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Archived Monastery
Happenings
September 2007
Sisters “Back to
School”
The words “back to school” are always significant to the Sisters of
Annunciation Monastery. One reason dates all the way back to 1878 when the
Benedictine Sisters came to the Dakota Territory to teach and allow their
students a chance at a better future.
Since those days our sister teachers have continued in their tradition of
education by teaching children and adults. Some sisters return to school to
earn degrees or take courses for professional and personal development.
Sister Melissa Cote
(center, brown shirt) is currently in Omaha pursuing her degree in pharmacy
at Creighton University. Her hope is to return to her ministry at St.
Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck, as a registered pharmacist.
Monastery sends one
of its own back to school
By Karen Herzog, reporter
Reprinted with
permission from The Bismarck Tribune
This time of year,
highways start to crawl with vans, cars and SUVs stuffed to the gills
─
duffels and boxes and tubs jam-packed into back seats and cargo hatches,
obscuring vehicles’ back windows and weighing down their rear ends
─
as students head off to college.
Sister Melissa Cote,
29, a member of the Annunciation Monastery Benedictine community in
Bismarck, will be among that traffic today, heading south to Omaha, Neb.,
and Creighton University. Like families everywhere, the other Annunciation
Sisters are preparing care packages for her; there’s even been some
scuttlebutt, she said, about rounding up a beanbag chair, that staple of
college seating.
Though Sister Melissa,
a native of Rolla, has already had the college experience, graduating from
the University of Mary in 2001 with a degree in theology, going off to Omaha
─
whose metro area population tops 822,000
─
is a big transition, from living in community to single apartment, from a
degree in theology to a doctoral program in pharmacy.
Pursuing lifelong
learning is a strong value for Benedictines, and the community tries to keep
at least one of its members in school at all times, said Jill Ackerman,
communications and development director for the Annunciation
Sisters. Another member of the community, Sister Nicole Kunze, just finished
a doctorate in chemistry and is now teaching at U-Mary, she said.
“These sisters
support each other in educational and ministerial pursuits,” Ackerman said.
“In his rule, St. Benedict emphasizes the value of ongoing study for members
of a Benedictine community,” said the community’s prioress, Sister Susan
Berger. “From our beginning, we have had a priority of educating our
sisters for service.”
After four years at
Creighton on educational leave, Sister Melissa plans to return to St.
Alexius Medical Center in 2011 as a registered pharmacist. Like many
students, Sister Melissa charted a few changes in course: She started
studying pre-pharmacy at U-Mary and, as she got to know the sisters better,
switched to nursing to remain there. She always knew she wanted to work in
health care and the healing professions, but aspects of nursing, such as
giving shots, were not for her. Ultimately, she earned her degree in
theology and began working at St. Alexius as a pharmacy technician.
The investment that
the sisters make in the education of their members demonstrates the value
they place on education for service: Tuition at Creighton runs about
$13,000 per semester, Sister Melissa said. Sister Melissa will carry 17
credit hours this semester. She’s been taking a class or two in addition to
her work, so it will be exciting to be able to focus on school full time,
she said.
Living solo will
require some adjustments for someone used to living within the network of a
religious community, but Sister Melissa expects that pharmacy students will
bond as they move through the semesters together. A nun has a challenge or
two extra at college: When the Sisters gather to pray together several
times a day, she’ll be on her own to pray the Liturgy of the Hours alone,
she said. And a potential roommate backed out when she found out Sister
Melissa was a nun. But some things are universal. “No classes until
9 a.m.,” she said with a grin.
One of the sisters’ sponsored institutions is the University of Mary in
Bismarck, ND. Our sister teachers have begun another school year at the
University and involved in the exciting time of getting to know and
mentoring students.
Sister Nicole Kunze and
students in chemistry lab
Sister
Nicole Kunze can identify very well with being a student. Her interest in
teaching began when she was a student at the University of Mary. Impressed
by the quality, dedication and support of her professors, Sister Nicole set
her sights on someday returning to the University to teach. Last year, she
completed her Doctor of Philosophy degree in chemical education from the
University of Northern Colorado. Her ministry is coming full circle as she
is now fulfilling her dream of teaching chemistry at the University of Mary.
“It is rewarding to help students take that step from confusion about a
chemical concept to understanding. Working one on one with students is what
I enjoy the most. It helps me understand how students construct their
knowledge of a concept so I can adapt my teaching strategies to reach more
students,” she says.
Sister Nancy Gunderson in class
Sister
Nancy Gunderson has begun her first year of teaching at the University of
Mary. Her “Introduction to the Bible,” classes will give students a deeper
knowledge of the major stories and events in the Bible. What excites her
most is the diversity of students who are taking her classes. “The age mix
of students in my class is teens to octogenarians! I think the younger
students will realize the importance of lifelong learning. We will all learn
from each other as we journey through the Bible.”
Sister
Kathleen (in lavender) and Campus Ministry group
Sister
Kathleen Atkinson, director of the Christian Leadership Center, says she’s
energized by the return of students and staff to U-Mary for the new school
year. This year her big projects include bringing in dynamic, inspirational
speakers that address subjects that empower emerging leaders to live and
spread God’s message. “The best part of my job is being a conduit that
brings people together for a powerful purpose.” she says. Other events she
helps coordinate are the second “Artists Celebrating Christ” event featuring
art and music and the Maximum Impact Leadership Simulcast.
Sister
JoAnn Krebsbach with her students
Sister JoAnn Krebsbach has taught at the University of Mary for 27 years.
Chair of the Division of Philosophy and Theology, she makes sure the courses
are covered, hires and mentors new teachers and advises students majoring in
pastoral ministry and theology. She also teaches three courses each
semester, including such courses as Basic Catholic Beliefs, Sacramental
Theology, Spirituality and Women, and Eucharistic Liturgy.
The full load she carries doesn’t dampen her enthusiasm for the new school
year. “I’m always excited in the fall when the students come back to
campus,” she says. She loves her Basic Catholic Beliefs course because
students are so open to learning and growing in their faith whether they are
Catholic or belong to another faith tradition. “It’s kind of a bonus
because of the material we cover in theology that students often say they
find themselves praying more and attending church more regularly.” It is
these positive experiences with students that make teaching such a joy for
Sister JoAnn who after all these years can still say she loves teaching.
Sister
Gerard Wald
Sister
Gerard Wald always eagerly awaits the arrival of students back to campus.
“I
love the new school year and helping students adjust to life away from home.
Director of Student Volunteers and Coordinator of First Year Experience,
Sister Gerard coordinates orientation for new students, helping them make
connections with other students and mentors, who can help them around
campus, teach about Benedictine values, servant leadership and career
exploration. Sister Gerard keeps in touch with them through personal
contact, emails and newsletters. We work on early detection and early
intervention of students who are struggling academically,” she explains.
Sister Mariah Dietz teaches in the U-Mary nursing division, and Sister
Denise Ressler, continues in her 18th year as director of alumni
at the University of Mary. Sister Thomas Welder, president of the University
Mary, and her assistant, Sister Janet Zander are enjoying the new school
year and the blessed opportunity to meet new students and their families. It
is one of the most life-giving aspects of their ministries at the
University.
The entire community of Sisters of Annunciation Monastery pray for all those
connected with the university and wish them God’s abundant blessings.
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