We've moved!

Greetings,

We've moved our blog to the monastery's website!

www.yanktonbenedictines.org/blog/

We invite you to keep reading the stories of our monastic life as Benedictine sisters in Yankton, SD at the new website!

Blessings,

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,

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)

A new face in our halls...

Greetings,

We recently invited a woman wise in the ways of 'PR' and all matters of reaching-out in the ever changing world of communications to join us as an employee supporting our Benedictine ministry.  While sisters, your humble blogger included, will continue to be the storytellers and writers of our blog and Facebook, Raelynn Coldwell will be coaching us along in hash-tagging, pinteresting, and whatever else might be out there!

Blessings,

The following is a request for your help in helping her to help us:

Hello, Please allow me to introduce myself as I transition into a role that Sister Mary Jo and others have initiated, which is serving as Sacred Heart Monastery’s Communications Director! I am a Rapid City native, who grew up in a small family (we all share an R to begin our first names) and Mount Marty Alumni of Yankton, SD. This survey is dedicated to finding out ways to be more effective in getting the word out. In the spirit of Pope Francis ‪#‎twitterfeed‬ Today the Church is a Church of martyrs, so many heroic witnesses. May we learn from their courage. Be courageous, take the quiz! Thank you smile emoticon Raelynn Coldwell

SURVEY LINK

Benedictine Study

Greetings,

As the new year approaches, we begin to consider our lives.  Resolutions are considered and chosen to help us grow, to improve our lives in one way or another.

This new year, resolve to grow in understanding of the Order of Saint Benedict.  Benedictine Men and Women of Courage: Roots and History would be a wonderful way to learn about the development of the Benedictine Order from the earliest centuries to today.

Our Sister Ann Kessler has revised her text which helps readers "explore fifteen centuries of intrigue, controversy, commitment and inspiration...This fast-paced book surveys the vast landscape of saints, scholars, mystics, and reformers whose impact continues to offer insight not only into the past, but into the future" (Lean Scholar Press).

Brother Benet Tvedten, OSB commented that her text is "An appealing and unique history of the Order of St. Benedict becuase it is an account of both male and female Benedictines. Sister Ann Kessler tells the whole story and she does it very well."  You can read what Brother Benet and others have seen in the story of courage at Lean Scholars Press.

Curious about this fifteen-hundred-year story?  Lean Scholar Press offers an overview of the contents of the text.

Blessings and Happy Studying!

Sister Kathy Named Endowed Nursing Chair

Greetings,

Congratulations to our own Sr. Kathy who truly lives out Benedict's call to care for the sick and suffering and teaches all those in her classes to do the same.  "Care of the sick must rank above and before all else, so that they may truly be served as Christ, for he said: "I was sick and you visited me", and, "What you did for the least of brothers you did for me"" (Rule of Benedict 36: 1-3).

Mount Marty College nursing department is pleased to announce the 2014-17 Endowed Nursing Chair was recently awarded to Sr. Kathy Burt RN, MSN, Ph.D.  

Sr. Kathy Burt attended Mount Marty College and graduated in 1993 with her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. She received her Masters of Science in Nursing from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in 2003 and her Ph.D. in 2006. She has worked as an RN at both Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota and here at the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton. Sr. Kathy has been teaching at Mount Marty College for the past 7 years and is currently an Assistant Professor of Nursing and serving as the Interim Chief Nurse Administrator and Division Chair of the nursing department.

In 1992, Avera Sacred Heart Hospital established an Endowed Chair of Nursing with Sr. Corinne Lemmer being named the first recipient for 1994-1997.  The recipient must demonstrate their ability as a teacher as well as scholarly and professional attainment by their competence in field of nursing to a greater degree. They must also have leadership and institutional contributions and community service through involvement in regional and national nursing associations.

"Sr. Kathy Named Endowed Nursing Chair." News Release. Mount Marty College. 8 Dec. 2014. Web. 10 Dec. 2014.

In Thanksgiving for the Holiday Fair!

Greetings,

Today, we share a song of praise and thanksgiving
from our Sr. Francine in the gift shop...

On Sunday Week II of our Psalmody, we recite from Daniel "moon and stars, praise the Lord."
I think our praise after the Holiday Fair would sound like this:

Gardeners and apple pickers; praise the Lord for abundance,
Jelly and jam makers; praise the Lord for taste buds,
Knitter and crocheters; praise the Lord in patterns,
Seamstresses and needle pointers; praise the Lord in stitches,
Glass workers and jewelry makers; praise the Lord in designs and light,
Card and candle makers; praise the Lord with words and wax,
Plant growers; praise the Lord in greenery,
Bread, bun, and noodle makers; praise the Lord with aroma and appetites,
Greeters and sellers; praise the Lord with hospitality,
Hospitality bakers; praise the Lord with mouth-watering treats,
Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery and Monk of Assumption Abbey;
praise the Lord with the gifts He has freely given each of us.
Amen! Alleluia!

Our sisters from the gift shop have some amazing numbers to share.

523 Loaves of Bread & Muffins

56 Plates of Squash Buns

25 Rose Petals

88 Bags of Nun-Better Noodles

36 Containers of Sunflower Brittle

541 Jars of Jams, Jellies & Pickles

876 Pieces of Work & Plants created by our Monastic Artisans

27 Sisters Shared Their Homemade Hospitality Treats

We have been blessed in many ways by the countless people who touch our lives. Guests from near and far joined us on Saturday, October 25th: South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa...and even...Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Minnesota, and even Virginia! Thank you for all who shared their gifts of time, talent, and treasure to support our International Student Sisters.

May Perpetual Light Shine Upon Her ~ Sr. Marie

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.

Our Healthcare Ministry...a Hundred Years Later

Greetings,

Saint Benedict's Rule calls us to offer our best in caring for those in need of medical care; "Before all things and above all things, care must be taken of the sick, so that they will be served as if they were Christ in person; for He Himself said, "I was sick, and you visited Me" and, "What you did for one of these least ones, you did for Me."" (RB 36)

Recently, KELO-Land news shared part of our century-long story of health care in Eastern South Dakota and surrounding areas.  The video highlights our collaborative work with the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary and our continued goal to provide Catholic Healthcare to those who need our help.

A Century of Service...

Sharing our Sacred Story

Greetings,

NCSW participants from Benedictine communities
and their student participants!

Sr. Bonita, OSB and Mount Marty College student, Rachel Shippy attended the launch event (March 7-9) for National Catholic Sisters Week (NCSW) at the University of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN.  NCSW was introduced the second week of March as a part of National Women's History Month to shine a national spotlight on the good works and good will of Catholic sisters.  NCSW recognizes past and present sisters, from the movers and shakers pressing the front lines of social change to the faithful praying in cloistered chapels.  More than 100 sisters and students from throughout the United States attended the weekend event.

Reflecting on this experience, Ms. Shippy said that she was blessed to have spent her weekend with so many amazing women.  "This experience gave me a lot of perspective and even more respect for women religious.  I was able to learn so much about the history of the impact these women have had on our current society.  I loved hearing the sisters' stories and how society's view and opinion of them and their life is definitely not as accurate as it should be."

Rachel and Sr. Bonita at the NCSW conference.

Sr. Bonita shared that "this conference is a watershed event for the Catholic sisters of the United States.  Each of the activities was rich with accurate and stimulating information.  Having so many young women present was exciting and encouraging.  St. Catherine's University is to be commended for their vision.  It was exciting to be a part of the launch activity initiating an annual event recognizing sisters and their stories."

All the conference sister and student participants.

Coming Soon...National Catholic Sisters Week

The first annual "National Catholic Sisters Week" begins this Saturday!  If you're wondering how this all began, follow this link to St. Catherine's University for the article.  However, we can tell you it all began with a graduate research paper, a size 9 shoe box filled with hundreds of cards indexing sisters who had made a contribution to academia, healthcare, and many other professions...

Consider one of the many ways you can help celebrate the Religious Sisters in your life.


Considerations for Campus Ministers:

o   Host a coffee hour meet-and-greet for Catholic sisters and students.

o   Offer a prayer service for vocations.

o   Have a trivia contest or a scavenger hunt related to Catholic sisters.

o   Hold a film screening – either a documentary or a popular film about sisters
(or with sisters in it) and hold a discussion afterwards.

o   Interview a sister on your campus’ radio show, television station or student newspaper.

o   Invite a Catholic sister to speak about her vocation at the end of Mass.

o   Hand over your Twitter account to a sister for a day – or enlist 7 sisters, one each day. 

o   Launch a photo contest inviting students to capture images of women religious. Invite members of your community to vote on their favorite online.

o   Coordinate a tour or volunteer activity at a sister’s ministry.

o   Publish a notice about National Catholic Sisters Week in your newsletter.

o   Post a picture and a paragraph about a canonized sister on Facebook each day of the week.

Considerations for Parishes:

o   Publish an announcement of the week in your bulletin or newsletter.

o   Begin an intercession for vocations to religious life and continuing praying for the lives and works of current sisters.

o   Create a display of sisters to showcase during the month of March.

o   Invite sisters to attend various parish meetings and groups.

o   Coordinate a volunteer activity at a sister’s ministry.

o   Ask sisters to share their stories with members of your group
(parishioners, students, young adults, etc.). 

o   Highlight sisters on your website.

o   Share first-person stories of admirable sisters through social media.

o   Choose a saint who was a sister to be your patron for the month of March – study her and pray for her intercession.

The Heart of Our Home

 Greetings,

The Rule of Benedict calls upon the prioress and the community to a particular love and care for the elders in their midst.  At Sacred Heart Monastery, we are blessed to have St. Joseph's Care Center in the heart of our home.  Our elders, the sick, and those recovering, all receive care and comfort not only from our nursing help, but also our own sisters in the monastery at home.

 The Volunteer Valentine party celebrated the sisters and friends who volunteer around the monastery and the sisters receive their joy-filled care.

"Although human nature itself is drawn to special kindness towards these times of life, that is towards the old and children, still the authority of the Rule should also provide for them.

Let their weakness be always taken into account, and let them by no means be held to the rigor of the Rule with regard to food. On the contrary, let a kind consideration be shown to them, and let them eat before the regular hours."
  (RB 37, 1-3)

 The sisters, volunteers, and staff of the Care Center enjoyed an annual soup supper organized by Barb, coordinator of activities for the Care Center.

"Before all things and above all things, care must be taken of the sick, so that they will be served as if they were Christ in person; for He Himself said, "I was sick, and you visited Me" and, "What you did for one of these least ones, you did for Me".

"But let the sick on their part consider that they are being served for the honor of God, and let them not annoy their sisters who are serving them by unnecessary demands. Yet they should be patiently borne with, because from such as these is gained a more abundant reward. Therefore the Abbess shall take greatest care that they suffer no neglect."
  (RB 36, 1-10)

Sisters Margo, the junior, and Leonette, the senior, preparing veggies for a weekly soup supper in the Care Center activity room.

"The juniors, therefore, should honor their seniors, and the seniors love their juniors." (RB 63, 10)








The monastery's retreat house for the sisters has recently been refurbished! After tearing up the old carpet and laying a new floor, the sisters stocked the rooms and cupboards and added some finishing touches. The changes have made the retreat space available to our sisters of all ages and abilities.

It is wonderful to have a home away from home to take some time away from the hustle and bustle of the 100 sisters around to house; to be with God in the silence of creation.

Blessings,

Computer Classes...in Kenya!

Greetings,

Please keep our Sister Bonita in prayer while she teaches computer skills classes in Kenya.  For the next several weeks she will be living and working with sisters from a variety of religious orders and places around the Tumaini Center in Nairobi, Kenya.  While this may not have been on Benedict's mind when he wrote chapter 50 of the Rule of Benedict: On Sisters Who Are Working Far Away from the Oratory or Are on a Journey, our sister is sharing the prayer and work with the student sisters of the program because she "shall perform the Work of God in the place where they are working, bending their knees in reverence before God" (RB 50: 2).  

In the past, Sister Bonita shared her computer skills through AIM (The Alliance for International Monasticism) during college breaks at Mount Marty.  She enjoyed working with the Benedictine Sisters of Our Lady Help of Christians in Tanzania in encouraging their computer literacy.  

This summer she is teaching in Nairobi, Kenya with the ASEC (African Sisters Education Collaborative).  You can follow her summer as teacher and learner as she blogs about her experiences. 

Blessings,