the University of Mary Professoriate ~ August 24, 2010
Several sisters gathered this morning at the entrance of Our Lady of the
Annunciation Chapel to greet the University of Mary Professoriate. The bells
heralded the arrival of the professors who processed outdoors, through the
cloister walk, and to the Chapel. God bless all of you as you educate the
students and share your many gifts!
Sister Nancy Miller, prioress, Sister Rosemary DeGracia, Sister
Margaret Nelson, Sister Janet Zander, Sister Agnes Reinert, Sister Eleanor
Stockert, Sister Gemma Peters and Sister Denise Ressler await the procession.
Sister Patricia Schap, Sister Hannah Vanorny, Sister Stephanie
Dolyniuk, Sister Claire Schmitt, Sister Lawrence Fischer, Sister Agatha Muggli,
Sister Madelyn Louttit, Sister Donna Johnson
Father Victor and University of Mary President, Father James
Shea, lead the way. The sisters are gathered on each side to greet them and
celebrate the start of a new school year.
Sister JoAnn Krebsbach is a professor in the theology department.
Sister Nicole Kunze is a chemistry professor.
Rosemary DeGracia Welcomed Into the Novitiate
August 15, 2010 ~ Prefer Nothing to Christ
Prioress Sister Nancy Miller and Rosemary DeGracia
A few of our sisters are shown here, gathered to welcome Rosemary
into the year-long novitiate, a year of deep immersion into Benedictine,
monastic life and study of the Rule of Benedict.
Prioress Sister Nancy Miller presents a copy of the Rule of Benedict to
Rosemary.
To Sister Rosemary's right is Sister Agatha Muggli, who will serve as her novice
director.
The ceremony is held just outside the monastic Chapel. Prayer followed the
novice ceremony.
Each sister welcomed Sister Rosemary with a warm embrace as well as prayerful
support.
Welcome Sister Rosemary. May God bless you during this
novitiate year as you ponder God's Word and receive the gifts of the monastic
charism.
* * * * *
Snappin' Beans
Sisters JoAnn Krebsbach, Donna Johnson, Patricia Schap and Kathryn Zimmer are
snapping fresh garden green beans for dinner. Our garden is amazing this
year! Thank you, God!
Sister Kathryn is always ready to lend a hand - and a smile!
Stormy Weather on August 2, 2010
Sisters Rebecca, JoAnn and Nancy Miller, prioress, watch as the storm rolls in.
The dark storm clouds were rotating in the distance.
* * * * *
Conference for Women Religious of Region XI
LCWR Gathers
Sister JoAnn Krebsbach, far right, was part of the conference
welcoming committee.
Sister Kathleen Atkinson, far left, presented on monastic life.
Sister Valerie Usher, OSF, presented on Evangelical religious life.
Over 375 women religious attended from apostolic, evangelical and
monastic communities in North and South Dakota and in Minnesota.
The following press release was provided by Sister Tierney Trueman, OSF,
Sisters of St. Francis, Rochester, MN
For immediate release:
St. Joseph, MN - July 17, 2010
The Conference for Women Religious of Region XI LCWR was held on Saturday,
July 17, 2010, at the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN. This was a
gathering of over 375 women religious from apostolic, evangelical and
monastic communities in North and South Dakota, and Minnesota.
The invitation was to participate in a conference, "Consecrated Life, a Gift
and Sign of God's Presence: Exploring Individual and Common Good."
Keynoters were two women of wisdom: Sister Mary Dacey, SSJ, and Sister
Christine Vladimiroff, OSB. The mood was one of delight, openness,
excitement.
The following statements reflect the positive experience and guiding force
of this group for the future.
We, the participants, were invited to remember . . .
* that consecrated life is a gift of God to the Church - a treasure for
the ecclesial community in the variety of charisms and institutions it
represents (Vita Consecrata);
*that in the history of the Church, there have been men and women
consecrated to God who, through a special gift of the Holy Spirit, have
carried out a genuinely prophetic ministry, speaking in the name of God to
all, even to the Pastors of the Church (Vita Consecrata);
*that there have been times in history when the mission of religious
congregations and the needs of the institutional Church overlapped;
*that we cannot forget who we are.
We wish to renew . . . *the
awareness that religious life nurtures discomfort with whatever values of
dominant culture are incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ; *the
awareness that "we face a crisis about the common good because there are
powerful forces at work among us to resist the common good, to violate
community solidarity, and to deny a common destiny;" (Brueggemann, Walter.
Journey to the Common Good, Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster, John Knox
Press, 2010, p.
1) *the
awareness that total dependence on God rather than one's own desires and
preferences can best develop in community. There is less opportunity to
fool ourselves into thinking we are holy. The best kind of
self-awareness, the kind that leads to deeper and deeper awareness of God
occurs in the company of others who reflect ourselves to us as we are;
*the
awareness that individualism represents a failure to ground oneself in a
faith that believes that God is communion and that our life--if we are to be
like God--is to build a communion of mutual love.
We recommit ourselves . . . *to
fresh enthusiasm; *to
community life that births relationships that model the inclusiveness of
Jesus who welcomed the sinner and the marginalized, addressed injustice and
invited all to a place at the table;
*to enter and engage the culture of our time and place where it is in
tension with the tradition and the Gospel, to bear witness to an alternative
reality. To be in dialogue with the culture can afford us an opportunity
for new insight and a graced perspective;
*to
be custodians of a Preferential Option for the Future of Religious Life; *to
deepen, intensify, strengthen our common bonds of solidarity, within our
respective congregations, among our many congregations of vowed sisterhood,
and with all of creation.
We ask these questions:
*What are we to be about?
*How do our different traditions enrich us?
*How
are we called today to ponder the Gospel, to break it open, to put it into
practice?
*How do we hold the tensions of opposites rather than react?
*What of our lives do we keep safely archived rather than
radically implemented?
*Do
we as women religious give witness to another reality than that of our
culture?
*Is this witness powerful enough to call others to Gospel living?
In conclusion: Our
world needs our communities to be a parable of the reign of God. We can
show the way; not only how to embrace a common good in which all can thrive,
but to reach to the holiest of communion with our God, with our Sisters, and
with all our brothers and sisters. The
dynamic energy was celebrative. We left with a feeling of accomplishment, a
sense of value and the motivation to take on the issues and concerns of our
world today.
For more information, please contact:
Sister Tierney Trueman, OSF,
Sisters of Saint Francis, Rochester, MN,
507-282-7441,
tierney.trueman@myclearwave.net
* * * * *
Father Shea Prepares an Italian Feast for Sisters and Students
We are so blessed. University of Mary President, Father
James Patrick Shea, is preparing a beautiful
Italian pasta dinner for the sisters and regional high school students who are
attending a Catholic studies program at the University of Mary. Who can resist the
aroma of bacon and garlic roasting in olive oil? We can hardly wait!
A happy welcome to the students who will join us for prayer, dinner and tours--and
a prayer of gratitude for Father Shea!
Father Shea with Sisters Nancy Miller and JoAnn Krebsbach.
* * * * *
The Prickly Pear Cactus in the monastery courtyard amazed us this week! The
yellow flowers bloom for only 24 hours. God surprises
us with beautiful wonders, even on prickly days!
Congratulations and blessings to our
Jubilarians!
Sisters Moireen Kelly, Joanne Graham and Lawrence Fischer at the
Liturgy celebrating their 75th and 50th anniversaries of monastic profession.
As part of the ceremony, the Jubilarians renew their vows.
Sister Thomas Welder
directs the Sisters' Choir. Many friends and family helped us
celebrate this blessed occasion. Liturgy was followed by a public
reception.
50th
jubilee, Sisters Joanne Graham, Lawrence Fischer
July 10, 2010
Every summer our monastic community publicly celebrates jubilees of sisters
who have lived the monastic life 25, 50 and 75 years. We do this to honor
sisters for their faithfulness to the Benedictine life which is based on
seeking God through prayer, community and service.
Today we celebrate the goodness of God through the lives of Sister Moireen,
Sister Joanne and Sister Lawrence. You are truly remarkable women. For a
combined total of 175 years you have remained committed day in and day out
to the monastic life. Your faithful dedication to God, our community and
the people of God inspires us. All of us, especially the Sisters of
Annunciation Monastery, give thanks for you and praise God for your presence
among us.
75
and 50 years is a long time to be faithful to anything. But you, Sisters
Moireen, Joanne and Lawrence, are witnesses that such a commitment is
possible. As young women, you heard a call to follow Jesus through the
Benedictine way of life and you said ‘yes.’ You said ‘yes’ to daily common
and personal prayer. You said ‘yes’ to living with other women who heard
that same call. You said ‘yes’ to serving the people of the Bismarck
Diocese and beyond. You have heeded Jesus’ command to love others and
because you have done this, Jesus calls you friends.
Each
of you has used your talents and abilities for unique and varied ministries.
You listened to God’s voice and followed where you were led.
Sister Moireen, even as a child you loved music and you enjoyed your
ministry as a music teacher, choir director and organist in Bismarck, Mandan
and Dickinson.
Then
as you tell the story, one day in 1959 Mother Edane called and said she
needed you at once at the new priory in Bismarck. You were to be in charge
of the purchasing for the new priory and Priory High School. You would have
much preferred to stay at St Patrick’s in Dickinson and teach music. But
you obeyed, came to Bismarck and served in that position for 10 years.
Then
you taught piano for 31 years at the monastery and the University of Mary.
And of course, there were many days when you climbed onto the organ bench
and played for community prayer.
Sister Moireen, we respect and love you as a founding member of our
community and thank you for the gift you are to us. Your steadfast faith
and commitment to God and community give powerful witness to all of us.
Sister Joanne, you have served in leadership positions within our monastery
as well as the civic and church communities throughout your entire monastic
life. You did not ask for a specific ministry; you were called to it. We
appreciate your service to people as nurse educator, administrator of St.
Alexius Medical Center, prioress of Annunciation Monastery, vice chancellor
and chancellor of the Bismarck Diocese and vice chancellor of the Diocese of
St. Cloud.
At
the time you were appointed chancellor of the Bismarck Diocese, you were one
of only six women in the United States to serve in that position. Sister
Joanne, this speaks highly about the Church’s respect and faith in your
leadership skills.
We
are grateful that you continue to work with canonical matters for the
Federation of St. Benedict and for our monastery and chair the monastery’s
Sponsorship Group.
Thank you Sister Joanne for saying “yes” to the many ways God has called you
to walk the path of Benedictine life. Your openness to God’s call has
benefited the community and all those you have served. You have grown
through your lived experience and we give thanks to God for your presence
among us.
Sister Lawrence, you too have said “yes’ to God’s will throughout your life
as a Benedictine.
In
the early days of your monastic life, you were asked to become a teacher
because the community needed teachers. You taught math for a short time but
eventually were led into the ministry where your heart is -
business administration.
You
were Priory High Bookkeeper, and business manager at the University of Mary
where you started the financial aid office and ran the bookstore. But we
know you best as treasurer of our community for the past 31 years. We are
grateful for your faithful stewardship of our financial resources. Your job
description is overwhelming and it is amazing at how well you do it.
We
appreciate your steadfastness, your attentiveness to detail and your
willingness to help others.
Sister Lawrence, thank you for dedication and love. You have the gift of
bringing about a spiritual sense of dollars and cents. You are grounded in
this way of life and have a genuine care for the people of God – be it
community members, family or the stranger who has come to the door in great
need.
In
just a few moments we will hear our jubilarians recommit themselves to the
monastic life through the threefold promise of stability, fidelity to the
monastic life and obedience.
Through our promise of stability we Sisters of Annunciation Monastery live
our entire lives with this particular group of women, in this community, in
this place. Stability invites us to grow deep roots with each other and the
people of the Bismarck Diocese. This is home for us. This is where we
strive to further the mission of Jesus.
By
the promise of fidelity to the monastic way of life, we commit ourselves to
keep on growing in the Benedictine way–to open ourselves continually to the
transforming grace of God and to remain committed to the entire monastic
lifestyle for as long as we live. As we strive to live out our monastic
life, we are called to daily conversion. We continually turn our lives over
the care of God and we follow where God is leading us.
Obedience means listening, listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit in the
Scriptures, in the Rule of Benedict, in the prioress and in one another. We
listen to those we serve; we listen to the call of the Church. We listen and
then respond in obedience to what we hear.
Sisters Moireen, Joanne and Lawrence this day is probably more memorable
than when you first made your monastic profession because you are wiser and
more experienced in the ways of the Lord. You understand more concretely
what it means to live out your monastic profession. There certainly have
been hills and valleys in your lives. But with the Lord’s help and the love
of others, you have persevered and will continue to progress in this way of
life.
St
Benedict says in his Rule, “As we progress in this way of life and in faith,
we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with
the inexpressible delight of love.” May your hearts overflow with love as
you continue on the Benedictine way to everlasting life.
Sisters Moireen, Joanne and Lawrence, you have been called by God to be
guided by the way of Benedict within the Benedictine Community of
Annunciation Monastery. You truly seek God. I ask you to come forward and
renew your monastic profession before the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery
and all those gathered here today.
* * * * *
Sisters of Annunciation Monastery
Celebrate 75 & 50 Years of Monastic Profession
Three
Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery will celebrate their 75th
and 50th anniversaries of monastic profession on July 10, 2010.
The public is invited to a reception in the monastic dining room from 2:30
p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sister Moireen Kelly, Sister Lawrence
Fischer and Sister Joanne Graham were called to serve in the “School of the
Lord’s Service" -- a testimony of what it means to live a life of prayer,
obedience and stability.
Sister Moireen Kelly – 75 Years
God and music are woven throughout
Sister Moireen’s years as a Benedictine Sister. Like notes on a musical
score, she marks her 75 years of monastic profession with joy and
appreciation.
Sister Moireen joined the Sisters of St.
Benedict, St. Joseph, MN, and made her first monastic profession on July 11,
1935 and began her life-long ministry as a music teacher, choir director and
organist. She was sent to Bismarck to teach music in schools and give piano
lessons.
Sister Moireen earned her Bachelor of
Arts degree from the College of St. Benedict. When the Benedictine Sisters
of Annunciation Monastery founded a new independent community in Bismarck,
she transferred her commitment from St. Benedict’s to Annunciation
Monastery.
Sister Moireen ministered throughout
North Dakota at St. Mary’s in Bismarck; St. Joseph’s Convent, Mandan; and at
St. Patrick’s Convent in Dickinson, where she also served as superior. She
also taught vacation school in Driscoll, Watford City and Belfield.
When the sisters opened Priory High in
Bismarck in 1959, Sister Moireen taught choir and was assigned the position
of procurator. She oversaw the furnishing of the cafeteria and rooms. She
recalls, “The furniture had been ordered by world-renowned architect Marcel
Breuer himself!”
She continued in her music ministry for
31 years at Annunciation Monastery and the University of Mary, where she was
a faculty member for 15 years. She was organist for her monastic community
until her retirement in 2007.
Sister Moireen says her life as a
Benedictine Sister of Annunciation Monastery continues to be fulfilling. She
has made the Benedictine motto, “prayer and work” her own throughout her
life. She says, “Every day, to the best of my ability, I try to do ordinary
things extraordinarily well.”
Sister Joanne Graham – 50 Years
Sister Joanne has served in leadership
positions throughout her life as a Benedictine sister. She was called to
serve as a nurse, nurse educator, hospital administrator, prioress of
Annunciation Monastery, and vice chancellor and chancellor of the Bismarck
Diocese. At the time she was appointed chancellor by Bishop John F. Kinney,
she was one of six women in the United States to serve in that position in
the Church. Later she also was vice chancellor of the Diocese of St. Cloud,
Minn.
Early on, Sister Joanne had an interest
in health care. She earned a nursing diploma from St. Elizabeth School of
Nursing, Lincoln, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing education from St.
Louis University, St. Louis, Mo.
She recalls, “There was a tugging in my
heart that I was trying to deny,” and she began to consider a religious
vocation. She felt drawn to the Benedictine charism and before long she was
boarding a plane to a place she’d never been before -- Annunciation
Monastery and the prairies of North Dakota. She felt connected to these
sisters and was received as a postulant in December of 1958 and made her
monastic profession as a Benedictine Sister of Annunciation Monastery on
July 11, 1960.
Sister Joanne taught at the St. Alexius
School of Nursing and worked in obstetric nursing floor when prioress Mother
Edane asked her to pursue a master’s degree in hospital administration. She
did so and earned her master’s in 1966 from St. Louis University.
She returned to St. Alexius and served
as administrator and president of the board, a position Sister Joanne held
from June 1966 to May 1976. In June, she was elected prioress of
Annunciation Monastery and served until her term ended in May 1980.
Sister Joanne was associate
administrator at St. Alexius from 1980 to 1985 and Bishop John Kinney asked
her to serve as vice chancellor of the Diocese of Bismarck in 1986. She
later became chancellor of the Diocese, a position she held until 2003.
During this period, Sister Joanne earned a pontifical degree in canon law,
from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Sister Joanne works with canonical
matters for the Federation of St. Benedict and her monastic community. She
is a member of the University of Mary Board of Trustees and is a certified
spiritual director and chair of Annunciation Monastery’s Ministry of
Sponsorship group. The University of Mary awarded Sister Joanne an honorary
doctorate in leadership.
Sister Joanne says, “My greatest reward
has been watching people, with whom I’ve ministered, develop their gifts and
serve God.” She finds great joy in witnessing the recognition of gifts in
others who then rise to the challenges of their ministry, just as she has
been called to do over these past 50
years.
Sister Lawrence Fischer – 50 Years
Saying “Yes” to God is central to Sister
Lawrence’s life of dedication and loving service to others. As treasurer of
Annunciation Monastery for the past 32 years, Sister Lawrence began saying
“yes” to God’s will even before she was a Benedictine Sister.
With deep roots in southwestern North
Dakota, Sister Lawrence graduated from Rhame Public High School. Gifted in
many areas, she decided to pursue a degree in accounting and business at St.
Benedict’s College in St. Joseph, Minn. At St. Benedict’s she became
acquainted with more of the sisters and often attended Mass and Vespers.
A major turning point in her life
occurred when Sister Lawrence attended the novice reception for a friend who
was joining the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery in Bismarck.
When exchanging goodbyes, a friend asked, “Will you be in the novice class
next year?” In a grace-filled moment, Sister Lawrence responded, “Well,
yes!” She became a postulant with the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation
Monastery in December of 1958 and became a novice in June, 1959.
Sister Lawrence attended the University
of Mary and received her Bachelor of Arts in theology/philosophy with a
double minor in business education and math. She taught math in Bismarck at
Cathedral School, St. Mary’s Central High School and Priory High. As
business manager, Sister Lawrence started the University of Mary’s financial
aid office and ran the bookstore.
Sister Lawrence earned her master’s in
business administration from Creighton University, Omaha, NE. She returned
home and was appointed treasurer for the monastic community where she
continues to serve today. Sister Lawrence also served on the St. Alexius
Board of Directors for many years.
As she considers the blessings of the
past 50 years, Sister Lawrence says, “We live our lives day by day and we
continue following our call. I still feel God leading me where I am needed.”
* * * *
Congratulations to the
Diocese of Bismarck
for 100 Years of
Faithful Ministry!
The Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation
Monastery were present for many of the Centennial Celebration festivities.
We visited with hundreds (maybe thousands) of wonderful people from
throughout the Diocese of Bismarck. How great it was to greet
long-time/and new friends! We had booths in the vendor area where we
displayed how we live our Benedictine monastic life today and we had a
historical booth which shows the journey of our Benedictine foremothers who
planted deep roots here in 1878. Our sisters participated in the
beautiful opening and closing events, Eucharistic liturgy and in the choir.
How blessed are we to share and affirm our Catholic faith with others!
Sisters Kathleen and
Gerard tending the Annunciation Monastery booth
Sister Kathleen visits
with Jean Olson of Corpus Christi Parish
Sisters Kathryn Zimmer
and Mariah Dietz explore the wide variety of booths
* * * * *
Perpetual Monastic Profession of Sister Nancy Gunderson
June 5, 2010
Sister Nancy Gunderson signs her document of profession beside
Prioress Sister Nancy Miller (right).
Photo credit: Jerry Anderson
Act of Profession - When the candidate is to be received, she comes
before the whole community in the oratory and promises stability, fidelity to
monastic life and obedience. She states her promise in a document drawn up in
the name of the saints whose relics are there, and of the prioress, who is
present. (Rule of Benedict)
Prioress Sister Nancy Miller presents the Profession Ring to
Sister Nancy Gunderson.
Photo credit: Jerry Anderson
The Profession Ring - A sign of commitment to God and the community of
sisters, is designed with the bell banner of Annunciation Monastery. The banner
is a symbol of strength, stability and fidelity to daily prayer.
Sister Nancy Miller, Sister Nancy Gunderson and Father Valerian
Odermann joyfully process out of Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel. Photo
credit: Jerry Anderson
Sister Nancy Gunderson is welcomed by Sister Gerard Wald, Sister
Denise Ressler and friend, Claudia Dietrich, as well as her sisters in
community, family and friends. A reception followed in the monastic dining
room.
Today is a day of great joy and thanksgiving. Sister Nancy, we Sisters of
Annunciation Monastery thank you for the gift you are to us. We look forward
to walking with you as we seek God together through the monastic way of
life.
Bishop Zipfel, Fathers Daniel, Victor and Valerian, family and friends of
Sister Nancy thank you for your presence here today to witness and celebrate
Sister Nancy’s perpetual monastic profession. Sister Nancy and we Sisters
of Annunciation Monastery are grateful for your support and encouragement as
we welcome her into full membership in our monastic community.
Perpetual monastic profession is a profound commitment. It is first of all a
response to the initiative of God, to God’s free call. Its source is
baptism. At baptism, Sister Nancy became a child of God. Later, hearing the
call to monastic life, she said “yes” - eager to grow in the knowledge and
love of God.
You
might ask, just what is monastic life? It is a lifestyle that focuses more
intently on making God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – the center of our
lives through living in community, under the Rule of Benedict and a
prioress. At Annunciation Monastery, this is lived out in concrete ways. We
live, pray and eat together, we practice sacred reading and meditation, we
contribute to household tasks and we support each other in our ministries.
Our monastic life not only helps us to be God-centered but also
other-centered. We have dedicated our lives to God, to each other and to all
God’s people.
The
Rule of Benedict was written 1500 years ago, but it is still relevant
because it is based on Gospel values and is adaptable to our time and
culture. St. Benedict was a wise, holy monk who knew how to help his
followers become more transformed into the image of Jesus Christ.
During the rite of profession, we will hear Sister Nancy make a threefold
promise of stability, fidelity to the monastic life and obedience. It might
seem like Sister Nancy is making three promises but for St. Benedict it is
one promise with three intertwined facets. A monastic woman can’t live one
without the other.
Stability means that Sister Nancy will put down roots in the community of
Annunciation Monastery, in this place overlooking the Missouri River, with
these sisters. It is here where she will develop life-long bonds within the
community and with the people of the region. This is home for her.
By
fidelity to the monastic way of life, Sister Nancy will commit herself to
keep on growing in the Benedictine way – to open herself continually to the
transforming grace of God. She will strive to be faithful to the entire
monastic lifestyle, - prayer, community and service – for the rest of her
life.
Obedience involves listening intently for the will of God in our lives. As
Benedictines we believe that when we listen, God speaks. Sister Nancy will
listen for the voice of God through the Scriptures, the Rule, the prioress,
the women with whom she lives, to those she serves, to the call of the
Church and the cry of the poor. Through all of these interconnections, God
will speak and direct the movements of her life.
Shortly, Sister Nancy will stand before God and us and make her perpetual
monastic profession. She and I will sign the document of profession on the
altar and leave it there as a symbol that she has given her entire self to
God.
Then, with her arms raised in a stance of receptivity, she will sing the
Suscipe, “Receive me O Lord according to your promise and I shall live. Do
not disappoint me in my hope.” It is a call for God’s help in living out
what she has just promised. The Sisters of Annunciation Monastery will
respond as a sign of our support of Sister Nancy.
Next
she will kneel before the altar and we will sing a litany of blessings /
that she be given the strength and courage to live out her perpetual
monastic profession. She kneels as a gesture of humility and as a sign of
dependence on God and the community.
In
the final action of the profession rite, Sister Nancy will receive our
community’s ring, a visible sign of her commitment to God and the Sisters of
Annunciation Monastery.
Sister Nancy, Jesus says to you, “You did not choose me but I chose you. And
I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.” We pray that
you will go forth this day and joyfully carry the fruit of Christ’s love to
all those you meet along life’s way.
Sisters Donna, JoAnn and Thomas enjoy the rockers outside The
Cracker Barrel.
Sisters JoAnn, Thomas, Janet and Donna browse the interesting
goods at the country store
* * * * *
SPONSORSHIP: Sharing Our Legacy
On May 5, our Sisters took another step forward in our Ministry of Sponsorship.
Our monastic community hosted a sponsorship formation day that brought the
leadership of our sponsored ministries together in one location. Side by side,
our Sisters and institutional leaders are learning new ways to share our legacy
at the University of Mary, St. Alexius Medical Center, Garrison Memorial
Hospital and Annunciation Monastery's Hospitality Center.
We were blessed to have Dr. John "Jack" Shea, author and expert in sponsorship,
as our speaker and facilitator for the day. Through his storytelling and
reflective questions, leaders discussed how to nurture the continuation of
mission through servant leadership, the Benedictine values, human growth and
development, and serving with humility and gratitude.
We were grateful to have Most Reverend Paul A. Zipfel, Bishop of
Bismarck, join us for our day of sponsorship formation. He is pictured
here with subprioress, Sister JoAnn Krebsbach.
Empowered with a better ability to articulate the personal responsibility that
is integral to sharing our legacy, participants shared their thoughts.
Here are just a few:
"Today I learned to embrace my calling to receive all as Christ and play my
part in God's plan."
"I need to treat my support staff with greater dignity - be more aware of my
relationships and more mindful of other's worth."
"The Sisters need the lay people to carry on the ministry of sponsorship and
we are up to the task. We need to be storytellers and carriers of the mission."
"I am going to try to live out of gratitude and affirm others as often as
possible."
"Dr. Shea's mesage inspired me to reflect on how I might better integrate and
embody the Benedictine values."
Welcome St. Mary's Grade School!
Sister Patricia Schap has always loved children and teaching. Each week
she goes to St. Mary's Grade School to help with a class of 2nd graders in their
reading groups. Today we were blessed when they paid a visit to
Annunciation Monastery and got to see Sister Patricia's home! After a tour
of the Monastery, the children said a prayer in Chapel and were treated to some
homemade monster cookies and lemonade! Thanks for visiting!
Sister Patricia and 2nd grade class at St. Mary's Grade School
Sister Patricia invites students to pray for someone special in
their lives.
Cookies, lemonade and lots of giggles!
Prioress Sister Nancy Miller and Sister Patricia had a great time
sharing stories with the teacher and children.
* * * * *
Sisters Present the "Benedictine Spirit Award" to Dr. Robert
Bury
Click on the headline (above
photo) to read
about Sister Kathleen Atkinson's work in Guatemala. She is the Director for
Community and Government Advocacy with the God's Child Project's Institute for
Trafficked, Exploited & Missing Persons (ITEMP). Sister Kathleen is
participating in a field experience in Guatemala to learn Spanish, become
immersed in the Guatemalan culture and research issues of human trafficking.
* * * * *
Funeral
Reflection for Sister Rachel Mayer
Sister Nancy Miller,
Prioress
March 20, 2010
We
are here to celebrate and give God thanks for giving us Sister Rachel for 74
years – a woman totally dedicated to seeking God through the Benedictine way
of life and to bringing children and adults closer to Jesus and deeper into
our Catholic faith. This was a ministry she dearly loved.
At
Christ the King and in her 38 years at Cathedral School, she
enthusiastically prepared hundreds of children for their first taste of the
Bread of Life, for the sacrament of reconciliation and for confirmation. And
I am told she was quite persistent in persuading or as Sister Rebecca said,
begging Father Kramer to let her start RCIA. RCIA is the Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults, a program Sister Rachel directed for 19 years. It gave
her much joy to walk the faith journey with RCIA participants. All of us
knew when Easter was coming because Sister Rachel would become more excited
and animated. The eagerly looked forward to the Easter vigil when her RCIA
candidates were baptized into the Catholic faith. She was so proud of
them. Their faith always inspired her.
But
Sister Rachel was more than her ministry. She was a faithful monastic woman.
Day in and day out, she was faithful to common and personal prayer, to meals
together, and to caring for others. She was there for us and we knew it.
Generous, loving and accepting of others, she gave her time and talents to
community wherever she lived: she cooked meals, played the organ for
prayers, participated in the work of several internal committees, served as
our community archivist, and overall was just good to be with. She shared
her love of sports with other sports enthusiasts and always enjoyed a good
game of pinochle. And she liked to win!!!
Her
family was important to her. Sister Rachel felt a special bond with you
Sister Rebecca, Cliff and Karen, Vern and Barb and the rest of the family.
She loved you. She prayed for you, often told stories about you, shared the
latest pictures and relished any family or sister get – together. You and
all of us have wonderful memories of Sister Rachel which do not end with her
death. They live on in our hearts and give us comfort.
As
she was there for us when she was healthy, we were there for her in her
illness. I know she appreciated and was grateful for everyone, especially
her caregivers, who helped her progress as far as she did. We don’t know why
God let her work so hard to get well and then allowed another health
setback. God’s timing is a mystery we do not understand. Sister Rachel was
in God’s hands and when it was her time, God called her home.
Sister Rachel longed for God all her life. Through the grace of baptism, she
became a child of God whom she yearned to see with her own eyes. As her
illness gradually diminished her outer being, even her eyesight, we can only
imagine what was going on in her inner being. Today’s reading from Job said,
“My own eyes, not another’s shall behold him. And from my flesh I shall see
God.” We pray that Sister Rachel has been given her heart’s desire and is
now seeing God face to face.
Sister Rachel, we love you and we will miss you. We know and believe that
you are now experiencing newness of life, free of anything that hinders you
from God. We rejoice and give thanks that you have been a part of our lives.
* * * * *
Reflection for Sr. Rachel
Mayer’s Wake
March 19, 2010
Sister Gerard Wald, OSB
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not
sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins of the
whole world.” I John 19: 1-2
Sister Rachel’s 74 years of life were years filled with service for the Lord
through her family connections, the community of Annunciation Monastery, and
the Church.
Sister
Rachel Mayer with her sister, Sister Rebecca Mayer
She
was raised in a strong Catholic family which gave her the foundation to
serve the Church as a faithful servant all her life. She is close to her
family members, her siblings Sr. Rebecca, Vern and Cliff. She treasures her
nieces and nephews. She loved their visits, their energy and enthusiasm for
life. They brought her great joy.
She
loved the monastic life. Through her formation program as a religious she
developed a deep appreciation for the Liturgy of the Hours. She did
everything she could to enhance community prayer. Even in her last weeks of
life, after her sight had diminished, she would still come to prayer. She
said, “even though I can’t read anymore I want to be at prayer to hear the
Sisters recite and sing the psalms.” It is so comforting to be with the
community at prayer. The last time that she was in this chapel was three
weeks ago today, when she was anointed in anticipation of her upcoming
hospitalization. Afterward she said, “It is consoling to receive the
sacrament of the sick.” After having taught the sacraments to children for
so many years, she knew the grace that comes with the reception of the
sacraments.
Her
faithfulness to community life was also witnessed by her participation in
our ongoing formation programs, serving on committees, offering her gifts
and abilities to foster and enhance community life.
Her
supportive presence and her great sense of humor made serving with her a
delight.
The
last few years she was on the Tuesday evening dishwashing crew with Sr.
Hannah and me. She was so fun to tease and occasionally we practiced our
German on her, to see how much German she remembered. We miss her not being
there with us.
In
her educational ministry in the Church for 48 years, she impacted hundreds
of students. Her commitment to Catholic education was outstanding. Her
creativity in the classroom made her the favorite teacher of many of her
students. Sr. Rebecca shared with me a note she received from one of her
students from 40 years ago--who today still remembers her as her favorite
teacher. Now that is impressive! A co-worker said that her children also
remember her as their finest, favorite teacher. Sr.Rachel’s patience, her
ability to engage students in the learning process, and her love of ritual
made her classroom a vibrant place. My guess is that there was never a
boring moment in her classroom. People, who worked with her, and all of us,
knew her as a woman with a warm heart, always going the extra mile to serve
others, especially children.
She
practiced the following Scripture passage from St. Matthew’s Gospel daily in
her classroom as she prepared children for the sacraments. “Little
children were being brought to Jesus in order that he might lay his hands on
them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them; it is for
such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs, and he laid his hands on
them and went away.” Matthew 19:13-15. As we know part of ritual in
receiving the sacraments is laying on of hands or some other gesture. Sr.
Rachel loved the sacramental rituals and prepared the children for the
sacraments by getting them ready for that moment of receiving formally the
sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation. She put her whole heart
and soul into these preparations. She gently laid her hands and gave her
heart to all the children that she prepared.
In
more recent years she was at Cathedral part time and was responsible for the
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program. This I belief was
the highlight of her service to the people of God. She was so pleased to be
able to prepare adults for the initiation sacraments. She would get very
animated when she talked about how much it meant to work with adults who
were getting ready to fully immerse themselves in the Catholic faith. The
RCIA process involves many rituals, and she thrived in helping them
experience these rituals of initiation in a meaningful way. She was a
detailed person so the preparation and rituals came off perfectly.
More
recently she ministered at the Monastery in our archives. She really enjoyed
this work, and she especially enjoyed it when the novices would come and
help her. Their enthusiasm for history, especially history of our community
gave her great joy. Her ability to be attentive to details made her an
excellent archivist. One of the most important events about this ministry
was that she was able to attend a seminar for archivists last summer. She
was so pleased that her oncologist would be willing to schedule her
Chemotherapy treatments in such a way that she could attend this seminar.
Sr.
Rachel’s life was not all work and prayer. She had a great love of sports
especially baseball. She was a faithful fan of the Twins and listened to, or
watched them faithfully. She would get upset when they didn’t play well, but
she remained a faithful fan. When she retired from teaching at Cathedral she
was given the gift of attending a Twins game. She invited Sisters Donna,
Rebecca and Denise along to enjoy this event, and they had a grand time.
Recently Sr. Donna found a Twins cap in her room. After she was admitted to
St. Vincent’s Care Center, Sr. Donna took the cap to her. She wore it all
afternoon but decided that she probably should not wear it to supper. This
was probably one of the last conscious decisions she made. She was also a
Marauder fan. She faithfully listened to the Marauders on the radio and
cheered them on.
She
also engaged in community recreation by doing jigsaw puzzles, playing
scrabble and pinochle. She and Rebecca had their sisterly bonding times at
our cabin every year. Their days there were filled with prayer, playing
scrabble, and Sr. Rachel doing Jig-Saw puzzles. I understand she also was an
excellent cook and was able to make their favorite foods.
Sr.
Rachel lived a full life. Unfortunately, this last year was a challenging
time for her. She was determined to get healthy after her hospitalization
last summer. She worked at rehab every day. When you asked her it she
needed help she would frequently say three times, “I can do it, I can do it,
I can do it.” She was determined to get well because she wanted go back to
Cathedral to do the RCIA program, and to work in the archives.
She
was truly a good and faithful servant, an inspiration to all of us on how to
live every day of our lives to the fullest.
Rachel, we will truly miss you!
In Loving Memory of Sister Rachel Mayer
Sister Rachel Mayer, 74, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation
Monastery, Bismarck, entered eternal life, March 17, 2010, at a Bismarck
care center.
Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 20 in the
chapel of Annunciation Monastery. A wake service will be held Friday at 7
p.m. at the monastery. Visitation begins at 4:30 p.m. today at the
monastery and continues until the time of the funeral.
Arlene Kathryn was born August 23, 1935, on a farm near Mott, N.D. She was
the oldest of four children of Joseph J. and Rose (Harle) Mayer. In 1943 the
family moved to a farm near Regent N.D. where Arlene and her sister and
brothers grew up. After high school, Arlene earned a degree in nursing and
worked in pediatrics at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Minot, N.D. But she felt
something was missing in her life. She felt a desire to seek God more
fully.
In
1956 she entered Annunciation Monastery where her younger sister, Sister
Rebecca was a member. Arlene took the name of Sister Rachel and made
monastic profession July 11, 1958. The community asked her to become a
teacher and she found she had natural gifts for that ministry. “It was
exactly where I was meant to be,” she said. She taught 10 years at Christ
the King School, Mandan, and spent 38 years at Cathedral Grade School,
Bismarck.
In
her kind, patient and organized manner, Sister Rachel brought many children
and adults deeper into the Catholic Church and closer to Jesus. At the
Cathedral, she prepared hundreds of children for first confession and first
communion. She coordinated children’s liturgies, was confirmation
coordinator and director of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
RCIA was especially close to her heart. It was life-giving for her to
accompany adults on their faith journey and to see how much their baptismal
commitment meant to them. She rejoiced every Easter to see her RCIA
participants baptized into the Catholic Church.
In
2004, Sister Rachel began to divide her time between RCIA and serving as
archivist for the monastery. Eager to learn new ways to enhance her
ministries, Sister Rachel kept current on sacramental programs, RCIA and how
to computerize the archival collection.
Sister Rachel had a deep love for her family and liked to share pictures of
her nieces and nephews and their children. She enjoyed crocheting and made
small gifts for family and friends. While she crocheted, she either prayed
or listened to sports on the radio. She liked all kinds of sports: baseball,
basketball, football and even golf.
Sister Rachel also loved her Benedictine sisters and the monastic life.
“The blessings of living in community are too numerous to count,” she said
on the occasion of her 50th anniversary as a Benedictine.
Sister Rachel was diagnosed with cancer a year ago. She was hospitalized
with health complications and had to relearn to walk and to use her hands
again. She was determined to return to work and was making good progress.
When sisters offered to help, she would say, “No, I can do it.” About six
weeks ago she had another health setback and eventually God called her
home.
Sister Rachel is survived by her sister, Sister Rebecca, Bismarck; two
brothers, Vernon (Barb), Bismarck, Clifford (Karen), Oxnard, Calif.; nieces,
nephews and their children and the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery.
Memorials may be made to Annunciation Monastery.
To
share memories of Sister Rachel, visit
www.parkwayfuneral.com and sign the online guest book (Parkway Funeral
Service, Bismarck)
Sister Kathleen Atkinson's Photos from Guatemala
Sister Kathleen holds a baby in the nursery at Casa Jackson.
Sister Kathleen helps with food distribution.
* * * * *
Sister Nancy
Gunderson Renews First Monastic Profession
Sister Nancy
Gunderson (left) renews her first monastic profession. She signs the
profession document in the presence of Sister Nancy Miller, prioress
(pictured at her right).
Reflection – Sister
Nancy Miller, Prioress
Renewal of First
Monastic Profession – Sister Nancy Gunderson
February 7, 2010
The gospel for today is very
fitting for Sister Nancy as she renews her first monastic profession.
Actually, the message of today’s gospel is fitting for all of us as we seek
to deepen our commitment to follow Jesus in the monastic life.
St. Luke tells the story.
He says that after teaching the crowds, Jesus directs Peter to “go out in
the deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Peter was skeptical. After
all they had fished all night and had caught nothing. But Peter did as
the Lord commanded and caught so many fish that they nearly sunk two boats.
Peter, James and John were simply
astonished at the size of the catch. They felt Jesus’ Divine Presence and
were in awe of it. They left everything to follow Jesus even though
they didn’t know where he was going or how the journey would affect their
lives.
Sister Nancy and all of us have
heard Jesus’ call to leave everything – possessions, family, friends, even
to give up our own wills to follow Jesus in the monastic way of life.
We don’t know where Jesus is taking us. We don’t know what hills and valleys
will be part of our journey. We do know that when we accepted Jesus’
invitation to walk on this path; we eliminated other paths. Each of our
lives could have taken a different turn, but Sister Nancy and all of us said
yes to this one - to the monastic way. Experience and the pioneers of
this community have shown us that by being faithful to Benedictine life–
prayer, lectio, community, stability, obedience, and service, we will be
amazed at the surprises in our lives.
Like Peter was amazed by the
large catch of fish when he obeyed Jesus’ command to let down the nets, we
too are surprised by what happens when we let down our defenses and open
ourselves to listening for and obeying God’s will. We find ourselves in
ministry positions or involved in opportunities to spread God’s word and
help people in ways that we never dreamed would happen when we entered the
monastery. I am sure all of us can relate to this. God uses our
prayers, talents and gifts for the good of others.
But being faithful is not easy.
There are challenges to be consistently present at community prayer, to work
at something we would rather not do, to go out of our way to be hospitable
to a guest, to pitch in and help with tasks around the house or monastery,
to enter into a ministry that is unfamiliar. However, this is what our
life is about – being faithful to the ordinariness of daily living, being
there for each other without criticism or grumbling, serving the people of
God and above all being committed to deepening our search for God.
Sister Nancy, as you renew your
commitment to monastic life, may you be blessed with wonderful surprises on
the path God has chosen for you.
May all of us prefer nothing to
Christ and may He lead us all together to everlasting life.
* * * * *
Sisters in first profession receive a stone with their name
engraved on it -- a symbol of their belonging to the community. Sisters
Hannah, Madelyn and Nancy Gunderson received their stones on Feb. 7.
* * * * *
Sisters
Prepare and Serve Meal at The Banquet
Many
wonderful groups of people dedicate precious resources and
time to the weekly meal served at Trinity Lutheran Church.
The Sisters of Annunciation Monastery have been
participating in this for the past several years and last
night was our night again! Thank you for allowing us to be a
part of this important ministry! We pray for all those
who are served and those who serve!
Lt. to Rt.:
Rosemary DeGracia and Sisters Patricia, Agatha, Gerard and
Rosanne
Among their many duties,
Sister Gerard and Sister Mariah "relished" their duty of pickle patrol.
Sister Patricia and
Sister Margaret "rolled" out the feast!
Sister Donna and Sister
JoAnn set tables.
Sister Thomas was hard
at work setting tables and serving guests.
Even little guys can be
servant leaders.
"Butter" hurry up and
get those out to the tables!
Sister Hannah and friend
"gLOVE" working together!
* * * * *
Annunciation
Monastery Gift Shop
Come
visit us and browse through our shop. We have
handmade cards for various occasions, pottery, gift bags, and embroidered dish
towels among other gift items. Most items are created by the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery. Check
out the new DVD of our history.
Annunciation Monastery
7520 University Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504.
701-255-1520
