You may have noticed Santina and her son Jackson at our meetings. They have a blog which they would like you to check out that describes Jackson’s life with Miller Dieker Syndrome, a type of lissencephaly . The blog is a good way for friends and family to keep updated on Jackson’s progress.
Category: News
2019 U.I.S. Scholarship
The application period for the 2019 U.I.S. Scholarship is open. The completed application and required documents must be received by June 30, 2019. Check our Scholarship page for details!
2018 Scholarship Award Winner
Our annual scholarship for 2018 has been awarded to Mercy-McAuley Senior Taylor Drapp, granddaughter of Joe and Marsha Geraci. Click here to read Taylor’s essay on
2017 U.I.S. Scholarship
The deadline for applying for the 2017 U.I.S. Scholarship is approaching. The completed application and required documents must be received by June 30, 2017. Check our Scholarship page for details!
Valentine Dance and Sponsors
We had a very enjoyable Valentine Dance with good food, enjoyable music, and great company. The website has been updated with 43 ads from those who sponsored a table at the dance with their $25 donation to the UIS Scholarship Fund. Thanks to all who attended and those that donated gift baskets and other items to make the dance a success!
Passing of Mary Ellen “Mel” Fariello
Dear members,
It is with great sadness that I report the passing of another of our dear friends and members, Mel Fariello. Mel passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Mel was the wife of the late John Fariello, another UIS member. Mel attended our meetings for many years and was also very active at San Antonio Church. She willed be greatly missed.
I will pass along the details of any services when they become available.
With much sorrow,
Passing of Bea Wilkens
Dear members,
It is with great sadness that I report the passing of our dear friend, Bea Wilkens. Bea left us on Friday, January 20th. Bea served as chairperson of our Charitable Giving committee. She was much beloved and a fixture at our meetings for many years. She willed be greatly missed.
I will pass along the details of any services when they become available.
With much sorrow,
Death of Peppina Ottaviani
I am saddened to pass along the news that longtime UIS member Peppina Ottaviani, mother of Linda Gromen, passed away on Sunday. Her visitation will be held Friday, July 15, 2016 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Gwen Mooney Funeral Home-Elden Good Chapel, 2620 Erie Ave in Hyde Park.
You can read further details here.
Please keep the Ottaviani and Gromen families in your prayers.
Joe Mastruserio
President, UIS
2016 U.I.S. Scholarship
The deadline for applying for the 2016 U.I.S. Scholarship is approaching. The completed application and required documents must be received by June 30, 2016. Check our Scholarship page for details!
Sister Blandina Segale
Sister Blandina Segale
On the Road to Sainthood
Sr. Blandina Segale, the 19th century Italian-born nun, whose run-in with Old West outlaw Billy the Kid earned her the nickname, “the fastest nun in the West” started along the path to sainthood when a ceremonial first inquiry was presented in Albuquerque on Tuesday, August 25th. Sr. Blandina returned to Cincinnati to start the Santa Maria Community Services which helped Italian immigrants and is still in existence today. You can read the about Sr. Blandina’s road to sainthood here. 
In 1877, S. Blandina went with her sister, S. Justina Segale, “to see if they could do anything for the poor Italian [immigrants]” in the city of Cincinnati. Together they founded Santa Maria Institute, one of the first Catholic settlement houses in the United States.