected] or 330-792-7636.