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Archived Monastery Happenings

2006

Wishing You a Blessed and Happy New Year!!!

Our sisters served a dinner with friends at "The Banquet," an offering at Bismarck's Trinity Lutheran Church on December 22.  Below are Sisters Susan Berger, Rosanne Zastoupil, Mariah Dietz and sisters who were out and about spreading Christmas cheer with their annual caroling!

Design:  Sr. Edith Selzler

The hoarfrost set a dramatic scene as did the bell banner shrouded in the mist.

  (lt. to rt.):  Annunciation Monastery, "Abigail Freeze" on the sisters' deck, icy branches.

"God has been out flocking our trees..."   Quote from Sister Terence Glum (12/12/06)

*****

Hannah Vanorny is Welcomed as a Postulant ~ Sunday, November 26, 2006

The community of sisters gathered in the monastery foyer to await affiliate, Hannah Vanorny's (center) arrival at the front door.  This blessed event is the next step of Hannah's life with the sisters as a postulant.  Prioress Sister Susan Berger (in red) welcomed Hannah, suitcase in hand, at the door after Hannah knocked.  In her own words, Hannah answers Sister Susan's question, "Hannah, what do you seek?"  Sister JoAnn Krebsbach, affiliate director, presents Hannah to the sisters, acknowledging that the Initial Formation Committee, Hannah and the prioress have determined her ready to take this next step in the process of becoming a full member of the monastic community.  Hannah was received during a special ceremony, followed by warm hugs and welcomes.  Hannah was shown her bedroom at the monastery.  Evening prayer followed, as well as a special dinner of warm celebration.

  Postulant Hannah Vanorny and Prioress Sister Susan Berger.  A celebratory dinner was enjoyed by all!

******

Sisters Donate Winter Woolies to Add Warmth to the Holidays

Sisters Ralphine Fried, Terence Glum and Edith Selzler display their "winter woolies" made with love which will be donated to the children of St. Peter's Catholic Indian Mission in Fort Yates, ND.

Blankets, scarves, hats, mittens, Christmas stockings and sweaters will help keep children       warm this winter.

Sister Ruth Margaret makes every holiday bright and colorful. 

We wish you a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

SISTERS WELCOME OBLATES KAREN AND DWIGHT KAUTZMAN

Prioress Sister Susan Berger, Dwight and Karen Kautzman, Sister Susan Lardy, Oblate Director

Sisters, family and friends celebrated with Dwight and Karen Kautzman, who made their oblation at Annunciation Monastery during Mass on Sunday, November 5.  We are so happy to have them join our "Benedictine family" and support and pray for them as they deepen their relationship with God.  WELCOME!

We Love Our Volunteers!

Sister Moireen Kelly and Mary Wilson.              Janet von Ruden at the switchboard.

We'd like to express our deep appreciation and love for our dedicated volunteers, Mary Wilson and Janet von Ruden.  They are truly our sisters, in Christ!  Mary and Janet faithfully cover the front desk at Annunciation Monastery - greeting visitors, answering the switchboard and doing a variety of tasks. The sisters and staff enjoy Mary and Janet so much and are pleased to hear the feeling is mutual!  Mary says, "I always leave thinking, 'Thank you, Lord, for letting me be here.' There's just something about being here that feels so good!" Janet loves the sisters' smiles and conversation as well as the hospitable peaceful environment at the monastery.

Heartfelt thanks and prayers go out to these wonderful women who offer their gifts of time, talent and friendship!

Mady Louttit Becomes Postulant of Annunciation Monastery

Prioress Sister Susan Berger, Mady Louttit (postulant), Sister Margaret Nelson               and Sister JoAnn Krebsbach

In a joyful ceremony, Mady Louttit knocked upon the door of Annunciation Monastery on Sunday, August 13, and was welcomed as a postulant by Prioress Sister Susan Berger and the community of Sisters of Annunciation Monastery.

*****

Congratulations to postulant, Mady Louttit, and affiliate, Hannah Vanorny!

The sisters held a festive graduation party on Saturday, August 12, for Mady and Hannah as they celebrated their recent graduations. Mady received her MA in Theology from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, Long Island, New York.  Hannah graduated from North Dakota State University with a MS in History. Congratulations! 

Please join us in praying for our women in formation.

*****

WELCOME FEDERATION OF ST. BENEDICT!

For more information on the Federation of St. Benedict, log on to:  http://www.osb.org/fedben/

Council members of the Federation of St. Benedict (as of July 2006):

Sisters Mary Benedict Pratt (Bahamas), Agatha Muggli (Bismarck), Michaela Hedican (Eau Claire), Maureen O'Larey (Lacey), Nancy Bauer (St. Benedict's, MN)

FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006

The business meeting on Friday concluded with the passing of two resolutions. The first resolution called the members of the Federation of St. Benedict to educate themselves and others on the issue of torture, to use every means available to advocate for ending its use, and to endorse the statement, "Torture Is a Moral Issue" of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture and to support this organization's work.

The second resolution was brought forth by the Benedictine Sisters of Japan in agreement with the Catholic Bishops' Japanese Conference that the United States government withdraw its support of the Japanese Prime Minister for abolishing Article 9 and respect and maintain Japan's Peace Constitution with its Article 9.

After having viewed the video, Everyday Creativity by DeWitt Jones the chapter spent the afternoon discussing ways in which the member monasteries can offer support and collaborate with one another.

Sisters Austin Chang, Gertrudis Lu and Rosalyn Tsai (Taiwan) offer the Lord's Prayer in Chinese to start the day

Sisters Karen Streveler (Eau Claire) and Margaret Nelson, recording secretary (Bismarck)

Small group sharing: Sisters Jean Maher (Duluth), Mary Benedict Pratt (Bahamas) and Teresia Saito (Japan)

Sister Joanne Graham (Bismarck) reports from the Juridic Committee

SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2006

Sister Michaela Hedican, president of the Federation of St. Benedict, gave the president's report to the Federation Chapter on Saturday, July 22, 2006. The report was titled The Face of the Federation. Sister Michaela shared how the Federation is living out the Direction Statement approved by the Federation Chapter 2003-2009.

Direction Statement, 2003-2009

     Rooted in the gospel and our monastic stability, we the members of the

     Federation of St. Benedict will explore creative ways to share our gifts of

     leadership and human and material resources, and claim our role as

     ecclesial women during this challenging period in our church.

The chapter also elected two council members for a six year term. They are Sister Maureen O'Larey, O.S.B., St. Placid Priory, Lacey, WA and Sister Agatha Muggli, O.S.B., Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, ND. They will be responsible for advising and assisting the president in her role of service to the federation.

Heritage Day, July 22, celebrates the coming of Benedictinism for women to the United States in 1852. Special prayers and a Eucharistic celebration highlighted the day. A banquet was held in the evening followed by entertainment provided by Matt Schanandore.

SATURDAY EVENING, JULY 22 (Banquet):

Sisters enjoy sharing a lovely meal, conversation and entertainment (Native American music and storytelling) by Matt Schanandore.

SUNDAY, JULY 23

Sunday morning prayer, a blessing of Federation council members, and Eucharist  concludes the Twenty-Second Federation Chapter.  God bless all of you.  It was an honor to host you. The Holy Spirit was present these past days, making our work fruitful and our relationships even stronger.  Thank you!

BELOW: (A recap of our blessed time together!)

In a heavenly welcome, Federation members were greeted Tuesday evening by a gathering of angels bearing good tidings to all.  Each community was asked to bring an angel from their monastery to the meeting - needless to say, all in attendance felt very blessed by the angels hovering about the room.

Sisters enjoyed a social and lively conversation.

Sister Austin Chang (St. Benedict Monastery, Taiwan) and Annunciation Monastery (ND) affiliates, Hanna Vanorny and Mady Louttit

Sister Karen Sames (St. Paul's Monastery, MN) and Sister Alisa Ogata (St. Benedict's Monastery, Japan)

Sisters Gertrudis Lu, Austin Chang, Rosalyn Tsai (St. Benedict Monastery, Taiwan)

Sisters Stephanie Dolyniuk and Susan Lardy (Annunciation Monastery, ND), and Sisters Maureen O'Larey (St. Placid Priory, WA), Jacinta Neeley (Saint Martin Monastery, Bahamas) and Maria Beda Oka (Saint Benedict's Monastery, Japan)

Sisters Janet Zander (Annunciation Monastery, ND), Stephanie Mongeon (Mount Benedict Monastery, UT), Nancy Gunderson (Annunciation Monastery, ND) and Mary Zenzen (Mount Benedict Monastery, UT)

Sisters Teresa Ann Harrington (Saint Mary Monastery, Rock Island, IL), Joanne Graham (Annunciation Monastery, ND) and Margaret Michaud (Saint Bede Monastery, WI)

Sisters Nicole Kunze and Nancy Miller (Annunciation Monastery, ND)

Sister Michaela Hedican, president of the Federation of St. Benedict, presents on the "Spirit" of the Federation.

One tempts fate when planning an outdoor event in Bismarck, North Dakota!  The Thursday evening cookout was moved to Annunciation Monastery's garage due to "much needed" rain and an impressive display of thunder and lightning.  Plan B rapidly fell into place and the cookout became a "cook-in."  The rain didn't dampen any spirits, however, guests enjoyed a wonderful meal and some of the things we do best - talk, laugh, talk and laugh.  God seemed to send a special message, a double rainbow on the prairie!

Thank you God, for the much needed rain!

Sisters Maria Beda Oka (Japan), Angela Hoffman (Lacey), Rosalyn Tsai (Taiwan), Teresia Saito (Japan), Marva Coakley (Bahamas), Jacinta Neely (Bahamas)

Sisters Jean Maher (Duluth), Katherine Kraft (St. Benedict's, MN), Sheila McGrath (Rock Island), Lois Eckes (Duluth), Nancy Bauer (St. Benedict's MN), Susan Hutchens (Rock Island), Janet Zander (Bismarck)

Sisters Gertrudis Lu and Austin Chang (Taiwan) with Sister Agatha Muggli (Bismarck)

Sisters Susan Berger (Bismarck), Hildegarde Geraets (Eau Claire), Phyllis McMurray (Rock Island), Alisa Ogata (Japan), Rebecca Mayer (Bismarck)

Sisters JoAnn Krebsbach (Bismarck) and Stephanie Mongeon (Ogden)

Sisters Mary Benedict Pratt (Bahamas), Angela Berrios (Puerto Rico), Lucy Wynkoop (Lacey), Mary Ruth Santana (Puerto Rico), Carmen Davila (Puerto Rico)

Sisters Nicole Kunze and Mariah Dietz (Bismarck) and Sister Gertrudis Lu (Taiwan)

Tuesday Evening, July 18

Attendees were welcomed by Sister Michaela Hedican, OSB, president of the Federation of St. Benedict.  Please enjoy her warm welcome:

"Situated in the angelic presence of Annunciation Monastery it seems appropriate to officially welcome and greet each of you with the words of Scripture: "Hail, Sisters, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you in the midst of this chapter and blessed may the fruit of these days be. May God indeed be glorified by our work and prayer this week. We are most grateful that you have arrived safely - under the protection of the archangel Raphael.

"Bells are and have been an integral piece of our monastic common life. They have formed us as they call us to the Work of God in its many facets. During these days they will call us to gather and begin each of our sessions.

As the Federation Council and I reflected on the theme of Benedictine Common Life, we became aware that the praying of the Our Father as each monastery gathers for Liturgy of the Hours is the one common prayer that unites us every day. Drawing on this experience of unity and on the heritage that has gifted us, we will begin each of our sessions this week with the Our Father. A variety of languages will be used as we celebrate our heritage and the richness of our diversity. We begin tonight with the Our Father in Latin.

Recently I learned through the World Book Dictionary the meaning of the word 'Dakota' - it refers to friends, allies, to being friendly or feeling an affection for - we truly feel an affection of gratitude for all that has been done by this community of Annunciation Monastery in North Dakota in anticipation of our arrival and in their welcoming us into the embrace of their prayerful prairie presence."

Wednesday morning, July 19

                                                                                  Sister Nancy Bauer, OSB

BENEDICTINE COMMON LIFE: The Way We Go to God

This morning, members of the Federation of St. Benedict were blessed with an inspiring talk by Sister Nancy Bauer, OSB, prioress of St. Benedict's Monastery, MN, and Council Member of the Federation of St. Benedict.  She began with this prologue:

"Common Life. Common life is uncommon. It shies away from a fast food, drive through, have it your way, do it my way or the highway, put a rush on that order please, and supersize my caffeine society.

It has a hard time getting anyone's attention in a sea of cell phones, piped in muzac and pumped up athletes. It tunes into talk radio and waits vainly for a lull in the conversation. It yearns to catch someone in the act of listening. It would like to say a few words, but does not know how to speak above a whisper and everybody seems to be shouting. It would like to offer itself to the wounded and weary and underserved but they are distracted by perpetual "breaking news" - out of Iraq, out of Israel, out of the White House, out of Hollywood. By their entertainment centers, by crime in the neighborhood.

Common life cannot take hold where their is no trust, no time, no stability, no humility, no fidelity, no faith, no forgiveness and no-fault insurance. Common life grows only in the soft soil of compassionate hearts. It picks up passengers and drives in the outer lane, careful not to exceed the souls' speed limits. It invites everyone to the table, sets out cloth napkins and serves slow food.

It does not arm itself against its neighbor - the one down the street, the one across the border or the one across the ocean. Common life downloads wisdom from the slow hard drive of prayer. And it thinks outside The Big Box Store."

Sister Nancy Bauer continued in this introduction:

"I need to begin by defining the term "common life." More specifically, I want to note that I make a distinction between "common life" and "community." Even though we often use these terms interchangeably, they do not refer to the same reality. Common life is a particular kind of lifestyle. A lifestyle is a way of life, the way a person or a group lives; a way of doing things; a set of behaviors; a combination of concrete, identifiable, visible, external, nameable practices. For example, in this country, there are pockets of Amish people in a number of states. If I were to ask you to describe the "Amish lifestyle," the Amish way of doing things, you would be able to conjure some specific images: such as a distinct manner of dress - girls and women in plain dresses and black bonnets and boys and bearded men in black hats; a specific manner of transportation, that is, horse and buggy; specific forms of leisure, such as quilting bees; and other lifestyle choices such as farming with horses rather than tractors, no electricity in the homes, and a "dawdi haus" attached to the main house to accommodate the grandparents. The Amish lifestyle can be easily distinguished from, say, an urban lifestyle, or the lifestyle of a modernized family farm.

When I speak of "common life," I am speaking of a lifestyle in which the way of doing certain significant things is to do them in common, literally together and, therefore, in like manner. For example, in Benedictine common life, we pray together and we eat together. Thus, we speak of "common prayer" and the "common table."

The point I am trying to make here is that when I speak of common life, I am referring to external behaviors rather than thoughts, attitudes or feelings. As Benedictines, we "do" common life.

I am speaking of something different when I use the word "community." "Community" can mean a variety of things, but usually means two things in particular in the context of Benedictine life. We speak of "the community" to refer to the specific group of people who make up the permanent membership of a monastery. We also speak of community in the sense of "communion," or "communio," that is, union on a deeper level than simply performing common activities. It is how we are together rather than what we do together. When we speak of community in this sense, we refer to such things as emotional support, love and acceptance. These are internal realities, even though they may be expressed externally in words, in a smile, or a hug.

Why do I make such a big deal about the distinction between common life and community? The main reason is this: by definition, Benedictines are cenobites - from the Greek koinos bios, that is, those who live a common life, that is, those whose lifestyle is to do certain significant external things in common, that is, together, and/or in like manner. To observe the common life is constitutive of cenobites, of Benedictines. It is sine qua non, "without which not." Without common life, we are not Benedictines.

However, we must never lose sight of the fact that our ultimate goal is not to observe perfect common life, nor even to be Benedictines. Our goal is union with God. Common life is merely the means by which we pursue the goal. In his Rule, Benedict prescribes a certain kind of common life as a way to go to God. There are other ways to go to God: the eremitical life, marriage and family life, a single life of voluntary service, etc. As Benedictines, we have chosen the common life according to the Rule of Benedict and its lived expression in a particular monastery as our preferred means of going to God.

This is why I am making a big deal about the distinction between common life and community. When we make our profession, we are making a commitment to "do" common life. It is trust in God and the witness of generations of monastics that enable us to make such a bold commitment. We extend our hands and sing: "Sustain me, Oh God, as you have promised, and I shall live. Do not disappoint me in my hope." The Book of Sirach answers this plea: "Study the generations of old: Has anyone trusted in God and been disappointed?" Benedict also assures us that by progressing 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."

But while common life and community life are not identical, they are surely meant to be interrelated. Just as Benedict prescribes that our minds should be in harmony with our voices when we pray (RB 19:7), our hearts should be in harmony with our actions as we undertake the daily round of common activities.

In fact, there should be a cause-and-effect relationship between common life and communion. Doing things together day after day, month after month, and year after year should form us into community. It is in doing things with and for each other that we get to know and respect each other. While it is said that "absence makes the heart grow fonder," it is not meant to be so in a Benedictine monastery. Prolonged absence may make it easier to get along because we do not have to put up with each other on a daily basis, but absence does not readily foster the kind of love that Saint Paul describes as, "enduring all things." (1Cor. 13:7)

Even more than a cause-and-effect relationship, there should be a circular relationship between common life and communio, that is a cause-and-effect-and-cause relationship. Doing common life well fosters a sense of community; having a sense of community motivates us to do common life well. This is beautifully expressed in RB 35 on "Kitchen Servers of the Week." Mutual service is being an element of cenobitic life, Benedict exhorts us to "serve one another in love," a service which, in turn, "fosters love."

Wednesday afternoon, July 19 ~ Excerpts from Sister Nancy Bauer, OSB:

In chapter 1 of his Rule, Benedict describes four kinds of monks: cenobites, anchorites, sarabaites and gyrovagues, and then announces his intention to draw up a plan for the first kind, the strong kind, the cenobites. The word cenobite derives from the Greek, koinos (common) and bios (life), and that the cenobitic life is then, by definition, common life. In his definition of cenobites, Benedict notes three features: 1) cenobites are "monasteriale," those who live in or belong to a monastery; 2) serving under a rule and; 3) serving under an abbot (henceforth, I'll use prioress). Here we have the three defining elements of Benedictine common life:

*A common dwelling (monastery/cenobium)

*A common rule

*A common prioress

The anchorite differs from the cenobite in all three regards: the anchorite lives alone, adopts her own rule of life, and is no longer subject to a prioress. Sarabaites differ from cenobites in that they have no common rule; and gyrovagues in that they have no monastery. They are perpetual drifters.

These three elements are dependent on the threefold promise of stability, conversatio/fidelity to the monastic way of life, and obedience. Without a stable group of God-seekers, a monastery is just another hostel or guest house for gyrovagues. Without fidelity to the monastic way of life, there is no reason to have a rule ordering such a life. Without obedience, there is no need for a prioress to whom one is obedient.

Benedict's definition of a cenobite seems straightforward, but let's crack it open a bit. In particular, let's examine what Benedict means by the terms "monastery," "rule" and "prioress."

In the sixth century, the word "monastery" could refer to the dwelling of a hermit or of a cenobitic community. Because Benedict says he is writing up a plan for cenobites, we can be sure that "monastery" in this context refers to the place of residence of a group of monastics. Also, in RB5:12, he refers to the members as those who live in cenobia.

But a monastery is more than just a building or group of buildings. Benedict uses several metaphors to get across his idea of "monastery." The prologue introduces at least four metaphors:

*First of all, the monastery is a battlefield, not literally, of course, but figuratively. The enemy to be defeated is self-will and the weapon is obedience (Prol 3,40).

*The monastery is a workplace/workshop where the Lord's workers work and in which the tools are good works/good deeds. (Prol 4, 14, 21, 22; 4:76).

*The monastery is a school for the Lord's service where the only course that is offered is "fear of the Lord" (Prol 12, 45).

*The monastery is a narrow road on which the fuel that runs the engine is love and the destination is salvation, eternal life (Prol 48, 5:11).

A certain disposition is required to fight in this battlefield, to work in this workplace, to study in this school, to travel on this road, to dwell in this monastery, to be a cenobite, to live the common life. One must be awake (Prol 8), have eyes that are wide open (Prol 9), ears that are attentive (Prol 1, 9, 11, 12), feet that ready to run (Prol 13, 21, 22, 44), and a heart that is patient (Prol 50)."

Wednesday evening

Federation members attended a Prayer Vigil for "Peace," followed by time for socialization and relaxation after a full day.

Thursday, July 20 ~ Sister Nancy Bauer, OSB (speaker)

Coming to America: Developments in Common Life

"The genius of the Rule of Benedict

is that it can be adapted to new times and places -

even frontier America,"

~ Sister Nancy Bauer, OSB

Thursday afternoon, July 20 ~ Sister Nancy Bauer, OSB (excerpts from talk): 

From Common Life to Community:  Relationships within the Monastery 

Psalm 133:

How good it is, how pleasant,

Where the people dwell as one!

Like precious ointment on the head,

Running down the beard,

Upon the beard of Aaron,

Upon the collar of his robe.

Like dew of Hermon coming down

Upon the mountains of Zion.

There the Lord has lavished blessings,

Life for everymore. 

Thomas Merton’s version (an excerpt) “A Modern Monastic Revision.”

Ah!  What a thrill it is for us all…To dwell together...And kick each other into heaven. 

"In my introduction, I noted that I was making a careful distinction between common life and community. Yesterday, I talked about the elements of common life in the Rule of Benedict.  Now I wasn’t to say something about communio in the Rule of Benedict, in particular about relationships among the members.

Benedict was influenced by both the eremitic and the cenobitic traditions that preceded him. He began his own monastic life as an anchorite and only later founded monasteries. He was familiar with the works of John Cassian who was enamored with the Egyptian Desert Fathers and their spirituality. And he admired the works of Basil and Augustine, who promoted communal living. 

A key characteristic of the eremitic tradition was the master-disciple relationship. An abba or amma might attract a number of disciples who wished to learn the ascetical life, but little attention was given to the relationship among the disciples.  This seems to have carried over to the earliest communal monasteries.  

Commentators on the Rule of Benedict disagree on how much importance Benedict attaches to horizontal relationships. Terrence Kardong believes he was thoroughly communal; Adalbert de Vogue, on the other hand, argues that Benedict was less interested in establishing a community of brothers than he was in establishing a “school” in which a collection of individuals benefited from the guidance of a spiritual teacher. 

My sense is that Benedict valued both vertical and horizontal relationships. It seems the horizontal became of greater interest to him as time went on. The relationships among the members of the community certainly take on a greater significance in the later chapters of the Rule and culminate in chapter 72 with that beautiful sentiment that God brings us all together to everlasting life. 

I want to begin with one of my favorite chapters – chapter 63 on “Community Rank.” This chapter is really about relationships, especially intergenerational relationships, and I think it contains one of the most important lines in the Rule:

The younger must respect their seniors

and the seniors must love their juniors.

The first step is to determine who is a junior and who is a senior. According to Benedict, “age” has nothing to do with date of birth, but date of entry into the monastery. “For example, someone who came to the monastery at the second hour of the day must recognize that he is junior to someone who came at the first hour, regardless of age or distinction.” (RB 63:8)

The beauty of this is that, except for the very newest member and the very oldest member, each of us is junior to some and senior to others. Each of us is simultaneously junior and senior. So each of us expresses love and respect, and each receives love and respect. We are each “sister” and “venerable mother.” Whenever sisters meet, the junior asks the senior for a blessing. 

If we heed this chapter, the monastery will be a place of mutual love and of constant blessing.”

 FRIDAY, JULY 21

Today Federation members held their business meeting, gave reports, and enjoyed  sharing.

A Prayer Vigil for "Vocations" was held this evening at Annunciation Monastery.

"A Rose...is a rose...is a rose."

During breaks, Sister Maria Beda Oka (Japan) taught sisters to make beautiful paper rose brooches out of newspaper. She is pictured here with Sister Mary Ruth Santana (Puerto Rico).

Sisters Agnes Trombley (St. Paul) and Hildegarde Geraets (Eau Claire) share a good laugh while being creative!

Sister Marva Coakley (Bahamas) crafts her rose carefully.

Sister Angela Hoffman (Lacey) uses knitting needles to curl the petals of her rose.

Gifted hands.  This rose is almost ready to pin on a lapel!

The Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery welcome representatives from Benedictine communities throughout the world to the 22nd Federation of St. Benedict Chapter meeting. 

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"IN TOUCH WITH OUR SPONSORED INSTITUTIONS"

BENEDICTINE AWARENESS AT

ST. ALEXIUS MEDICAL CENTER

On Thursday, July 13, the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery visited St. Alexius Medical Center and presented a "historical journey from the past to the present" to St. Alexius staff.  Sister Kathleen Atkinson shared personal stories about the healing presence at St. Alexius where patients and visitors are "received as Christ."  She said, "In a sense, I'm alive today because of St. Alexius - isn't that the story of so many?"

Following a video presentation, Sister Kathleen Atkinson guided those in attendance through the Benedictine story (St. Benedict in Italy; to Sister Walburga in Eichstatt, Germany; Sister Benedicta Riepp in Erie, PA, to St. CLoud, MN - to Sister Boniface Timmons, early administrator of St. Alexius.)  Sisters and staff acted out scenes from the Scriptures, and shared stories of how employees of St. Alexius continue to carry out the mission of the Sisters. 

Longtime employee of St. Alexius, Claudia Dietrich shared, "WE are on sacred ground every time we care for a patient and their family."  Employees are the conduits in continuing the work of the Sisters of St. Benedict in their healing mission...to care for the most vulnerable and the sick in our society, she said.

With accompaniment on the zither by Sister Nancy Gunderson, the sisters' choir sang, "Come and Follow Me," an invitation to follow Jesus. 

The sisters concluded by blessing the staff.  "Thank you for being a healing presence, we thank you, we pray for you, we believe in you, we bless you."

*****

IN LOVING MEMORY OF SISTER PAULINE EHLIS

AUGUST 29, 1915 ~ JULY 9, 2006

Sister Pauline Ehlis, 90, a founder of the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, entered eternal life Sunday, July 9, 2006, at Garrison Memorial Hospital, Garrison. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 5 p.m. Friday, July 14 at the Annunciation Monastery Chapel.  Visitation will begin Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at the monastery, where a wake service is set for 7:15 p.m. Thursday. Visitation will continue until the time of the funeral. 

After five sons, Pauline Margaret was born August 29, 1915, to Valentine and Audenia (Geiser) in Dickinson, ND. Two other daughters followed Pauline.

Pauline attended St. Joseph’s School in Dickinson and cherished memories of the Benedictine sisters who were her mentors and exemplars. “I admired these sisters and very early decided that is what I wanted to be – a sister and a teacher,” she once wrote.

Encouraged by the sisters, she attended high school at St. Benedict’s Academy in St. Joseph, Minn. and on December 8, 1932, entered St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minn. After making monastic profession on July 11, 1934, Sister Pauline taught at St. Boniface School in Cold Spring, Minn. for 10 years. 

In 1944 she returned to North Dakota where she spent the rest of her life as a member of Annunciation Monastery. As an instructor and administrator, hers was a rewarding career whether in schools as small as Gladstone or as large as Mandan. She taught and was principal at St. Patrick’s School, Dickinson; St. Joseph’s School, Mandan, and served in administration at St. Mary’s High School, Bismarck, from 1966-1984. For the next 10 years, she assisted in the University of Mary Library, a highlight of her varied ministries.  After her 1994 retirement, Sister Pauline, a skilled and versatile seamstress, produced fine handiwork for the monastery’s gift shop and assisted in the monastery archives. 

Sister Pauline is remembered with great fondness. She had wonderful organizational skills and was so highly structured that sisters quipped, “you could set your clock by what Sister Pauline did when.” She had a dry sense of humor, the ability to laugh at herself, enjoyed people and had a special love for her family. Living and working with her was a joy. 

She is survived by a sister, Julia Weisgerber, Westminster, Colo.; two sisters-in-law, Wilma Stringer, El Toro, Calif.; Rosemary Ehlis, Laguna Hills, Calif.; nieces and nephews and the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery.

********

With a Song in Her Heart, Sister Rebecca Mayer

Celebrates 50th Jubilee

Surrounded by family, friends and the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Sister Rebecca Mayer celebrated her 50th anniversary as a Benedictine Sister of Annunciation Monastery on Saturday, July 8, in Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel at the Benedictine Center for Servant Leadership on the campus of the University of Mary, Bismarck.  (To learn more about Sister Rebecca, click on to our current newsletter "Tidings.")

IN LOVING MEMORY OF SISTER CLEMENT FUNK

JUNE 30, 1912 ~ JUNE 28, 2006

Sister Clement Funk, 93, a founder of the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, entered eternal life Wednesday, (June 28) at a Garrison care center.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 5 p.m. Friday, June 30 in the Annunciation Monastery chapel.  Visitation begins at 3 p.m. today (Thursday) at the monastery and continues until the time of the funeral.

Sister Clement was born June 30, 1912, in New Munich, Minn. to John and Elizabeth (Block) Funk.  The second of seven children, she was baptized Mary.  Even as a preschooler, Mary wanted to be a sister and was encouraged by her aunt who was a Franciscan sister and by the example of the Benedictine Sisters who taught her in grade school.

She entered St. Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, Minn. in 1930 and made monastic profession July 11, 1934.

Despite being Minnesota-born, Sister Clement soon had her heart in North Dakota.  She arrived by train in 1934 at the beginning of the dust storm years and quickly developed a love for the people of North Dakota.  She transferred her monastic commitment to Annunciation Monastery when it became an independent foundation in 1947.

Sister Clement was an excellent teacher and in her gentle way impacted the lives of hundreds of students over a 50 year span.  She began her career at St. Mary's Grade School in 1934 when tuition was 75 cents per student for each six week period.  She taught first and second grades at St. Mary's Grade School from 1934-45; first grade at Cathedral School, 1945-66; third grade, St. Patrick's School, Dickinson, 1966-74; and second grade in the Trinity school system, Dickinson, 1974-78.  She also served as a tutor at Cathedral School, Bismarck, from 1978-84.

Sister Clement had a deep faith in God and a special joy for her was praying the Liturgy of the Hours and attending the Eucharist.  She also had a global vision and when reading the newspaper would write on little pieces of paper people and places that needed prayer.  Often during the Eucharist, she would pray for a social justice intention.

She will be remembered for her dedication to her students, her simple lifestyle and her great kindness to all she met.  She was especially close to her family and enjoyed visits with them.

She is survived by three brothers, Anton, Freeport, Minn.; Norbert (Valeria), George (Rose), New Munich, Minn., a sister, Barbara Wenker, Freeport, Minn.; two sisters-in-law, Leona Funk, Freeport, Minn., Beatrice Funk, New Munich, and the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery.

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Vigil Service for Sister Clement ~ Kathleen Atkinson, osb 

Picture it:

Small, delicate frame

Steady but hesitating walk

Soft almost cautious voice

Open, inquisitive, burning desire to learn

And a smile that lights up a room at a small gesture of recognition, word of encouragement or an offer of help

Who do you picture?

A young child on her first day of school

Or Sister Clement in her last years of life

She taught us that it’s all the same. All part of this mystery we call life –

          to be young or old, teacher or student;

          to console or be consoled; to suffer or to be rewarded abundantly

to celebrate her birth into this earthly life or her birth into the fullness of life

            tonight is the eve of both.

For Sister Clement was born on June 30, 1912, in Stearns County and grew up surrounded by a large loving family. After graduation from eighth grade she stayed home and helped her mother for a few years before attending St Benedict’s Academy. She made her first profession on July 11, 1934, and left for Bismarck, ND; and grades 1 and 2.

Luckily for us, it was here that she remained – with a short 12 year detour to Dickinson and to “older kids” – third grade.  I don’t know which picture you imagined at the beginning of this reflection – I was one of the tentative young children on her first day of school. I knew Sister Clement as my first grade teacher at Cathedral – a teacher  who made school ‘safe’  and learning ‘possible’  and loving Jesus ‘a wonderful thing.’ I believe she created those feelings for multitudes of scared 5 and 6 year olds in her 32 classes of first graders. She even shared that one year – 1954-55 – the enrollment was growing so rapidly at Cathedral school that her first grade classroom was at St Mary’s Central High School. How many began their education within her smile.    

Sister Clement in her last years of life – faithfully reading the newspaper and writing notes – on small scraps of paper of course. She read, she wrote notes about world events, and she broadened our own worlds with her passionate, global prayers for the needy. As part of our small group here at the monastery, we delighted when Sister Clement began to laugh or giggle; and then, how naturally she suffered with those who suffered and prayed for God’s mercy. On her 90^th birthday, I approached her to evoke ideas of what she would like – balloons? Special napkins? Special food?  It was here in our monastic library that she put down the paper, strained to lift her head to look me in the eyes and said, “Oh Sister, I’ve just been reading about all the starving children in Kenya. We have such good things here. Let’s just bring down some of our food and have a party and then we can send something to the children.      

Sister Clement in her last years of life.

Picture it:

The hand of God reaching to lift her head, strengthen her neck, meet her gaze and share a smile as together they proclaim

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation.

Picture it:  your memories of Sister Clement.  How she touched your life in ways simple and profound. 

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Sister Melissa Cote Celebrates Her Perpetual Monastic Profession with Family & Friends

June 17 was a day filled with prayerful anticipation and excitement as Sister Melissa Cote professed her commitment to God and the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery as she made her perpetual monastic profession during a special Eucharistic liturgy.

Sister Melissa, 28, a native of Rolla, ND, is the daughter of Dennis and Bev Cote, Rolla.  She became familiar with the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery while she was a student at the University of Mary.  Whenever she saw the sisters, whether it was in the cafeteria or at an event, there was something that drew her to them.  "I saw in them such a devotion to God and to each other," she recalls.  Sister Melissa wondered if she might have a call to religious life.  "When I mentioned that I might be interested in becoming a sister to my mother, she suggested that I talk to one of the sisters first and get to know more about it," she said.  So, for several days, Melissa would wander past the office of Sister Mariah Dietz, "hoping she wasn't there..."  She remembers telling Sister Mariah, "My mom wanted me to come talk to you...I think I want to be a sister."  According to Sister Melissa, Sister Mariah spun around in her chair and cleared off a chair for Sister Melissa to sit and that was the start of what has now become a decision of a lifetime.

Sister Melissa describes herself as being pretty laid back.  She enjoys watching and playing sports, cards, board games - playing in general.  She also enjoys a good movie or book.  "People tend to think you lose your freedom when you enter into religious life," says Sister Melissa.  "The truth is, I have always been encouraged to see my family and friends outside of the monastery - I am encouraged to live as a 28-year-old."

Sister Melissa serves at St. Alexius Medical Center's Inpatient Pharmacy as a registered pharmacy technician and is continuing her studies in pharmacy.  Being surrounded by sisters who have had years of experience in the medical field has been to her advantage.

"I feel very excited about making my monastic profession as well as a real sense of gratitude for the sisters and the people who have helped me follow this path," says Sister Melissa.

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Congratulations on your graduation, Sister Nicole!

Sister Nicole Kunze graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Ph.D. in chemical education on May 5.  At graduation, she was presented with the Graduate Dean's Citation for Outstanding Dissertation for her dissertation titled "Student's Integration of Multiple Representations in an Acid-Base Titration." Several sisters attended the graduation ceremonies to celebrate with her. 

Sister Nicole is the daughter of Allen and Marilyn Kunze of Oriska, ND. She looks forward to teaching as assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Mary in the fall.

The sisters celebrated Sister Nicole's graduation in grand style with their own light-hearted commencement ceremony!

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Twelve New Spiritual Directors Graduate from Emmaus Program

Graduates of the Emmaus Program for spiritual direction are: Back row, from left: Donnavee Schneider, Mott; Kim Peterson, Minot; Karen Dvirnak, Killdeer; Zanne Ness, Bismarck; Kathy Perrin, Mandan; and Dorothy Renner, Dickinson. Front, from left: Sister Colette Wolf, OSB, Sacred Heart Monastery in Richardton; Cheryl Hansen, Bismarck; Steve Streitz, Minot; Carol Kitco, Bismarck and Sister Julie Brandt, SSND, Fort Yates. (Not pictured: Marie Gabel, Bismarck)

Twelve men and women, of varied religious and professional backgrounds, became certified  spiritual directors through the Emmaus program, hosted by Annunciation Monastery's Hospitality Center, Bismarck and sponsored by Sacred Heart Monastery, Richardton, ND; Annunciation Monastery and St. Scholastica Monastery, Duluth, Minn. The Emmaus program was directed by Sister Jean Maher, OSB, of St. Scholastica Monastery who holds a master's degree in religious studies, a master's in applied theology and a doctorate in spiritual direction.

The group of participants met monthly for two years. The program consists of an intense reading program and required attendance at training sessions of learning and sharing. Once certified, spiritual directors meet with directees to enhance the directee's relationship with God by helping them listen to what God is saying to them and their personal experience of God. A spiritual director must have prior knowledge of scripture and theology and a desire to help others strengthen their relationship with God.

On Saturday, May 6, at Annunciation Monastery, the spiritual directors gave their final presentations, received their certification and participated in a banquet. The participants expressed that they have grown through the process because they feel more in tune with God, having gotten to know themselves better and becoming better listeners. For more information on spiritual direction, contact Sister Gemma Peters at Annunciation Monastery, (701)255-1520, or Sister Sister Collette Wolf at Sacred Heart Monastery, (701)974-2121; or contact any of the individual spiritual directors.

Welcome, Hannah!

Sister Susan Berger, prioress, welcomes new affiliate, Hannah Vanorny.

New affiliate, Hannah Vanorny received a special blessing and welcome from the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery on Sunday, April 30.

 Welcome Mady!

Mady Louttit, affiliate at Annunciation Monastery

Please join us in praying for our women in religious formation, that they are open to God's guidance as they continue to discern their call to monastic life with our community!  

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Sisters Nancy Gunderson and Miriam Schmitt

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Sister Kathleen Atkinson Becomes Adjunct Faculty Member

Sister Kathleen Atkinson has become an adjunct faculty member for the Institute of Lifelong Faith Formation of the National Center for Ministry Development, Naugatuck, CT.  With a specialty in intergenerational faith formation, Sister Kathleen will serve on a team for a conference in Detroit, MI, July 24-28, 2006, and will  teach for two weeks in the summer in 2007.

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Benedictine Awareness Days 2006 ~ March 21 - March 23, 2006

Sisters and students explored the University of Mary’s tradition of leadership during the
2006 Benedictine Awareness Days, sponsored by the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery.  The celebration included an ice cream social, tours, Eucharistic liturgy, luncheons for University students and staff, and the Sister's convocation:  "Handing on the Torch: A Gospel-Guided Way of Leadership." 

Below is a reflection by Sister Susan Berger, prioress of Annunciation Monastery.

As I reflected on the readings for today's Mass, I was struck with their message to teach.  The first reading from Deuteronomy said, "Take care...not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children's children."  In today's Gospel, St. Matthew also talked about teaching, "Whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

I also reflected on the wonderful saints that we have just celebrated:  March 17 - St. Patrick; March 19 - St. Joseph; and March 21 - St. Benedict.  All three saints lived in dangerous times.  They all taught, each in his own way.  They continue to teach centuries after their deaths.

St. Patrick was kidnapped by pirates when he was 16 years old and taken to Ireland as a slave.  Six years later he escaped to England, became a priest, and returned to Ireland where he ministered and spread the faith in peace.  Patrick had forgiven his oppressors.  As he preached, he especially taught by his witness of love over anger and bitterness.

St. Joseph was a silent figure.  We have no record of anything he said.  He will teach us forever through his example of faith, love, and doing what God told him to do - take Mary as his wife, flee with her and Jesus to Egypt.  Joseph still teaches us how to respond to God's call - simple and clear, with strength and love.  We don't have to say one word.

St. Benedict lived when the city of Rome was being destroyed by barbarians.  he fled to the mountains outside Rome to get away from it all.  His intent was to be a hermit - but - because he was such a good man, he was pursued and asked to teach about how to seek God, how to live in community in peace, service, and love - very different from what was going on in Italy at the time.  Benedict still teaches through the rule he wrote, a way of life, a school of the Lord's service, as he said, where people learn together to find God in everyday life - praying, studying, doing dishes, answering the telephone, nursing the sick, writing, composing music, balancing the checkbook, using resources wisely - whatever needs to be done to live together well.
 

Patrick, Joseph, and Benedict - three men in three different situations and countries, all with the same desire - to live in God's love as long as they lived.  Today WE remember God's love and faithfulness, and we desire to live in that love.

Mother Teresa is frequently called a contemporary saint.  What she spoke, she lived.  It is she who said, "Love cannot remain by itself...love has to be put into action and that action is service...Whatever form we are, able or disabled, rich or poor, it is not how much we do but how much love we put in the doing - a lifelong sharing of love with others."

In this place of servant leadership, Benedictine tradition and values, good people; in this place built solid and strong with prairie stone, securely planted on the wide-open prairie; wherever we are, whether we preach like Patrick, listen and care for people in quiet like Joseph, or write words that inspire like Benedict, may WE not forget all the days of our lives the love of God which OUR eyes did see.

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Annunciation Monastery

7520 University Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504. 701-255-1520