Benedictine Sisters and Friends | Spring 2023

Benedictine

Sisters and Friends

From the Priore and the Editor

Welcome to the spring 2023 issue of Benedictine Sisters and Friends! It’s an issue which shows how community life is made up of many parts, how individuals make their unique contributions, and how those contributions ripple out into the world and have their special Benedictine impact.

Education has always been a significant focus for Benedictines, and we’re proud to celebrate the history of St. Benedict’s High School (pp. 4–5), acknowledge Sister Jeanne Marie Lust’s 33 years of teaching at the College of Saint Benedict (pp. 6–7), and give thanks for the continued affection shown to the Saint Bede sisters who served at Regis High School (pp. 18–19). You can also read about our “sisters in science,” many of whom were educators (p. 20), and experience a taste of Sister Lois Wedl’s amazing student connections (p. 21).

Our sisters and friends also share in this issue the wide range of ways in which they bring the Benedictine spirit into the world: Sister Jonathan Herda (age 100) contributes words of wisdom about aging (p. 8); we learn about Sister Janelle Sietsema, one of our talented monastery artisans (p. 9); and see the working of the Spirit in various ways in the lives of oblates and oblate candidates (pp. 10–11 and 22–23) and in the experience of one of our Benedictine Live-In guests (p. 24). We wouldn’t be truly Benedictines if prayer didn’t feature as one of ways we minister to the world, and that’s especially so at our “powerhouse of prayer,” Saint Scholastica Convent (pp. 16–17). You’ll also get a peek into a more lighthearted

glimpse of life there, as Sister Renée Domeier explores the Saint Scholastica Swap Shop (p. 25).

They say that variety is the spice of life, and this issue certainly demonstrates there is variety in abundance among our sisters and friends. Variety sometimes takes the form of change, and you’ll see that we are delighted to give a warm welcome to the new bishop of St. Cloud, the Rt. Rev. Patrick Neary, CSC (p. 12). Here at the monastery, there is change, too. We are about to welcome a new leadership team (pp. 14–15), which means that one of us, Sister Susan Rudolph, is finishing her term as prioress, and the other, Sister Karen Rose, is being installed as her successor on June 4. Please pray for both us and for our Benedictine community during this time of transition. It's been a joy for us to connect with you during the past six years through these magazine letters.

With our affection and blessings,

Karen Rose, OSB Director, Mission Advancement

Susan Rudolph, OSB Prioress

"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ."

1 Corinthians 12:12–14

Benedictine Sisters and Friends | Volume 27 – Spring 2023

Karen Rose, OSB, Director, Office of Mission Advancement, Consultant Editor Amanda Hackett, Editor, Graphic Designer

Renée Domeier, OSB, Proofreader

On the Cover: The front entrance of Saint Benedict's Monastery, taken by Sister Carleen Schomer

Photos: Carleen Schomer, OSB, Karen Streveler, OSB, Marina Schlangen, OSB, Nancy Bauer, OSB, unless otherwise noted or supplied by individual sisters or Saint Benedict’s Monastery Archives

Printing: Palmer Printing

Benedictine Sisters and Friends is published annually by the Office of Mission Advancement. The purpose of this magazine is to share the stories of our Benedictine lives and engage our relatives, friends, oblates and benefactors in the mission and ministries of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict.

Welcome to Saint Benedict's Monastery! Photo taken by Amanda Hackett

End of an Era

Carol Berg, OSB

May 2023 had a noteworthy anniversary: the 50th anniversary of the closure of St. Benedict’s High School (SBHS). In 1973, the school ended a 93-year history of secondary education on these monastery grounds. Hundreds of sisters are alums of SBHS, many still here to share memories.

In 1880, Saint Benedict’s Monastery opened St. Benedict’s High School (SBHS) in St. Joseph, Minn., replacing St. Agnes Academy, the original school in St. Cloud, Minn. From 1880–1927, the school was administered by nine sisters called directresses, among them Sister Dominica Borgerding. In 1913, the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) opened, and the directresses then oversaw both the college and academy until 1927, at which time they switched entirely to the college.

From fall 1927 through spring 1973, the high school operated separately under 11 principals, among them Sisters Mary Anthony Wagner, Idamarie Primus, Linda Kulzer, and Christopher Weber. The longest tenure was held by Sister Adelia Schmidt, first principal, from 1927–1939. Sister Moira Wild was the last principal, serving from 1970–1973.

SBHS never became large, unless one considers a total enrollment of 100–160 large; the average enrollment seldom topped 100 students. This is not surprising since it was a single-sex school with the majority of students residential (called aspirants),

preparing to join the Benedictine community. While enrollment was relatively high during the 1960s, often exceeding 100 students annually, the enrollment dropped steadily from 1969–1973, causing major financial and staffing problems.

Minutes of faculty meetings as late as spring 1969 do not mention possibly having to close the school; rather, much discussion centered on ways and means to enrich and expand current course offerings and methods. A curriculum workshop was held for faculty June 2–6, 1969, and topics included area studies, world culture, interdisciplinary teaching, and revision of the Core Program. North Central Association, an accreditation organization, visited the school March 2–4, 1970, giving it high marks for good-to-excellent programs and services.

There are archival detailed reports and correspondence outlining concerns for the future of SBHS, but most of this occurred during the years 1972–1973. Much discussion centered on options to keep SBHS afloat, fiscally and in enrollment. Numerous meetings were held on and off campus among religious and lay supporters, the majority occurring in March and April of 1973. Although SBHS shared programs with Saint John’s Preparatory School, such as extracurriculars, some classes, and social activities, enrollment steadily declined. Resident students were less than half as

Junior/senior banquet in 1960

A Synopsis of St. Benedict's High School

more commuters registered. Tuition rose almost yearly, and the monastery—owner and operator of SBHS—had to increase its grants as well.

A faculty meeting on March 8, 1973, favored the option of closer relations with the college, gaining more course opportunities as well as financial stability. CSB president Stanley Idzerda stated his support of a closer relationship between college and high school, though he added finances were a problem for CSB as well. Sharing of faculty and space was offered; SBHS faculty feared loss of a separate identity for the high school.

A letter from S. Moira to the monastery council members, dated March 28, 1973, gave this proposal: that SBHS become an integral part of the educational program under the direction of CSB. It was requested that the council accept this proposal or take action to close SBHS at the end of the 1972–73 term. Council minutes from April 2, 1973, state that the council agreed there was too much risk (principally financial) to accept the proposal and decided on closure of SBHS.

A letter sent to the parents of SBHS students, dated April 4, 1973, assured them that, “We will be making inquiries into alternative educational programs for those students who will need to be transferring.” These inquiries were made to Catholic secondary schools in Minnesota, and transfer students were given help navigating their options.

Graduating class of 1956

A senior graduate, Maggie West, wrote:

“St. Benedict’s High School is a beautiful school. I only wish that more people knew it and had a part in it. I guess it’s too late now.” She was echoed by former students, their parents, and the Benedictine community who mourned the closure.

Stearns County Fair in 1954

Closing One Set of Books and Taking Charge of Another

Janine Mettling, OSB

The term “final” is taking on new meaning this year for Sister Jeanne Marie Lust aka Dr. Lust, for on May 9, the veteran College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University (CSB+ SJU) biology professor gave the final final (test) of her career, officially closing the books on 41 years of teaching. Her upcoming retirement also marks the end of an era as next year will be the first year in the college’s 110-year history that a sister from the founding monastery will not be on the faculty. As one could imagine, such a change does not come without mixed emotions. On one hand, S. Jeanne Marie, age 71, is looking forward to retirement. She says, “I’m ready to be finished with the continuous demand of having to be ready for class every day and meet all the endless deadlines. But then I think of all the different things that I’ll never do again: my lecture notes—I’ll never use them again; I’ll never go to that office again or set up for lab or do the labs with the students… and that’s a little sad. I will miss my friends in the biology department as well.”

When asked what she has liked most about teaching, her answers reveal the kind of teacher she has been: “I have enjoyed being with students in lab when they get to see exciting things for the first time (early development of a chick, for example). I really liked thinking up new assignments and study activities to use…and figuring out how best to explain complicated concepts.”

S. Jeanne Marie says she has always loved the subject matter and the challenge of learning new things, so she will miss the mental stimulation of having to stay abreast of the latest developments in her field. All of these “likes” attest to why she has been such a sought-after and highly respected teacher all these years: she has cared about her students’ experience, loved what she does, continued to improve, and amassed a large working knowledge of her subject matter.

Through her excellent teaching and dedicated

service these past 33 years at CSB+SJU, S. Jeanne Marie has touched many lives and been a stabilizing presence both in the biology department and in the institutions. She has taught more than 4,000 students, helped mold many iterations of curriculum, served as biology department chair, and been elected to the Joint Faculty Senate and multiple CSB+SJU committees.

Her impact and contributions have not gone unnoticed, and her colleagues unanimously sing her praises:

» She has been nominated three times for the Sister Mary Grell CSB+SJU Teaching Award, a testament to the consistency and caliber of her teaching.

» In a report to Academic Affairs for S. Jeanne Marie's retirement acknowledgment, biology department chair Jennifer Schaefer said: “Dr. Lust is an excellent teacher, with students and colleagues unanimously praising her dedication and effectiveness. She takes care to get to know each of her students and to provide each with encouragement and supervision. She is truly a student-focused teacher.”

» Lab coordinator, colleague and friend Carol Jansky “wants to see Jeanne acknowledged in every way possible.” She feels “Jeanne is,

In the lab with a student

without a doubt, one of the best teachers we have had at CSB+SJU. She is always improving— even during this last semester of her career. When I am preparing the lab manual, she excels at revising and editing. There is no one who is better. I will greatly miss her. I frequently hear from students about how they like how she teaches—she breaks down concepts into their elemental components and then ties it all together. I wish I was as strong a teacher as she is!”

» Colleague Mike Reagan admitted he has turned to S. Jeanne Marie “many, many times over the years for advice about how to handle situations in the classroom” and has always found her advice to be “full of common sense and wisdom.”

» Steve Saupe, a retired long-time biology professor, said, “Jeanne has been an outstanding member of the department since her arrival. She was an excellent chair, supportive of faculty and students, and very systematic and organized. She is an excellent teacher and her classes, especially Introduction to Biology, were highly sought. She was ‘the’ prof to get.”

» Elizabeth Wurdak, another retired colleague, summed it up this way: “In my mind, Jeanne is the ‘teachers’ teacher.’ Even after years of teaching a course, she prepared anew for every class. She served CSB+SJU, the biology department, and her profession with utmost dedication.”

Perhaps the most telling feedback, however, comes from her students. Hosanna Fortmeyer, a former student, put it this way: “Professor Lust stands out as an example of someone who has embraced her vocation—a beautifully integrated life as both a sister and a biology professor. She cared about her students and would do anything she could to help us learn and succeed in her classes.”

Another former student, Toni Gohman, also gushed with praise: “Dr. Lust was one of the kindest, most passionate professors that I had the joy of learning from at CSB+SJU. Her excitement for exploring the field of biology was palpable during her lessons and labs, which made her classes stand out to me. There were times I seriously considered a career in developmental biology because of how much I enjoyed her classes. I loved learning from her and often reflect fondly on my time as her student.”

And how will S. Jeanne Marie spend her retirement? If it were up to her, she would be spending more time on the golf course. A four-time women’s club champion and nine-time senior women’s club champion at Rich Spring Golf Club, she is no stranger to the game. It has been a nice release from the stress of teaching over the years and a wonderful reward after the school year is over.

Though she will have a little more time to get on the course, do some gardening, play guitar, and watch sports (other activities she enjoys), S. Jeanne Marie will not have the “free” time that most retirees enjoy. Her intellectual acumen, collegial leadership skills, and caring and kind nature will be put to a different kind of service after “retirement,” for Sister Karen Rose, prioress-elect, has asked her to serve on her leadership team as treasurer of the monastic community for the next six years. Always willing to serve, but knowing herself well, before saying yes to taking charge of the monastery’s financial books, she negotiated an agreement that allows for regular visits to the golf course.

Dear S. Jeanne Marie, because you have been getting ready for school every fall for 66 straight years (since you were five), this coming fall will no doubt be a disorienting time for you. May you be buoyed up in this time of mixed emotions by the recognition of how many lives you have touched and the gratitude those people have for your years of education and kindness. Well done, Dr. Lust!

Just made an eagle!

My Philosophy on Aging

Iperceive aging as a normal facet of the total process of life. I envision it to have its own distinctive challenges, frustrations and rewards.

I believe that the attitude with which one approaches his/ her own aging and how one relates to this growth process in others is a significant indicator of how one views the mystery of life and living, of living fully and richly each developing stage of maturity.

Aging and maturing do not necessarily occur simultaneously. Mental alertness and interest in life are found in very aged individuals, while it is possible to find a young person whose mental alertness and interest have atrophied from disuse. (Jelled!)

I also associate aging with wisdom…wisdom gained from living and loving deeply, from making and keeping commitments, from taking risks and preferring to sustain scars rather than not trying at all. Aging gives a sense of history and one’s place and contribution to it. It gives one the opportunity to recognize true and lasting values. Pain, grief, physical disability and similar realities may be more pronounced at this stage of life but can also evoke a positive response.

I am convinced that the best preparation for fruitful aging years is to live fully each NOW. Old age is the crowning part of our total NOW.

Sister Jonathan Herda turned 100 years old on February 21, 2023. In 1978, she completed her final test in a class called “Aged Family.” The question was, “What is your philosophy on aging?” The message on the left was her response.

Jonathan Herda, OSB

Left: S. Jonathan (right) with Sister Marlene Schwinghammer, dean of Saint Scholastica Convent

Right: S. Jonathan (second from left) with her grandniece, nephew and niece (left to right)

You See My Cardinal?"

“Did you see my cardinal?” she asked as her eyes sparkled and lips formed a warm smile, her delight obvious.

And, indeed, Sister Janelle Sietsema should be delighted with and proud of the cardinal she quilled—a beautiful replica of that gorgeous red bird—cardinalidae. Her cardinal can be seen in Whitby Gift Shop at the monastery’s Art and Heritage Place where a number of her other quilled creations are displayed for sale.

Quilling is a delicate hand-art that S. Janelle learned from another quiller, Sister Marold Kornovich. S. Marold was known for her exquisite pieces, and it appears that S. Janelle is emulating her teacher with each new creation she makes.

Another gorgeous creation of S. Janelle’s is the sunflower. The beauty of the yellow petals is definitely breathtaking, but it’s the center that fascinated me. The brown is so real and authentic that I thought I had the real flower in my hand.

S. Janelle makes butterflies as well. They can be fairly small or rather big, as she sees fit. Quilling allows her to shape the delicate wings and add or subtract the various colors needed for any particular species, such as our favorite—the monarch.

And what about the beautiful fish that appear in a goldfish bowl? Yes, S. Janelle has made a number of these, as well, such as angelfish, goldfish and other aquarium fish. When S. Janelle first came to Saint Benedict’s

Monastery in the early 1980s, she was interested in tatting, and she did learn how to do that art, as well, but when she saw quilling, she lost her heart. At the present time, we do not have many quillers, but one of her kindred artists is Sister Annella Mayerhofer.

S. Annella makes cards with her quilled flowers, as does S. Janelle, but S. Janelle is concerned about the flattening of her products when the cards are mailed. It’s true that they are so delicate, the paper can get squished. You see, the quilling supplies include very narrow strips (3 mm) of paper that are wound around a slotted instrument and then glued before they unwind. The shape of the quilled piece can be a circle or teardrop shape and placed near others until they fit an overall design or plan, such as a flower, snowflake or butterfly wing.

S. Janelle has also quilled three-dimensional objects, such as eggs. Imagine the many types of eggs people love to decorate and display. The egg shape as well as others are designed to be standalone pieces that can help decorate a mantle or bookcase or can be framed. One-dimensional designs decorate greeting cards, pictures, boxes, jewelry, mobiles, or even imitate creatures of nature.

Monastery artisans are very special people who follow the Rule of St. Benedict which counsels them:

Rule of Benedict Prologue 4

“Every time you begin a good work, you must pray to God most earnestly to bring it to perfection.”

Mary Jane Berger, OSB

"Did

A Chance Encounter of Two Oblates on the Isle of Iona

Becky Van Ness, OblSB, and Suzanne Miller, OblSB

We met off the western coast of Scotland, on the small Isle of Iona. We were both drawn by the island’s reputation as an early center of Gaelic monasticism and also by its incredible natural beauty.

In 563, St. Columba of Ireland left his abbey at Kells for Scotland, a perilous sea voyage at the time. As soon as he walked on the white sands of Iona, he knew he had found the site for his new monastic community, one that would also draw pilgrims in the coming centuries. Later, in the 13th century, Benedictines were invited to establish a new abbey where Columba’s monastery once stood.

The ruins of the Benedictine abbey in turn became home to a new ecumenical community beginning in 1938. The present-day Iona Community continues the tradition of both Celtic Christians and Benedictine monastics. Its members are dispersed throughout the world, working for peace and justice while living contemplatively. Though the abbey church and its community are

no longer explicitly Benedictine, the community’s very Benedictine sense of place draws modern-day pilgrims to this wind-swept, rocky island.

What a beautiful setting for two oblates from Minnesota to meet by chance! In the modern-day Iona Community Bookstore, Becky overheard Suzanne mention Saint Benedict’s Monastery. Immediately we felt connected by this shared experience, even if our circumstances on Iona were very different. Suzanne had arrived on a French cruise ship from Dublin. Becky was on a four-day retreat after a tour of the Scottish Highlands.

Suzanne’s experience:

The repaired ruins of the abbey church and monastic quarters are quite beautiful, located on a picturesque bay. The original abbey site during St. Columba’s time has been rebuilt as a small chapel in front of the church. St. Martin’s Celtic cross from the ninth century stands in front of the rebuilt church. A replica of an eighth-century

St. John’s Cross also is placed in this location with fragments of the original cross displayed in the abbey museum.

Only the feet of an original statue of Columba are displayed in the church with a rebuilt replica of the rest of the statue superimposed on the pedestal. Legend believes that if one prays at the St. Columba statue and touches the original pedestal feet, the prayer will be answered. Many pilgrims come to pray at this site.

Becky’s experience:

A small ferry took me across the narrow sound to Iona, rocking heavily from side to side in the rough sea. As we came ashore, waves sloshed over the gangway and rain began to beat down in earnest. Though tired from my pilgrim’s journey of bus-ferry-bus-ferry, I noticed an unexpected sob arise within, a deeply felt sense that the island itself was welcoming me.

The Celtic sense of a thin space, where the spiritual world meets the physical world, has long been recognized on Iona. The rocky shore meets the sea at every turn, encircling visitors and pilgrims with a very tangible welcome. I was awed by the beauty of rocky beaches alongside green pastures of sheep and highland cows.

During my stay, I joined the Iona Community for prayer twice daily in the monastic choir stalls of a sanctuary that (intentionally) has ferns growing from the stone walls, signs of centuries when the church was literally open to the heavens.

I sensed that my days on Iona were not about me, but about the land I stood upon, hallowed by the many who had come before me. My task was not to somehow conjure up a meaningful retreat but to receive the stark beauty of Iona with gratitude and with awareness of those whose holy longing had preceded mine. Participating in community liturgies, enjoying local food, and taking rambling walks were my “yes” to the invitation to enter this sacred space.

Prayer From the Iona Abbey Worship Book*

You, God, have brought us to this thin place where earth and heaven embrace, the past interweaves with the future, different nations and languages mingle, and what we want is replaced by what we need. God, you are good to us…

For more on the Iona Community's Iona Abbey Centre, visit https://iona.org.uk/ visit-and-stay/ionaabbey-centre/

A travel resource on Iona: http://www. welcometoiona.com/.

Bless those we have left behind, reveal your wisdom through those we meet, rest your peace on what weighs heavily on our hearts; and plant your purpose in what we deeply desire, so that when we leave we can say with truer conviction, God, you are good to us. Amen.

*Iona Abbey Worship Book by the Iona Community. Reproduced with permission of Wild Goose Publications through PLSclear.

Becky (left) and Suzanne on the Isle of Iona

Welcome Bishop Neary!

In December 2022, Father Patrick Neary, CSC, was appointed as the next bishop of the Diocese of Saint Cloud. His episcopal ordination and installation took place February 14, 2023, and he has already been a welcoming and faithful leader for our diocese. We look forward to serving Central Minnesota together in the days, months and years to come.

Fr. Patrick succeeds Bishop Donald J. Kettler, who served as bishop of Saint Cloud from 2013–2023. We are grateful to Bishop Kettler for his years of leadership in our diocese and wish him the best.

Bishop Neary visits Saint Benedict's Monastery

Bishop Neary (left) and past-bishop Donald Kettler receive a blessing

Bishop Neary meets the sisters

Left to right: Bishop Neary; Sister Susan Rudolph, prioress; and past-bishop, Donald Kettler

Left to right: Sisters Lucy Revering, Leonore Mandernach, Marlene Schwinghammer, and Bishop Neary

The Stations of the Resu ection

Enter any Catholic Church and you will see the Stations of the Cross, a beautiful devotion where participants journey with Jesus during his suffering, crucifixion and death. Jesus’ life, however, does not end with the cross.

“We need to continue the journey,” states Sister Catherine Duenne. “We journey with Jesus to the cross. Let us also rejoice with Jesus’ victory over death and journey with him from the Resurrection to Pentecost. The Resurrection is what gives us hope and brings us our salvation.”

While studying at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, S. Catherine read many liturgical documents, one of them being the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy. Within this document are five paragraphs about the “Via Lucis” or the Stations of the Resurrection. Here was the continuation of the journey from the cross to the Resurrection S. Catherine had desired.

“I was excited and wanted to learn more,” she said. “According to the document, ‘the Via Lucis moves from the experience of suffering, which in God's plan is part of life, to the hope of arriving at [one’s] true end: liberation, joy and peace which are essentially paschal values’” (153). S. Catherine set out to find a prayer book but could not find one.

“There were online resources and books about the Stations, but I wanted to find something similar to the Stations of the Cross booklets.” She then did

the most logical thing: “Since I couldn’t find one, I decided to create my own.”

In May 2021, S. Catherine returned to her Benedictine community in Ferdinand, Ind.* An idea was generated—now she needed support. She found this support from four sisters and four oblates who were each willing to write prayers and reflections on one or two of the 14 stations. She then edited each of the submissions to make the writing styles and theologies uniform.

“I wasn’t sure where the idea was going to go,” she said. “Trying to get it published was a possibility, but if no publishers accepted it, I planned to use it in the parish where I was working. I believed strongly in spreading the message of joy and hope that we find in the Resurrection.”

Not only did she find support, but she also found a publisher. TwentyThird Publications liked the text and made only a few grammatical changes to coincide with their style guide.

“The Holy Spirit was definitely present during this entire process. When researching the Stations, I learned that the Vatican had promoted this devotional during the Jubilee Year 2000.”

S. Catherine smiles and continues, “Since the Vatican promoted it, I mailed a booklet to Pope Francis. I’m waiting to hear back.”

If Pope Francis has a copy, don’t you think you should, too? Are you ready to continue the journey?

*S. Catherine is in the process of transferring her monastic profession to Saint Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minn.

Catherine Duenne, OSB

The Stations of the Resurrection can be found online at Twenty-Third Publications or at Whitby Gift Shop in the monastery’s Art and Heritage Place. The gift shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 12–4 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is closed Sundays and Mondays.

Dianne Towalski / The Central Minnesota Catholic

Photo by

Meet the Priore -Elect

Sister Karen Rose began her adventure to Saint Benedict’s Monastery from England in July 2005 with no intention of joining the monastery and eventually becoming its 18th prioress. She intended to give two weeks to study, write and participate in the monastic community’s activities, especially the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours. Her experience of this short jaunt led to more visits after which she said “yes” in 2007 to a call from God to live the Gospel as a Benedictine.

After 16 years of living the Benedictine way and working in various capacities, most recently as the monastery’s director of mission advancement, her journey has brought her to walk the path of prioress beginning June 4, 2023, the date of her official installation.

S. Karen’s calling forth and acceptance followed a yearlong discernment by the monastic community. We explored questions such as: Who do we discern God is calling us to be and what is God calling us to do during the next six years? What are the qualities of a leader needed to support carrying out our statements of direction? Who is emerging as the person to serve as prioress, a spiritual and corporate leader?

Confidence walks with S. Karen as she looks to the future. She sees our commitment to live gospel values and our accumulated wisdom contributing to making our world a more loving reality. Technology makes it possible to support many people in their efforts to live the message and way of Jesus Christ. Through our liturgies, hospitality,

offerings through the Spirituality Center, and supporting marginalized people, we stand and work for peace, civility and compassion, and ecological concerns. Furthermore, we will continue to collaborate with others working for visions we hold in common.

Studies in philosophy, theology, monastic formation, nursing, and health care research have helped S. Karen develop a strong background for her faith and living the way of St. Benedict. She foresees her education and experience serving her as prioress. She realizes she needs to depend on God’s action in her life and, in relating with her sisters, in making decisions.

S. Karen also counts on support from her monastic community, family and friends—in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Living into our future requires the investment and efforts of all of us and those who care about us and our intentions.

Walking in nature, reading, visiting with friends, socializing, being quiet for prayer, and reflection lure S. Karen to step from her daily work to renew her energy and focus. She describes herself with four words: lighthearted, caring, thoughtful, confident. Sisters have contributed words such as energetic, genuine, humorous, outgoing, intelligent, and Gospelcentered.

S. Karen begins the next phase of her life's journey without a map. With God’s support, the Gospel and Rule of Benedict as her guides, her community as companions and collaborators, she will facilitate the forward movement of the mission of her Benedictine monastery and of the Church.

Mary Reuter, OSB

Meet the Leadership Team

The Rite of Installation will take place Sunday, June 4, 2023. The public is invited to celebrate with Sister Karen and the monastic community during an afternoon Eucharist and reception. Eucharist will be livestreamed. Details can be found on our website at www.sbm.osb.org.

2023

Sister Nicole Kunze (left), prioress of Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, N.D., pins a corsage on S. Karen

Prioress Sister Susan Rudolph (right) with prioress-elect S. Karen Rose

Sharon Nohner, OSB Incoming Subprioress

Jeanne Marie Lust, OSB Incoming Treasurer

Colleen Quinlivan, OSB Current and Incoming Community Secretary

Powerhouse of Prayer:

At Saint Scholastica Convent, the retirement facility for our sisters in St. Cloud, Minn., prayer is our primary ministry. Much of the time, it means praying for our friends, family, supporters, and those beyond our monastery walls. However, it also means praying with and for one another.

Sisters with memory loss or physical needs that require extra attention from health care staff live in Louise Hall, where they often stay to pray Liturgy of the Hours three times each day and celebrate Eucharist. A handful of sisters who live in other residence halls come to pray with our sisters living in Louise Hall, a grace-filled time for those praying together. Here are a few of their reflections.

“It is a privilege to be assigned to Louise East where our sisters with memory loss reside. They make us smile and always seem happy and grateful for our presence among them for Mass or when they pray the Rosary—we all agree about that.

“During our Mass time, the sisters in Louise East and South gather in their area and another sister attends Mass with them, viewing it on their TV. My heart always smiles when I hear the sisters sing with all their heart and listen to the Scriptures being read. One time, when the reading was about Adam and Eve and the serpent asked Adam why he ate from the tree of life, he said, ‘The woman made me do it.’ A sister said, ‘Oh, really?’

The sisters really listen to the readings and often make a comment. It calls me to listen with the ear of my heart. The sisters receive communion the same time the other sisters in chapel receive it. It is truly a blessing to pray with our sisters. There may be a sister who colors all during Mass, and this is how she praises her God.”

The sisters participate in Mass on their TV on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, receiving Holy Communion just as we do. On Saturdays, they watch the Mass from Saint John's Abbey at 11:30 a.m. A bit of humor is expressed audibly, now and again, as one replies to the readings with, ‘Oh, no!’ or another is heard saying, ‘Well, this is enough now’ or ‘This can go on forever.’ One wondered why she was not told that there was Mass on a given day: ‘I would have dressed up for it.’ Or we see one leave the Mass at Louise East and wander to the one in Louise South. She returns… we smile amicably. There is no guile in them!

The sisters assigned to Louise East and South also go there daily at 4 p.m. for the Rosary followed by Compline. Everyone seems to appear eager to have a leader, or they themselves lead a decade, and even if one arrives late, she is alerted by someone to take her turn! Though the group is divided to pray the two parts of the Hail Mary, some devotees pray both parts until they get too tired. Again, we smile amicably!

I’m glad to be a part of this wonderful ministry. I know I receive more than I give from our sisters there, and I also love to witness how loving, gentle and observant our employees are in serving them.”

Sister Jane Weber distributes Holy Communion

“When coming into Mary's Place* for prayer time, sisters greet me as if I were the most important person in their lives: ‘Oh, good! You make my day!’

I usually begin by telling them if there are any new petitions posted on our bulletin boards both here and from the monastery or anyone we may have promised to pray for; they are so interested in hearing this! One day, a sister pleaded that we pray for all those who have no one to pray for them. That opened my heart, too; I had never thought of that intention before.

Occasionally during our prayer, we are stopped by a sister saying, ‘Remember what Sister Urban taught us: If we are not hearing the sister sitting next to us, we are praying too loud! We want to pray in harmony!’ We all look around, smile and pipe down, aware that we are in need of reminders. When asked what is done here at Saint Scholastica Convent, one sister said, ‘We pray! That is our main ministry!’

I look at prayer at Mary's Place as a seesaw: God is high on our list and because that is so, we are low in worrying or fearing! It is such a peaceful and prayerful time for me to see how the sisters help each other to be sure everyone has a Rosary or book. God seems to be saying to each of us: ‘I will walk with you until the end of time...and onward into eternity. If you lose everything else but gain my peace, you are rich indeed. In My presence you live and move and have your being.’

Being and praying with the sisters in Mary's Place is an example of patient care and peace for me. When I leave, they say, ‘Come again,’ and I know they mean it with all their hearts!”

*Mary’s Place is the name of the room where sisters living in the East wing of Louise Hall pray and eat.

“Praying the Rosary and Compline with the sisters in Louise Hall Lounge is an inspiring experience. They each take a turn leading a decade of the Rosary. One can easily see that the Rosary has been a lifelong prayer for them. Thus, memory loss does not seem to be a factor as they know the prayer by heart, and they pray it with their heart in it. Our Blessed Mother must delight in their faithfulness to that prayer which is dedicated to her. The sisters are also so faithful to praying the age-old evening prayer called Compline. They seem to pray it in a manner which tells one that they find their Center—Christ himself—in that prayer. It is no wonder that one finds praying with the sisters in Louise Hall Lounge an inspiring experience.”

“I appreciate the time I have to pray and visit with the sisters now living in Louise Hall, though limited. It always provides opportunities for my benefit as well as theirs. I see it as an opportunity, I see it as an invitation to see what my own future might look like. I realize that I cannot control or plan in a physical way for those years of my life in ways I was able to do in the past.

Being with the sisters helps me see the blessing of trust—trust in the love and care of our God in a daily way. Somehow, I see the importance of community life for the sisters. They are glad for visits, short or long, and especially being recognized by their name, even as I am sometimes asked what my name is, which I know will be forgotten in the next minute. Naming and looking directly at the sister help in the connection between us.

Being with the sisters at times also helps me to practice patience, which I hope could stick for my own future years, though I recognize there is no assurance of that. It is just another opportunity for me to put my own future into God's hands.”

Sister Marlene Schwinghammer distributes holy water

Return to Regis High School

Even though the Benedictine Sisters of St. Bede Monastery left Eau Claire, Wis., in 2010 when they merged with Saint Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minn., they are remembered. The director of communications at Regis Catholic Schools told us that she had frequent inquiries about the sisters, so after an invitation to share the history of Regis with students, parents, alumni, faculty, and staff, Sisters Judy Kramer, Karen Streveler, Michaela Hedican and Ruth Feeney enthusiastically made the trip to Eau Claire.

They wanted to know, and they deserved to know, how their school, Regis High School, came to be. The high school has now grown into an entire system dedicated to Christ the King (“Regis” is Latin for “of the King”). The sacred task of education is a long process from which we may graduate but never completely finish. The title for the school was to be independent of and yet supported by the seven Catholic parishes in the city.

Our part began in 1892 when the then-pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish, the colorful Father A.B.C. Dunne, succeeded in bringing the Benedictine sisters from St. Joseph to staff the growing parish school. A new school was built in 1906, and by 1930, a parish high school was added. Under the watchful eye of the pastor, a faculty of several diocesan priests, competent lay faculty members,

and the strong support of over a dozen Benedictine sisters, the current structure was built in 1953. By that time, Regis had become a citywide fully accredited Catholic high school supported by the city parishes.

Few people knew of the hardships in which the sister-faculty lived, laughed about, and loved. They had dormitories in vacant second-floor classrooms in the school with little living space or privacy. Most of their furnishings came from the convent attic or the army surplus store. Their vehicle, named Olive, was a 12-year-old camouflage green sedan which frequently stalled on Eau Claire’s Main Street hill. The payroll was meager and arrived for the sisters only after the clergy and lay staff were paid. Not infrequently, a trip had to be made across town to ask the priory treasurer to cover the monthly grocery bill.

Enrollment grew. Local, state and national recognition of student achievement in music, forensics, debate, science, art, typing, as well as a boisterous sports program awarding the teams in football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and track and field, stacked shelves with trophies!

Judy Kramer, OSB

Strong families, medical and civic professionals, and wise businesswomen and men claim Regis as their alma mater. A goodly number of priests, religious sisters and brothers studied in the school dedicated to The Christ, the King. Our prayers still go with those educated in the shadow of Christ, the Servant King, that through a Christian education, Regis alumni will continue to live and work as faith-filled, compassionate world citizens.

Sisters Karen Streveler, Michaela Hedican, Judy Kramer and Ruth Feeney (left to right) with oblate Bob Lesniewski (second from left) and his wife, Janet (right)

Sisters Michaela Hedican, Karen Streveler, Judy Kramer and Ruth Feeney (left to right) with Paul Pederson (center), president of Regis Catholic Schools

The guests of honor (left to right): Sisters Judy Kramer, Karen Streveler, Michaela Hedican and Ruth Feeney

All photos were taken by Meghan Kulig, communications director for Regis Catholic Schools

RCS President Paul Pederson (right) introduces the sisters

Celebrating Sisters in Science

“Sabbatical” is defined as a break or rest from work. I was fortunate to be granted a sabbatical last spring and embarked on a project to dig deeper into the sisters who studied science.

Inspired by the exhibit that was on display at the Haehn Museum in the spring of 2019, “140 Years of Uncovering and Sharing Secrets of Science,” I wanted to know more about the experience the sisters had in studying and teaching science. I was intrigued on how some were able to get advanced degrees as early as 1923, a time when women were not really accepted in the sciences.

This opportunity enlightened me on one simple fact: the sisters at Saint Benedict’s Monastery had very little rest. While most people “retire,” these women work and change careers based on the needs of the community throughout their entire lives. It was not uncommon to start teaching in K–12 grades as one of the first assignments when joining the community, to then get a collection of degrees or coursework in multiple disciplines throughout their lives and hold leadership

positions in the monastery or the college.

The rich history of many of the sisters has been captured in the monastery archives, but very few things are easily accessible (electronic/digital) or public knowledge. In fact, I did not know much about the history of the monastery or college, the process of formation, or when the colleges became a cooperation. I wanted a way for the stories and lives of the women to be shared.

While the focus of my exhibit is science, the stories of all the sisters deserve mention. The hardest part for the project was narrowing down the number of sisters to research and what should be included. Therefore, the focus was on sisters in biology, chemistry and physics, and I did not include nursing or nutrition.

The contributions of the sisters are expansive, not only in academics, but research that touched space flight, cancer research, or even the sister who was flying planes before the Church would allow sisters to drive. My goal for this project is to share this with the greater community, specifically with students, so they can appreciate the work that was done to make this college what it is today. As the last sister teaching, Sister Jeanne Marie Lust, retires in 2023, my fear is that the academic connection to the monastery might be lost.

You can experience the exhibit at https://csbsjulib.omeka. net/exhibits/show/sciencewith-the-sisters/science-atthe-college-of-st--.

Diana Fenton, associate professor of education at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University

Sisters in the lab

A Reunion to Remember

This special celebration of the 65th anniversary of the graduation of the 1958 eighth-grade class from Holy Angels Grade School in St. Cloud, Minn., was initiated and planned primarily by two students: Jack Hirschfeld from Chaska, Minn., and Gene Kruschek from St. Louis, Mo. The two thought of the idea when they met at the celebration of their 60th Cathedral High School class reunion. Using a photo from their eighthgrade graduation, they contacted as many members as possible.

The celebration on March 21, 2023, began with a prayer of blessing and lunch at Bello Cucina, a restaurant in St. Joseph, Minn., followed by a delightful exchange of memories in the Oblate Lounge at the monastery. It ended with a cake decorated with a copy of the photo of their eighthgrade graduation, complete with ice cream.

Three guests included Carol Hirschfeld, Jack’s wife; Dianne Towalski, social media manager for The Central Minnesota Catholic, the official magazine of the Diocese of Saint Cloud; and Seijin Klepp, a College of Saint Benedict student and granddaughter of Janet Connolly, a beloved member of the class who died before Seijin was born.

The following memories and stories capture some of the spirit of the day:

Lois Wedl, OSB

Seijin Klepp: “It was an amazing experience to meet those who were part of my grandmother’s life. Hearing stories about her youth was an opportunity that I am so grateful to have had.”

Both Bonnie Maske and Gene Kruschek mentioned that they were scared stiff to transfer to a new school as eighth-grade students but immediately felt welcomed and loved. Gene also wrote: “To get together with all of you again after 65 years was worth the drive from Kirkwood, Mo., and to find out that our dear Sister Lois would be there…I would have driven across the country.”

Marthann Baumgartner Halliday: “I always felt safe and loved and was never teased because there were 12 children in our family.”

Carol Hirschfeld: “As a spouse of a member of the class of 1958, I was so impressed with the closeness the class had after not seeing each other for several decades. It is easy to see that Sister Lois had a significant impact and that she cared about each and every one of them.”

Trude Adam: “It was like we had just seen each other yesterday. Others were missed and missed the great camaraderie.”

Jack Hirschfeld: “The 65th reunion was a fantastic opportunity to recognize once again what a wonderful teacher, great classmates, and the close class spirit we had, and although much time has passed, we carry that same spirit with us to today.”

Dianne Towalski: “When I was asked to cover the reunion, I knew it was something special. It was so heartwarming to hear the stories the students shared and how Sister Lois had impacted their lives. They were all so welcoming and made me feel like part of their group. This is the kind of story we like to do at The Central Minnesota Catholic.”

S. Lois: “The response to my question, what really made your class so special, is that you all agreed that you truly cared about each other. PERIOD.”

Left to right: Trude Adam, Gene Kruschek, Sister Lois, Marthann Baumgartner Halliday, Jack Hirschfeld, Carol Hirschfeld, and Bonnie Maske

Palm Sunday on a Cruise Ship

n Palm Sunday this year, I found myself on a cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship has a chapel, but anyone who asked was informed that any religious services on the ship would be self-led by the passengers. After breakfast on Sunday, I went up to the chapel, and there were several people there praying silently. A few people came and went, but there were four of us there for some time. I was thinking to myself that my own private prayer in chapel was not going to be enough for me, and I was going to go back to my cabin and watch Mass streamed on my phone. I was praying with the readings of the day on my phone when the woman next to me asked everyone else if we might like to pray together, and we all agreed enthusiastically.

I offered to read the Passion Narrative off my phone, and everyone agreed. After reading the Gospel, I asked if anyone wanted to share their thoughts on the reading. Everyone shared, but it went beyond the reading and also blossomed into beautiful faith sharing and rejoicing in the goodness of God. The four of us represented three denominations of Christianity, but we were one in the love of Jesus and in wanting to be in community with others on Palm Sunday.

OOne passenger said he was missing being at church this weekend but also came up to the chapel because there was supposed to be an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting, but no one else came at the time. His sharing was a combination of response to the reading combined with his testimony about how God saved him from the grip of 20 years of addiction and his gratitude for his new life.

When our sharing came to what seemed a clear conclusion, I asked the man if we should close our time together as they do in AA. His eyes lit up, and he said that AA meetings are closed with the Lord’s Prayer, which he offered to lead. We all prayed the Our Father together and ended with the phrase at the end of AA meetings: “Keep coming back. It works if you work it.”

We left the ship’s chapel filled, refreshed and renewed, smiling from ear to ear. Far from home and on vacation, it was particularly touching to pray in fellowship with others who are seeking God and to spend time rejoicing with the body of Christ, drawn together from distant places.

Jenny's experience is just one example of living the oblate way of life and bringing the Benedictine spirit to places near and far. Continue reading to learn more about what it means to be an oblate of Saint Benedict's Monastery.

Jenny DeVivo, OblSB

Living the Oblate Way of Life

What is an oblate?

Oblates are women or men who associate themselves with Saint Benedict’s Monastery. They desire to deepen their relationship with God and serve God in the places where they live day to day. Christians of all faith denominations may become oblates and may be married or single.

Why become an oblate?

By becoming an oblate, the opportunities to deepen your spirituality increase by having a spiritual home at Saint Benedict’s Monastery, receiving support and encouragement from other oblates and the sisters, gathering with others to enrich and revive your spiritual life, visiting the monastic community for prayer and events, and seeking God in the way of life offered by St. Benedict through prayer, offering hospitality to others, and nurturing relationships.

Congratulations to our newest oblates who made perpetual oblation during Eucharist and newest oblate candidates who were accepted in a Rite of Reception during Morning Prayer at Oblate Renewal Day on September 17, 2022.

Our newest oblate candidates (left to right): Mary Ann Marschall, Mary Eisenschenk and Mary L. Parks

Our newest oblates (left to right): Mary Kay Reichow, Christina Uribe Nitti and Alisa Kasmir

Visio Divina of Life

Anna Taylor

As a Benedictine Live-In Experience volunteer, I have many departments I serve in, including at Saint Scholastica Convent, the sisters’ retirement center just down the road in St. Cloud, Minn. One of the sisters I visit in the memory care unit has a windowsill full of “treasures.” I know they are treasures because when the sister invites me into her room for our weekly visit, they are the first (and often only) thing I am introduced to.

Sister has what appears to be a candelabra cactus plant. She is extremely fond and proud of this plant. She introduces it to me first of all the things on her windowsill. One time she introduced it to me three times in a span of 10 minutes. In an effort to not keep repeating myself again and again with the same comments and questions about the plant, I challenged myself to be creative each time. One round I commented on the leaves; another, the height; another, the spines. As I became more and more desperate for new things to say, I started to notice more—the shininess, the way the plant was triangular at the base but then flattened out

as it went up, how the leaves at the top were tiny compared to the ones at the bottom, how one part that looked like a leaf was actually another stem forming.

As I was introduced again and again to this little plant, I noticed more and more. Some things stood out on some days—like how green it was—that I hardly noticed other days. It started to dawn on me that this was a form of visio divina—sacred seeing, or praying with an image.

While I can hardly say that my ongoing “visits” with this plant was a knock-your-socks-off powerful experience of the divine, it did bring me to awareness of all the opportunities to see the holiness of the “mundane.” Yes, it is just a plant on the windowsill, but its caretaker loves it, and it’s unique and wonderfully made with so many characteristics that are missed at first glance. How often we pass by something barely registering it because, like Martha in chapter 10 of Luke’s Gospel, we “are worried and distracted by many things.”

Next time we find ourselves with a spare moment, may we let the Spirit invite us to ponder whatever is before us, not just with our physical eyes, but also with “the eyes of our heart” (Ephesians 1:18).

Anna Taylor wrote this article while participating in the Benedictine Live-In Experience from July through October 2022. Despite knowing that she is a Franciscan at heart, she still has lasting ties to Saint Benedict's Monastery and wanted an extended time with the community before she entered religious life. Anna was welcomed as a candidate with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse, Wis., on January 28, 2023. We celebrate with her in this stage of her discernment journey. Congratulations, Anna!

If you are interested in learning more about the Benedictine Live-In Experience, contact Sister Mary Catherine Holicky, coordinator, at liveinex@csbsju.edu or (320) 363-7028.

Lighting a candle on the anniversary of the dedication of Sacred Heart Chapel

Anna (second from left) with her housemates: Sisters Catherine Duenne, Patricia Ruether, Lisa Rose, and Patricia Sniezek (left to right)

Sisters

Behind the Scenes:

The Swap Shop

winter coat with a hood, sweaters, slacks and gloves so that she could walk to the bus stop and come to work. Today, this woman is no longer homeless—she has an apartment close by. “We are so proud of her story,” adds S. Mary.

When we were kids, we swapped marbles, Twins’ cards, or anything else in vogue. Here at Saint Scholastica Convent, our retirement community, we have a swap shop where we can exchange clothes we no longer need or fit into or may not be the desired color; one of our 60th jubilarians even found her outfit here for her special day! But there’s more, not only clothes. Sister Mary Mandernach, the shop’s curator, says, “Some days anything from soup to nuts might arrive. One day, I received 50 bras!” Another day, we viewed this apology printed on a T-shirt: “I’m sorry for what I said. It was winter!”

Knowing that “women like to shop, to just look around,” S. Mary arranges everything: attractive blouses next to slacks, jackets, shoes and coats. When clothing styles not worn by our sisters arrive, she offers them to our employees or takes them to Savers, the Treasure Chest Thrift Store, WACOSA, or Catholic Charities.

Time-consuming work? Yes, indeed, because this is but one of the many responsibilities S. Mary shoulders so graciously…but she is undaunted. “If I can’t get it done today, there is always tomorrow,” she tells me.

S. Mary reaches out to others whenever she can. When a woman from a homeless shelter began working for us, S. Mary gave her a long downy

When a sister dies, it is S. Mary who receives the sisters’ clothes, has them laundered, and distributes them where needed. She arranges even shoelaces, puzzles, scarves and finger-gloves with the cut-out fingertips for anyone who likes to go to bed with warm hands. Speaking of bed, the swap shop can also offer us pajamas, a house coat, bedroom slippers and socks, and in the morning, we can clothe ourselves in half-slips, full slips, everyday clothes, or Sunday outfits. If it’s a gardening day, there are hats for high sun, or umbrellas for those walking under a slow, fragrant spring rain. She has stuffed animals—just a few—in case anyone is lonely, as well as a few statues of saints and flowers for the lovers of beauty.

Being a faithful Benedictine, one could expect S. Mary to quote the Holy Rule, albeit with a bit of her coy sense of humor:

Renée Domeier, OSB Renée OSB

“Let clothing be given to the monks according to their need. They should not complain about color or the coarseness of any clothing but be content with what can be found in the swap shop.”

The Year in Brief

Tracing Our History

In May 2022, Sister Ephrem Hollermann published a new book, Like a Mustard Seed: A History of the First Benedictine Women’s Monastery in North America. This book traces the history of St. Joseph Monastery in St. Marys, Pa., the Benedictine community from which Saint Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minn., was founded. S. Ephrem says, “It was a blessed opportunity for me to further my conviction that the full story of American Catholicism will not be known until the stories of women religious have been lifted out of the shadows of mainstream history into their rightful place as stalwart shapers of an American Catholic identity and ethos.”

Like a Mustard Seed is available for purchase online or in Whitby Gift Shop at the monastery’s Art and Heritage Place.

Two Sisters Say “Yes!”

On Monday, July 11, 2022, the Feast of Saint Benedict, Sisters Bridgette Powers and Laura Suhr made perpetual monastic profession, committing to a lifelong journey of seeking God in community with us. It was a joyful day of celebration for the entire community. Congratulations!

Rule of Benedict Immortalized in Letterpress-Printed Scroll

In 2020, Richard Bresnahan, pottery director at Saint John’s University, and Mary Bruno, local artist and owner of Bruno Press, embarked on a nine-month-long collaboration to produce a letterpress-printed scroll of the Rule of St. Benedict that measures 32’ long and contains 36 pages.

In July 2022, we were privileged to have the scroll on display in our Gathering Place. It was an appropriate and joyfully welcomed fixture at several large Benedictine celebrations and events, including the perpetual monastic profession of Sisters Bridgette Powers and Laura Suhr, the 25th jubilee of Sister Hélène Mercier, and the 2022 Monastic Congregation of Saint Benedict chapter meeting. Our community even received a special presentation and viewing from Mary herself.

If you’re interested in learning more or arranging your own exhibition of the scroll, contact Mary Bruno at https://www.mcbrunopress.com/.

Sister Nancy Bauer Elected MCSB President

At the Monastic Congregation of Saint Benedict’s 2022 chapter meeting, Sister Nancy Bauer (left) was elected and installed as its new president. The Congregation, formerly the Federation of Saint Benedict, is an international monastic congregation of 10 Benedictine women's monasteries. S. Nancy is currently serving her first of a six-year term, succeeding past president Sister Kerry O’Reilly (right).

Give to the Max 2022

Once again, the generosity of our supporters resulted in a successful Give to the Max campaign in November 2022. With our grand total reaching nearly $85,000, well above our $70,000 goal, all funds raised will go toward our ministries that feed the spiritual hungers of people near and far, now and into the future. These ministries include, but are not limited to, programming and retreats at the Spirituality Center•Studium, prayer, and liturgical celebrations. To all who partnered with us: Thank you!

“Minnesota’s Best Sports Fan”

A Star Tribune article published December 24, 2022, names Sister Lois Wedl as the “best sports fan in Minnesota.” The article honors her lengthy history of supporting women’s athletics at the College of Saint Benedict and can be read on the Star Tribune’s website.

Oblate Tracy Rittmueller Receives Grant

Tracy Rittmueller, an oblate of Saint Benedict's Monastery and Studium scholar, was awarded a 2023 Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Award through the Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Support for Individuals Grant Program. This grant will assist Tracy in developing workshops to engage older adults living with dementia in creative writing processes in two formats for two audiences: in person for people living in care facilities and online for unpaid dementia family caregivers. Congratulations, Tracy!

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Explore the Art, Experience the Heritage

Sister Dennis Frandrup is a master artist and beloved teacher who has been producing art for over 50 years. Her talent, legacy and timeless creations are most recently celebrated in “By the Work of Her Hands,” the current exhibit at the Haehn Museum, located in the monastery’s Art and Heritage Place.

This lively exhibit celebrates the vast array of art forms mastered by the hands of S. Dennis, the teacher and artist coming together to offer beauty to a weary world. It opened in April 2022 with a scheduled closing date in December of that same year, but popular interest renewed the exhibit for a further year! Guests now have the opportunity to marvel over S. Dennis’ many works, including ceramic sculptures, pottery and jewelry, until December 15, 2023.

After a tour through the museum, guests are invited to visit Whitby Gift Shop where they will find many beautiful handmade items for sale, including pottery, ceramics and other unique pieces from S. Dennis. Other popular items include candles, tea towels, items for infants, cards for all occasions, jewelry, religious items, scarves, and much more.

The Art and Heritage Place’s regular hours are 12–4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays. However, our staff is happy to arrange a visit outside of these hours as requested. For more information, contact Sister Judy Kramer, director of the Haehn Museum, at j1kramer@csbsju.edu or (320) 363-1605.