Holy Angels Echoes Olivetan Benedictine Sisters Jonesboro, Arkansas 72403-0130
Volume 29 No 1
www.olivben.org
WINTER 2011
Christmas at the Convent
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Santa’s Elf, Sr. Laura Cathcart delivers gift to Sr. Georgia Felderhoff, while Sr. Angeline Massery begins to open her gift.
Christmas Celebration – 2010, at Holy Angels began with a candle light procession in chapel at 7:00 p.m., with all the Sisters singing Silent Night. At the end of the procession, Postulant Michelle Keller carried in the statue of the Infant Jesus and placed it in the manger, before Father Udo blessed the crib. The solemn celebration of the Mass for Christmas Eve followed. After the Mass, all enjoyed refreshments and fellowship in the dining room before retiring for the night. On Christmas morning, after a “pick-up” breakfast including German sausage from Muenster, the
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Chapel at Christmas Eve Mass Sisters continued to celebrate by singing the Liturgy of the Hours at morning prayer. At mid-morning, Novitiate members held Open House with coffee and holiday treats. The Christmas Day Mass was celebrated at 11: 00 a.m. followed by a festive meal. That afternoon included the singing of Solemn Vespers, a party with different games, door prizes and the exchange of gifts and supper. At the close of the day, the Sisters again thanked God for all His blessings received at Christmas and throughout the year.
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L to R: Postulant Michelle Keller, Sr. Mary Beth Hackley, Sr. Mary Clare Bezner and Sr. Glorea Knaggs enjoy refreshments.
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QUASQUICENTENNIAL – 125TH ANNIVERSARY As noted earlier, the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the first Sisters arriving in Arkansas – 1887-2012. The 125th Anniversary Committee is planning activities to be celebrated throughout 2012, beginning on December 13, 2011. Sr. Lisa O’Connell resigned from the Quasquicentennial Committee, due to her
responsibilities as Principal of Blessed Sacrament School. Sr. De Porres Polk agreed to serve in her place. The committee also includes: Sr. Romana Rohmer, chairperson, Sr. Henrietta Hockle, Sr. Dominica Wise, Sr. Mary Anne Nuce and Sr. Deborah Coffey. On November 29, the Committee voted to include all those who contributed to the
Annual Appeal for 2010, in addition to those who sent in a $10 donation to be listed as FRIENDS OF HOLY ANGELS. It is not too late to be included in this list. If you are interested SEE article: FRIENDS OF HOLY ANGELS to be listed in Memories and Milestones, the commemorative book.
Message From The Prioress
VISITOR FROM SWITZERLAND
Sister Mary Anne Nuce, OSB, Prioress
On New Year’s Eve, when many people are enjoying a party, and staying up to see in the New Year, our Community gathered in Chapel for a Holy hour to thank God for all the blessings during this past year. One morning recently during my quiet time with the Lord, my meditation on Scripture had the following explanation. It made a deep impression on me. “God has so much love He wants to give us. And the devil has so much that he wants to tempt us with. So no mater how far we have come, there is always more awaiting us: More grace and love from the throne of God – Greater transformation into the image of God – More healing of our past and more hope for our future. And there will never be an end to the obstacles
and the temptations to rest on my hands, and stop seeking after the Lord.” (Taken from Word Among Us.) After thinking about these ideas, I was encouraged. At the beginning of prayer, I felt I was all alone when suddenly, I realized that God was with me and I remembered that in Scripture we read the Words of God: “Fear not, I am with you.” The year two thousand ten has been a year of many changes. One of the main changes has been in Healthcare. These changes are very complex. I am grateful that St. Bernards Healthcare, one of our main ministries, is blessed in having good leadership. Our mission, “To provide Christ-like healing to the community through education, treatment and healthcare services.” Our mission statement is lived in all areas of St. Bernards Healthcare facilities.
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA FR0M POLAND
Brother Mauritius Honegga, OSB
On November 27, Sisters of Holy Angels had a surprise visitor from Switzerland. Brother Mauritius Honegger, OSB, from Einsiedeln, Switzerland visited Holy Angels. He is presently in America, studying Theology at St. Meinrad’s Indiana. He came to Jonesboro along with another Seminarian, Joseph T. Chan, who came to Jonesboro to visit Father Vu, pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish. Brother Mauritius was excited about visiting Holy Angels, as he had spent a week at Kloster Maria Rickenbach, making a retreat, and had read about our community in Father Weibel’s book, Forty Years Missionary. Our first Sisters came from Kloster Maria Rickenbach in 1887. After giving the Seminarians a tour of the convent, Sr. Mary Anne Nuce, Prioress, presented Brother Mauritius with a copy of the two books written about our history: one by Sister Agnes Voth, and the other by Sr. Henrietta Hockle.
FRIENDS OF HOLY ANGELS You are invited to join in celebrating our QUASQUICENTENNIAL - the 125 th anniversary (1887-2012) of our first Sisters coming to Arkansas. By sending $10, your name will be listed in the commemorative booklet, “Memories and Milestones,” under the section, “Friends of Holy Angels.” The year-long celebration will begin, December 13, 2011. DEADLINE for entering your name in the booklet is April 30, 2011. If interested, please make a check for $10 to Olivetan Benedictine Sisters and how you want your name listed in the booklet. SEND TO: Olivetan Benedictine Sisters Attention: Sr. Henrietta Hockle P.O. Box 130 Jonesboro, AR 72403
On December, 6, the Feast of St. Nicholas, the Sisters of Holy Angels had a special treat. A chamber orchestra from Krakow, Poland, on tour in the United States, gave a concert in the convent Chapel. Stephen Byess, conducted the group in a medley of seasonal music, which also included Silent Night, composed by Franz Gruber of Austria.
Dr. Dan Ross, of the Music Department at ASU, hosted the group and accompanied the musicians on a tour of cities in Arkansas and southern Missouri. In addition to traveling with the group, Ross also played the Oboe with the ensemble. Four of the female members enjoyed hospitality at the convent during their stay in northeast Arkansas.
HOLY ANGELS CONVENT Echoes published quarterly by the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters Sister Henrietta Hockle – Editor Sister Glorea Knaggs – Associate Editor Sister Monica Swirczynski – Proof Reader Sister Marilyn Doss & Sister Miriam Burns – Photos Sister Thèrése Johnson & Sister Virginia Baltz – Circulation
Master Print Group • Jonesboro, AR – Printing
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD This fall, Sr. Marilyn Doss completed 20 years of service in the Pastoral Care Department at St. Bernards Medical Center. She was recognized at an awards banquet and was presented a plaque and a gift. She selected a digital camera as her gift from the Medical Center. In addition to bringing comfort and encouragement to patients at the medical center, Sr. Marilyn also visits patients at the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice facility. She alternates these visits with Sr. Therese Marie Dunn to ensure that every patient is visited every day. CONGRATULATIONS SR. MARILYN!
Sr. Marilyn Doss
ActivitiesMeetings
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Employees: Keith Kemper, Milton Bryant and Ray Kemper enjoy refreshments with Sr. Mary John Seyler, and Sr. Georgia Felderhoff.
At the annual Employee Christmas Party on December 23, a hidden talent was revealed. This year our yard man, Milton Bryant, played the guitar and sang several Country/Western songs he had composed. We did not know that this usually shy man had made several recordings of songs he had composed and is an accomplished artist. Under the direction of Sandy Seay, ASU professor in the Music Department, the Sisters’ choral group presented a medley of seasonal songs. In addition to this group, Sr. De Porres Polk sang a solo, “Sweet Little Jesus Boy.” Before refreshments were enjoyed, Sr. Mary Anne Nuce and Sr. Monica Swirczynski thanked our employees and presented each with a gift and a bonus check for their years of service at the convent.
Nov. 12-14 – Sisters Mary Anne Nuce, Henrietta Hockle, Monica Swirczynski, Mary John Seyler, Eileen Schneider, Miriam Burns & Lisa O’Connell attended St. Bernards Board Retreat held at the Westin hotel in Memphis. Dec. 3 – A number of Sisters attended the annual Doctors’ Christmas party held at St. Bernards Auditorium. Dec. 5 – Sr. Celestine Pond, Sr. De Porres Polk and Sr. Elizabeth Love attended the annual production of the, “Messiah,” held at Arkansas State University.
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Dec. 8 – Sr. Henrietta Hockle, Sr. Monica Swirczynski, Sr. Dominica Wise & Sr. Romana Rohmer attended the Total Joint Christmas Luncheon at St. Bernards.
The Sisters of Holy Angels joined the citizens of northeast Arkansas in welcoming Nordex USA’s turbine assembly plant to Jonesboro. The facility is Nordex’s flagship wind turbine manufacturing plant. Representing a $40 million investment, the 150,000 squarefoot plant is one of the most modern production facilities in the wind industries. Conserving Energy is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today, particularly in the United States. According to Ralf Sigrist president and CEO of Nordex USA, “One Nordex turbine can power about 700 American homes. These turbines will help America secure a new domestic energy supply without compromising national security or the environment.” Representing Holy Angels at the Open House were: Sisters Mary John Seyler, Eileen Schneider, Damian Marie Atkinson, and Josita Lopez.
Sr. Damian Marie Atkinson, Sr. Josita Lopez & Sr. Eileen Schneider. (Sr. Mary John Seyler took picture)
Prayers and Sympathy We extend sincere sympathy and assurance of prayers to the following who lost loved ones recently. Sr. Glorea Knaggs and the Knaggs family on the loss of her grandfather, Donald Knaggs, who died on Dec. 3.
Dec. 16 – A number of Sisters attended the Christmas play, “The Bells of Glocken,” presented by students of Blessed Sacrament School.
Sr. Henrietta Hockle and her sister, Marge Knoth, who lost a niece and daughter, respectively, Patti Jo Baber, who died on Dec. 11.
Jan. 14 – A “Pecan Shelling Party” was held after supper and all community members donned aprons and join in the activity.
Sr. Virginia Baltz and Baltz relatives on the death of her Aunt Flora Baltz, who died on Dec. 15.
Jan. 16 – The Knights of Columbus prepared and served the Sisters a delicious beef brisket evening meal. Jan. 23 – Sr. Mary Clare Bezner, Sr. Glorea Knaggs and Postulant Michelle Keller participated in the “March for Life” in Little Rock.
WINDS OF CHANGE
Sr. Eileen Schneider serving refreshments to Sandy Seay.
Sr. Joanne Sandoval and the Sandoval family, who lost a grandson, Willie Sandoval, on December 20, 2010.
L E AV E A L E G A C Y Six Ways to Leave a Legacy to Holy Angels Convent: • Remember Holy Angels Convent in your Will. • Name Holy Angels Convent as a beneficiary of your IRA or Pension Plan.
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OLIVETAN BENEDICTINE SISTER, INC. HOLY ANGELS CONVENT NEWSLETTER P.O. DRAWER 130 JONESBORO, ARKANSAS 72403-0130
“Return Service Requested”
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE
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PERMIT NO. 102 JONESBORO, AR
• Purchase a Life Insurance Policy and name Holy Angels Convent as beneficiary. • Remember deceased loved ones with memorial gifts to Holy Angels Convent. • Remember Holy Angels Convent with planned gifts. • Establish a Charitable Remainder Trust with Holy Angels Convent as the charity. Contact your attorney for correct procedure.
Choral Ensemble
L to R: Sr. DePorres Polk, Sr. Mary Beth Hackley, Postulant Michelle Keller, Sr. Therese Johnson, Sr. Glorea Knaggs, Sr. Mary Clare Bezner, Sr. Maria Christi Cavanaugh, Sr. Celestine Pond & Sandy Seay, at the piano.
Vocation Activities During the month of December, three young ladies visited Holy Angels Convent. While here, they participated with the Sisters at prayer, meals and recreation. November 12-14 – Sr. Mary Clare Bezner attended the Region X Catholic Youth Conference in Little Rock. This event brought together youth from Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma. Featured speakers, animators and activities presented teens with the Catechetical theme: “Ignite Your Heart, Work For Justice, Transform the World.”
OPEN OPEN HOUSE HOUSE On Sunday, January 2, the Sisters of Holy Angels held their annual Open House from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. A special presentation of music featured Milton Bryant, vocalist and guitarist; Matt Carey, vocalist, and his two children: Sean on the clarinet, and Jillian on the piano. The Sisters’ ensemble, under the direction of Sandy Seay, presented a choral medley. Refreshments were served and tours of the convent were given by several Sisters. If you did not get a chance to attend this wonderful event, look for information during the 2011 holiday season. We hope to see you then!
DCWR Transition At the Oct. 23 Fall meeting of the Diocesan Council of Women Religious (DCWR), held at McDonald Hall, in the Cathedral Parish, there was a consensus of membership to transition the organization to another format. Sr. Hilary Decker, president, announced that the officers would discuss these recommendations at their next meeting, to be held later in the fall. On December 13, the DCWR officers met to discuss the recommendations, voiced at their October 23, General Assembly. Working from the ideas given by the membership, officers proposed that for the following three years, they would ask for a volunteer (individual or community) to coordinate the annual jubilee celebration. Sr. Hilary volunteered to coordinate the jubilee celebration for 2011. She hopes others, or other communities, will volunteer to take the responsibility for the 2012 or 2013 years before it is re-evaluated.
NEXT OBLATE SPRITUAL DAY is scheduled for March 19. Theme : “Eucharist.”