We gather as a faith community today to celebrate the life of Sister Joseph. We extend our sympathy to Sister Joseph’s nieces and nephews who are with us today from across the U.S. I also welcome friends of our community. We sisters thank all of you for your prayers and support for us.    

Every Saturday night, at the conclusion of Evening Prayer, we Sisters bless our service to one another for the week. As prioress, I begin by reading an excerpt from Chapter 35 of the Rule of Benedict – Kitchen Servers of the Week. “The Sisters should serve one another. Consequently, no one will be excused from kitchen service unless she is sick or engaged in some important business of the monastery, for such service increases reward and fosters love.” (RB 35:1-2) We take some moments to reflect on the many ways we will serve one another during the week before I give the final blessing.  

When I think of Sister Joseph, serving her sisters in community immediately comes to mind. Her life was a life of service. Sister Joseph’s service to others almost always involved the sick and was done with generosity, love and humor.

In the Rule, Saint Benedict says that care of the sick should rank above and before all else so that they may truly be served as Christ.  (RB 36:1-3) Caring for the sick began in her family home in Dickinson. Sister Joseph’s father became blind during her childhood and she shared many stories about caring for her Pa.  After final profession, Sister Joseph completed a practical nursing degree in Pierre, South Dakota, which officially began a 60-plus year career of loving care of the sick. Many of those years of nursing service were to her sisters in community. She loved nursing her patients back to full health.  

Her service to the community wasn’t limited to healthcare. For many years, Sister Joseph was the maker of the Friday night popcorn. The front of her popcorn dress was thick with vegetable oil from the popcorn popper. For years, we purchased popcorn in 25 and 50-pound bags, so you can imagine how many batches she popped. Sister Joseph loved the outdoors.  She spent much of her free time at the “farm”, the trailer house just south of the monastery, caring for the yard and the trees and enjoying the birds.  

Sister Joseph’s service to others was always done in a spirit of generosity. Nothing ever seemed to be too much. Her generous spirit was even evident in the dining room.  If a sister said she was getting up to get an extra serving of anything, Sister Joseph was quick to offer something off of her plate. At breakfast every morning, she had half of a banana and was always willing to give it to someone else who might need it more than she did. Her generosity continued even when her body couldn’t cooperate. We would ask for volunteers to assist with dishes and Joseph was willing, but trying to dry dishes while using a walker wasn’t that safe for her or us.    

In recent years, we Sisters witnessed Sister Joseph’s loving service to her friend, Sister Madonna. They were neighbors in our health center and you rarely saw one without the other. They kept each other company while peeling carrots and potatoes in the kitchen, always with a cup of coffee and a cookie nearby. As Madonna’s health failed, Joseph spent many nights sleeping in Madonna’s recliner in order to keep an eye on her.  

Sister Joseph had a great sense of humor and loved April Fools Day, but she celebrated the day year-round. One of the last jokes she’d tell was “When was beef the highest?”  People would ponder, guessing a year or a certain era in history. Joseph would answer, “When the cow jumped over the moon!” And giggle while she said it. Halloween was her second favorite holiday where she loved wearing a mask or a crazy pair of glasses trying to scare someone. She always had a ready laugh and smile.  

Sister Joseph lived a full and faithful life in our Benedictine community for 72 years. Thank you, Sister Joseph, for sharing your life with all of us. We are grateful for the gift you have been to us. We will miss your presence among us.  May you now share in the glory of God with the saints in heaven.