Diamond Jubilarian Celebrations!

Greetings,

In our monastic life, 'Diamond Jubilee' refers to the 60th, 75th, and 80th anniversaries of a sister's first Monastic Profession.  These celebrations reaffirm the joy of life, love of community, and devotion to service and prayer in the Church.  We celebrated our Diamond Jubilarian sisters on Friday, July 31st with a Eucharistic Celebration for sisters during our Summer Monastic Chapter.  This year the Jubilarians chose Pope Francis' words from the Year for Consecrated Life for their theme:  Celebrating our monastic call with Gratitude, Passion, Hope.

"Together let us thank the Father, who called us to follow Jesus by fully embracing the Gospel and serving the Church, and poured into our hearts the Holy Spirit, the source of our joy and our witness to God’s love and mercy before the world...  The first of these aims is to look to the past with gratitude...  This Year also calls us to live the present with passion. Grateful remembrance of the past leads us, as we listen attentively to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church today, to implement ever more fully the essential aspects of our consecrated life... To embrace the future with hope should be the third aim of this Year"

(Pope Francis, Apostolic Letter to All Consecrated People)

After the Liturgy of the Word, our Prioress called the sisters forward to renew their Monastic Profession:

"Sisters, the Church rejoices with you today as you celebrate your 60th, 75th, and 80th anniversaries of Monastic Profession.  We invite you now to renew the profession you made to Christ and the Church."

Sr. Penny, Prioress; Sisters Jane and Marita, 60th Jubilee; Sr. Jeanne, Sub-Prioress         Sisters Jeanette and Laeticia, 75th Jubilee; Sister Leonette, 80th Jubilee

The Catholic Church's blessing:

"May the blessing of Almighty God descend upon you to strengthen you in the coming years.  May your faithfulness and serenity be a joy to you, an encouragement to others, and a constant witness to the Lord Jesus Christ.  And may our loving God bring us all alike to everlasting life. Amen"

We continued to honor our Diamond Jubilarians with a festive meal after the Mass.  They were ushered to tables especially set and decorated with flowers, sisters were assigned to serve each table of Jubilarians and their guests.  As we gathered in the refectory, sisters took turns pausing at the celebrants tables with a hug to offer their gratitude, prayer, and joyful thanks.  The dining room was filled with stories of their joyful service with gratitude for their past, honoring the passion of their present professed life, and praying with hope for all yet to come.

Sister Laeticia celebrating her 75th Jubilee at supper with her friend Sr. Marielle.

Sr. Sharon Ann joined Sister Leonette at table in celebrating her 80 years of Monastic Profession.

Blessings to you,

Anniversary of the Dedication of Bishop Marty Chapel

Greetings,

Every year we celebrate the anniversary of the consecration of Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel.  This year marks the 65th year of our prayer and worship in this chapel dedicated to the praise of God. The dedication candles are lit, the sisters have gathered for statio, and our prayer of thanksgiving begins.  But first, it behooves me to share the story of how the chapel was built from our sisters hopes and prayers, lead by Mother Jerome Schmitt, and told by our historians from a time much closer to celebration… 

“…By far the crowning point of Mother Jerome’s external accomplishments was the erection of the magnificent Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel which rose steadily, stone by stone, throughout the difficult war and post-war years of 1946 to 1950 and was solemnly consecrated in the spring of 1950. The Chapel stands not only as a monument to the saintly Bishop through whom God called the Benedictines to Dakota but also as a living symbol of the faith of a community” (Travelers on the Way of Peace, 1955).

"There is one thing I ask of the Lord, to live in the house of the Lord." ~ Benedictus Antiphon

The chapel's very completion was an act of faith. It was built in the years after World War II; when building materials were both scarce and precious, M. Jerome and the contractors found a way through their trust in God. Bishop Martin Marty Memorial Chapel was completed and consecrated in the year 1950. The chapel has been filled with the voices of our sisters giving God praise since that day.

“…The construction, begun after frustrating delays, was nearing completion. With justifiable pride, she had watched the raising of the Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel which now crowned the cluster of building on the western elevation of the city of Yankton. It was something that…she had dreamed about at a time when realization seemed impossible. But, there was the stone steeple, rising to a height of 187 feet, directing heavenward the thoughts of motorists on Highway 50. This house of God was both artistic and functional: it was an imposing work of stone in modified Gothic design, which could take its place among thee architectural masterpieces of Europe.

“…The Most Reverend William O. Brady, assisted by five bishops, four abbots, and about 180 monsignori and priests from the Midwest carried out the colorful and symbolic ceremonies, which set apart forever this building for the sole purpose of giving glory to God…Bishop Brady in his closing remarks paid tribute to the pioneer members of the community and all members who had given reality to a dream of raising a fitting monument to the Provident of God, “under the shadow of Whose wings” the community had prospered” (Sr. Claudia Daratschek, Under the Shadow of His Wings, 1971).

“This is God’s holy temple, and we are the living stones. Let us bow down in prayer, singing God’s praises.”
~ Benedictus Antiphon, Anniversary of the Dedication of Bishop Marty Chapel

Father Thomas explained some of the Church teaching on how churches are dedicated through a special ceremony.  Then he shared some reflections on the meaning of this dedication for those who worship in those churches.

"The feast of the Dedication of a church is celebrated annually only in those church buildings which have been consecrated by a bishop. The dedication sets the building aside as a sacred, holy place which cannot be used for other purposes. Among other things, the building must be debt-free when dedicated, so most church buildings are not consecrated. The ceremony is one of the most beautiful of all the ceremonies of the Church...

...Also part of the ceremony is the blessing of the walls. They too are anointed with the Chrism Oil at twelve locations throughout the church building. The twelve locations represent the twelve apostles on whose foundations the Christian faith rests and are marked with a cross and candle (called the consecration candles). Traditionally, those candles are only lit on the anniversary of the dedication of the church building.

The ceremony of dedication has similarities to the Sacrament of Baptism, especially regarding the anointing and candles. Those entering the church through Baptism are also anointed as a symbol of their being set aside (dedicated) to and for God. Those baptized receive a candle representing the Light of Christ. They are to receive and be the Light of Christ to the world" (Father Thomas on the anniversary of the Dedication of Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel, 2014).

This dedication of a place apart for prayer alone also appears in the Rule of Benedict.  In Chapter 52, Benedict orders that the Monastery have an Oratory for the monks' and nuns' Work of God, their life of prayer...

Let the oratory be what it is called, a place of prayer; and let nothing else be done there or kept there. When the Work of God is ended, let all go out in perfect silence, and let reverence for God be observed, so that any sister who may wish to pray privately will not be hindered by another's misconduct. And at other times also, if anyone should want to pray by herself, let her go in simply and pray, not in a loud voice but with tears and fervor of heart...

Sister Honored for her Service to Others

Greetings,

Join us in celebrating our Sister's recognition for living-out Saint Benedict's call to loving service:  "In the reception of the poor and of pilgrims the greatest care and solicitude should be shown, because it is especially in them that Christ is received" (Chapter 53).

On Thursday evening, July 23rd, Yankton Church Women United hosted The Banquet in the U.C.C church basement along with several Sisters from Sacred Heart Monastery. Before the dinner bell rang for guests, Sr. Eileen O’Connor was recognized for her contribution to the community by the YCWU receiving the 2015 Human Rights Award. Commenting on her experience, Sr. Eileen clarified what the mission of the YCWU means to her: “serve means the same as love”. This is evident in Sr. Eileen’s involvement in the Yankton Community, whether it’s serving as a Big Friend, as a volunteer at The Banquet, participating in Toastmasters, or lending a hand in any other way. She has also served for fourteen years within her Monastic Community as Sacred Heart Monastery’s Vocation Assistant, working with children, teenagers and adults.

Eight churches in Yankton are members of the YCWU, and more are certainly welcome. Christ the King Episcopal Church, Peace Presbyterian Church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Monastery, St. Benedict Catholic Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, United Church of Christ and United Methodist join together to host various events and give support to programs throughout the year. Nationally, CWU has been around for more than 70 years. In 1941, it was formed to encourage church women to come together in a visible fellowship to witness to their faith in Jesus Christ.For more information on various ministries Sacred Heart Monastery is involved in visit our ministry page.  For more information on the Yankton United Church Women.  (SHM Public Relations)

Silver Jubilee ~ Sister Maribeth

Greetings,

 Sister Maribeth celebrated her 25 years of religious profession at Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton  on July 11 in the presence of her community, family and friends.

Maribeth was born in Huron, SD on January 16, 1966 to Robert (now deceased) and Marivonne as the youngest of five children. The family moved to Miller when Maribeth was seven and she now claims Miller as her home town. After graduation from Miller High School in 1984, Maribeth visited Mount Marty College and instantly fell in love with its aesthetic beauty and the friendliness of the people. As a student at Mt. Marty College she attended several retreats, all the time feeling God was nudging her in the direction of religious life. When at last she stopped fighting it, she was able to say “yes” to God with a sense of peacefulness. Maribeth entered Sacred Heart Monastery on August 23, 1987 as a single entrant and made her first monastic profession on January 16, 1990 on her birthday. Maribeth states she felt like she “grew up as a Benedictine” because most of her early formation at home pivoted around prayer, work (doing chores), and leisure with her whole family.

Maribeth feels much gratitude for the love and support of her many Sister friends who have walked the journey with her, “a crowd of one,” during her formation years in religious life. Like members of her family, Maribeth loves fishing and treasures the times Sisters join in with her at this sport.

After graduating from Mount Marty College in 1988, Maribeth taught at O’Gorman High School in Sioux Falls until 1996. She became Director of Campus Ministry at Mount Marty College from 1996-2011 and from 2013 to the present, serving as monastery vocation director in the interval.

About her Jubilee, Maribeth writes: “These last 25 plus years have brought me such true joy and peace.  I know God drew me to these Benedictine women of Yankton so that we could multiply our gifts together for the sake of the Kingdom!  I am eager and ready for where God will call me in the next twenty five years.”

Golden Jubilee ~ Sisters Marielle and Janice

Greetings,

Sister Marielle celebrated her 50 years of religious profession at Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton SD on July 11 in the presence of her community, family and friends.  S. Marielle was born on June 3, 1944, to the late John and Amalia as the youngest in a family of three girls and a boy. At the age of six she began classes in a rural school a half mile from her farm home, the same farm where her father had been born and raised, in Bow Valley, NE.  S. Marielle was one of three first graders and her teacher was her oldest sister. As a student at Mount Marty High School she came to know the Benedictine Sisters. Marielle feels she was attracted to religious life as long as she could remember.  There was that desire to know God and to develop a close relationship with God and to help others.  She finally succumbed to that desire when she entered Sacred Heart Convent in August, 1963.

As a Benedictine Sister, S. Marielle zealously shared her love of scripture and theology in 32 years of teaching religious studies at Mount Marty College. Her excellent resource book, Beginning Biblical Studies, is a valuable tool for all who seek to improve their knowledge of facts related to Biblical history and religious studies.

Reflecting on her entrance into religious life Marielle states, “I entered the
community less than a year after Vatican Council II began in October 1962.  As a result I lived through the tumultuous years of the later 1960s and early 1970s when United States culture, the Catholic Church and religious life were constantly undergoing monumental changes.   While that made it much more challenging to  discern and choose religious life, from today’s vantage point, I can see that the long and sometimes very difficult process of discerning and making a commitment to monastic life in such times made me much stronger in that commitment.  As St. Benedict tells us, monastic life requires lifelong, repeated transformations of life that will continue in years to come.”

Marielle made monastic profession on June 29, 1965, and now fifty years later she offers two quotations that summarize what that life means to her. The first is a familiar line from Scripture: “God’s faithful love endures forever.” The second is St. Benedict’s primary instruction to monastics:  “Prefer nothing to the love of Christ” (RB 4:21, 72:11).


Sister Janice celebrated her 50 years of religious profession at Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton, SD  on July 11 in the presence of her community, family and friends.  S. Janice, along with twin sister, Jean, grew up on a farm in the Dimock and Parkston area with twelve other siblings. Her parents, the late Peter and Clara, instilled in their children the love of church, family and farm life.

Janice attended school in Dimock where she was taught by Benedictine Sisters from Yankton.   After graduation she worked five years in the Parkston Hospital before entering Sacred Heart Convent in August of 1963. What surprised her at first in convent life, she says, was getting up so early as well as some of the food being served, like cereal for supper. After monastic profession in June 1965, S. Janice worked at the hospital in Tyndall for two years as nurse aide and as store room clerk before being assigned to Madonna Rehabilitation Home in Lincoln, Nebraska. At Madonna she worked six years as nurse aide, then  was asked to serve at St. Joseph Indian School in Chamberlain, SD. She returned to Madonna Home in Lincoln two years later in 1970  and was assigned  to Dietary as  Kitchen Supervisor and part time cook,  a position she held for 32 years until she retired to the monastery in 2006. S. Janice prefers to say she worked with the kitchen staff instead of supervising them.  She enjoyed the position and the people she helped very much. In 2005 S. Janice was honored with the Caring Kind Award at Madonna and was pleasantly surprised to see many of her family members present in Lincoln for the ceremony.   In retirement at the monastery S. Janice continues to help in assisting the Sisters in the Care Center and at activities whenever she can.

Looking back on her experience as a  Benedictine, S. Janice writes, “My life has become service for others.  Mostly this has been for the elderly throughout the many years at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital and now at our monastery Care Center for the older Sisters. I could not have imagined the joy and satisfaction I have received through these years, I thank God for these many blessings.”

A Jubilee Celebration!

Greetings,

On the Feast of Saint Benedict, the Saturday celebration for our sister jubilarians honored their 25 and 50 years of faithfully upholding their Monastic Profession. 

Please pray for these sisters throughout their jubilee year, that God may bless them as they continue their lives of prayer, community, and service to the people of God.

Blessings,

Pray for us as we Pray for you ~ Community Retreat

Greetings,

Pray for us during our time of retreat; we shall keep you in our prayers.

This week all the sisters of our community are gathering at the monastery for retreat.  Usually, the sister who coordinates our on-going formation sets three separate weeks for retreat to accommodate our sisters varying schedules due to their ministry and service in different works of the Church. However, every five years (or so) the community gathers for one retreat.

This year Prior Mauritius Wilde, OSB  of Christ the King Priory will be our retreat director.  His conferences will focus on the value of detachment in the life of Saint Benedict and in our lives as Benedictine women.

This window is a icon of the Matins hour of prayer,
the wise virgins from Scripture representing
our waiting in prayer before the Lord Jesus.

Listen I (General Norms of our Federation) recognizes that "Benedictine formation is a lifelong process of daily conversion within a dynamic, monastic faith community.  The entire community is responsible, under the direction of the prioress, for the ongoing formation of all sisters.  The monastery fulfills this responsibility when it provides the environment for the sisters to share their life together in faith and to continue their own daily effort toward growth in Christ" (G111).


Listen II (Specific Norms of our Federation) reminds the prioress that "the Monastery Norms specifies the ways a monastery provides for the continuing spiritual development of its sisters, such as community renewal, annual retreats, days of recollection and other opportunities" (S129).

Our Listen III or Monastery Norms (specific to our monastic guidance) take all this into account and very simply states a list of items to support this continuing formation including "annual retreats" (M111.g).  Simple...However, this yearly week of retreat is so important within our monastic life that it is even written into our contracts so we that may set at least a week aside for personal and private prayer, reflection, and community.

Retreat allows for a deepening of relationship with God in the silence of our day, broken only by Father's conferences and our prayer, and through our personal prayer which supports our times of Liturgy of the Hours.  All this additional time in prayer reminds us to follow Saint Benedict's injunction on the oratory:

"Let the oratory be what is is called, a place of prayer; and let nothing else be done there or kept there.  When the Work of God is ended, let all go out in perfect silence, and let reverence for God be observed, so that any sister who may wish to pray privately will not be hindered by another's misconduct.  And that other times also, if anyone should want to pray by herself, let her go in simply and pray, not in a loud voice but with tears and fervor of heart.  She who does not say her prayers in this way, therefore, shall not be permitted to remain in the oratory when the Work of God is ended, lest another be hindered, as we have said" (Rule of Benedict 52).

Retreat Week Schedule (July 12-18)

for Liturgy of the Hours and Mass 

8:30 AM ~ Lauds

9:00 AM ~ Mass

5:15 PM ~ Vespers

Blessings,

May Perpetual Light Shine Upon Her ~ Sister Yvonne

To Paradise now may the angels bring you,

and may the martyrs now come to meet you on your way,

and may you be led into the holy city Jerusalem.

All the choirs of angels make you welcome there,

and with Lazarus once so ill and poor,

may peaceful joy be now forever yours.

~In Paradisum

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, 

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May the souls of the faithful departed, 

through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

May Perpetual Light Shine Upon Her ~ Sister Stephanie

To Paradise now may the angels bring you,

and may the martyrs now come to meet you on your way,

and may you be led into the holy city Jerusalem.

All the choirs of angels make you welcome there,

and with Lazarus once so ill and poor,

may peaceful joy be now forever yours.

~In Paradisum

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, 

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May the souls of the faithful departed, 

through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Monastic Chapter

 Greetings,

Please pray for us as we prepare for our Monastic Chapter at the end of this week.

It is wonderfully appropriate that our June Monastic Chapter should coincide with Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ; for we as discern the needs of our monastic community, we strive to see Christ present in each other. We ask for your prayers as all of our sisters, from prioress to newly professed, travel home to discuss the "important business [that] has to be done in the monastery" RB 3:1.

However, it isn't all work and meetings.  All throughout the weekend, we visit with our sisters: catching up on news, sharing joys and sorrows, taking walks and playing favorite games. We also take time to celebrate.  One evening we will honor our Jubilarians of 25, 50, 60, 75 and even 80 years as professed sisters.  The next night we will remember our beloved sisters who have died this past year with prayer and a procession through our cemetery. 

Whenever any important business has to be done 

in the monastery, let the Abbot call together the whole community and state the matter to be acted upon. Then, having heard the brethren's advice,
let him turn the matter over in his own mind and do what he shall judge to be most expedient. The reason we have said that all should be called for counsel is that the Lord often reveals to the younger what is best. 

Let the brethren give their advice with all the deference required by humility, and not presume stubbornly to defend their opinions; but let the decision rather depend on the Abbot's judgment, and all submit to whatever he shall decide for their welfare. 

However, just as it is proper for the disciples to obey their master, so also it is his function to dispose all things with prudence and justice.

Rule of Benedict 3

Prayer schedule during Monastic Chapter...

Thursday:  Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel

~ Prayer 8:30 AM

~ Mass 9:00 AM

~ Prayer 5:00 PM

Friday:  Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel

~Prayer 8:30 AM

~ Mass 9:00 AM

~Prayer within the Monastic Chapter

Saturday:  Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel

~ Prayer 8:30 AM

~ Prayer 5:00 PM

Sunday: Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel

~ Prayer 8:30 AM

~ Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ 10 AM

~ Prayer 5:00 PM

Blessings,

World Vocation Day of Prayer ~ An Unexpected Vocation

Greetings,

Every sister's call to follow Christ to our community is unique. Some sisters felt their religious call from a young age while others were surprised by God after college or career. In honor of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we are sharing Sister Ann's vocation story.

My story is probably unique in that I joined the Benedictines to prove that I didn't have a vocation,  that God wasn't calling me, and that I would leave the community as soon as God and they were satisfied that I wasn't cut out to be a nun.

At the time I was sure that convent life was not for me.  It seems, however, that God had other plans.   Some of my former teachers, especially Sister Celestine Comeau, who taught me in fourth, fifth, and seventh grades,  kept counseling me even after I had graduated from eight years of elementary school where all my eight teachers were Yankton Benedictine nuns—insisting that she saw the nun in me.

She shared that feeling with  Mother Jerome Schmitt who, when she visited the Sisters teaching in Aberdeen,  would then call me to visit briefly with her while I was in high school—always encouraging me to consider life as a Benedictine.  She had been told, it seems, that I was also very interested in going to college to qualify for teacher certificate.

We talked, and I kept postponing a decision.  When I graduated in 1945 and had been offered a scholarship to a Minnesota Catholic college, I knew I had to try out life there, even if briefly—just to prove to others and myself that I didn't belong.   That was seventy years ago, and I’m still here.  God and they knew better I guess.  I know today that the choice was the right one for me.  I have no regrets that I made the choice to remain.

The community and the daily prayer and Mass schedule plus I did get that college and even higher education and spent forty-eight years teaching—the last forty at our college here.  I can’t picture my life being so fulfilling elsewhere. 

Sister Ann's unique story continued to draw her closer to Christ and our Benedictine traditions throughout her ministry as a teacher and professor of Church history and author of Benedictine history. Her perseverance in seeking God's call has been a blessing to us all.

Blessings to all as you discern God's call in your life...

May Perpetual Light Shine Upon Her ~ Sister Judith

To Paradise now may the angels bring you,

and may the martyrs now come to meet you on your way,

and may you be led into the holy city Jerusalem.

All the choirs of angels make you welcome there,

and with Lazarus once so ill and poor,

may peaceful joy be now forever yours.

~In Paradisum

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, 

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May the souls of the faithful departed, 

through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

May Perpetual Light Shine Upon Her ~ Sister Corinne

To Paradise now may the angels bring you,

and may the martyrs now come to meet you on your way,

and may you be led into the holy city Jerusalem.

All the choirs of angels make you welcome there,

and with Lazarus once so ill and poor,

may peaceful joy be now forever yours.

~In Paradisum

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, 

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May the souls of the faithful departed, 

through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Open House!

Greetings, 

We celebrated the Year of Consecrated Life with a public open house held at Sacred Heart Monastery on Sunday, March 15.  

Over 100 people took advantage of the tours being conducted by the sisters through Marty House, the original residence of the first Bishop of the Dakotas, Martin Marty and the Sisters’ dining room, chapel and gathering space.  The tour groups culminated in the Chapter room where visitors were able to view a video on monastic living and spend time visiting with the Sisters over homemade cookies and drinks.  People were also invited to join the Sisters at 4:00 Vespers in the Bishop Marty Chapel if they wish and it proved to be a joyful day for all who came. 

Future events at the monastery for this Year’s celebration will focus on meeting present needs through volunteer service to the community of Yankton and surrounding area and a special prayer service to be held in the late fall or early winter to close the Year of Consecrated Life with its theme to “Wake Up the World.”  Keep checking on the blog, Facebook, or monastery website for the dates and times of these upcoming events.

Did you miss the open house?  Call the monastery and set up a date to tour our Chapel and amazing items from our museum!

Families began the tour by "signing-in" at the monastery guestbook.
Signing the guestbook in the Gathering Space are Donovan and Marlys List
of Yankton and Chris and Holly Wortmann of Crofton, NE.

The guests then toured Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel.
Sister Anna explained the Benedictine themes in the stained glass
windows in our Monastic Chapel. 

The artwork in our dining room or Monastic Refectory reflects the Chapel.
Sister Joelle explained the symbolism in the stained glass planned and
artwork painted by Sister Leonarda when it was built in the 1960's.  

Sister Sharon Ann shared the history of Bishop Marty House, which is listed
on the National Register, with Marlys and Donovan List, Liz Brinkman,
Postulant Theresa, and Sister Rosalie of Mother of God Monastery.

All guests were welcomed back to the Monastic Chapter Room.
Guests enjoyed cookies and a chance to watch a projected presentation
on the Sisters' past, while visiting the Sisters.

National Catholic Sisters Week ~ A Diamond Shining Bright!

Greetings from our sister celebrating 75 years of profession,

Each day of National Catholic Sisters Week, we have shared the story of our Jubilarian Sisters, those celebrating significant anniversaries in religious life!

Sister Wilma Lyle begins her autobiography by stating “My life has been an interesting and exciting one.”

Like many of her generation, S. Wilma grew up on a homesteaded farm where her parents raised their seven children. During her years at Mount Marty High School, S. Wilma felt called to be a Benedictine Sister and began convent life on August 24, 1937.

After first profession in 1939, her teaching career started with elementary and junior high schools in Glen Ulin, Richardton, and Selfridge, ND, and Hoven, Aberdeen and Yankton, SD, with many summers spent teaching in vacation schools. Sr. Wilma loved teaching and served Mount Marty College as professor in the religion department and as academic dean.

In 1964, she along with five other Sisters, spent seven years setting up and teaching in their mission school in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. She found this to be the most enriching experience of her life. In 1973 S. Wilma was elected prioress and served two terms which she found both challenging and exhilarating. After her terms in office she resumed teaching and taking on various ministries.

Looking back on her years as a Benedictine, S. Wilma states: “I’ve been blessed and enriched in so many ways and am so grateful for the gifts of life, health, intelligence, education and experiences, especially experiences undreamed of in 1939 when I was professed.”

Blessings,

 

Curious about more of our stories? Follow this link to our "Meet the Sisters" page. You can 'click' on different sisters names to find out more about their story, our vows, and living as a Benedictine Sister! Or follow the "Vocation" link at the top of our blog to request more information! 

National Catholic Sisters Week ~ 70 Year Diamonds!

Greetings from our sisters celebrating 70 years of profession,

Each day of National Catholic Sisters Week, we will be sharing the story of our Jubilarian Sisters, those celebrating significant anniversaries in religious life!

Sister Evangeline grew up on a farm near Harrold, SD with her parents and six siblings. After graduation she worked a year hoping to save for college. Little did she know then what role college was to play in her future life.

She entered Sacred Heart Convent in 1942 and found out college was included in the formation program. After a few years teaching on the elementary and high school level she earned a doctorate in philosophy from the Catholic University of America. She states her superior’s request for philosophy “had never occurred to her, but in retrospect, philosophy brought me into contact with a world of study that has made so much difference to my life.”

She then served at Mount Marty College, teaching philosophy and serving as dean of women, director of development and of financial aid, vice president of financial affairs, and a 17-year term as president. In 1989, she was appointed sub-prioress. It was a an exciting time as she became involved in future planning and development in the monastic way of life.

The February 1997 fire remains a memorable mark on her term as sub-prioress. S. Evangeline writes: “My Benedictine life has been 70 years of fulfillment in ways I never could have imagined or hoped for. To be a part of a loving community that has supported me, challenged me and given me countless opportunities for growth has been pure gift, for which I am extremely grateful.”

 Sister Marie Helene Werdel was the second of seven children having an older brother and five sisters. Her parents built their home on prairie lands east of Stephan, SD. It was there the family experienced the hardships of life during the depression, especially after the death of her father.

S. Marie Helene left the wide ranch lands of western South Dakota in response to what she felt was a call to be a Sister in 1942. After first profession as a Benedictine Sister on June 24, 1944, S. Marie Helene began what she expected to be a long teaching career. She taught in schools at Dimock, SD, Yankton, SD, Pueblo, CO, Albion, NE and Richardton, ND.

Her appointment as community procurator and business manager at Mount Marty College in 1957 led to 37 years of work, including director of maintenance at the college, director of plant operations, manager of the MMC Bookstore, and Buildings and Grounds supervisor. At the Monastery she served as sacristan for eight years. She currently helps in the Gift Shop and mail room, tutors, and enjoys keeping the birds, turkeys and squirrels from going hungry.

Of her Jubilee, S. Marie Helene says, “My years as a Benedictine have been wonderful. I am forever grateful for God’s blessing and generosity and for my community these many years. It has been more rewarding than I ever dreamed. I pray my life has been of help to others.”

We will conclude our National Catholic Sisters Week with one final Diamond...

Curious about more of our stories? Follow this link to our "Meet the Sisters" page. You can 'click' on different sisters names to find out more about their story, our vows, and living as a Benedictine Sister! Or follow the "Vocation" link at the top of our blog to request more information!

National Catholic Sisters Week ~ Polished Diamonds

Greetings from our sisters celebrating 70 years of profession,

Each day of National Catholic Sisters Week, we will be sharing the story of our Jubilarian Sisters, those celebrating significant anniversaries in religious life!

 Sister Jane Frances was born in Farisita, CO, into a very religious family—three older half-sisters were vowed religious. Her faith was nurtured by her home parish in Gardner, CO. It was the influence of the Sisters who taught vacation school in Gardner that brought S. Jane Frances to Yankton in 1941.

After first profession in 1944 she was sent to work at Sacred Heart Hospital which paved the way for her mission in nursing, a profession she learned “on the job.” She was a founding member of the Watertown community in 1959. Her heart’s desire was to serve the poor and underprivileged Spanish and Mexican people, so S. Jane Frances volunteered as a missionary to Guatemala for two years. On her return, she continued her education and graduated with degrees leading to nursing registration. In June 1977 she transferred her stability back to Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton and resumed serving the Hispanic people in Colorado, including religious education and pastoral care in parishes, nursing homes, and jails.

Of special memory was the summer of 1995 when she was privileged to spend a month in Rome for a Benedictine Monastic experience. She writes, “Life as a Yankton Benedictine has been a tremendous fulfillment in my ministries as a health provider, serving the poor, the incarcerated, and preparing young people for confirmation and Holy Eucharist. How can I begin to thank God for the graces afforded me to carry out His Holy will.”

 Sister Yvonne came to Yankton from Lefor, ND, where her parents made their home after moving to this country from Hungary. She says that she was surrounded by Benedictine Sisters and monks all her life. The second oldest of eleven children, S. Yvonne was engaged in domestic work thinking at 18 years of age she was past the age for acceptance to a convent. She was set right when she became more informed and so became a postulant on December 8, 1942.

During her years as a Benedictine Sister S. Yvonne was engaged primarily in the Ecclesiastical Vestment Department and domestic work at the Bishop’s House in Sioux Falls and at the chaplain’s residence at the Monastery. S. Yvonne’s work with the aged began when assigned to St. Thomas More in Canon City, CO. in 1972. She received her degree in Social Work from Mount Marty College and her ministry with the aged continued on several mission assignments. She especially enjoyed her five years at Albion, NE where she was engaged in parish visiting and assisted with religious education.

Of her 70 years in Benedictine living, Sr. Yvonne says, “What I treasure most is the Sisters learning to live together, seeing how they do so much for one another. Monastic life just grows on a person when you see what is being done.”

Tomorrow we will introduce their shining classmates...

Curious about more of our stories? Follow this link to our "Meet the Sisters" page. You can 'click' on different sisters names to find out more about their story, our vows, and living as a Benedictine Sister! Or follow the "Vocation" link at the top of our blog to request more information!