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Archived Monastery
Happenings
December 2007
Sisters of Annunciation Monastery Serve Up
Some Food and Fun at "The Banquet"
Sisters Gerard Wald, Hannah Vanorny and Donna
Johnson
Our Sisters had a wonderful evening serving dinner
at "The Banquet" on Dec. 20. "The Banquet" is a free supper that is served
to those seeking companionship and a hot meal. We felt blessed to be a
part of this community event.
* * * * *
In Loving Memory of
Sister Moira Paulus
Sister Moira Paulus, 94, a founder of the Benedictine Sisters of
Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, went home to God Dec.18 at Garrison
Memorial Hospital, Garrison.
Sister Moira (birth name Jeverne Anna) was born July 12, 1913, in Cooks
Valley, Wis. to George and Anna (Steinmetz) Paulus. She was the fourth of
10 children who remained close to each other all their lives. Their family
gatherings were always fun and filled with hearty laughter.
In 1933 Sister Moira left home to enter St. Benedict’s Monastery’s, St.
Joseph, Minn. After making monastic profession on July 11, 1935, she came to
St. Alexius Medical Center and was educated as a laboratory technician. In
1938 she was sent to St. Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud, Minn. to serve in the
laboratory.
She graduated with a B.S. degree in medical technology from Marquette
University, Milwaukee, Wis. in 1945 and spent the next 50 years serving in
health care in North Dakota.
She directed the laboratory at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck, was
administrator and director of the laboratory and X-Ray departments at
Richardton Hospital,
Richardton, and served 35 years at Garrison Memorial Hospital. Here she held
a variety of positions including director of the laboratory, housekeeping
supervisor, and executive housekeeper.
A
charter member of the state’s society for medical technology, she served as
secretary-treasurer and chair of the program, membership and publicity
committees. She was awarded emeritus membership in the American Society for
Medical Technology for her outstanding service to the profession and the
society.
A
friendly, outgoing, determined woman, Sister Moira never did things halfway.
This trait saved a man’s life. One day she desperately needed a donor with a
rare blood type. She knew a man with this blood type who worked at a local
garage. She persistently called the garage until he was found under a car
unconscious from carbon monoxide. He never gave blood that day, but stopped
by the hospital to thank her for saving his life.
Sister Moira gave herself to her work, but also found time to relax and have
fun. She enjoyed fishing, swimming, reading and just being around people.
When she celebrated her 50th anniversary of monastic profession,
45 of her family members came and spent several days enjoying each other and
the sites of Bismarck-Mandan.
Sister Moira will be remembered for her great smile which touched so many
hearts. She loved Christmas, the music, the decorations and all the season’s
joys. This Christmas will be the best ever for her. She’ll be celebrating
with God.
Sister Moira is survived by two sisters, Sister Roma Paulus, Patricia
Gehrking, Eau Claire, Wis.; a brother Cornelius (Buck) and his wife, Mary
Helen, Cape Coral, Fla.; a brother-in-law, Norman Emerson, Eau Claire, Wis.;
nieces, nephews and the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery.
Memorials may be made to Annunciation Monastery.
To
share memories of Sister Moira, please visit
www.parkwayfuneral.com and sign the online guest book.
* * * * *
May the welcoming of God's gift,
true and only Son in our midst,
as Savior and in neighbor,
bring you the heartening joy of knowing
we are welcome in the household of God.
Joseph Welcomes the Shepherds to See the Savior
Painted in gouache, 1952 by Sister Michael
Kaliher. At age 22, Sister Michael entered this painting in a religious
Christmas card contest.
S. Michael Kaliher
Artist S. Michael illustrated several books,
including "The First Sioux Nun," by S. Ione Hilger, OSB, "Father De
Smet in Dakota," by Fr. Louis Pfaller, OSB, and "Medieval Women Monastics,"
edited by S. Miriam Schmitt, OSB. She created liturgically themed
graphics for the "Dakota Catholic Action," the Bismarck diocesan paper.
She also taught art classes at Cathedral Grade School and at the University of
Mary. Now retired, she resides at Annunciation Monastery where her works
are displayed throughout the Monastery.
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