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Archived Monastery
Happenings
February 2008
Bishop Paul Zipfel Makes Annual Pastoral Visit
to St. Alexius Medical Center
St. Alexius Medical Center CEO, Andy Wilson, with
Sister Joanne Graham and
the Most Reverand Paul Zipfel, Bishop of Bismarck.
Bishop Paul Zipfel made his annual pastoral visit
to St. Alexius Medical Center on a most appropriate day, Valentine's Day - a day
devoted to love. It set the stage for his powerful comments which inspired
and challenged everyone to "be" the healing face of Christ.
Sister Joanne Graham presented on the Sisters'
Ministry of Sponsorship, and how the Sisters will continue to provide
influence and oversight at their sponsored institutions (St. Alexius Medical
Center, Garrison Memorial Hospital and the University of Mary). Our
Ministry of Sponsorship signifies a recommitment to these institutions in
new and significant ways - to deepen and extend the mission of Jesus through the
way healthcare and education are delivered for generations to come.
St. Alexius Medical Center Staff and Sisters of
Annunciation Monastery were invited to the Bishop's liturgy, followed by a
luncheon and presentation.
CATHOLIC, CHRISTIAN, BENEDICTINE: OUR
LEGACY, OUR FUTURE
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NOBODY, we mean NOBODY, makes better sugar cookies
than Sister Mary Ann Welder (center)! To her left is Sister Hannah, to her right
is Sister Madelyn. They are both novices. Today they have been in the kitchen
baking heart-shaped sugar cookies for St. Valentine's Day!
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Immaculée Ilibagiza Inspires at University of Mary's Prayer Day
Rwandan Genocide
Survivor, Immaculée Ilibagiza, with Sister Kathleen Atkinson
It was a rare privilege to hear international speaker and author, Immaculée
Ilibagiza, speak at the University of Mary’s annual Prayer Day event on Feb. 7.
She spoke of her personal experience of surviving the Rwandan genocide, her
miraculous transition into forgiveness and a profound relationship with God. Her
book, Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, has
sold more than 250,000 copies worldwide, raising over $150,000 for the orphans
of Rwanda.
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In Loving Memory of
Sister Gerald Driessen
Sister Gerald Driessen, 103, a founder of the Benedictine Sisters of
Annunciation Monastery, went home to God Feb. 8, 2008, at the Garrison
Memorial Hospital Nursing Facility, Garrison.
Sister Gerald (birth name Marcella) was born Sept. 19, 1904, at St. Bonifacius, Minn. She was one of eight children of Herbert and Catherine
(Born) Driessen. Catherine died in 1910 and Herbert remarried in 1915
bringing his children a new mother and five more siblings.
From childhood Sister Gerald always had the desire to be a sister. She
entered St. Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, Minn. in 1922 and made her
monastic profession on July 11, 1924.
An
educator for 53 years, Sister Gerald loved teaching. She enjoyed her
students and they in turn loved her. Many of them became her lifelong
friends and some came to visit often.
In
her elementary grade classrooms, Sister Gerald tried to make learning
creative and fun. She prepared plays and programs for her students to
perform, read them poetry, led them in square dancing and did activities to
build leadership qualities.
Sister Gerald taught in Catholic schools in Minnesota and in the North
Dakota towns of Mandan, Bismarck, Wahpeton and Dickinson. She was among the
sisters who opened St. Lawrence School in Flasher in 1950, serving five
years as principal and junior high instructor.
For 26 summers, Sister Gerald taught religion in rural parishes in western
North Dakota. It was an endeavor she loved. “It was rewarding,” she said. “I
enjoyed teaching the children and getting to know their families.” She
finished her career by serving six years in the curriculum lab at the
University of Mary.
Sister Gerald had a gift for making friends and she had many of them. She
was a great letter writer and throughout her life kept in contact with
friends, former students and relatives. In her later years, she said her
letter writing ministry kept her mind alert and made people happy.
As
for hobbies, she enjoyed playing the piano, card games, walking in nature,
reading books and memorizing poetry. She also did word power to increase her
vocabulary.
Above all, she cherished being a Benedictine sister for 83 years. On the
occasion of the 50th anniversary of her monastic profession, she
wrote, “God’s eternal goodness made my life as a Benedictine sister full of
purpose and love. I thank the Lord for all these years of service as His
handmaid, for all the wonderful friends I’ve made and the kind and energetic
sisters with whom I pray and live at Annunciation Monastery.”
Sister Gerald is survived by a large extended family, friends and the
sisters of Annunciation Monastery.
Memorials may be made to Annunciation Monastery.
To
share memories of Sister Gerald, please visit
www.parkwayfuneral.com and sign the online guest book.
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