Pope Francis in Philadelphia!

Today our UA Dallas delegation joined hundreds of thousands of people in Philadelphia for Mass with Pope Francis. It was a glorious event and the Mass was the last official event on Pope Francis' itinerary on his historic first visit to the United States. One of the best parts about attending the Mass was the opportunity to share the experience with our Ursuline sisters from our sister-school, Ursuline Academy of Wilmington, Delaware. UA Wilmington made all of the arrangements for our delegation and they were gracious enough to invite us to come along in the true spirit of Serviam and sisterhood.

This special day was one that will live on in the hearts and minds of all that were there and we are so grateful that Ursuline schools were so beautifully represented. THANK YOU UA Wilmington for your love and hospitality! We will never forget that you made this dream come true!

On our way with our LOVE Pope Francis T-shirts and UA skirts!  

Joyfully waiting in line

We waited for 3 1/2 hours in the security line - It was worth it!

Inside at last!

picnic & resting while waiting for the Pope Mobile to drive by 

Proud to be Catholic!

Helloooo Pope Francis !!! YAY!!!!!

Our Ursuline Dallas / Wilmington group - Sisters forever!

We love Pope Francis!!!

KSAT news

The first stop of our Brazilian delegation in San Antonio was the studio of KSAT news. News Director and Ursuline Dallas Alumna, Bernice Kearney Bonner, invited the students to visit the studio and to learn about news production. It was a dynamic and exciting visit as we had the privilege of sitting in on a live broadcast of the evening news.  The students and teachers were fascinated and captivated by Bernice's explanation of how news, journalism and media have changed in recent years. And, of course, no one could resist the urge to project himself / herself on the big screen. A million thanks to Bernice for welcoming our delegation !   

 

 

 

 

 

St. Michael's Catholic Academy

Today in Austin, our Brazilian delegation visited St. Michael's Catholic Academy, a co-ed catholic school with a thriving international program. It was great fun to see another Catholic school and to meet the students. We'd like to thank Mr. Carlon Haas for the invitation and warm hospitality - It was so nice to be with you and your students!   

 

 

 

Delaware delegation arrives in Philadelphia!

Today our Delaware delegation arrived in Philadelphia, a city currently experiencing "Pope Mania" and great joy. Our students were soon warmly welcomed by their Ursuline host families at Ursuline Academy of Wilmington. It's a particularly exciting time to be in the Northeast as everyone anticipates the upcoming visit of Pope Francis. Our students and teachers are certainly wrapped up in the excitement of this special moment and it's even more special to share it with our Ursuline sisters !

So excited!

Our Wilmington Family!

Hello Philadelphia!!

Allie's host father is on "Pope Patrol" this weekend1

Welcome to Austin!

Today our Brazilian delegation traveled to Austin, the capital of Texas! Our first stop was a "bat boat cruise" along Lake Lady Bird (named for Lady Bird Johnson, first lady of the USA in the 1960's). Austin is famous for housing the largest urban bat colony in the USA. Students experienced the bat colony first-hand at dusk when millions of bats came out from under the bridge in order to feed in near-by fields for the evening. It was a thrilling and unique experience!



 

On the bat boat!

Ready for the cruise!

A beautiful night in Austin

Can you see the bats just above the trees?

Millions of BATS!


Our evening ended with a delicious Mexican dinner and with a short walking tour of the awesome University of Texas.

Fernando experiences Texas Salsa - Spicy!

A great dinner after a great day

The Tower at The University of Texas

Exploring Big D!

Hello from Dallas (Big D)!



Our Brazilian guests have had many adventures during their first few days in Dallas. Today was a day for serious learning and exploration of this great city. First, our group visited the 6th floor museum which is dedicated to the life and legacy of President John Kennedy. Then, we took a break for some casual American dining at Chili's, a wonderful hamburger restaurant which began in Dallas in the 1980's. As you can see below, the students are enjoying the typical American food!

Our last stop of the day was the Bush Presidential Library and Museum. There we learned so much about the presidency and legacy of George W. Bush. It was fun to imagine ourselves as presidents and to take pictures in the famous Oval office!

 

Printmaking at UA

When our Brazilian brothers and sisters arrived on Friday, they were extremely tired. So, we decided to keep them awake during the afternoon by placing them in one of UA's most exciting and interactive classes - Printmaking. In the class, they first learned about an iconic symbol of Dallas, the Pegasus horse at the top of the Mobil Oil building. Then, Mr. Thompson taught the group how to screen print T-shirts and small posters. Each student and teacher went home with a handmade T-shirt and poster to celebrate the first day in Dallas! It was a wonderful way to begin learning at Ursuline Dallas! 

 

Brazilian brothers and sisters, Welcome to Dallas!

Our morning was filled with great joy as we welcomed our Brazilian brothers and sisters from Colegio Santa Ursula in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil to Dallas. Here are some of our favorite moments of new friends meeting and old friends reuniting. Welcome to Texas!!

 



We are here!

Welcome to Ursuline!

New Sisters!

Ola Fernando!

Victor meets his Dallas family

 

Bemvindo Igor!

Sisters together again!!

Danny and Sr. Helenice meet again!

Honey Buns welcomes Rafael with open bear paws!

Ana Luisa and her Dallas family

Host mom and daughter reunited

So much love!

Igor & Reagan - all smiles!

Ursuline Brothers and Sisters together at UA!