On Sunday, April 14, Sister Susan Hutchens, OSB, was re-elected as Prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island. Sister Susan is the fourteenth prioress in the monastery’ s 150-year history. The prioress election was beautiful and spirit-filled.
Gracious and holy God, Give us wisdom to know you, Intelligence to understand you, Diligence to seek you, Patience to wait for you, Eyes to behold you, A heart to meditate upon you, A life to proclaim you, To the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen
On April 6, 2024, Sister Catherine Nehotte was re-elected to serve a second 5-year term as prioress at St. Paul’s Monastery. She is pictured here with Sister Nancy Bauer, President of the Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict. That in all things, God may be glorified!
Sister Colleen Haggerty, OSB, Former President of Federation / Congregation Dies
Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from God, and our ears to the voice from heaven that every day calls out.
RB Prol. 9
Sister Colleen Haggerty, sixth president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict (known then as the Federation of St. Benedict), died on Thursday, January 11, 2024. Sister Colleen was a member of Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, MN. She served as president of the federation/congregation for two terms, 1991- 2003.
Joanne Haggerty was born May 29, 1932, to William and Olive (Okeson) Haggerty in St. Paul, MN. She entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery on September 12, 1951, was received into the novitiate as Sister Colleen on June 18, 1952, made first profession on July 11, 1953, and perpetual monastic profession on July 11, 1956.
She served in various capacities at St. Cloud Hospital, including as director of the dietary department, director of the hospital’s General Services Division, and assistant administrator in community relations and development. Before being elected president of the federation/congregation, she served the monastery as coordinator of the physical plant and director of building renovation projects, overseeing a major renovation of Sacred Heart Chapel. Following her terms as president, she worked in the monastery’s communications and development office.
The Vigil Prayer Service and Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Sacred Heart Chapel at Saint Benedict’s Monastery. The vigil will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, January 16, and the funeral liturgy at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 17. The services will be livestreamed and can be viewed at the website of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict.
As President, Sister Colleen visited the Monasteries of the Federation / Congregation to support the sisters of each community and learn from them. Above she is visiting the Sisters at Monasterio Santa Escolástica in Humacao, Puerto Rico. At Saint Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Sister Kathleen Hofer (left) and Sister Jean Maher (right) present an icon to Sister Colleen Haggerty at the end of her second term as president of the Federation of St. Benedict. Below, Sister Colleen visited the sisters at Saint Benedict Monastery in Taiwan.
Sister Colleen Haggerty visited the Sisters at Saint Martin Monastery in the Bahamas.
Delegates and Prioresses at the 1994 Federtation Chapter at Saint Benedict’s Monastery: Sister Colleen is in the second row from front at the far left.
Delegates and Prioresses at the 1997 Federation Chapter at Annunciation Monastery: Sister Colleen is in the second row from front, far right. Sister Nancy Bauer, current president, is next to her. Two other former presidents are on the picture: Sister Michaela Hedican in the back row, fifth from left, and Sister Margaret Michaud, second row, fourth from right.
At the Chapter in Annunciation: Sister Colleen is in the back between Sister Susan Berger (left) who was prioress in Bismarck and is now deceased and Sister Ruth Fox (right) who was president of the Federation of St. Gertrude. Sister Ruth died last year. Front row: Sister Beppo from Taiwan, Sister Jacinta from Bahamas, and Sister Austin from Taiwan.
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of God, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened”
Eph.1:16-18
An excerpt of Sister Colleen Haggerty’s message at the end of her two terms as president of the Federation of St. Benedict
“Twelve tremendous years . . . Thank you, each and all, for interlocking my heart with your hearts! . . . I am deeply grateful for what the role of president has done to expand my heart around the world. I shall never forget any of you, your community as a whole and each of our 800+ members in the federation. You are woven into the fabric of my life and I will pray for you daily in lectio, liturgy of the hours, and Eucharist. My greatest hope for each of our member monasteries is that in each monastery we now do our inner work as a community. May each one of us be attentive to each other, open to the diverse expressions of monastic life but always within the context of the common good. The reality for each of us is our daily experience of conversatio as we live, love, pray, and work together . . . always striving for the togetherness of monastic life. . . .
Thank you again and always for everything! As St Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of God, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened (Eph.1:16-18).”
Life is a journey and we know not if it will unfold according to our plans and dreams. We hope for a meaningful outcome but there are always surprises along the way and new directions taken.
Imagine it is 1874. Four sisters and one postulant are setting out from St. Scholastica’s Convent in Chicago, Illinois, for Nauvoo, Illinois, to establish a school for girls. Excitement, apprehension, concern and a little fear of the unknown may have been some of the emotions they experienced. Their Pastor had given them this mission and they believed God, and our Blessed Mother, would guide and inspire them and direct their paths.
The first convent and school were established in a residence which had been built as the Mormon arsenal. The local parish had purchased this home for the Sisters to use as a school and living quarters. St. Scholastica Academy (later St. Mary’s Academy) opened on All Souls Day in 1874, with seven girls enrolled. Their schooling was paid for with food, fuel and even a cow in one instance.
St. Mary’s Academy thrived throughout the latter part of the 19th Century and most of the 20th Century. After 123 years, with the popularity of boarding schools declining, the Sisters made the difficult decision in 1997 to close the Academy. Today the spirit of the Academy lives on through the families of thousands of alumnae who benefited from the teaching, lives and love of the Sisters.
In addition to the Academy, Sisters have served in parishes, elementary and high schools, social agencies, hospitals and communities throughout the states of Illinois and Indiana. The Sisters have also ministered in Colleges, Universities and Diocesan Chancery Offices. Special ministries in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Mexico and New Mexico were begun following Vatican II.
In 2001 another leap of faith was made when the Sisters moved from Nauvoo to Rock Island and built a new complex comprised of St. Mary Monastery and Benet House Retreat Center. Respect for the environment was a driving force behind the innovative design of the complex: acres of woods for wild life were preserved, native prairie grasses were planted and the creation of a five acre lake allowed geothermal hearing and cooling. More recently an array of solar panels was added to provide sustainable electrical power.
The Sisters follow the Rule of St. Benedict in their everyday life, particularly valuing Community, Prayer, Hospitality, Peace and Justice and Care of Creation. At the Rock Island monastery, the Sisters engage in prayer, retreats, education and outreach to the poor. Benedictine Oblates, lay women and men who feel called to live the Rule of St. Benedict according to their ability and lifestyle, participate with the Sisters in living the Benedictine values. Many volunteers work with the Sisters and provide assistance for their ministries and daily tasks at the monastery.
150 years ago, four Sisters and one postulant could not have known how many countless lives would be touched, changed and enriched through their response to God’s call.
The 150th Anniversary of the Founding of the Sisters of St. Benedict began in October 2023 and will continue through October 2024. Celebrations, activities and special liturgies will be offered throughout the year for families and friends of the Sisters, alumnae of St. Mary’s Academy, area clergy and special guests, as well as volunteers and employees. Follow along with us during the year, as we celebrate and honor the joy and memories of these 150 years.
That in all things, God may be glorified.
1 Peter 4:11, RB 57:9
Sisters of Saint Mary Monastery celebrating 150 years of Ministry and Community Life.
Left: Sr. Kerry O’Reilly and Sr. Nancy Bauer, both from St. Benedict’s Monastery, join Saint Mary Monastery Sisters Sr Ruth Ksycki, Sr. Susan Hutchens, Sr. Sheila McGrath , and Sr. Stefanie MacDonald for the celebration of Saint Mary Monastery’s 150th Anniversary
Right: An aerial view showing the Monastery, the solar field, geothermal lake, and Benet House.
To learn more about the 150th Anniversary celebrations in honor of the Sisters of St. Benedict, St. Mary Monastery, and the gift of these years, visit: https://smmsisters.org/150 or click on the button below:
As we progress 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.
RB Prol. 49
Sister Nancy Bauer, OSB, a member of Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, MN, and president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict, received the annual Role of Law Award from the Canon Law Society of America on October 12, 2023. The award recognizes canonists who practice canon law with a pastoral attitude, are committed to research and study, participate in the development of law, and facilitate dialogue and interchange of ideas within the society. Sister Nancy taught canon law at The Catholic University of America from 2014 to 2022.
Care of the sick must rank above and before all else, so that they may truly be served as Christ, for he said: I was sick and you visited me, and, What you did for the least of these, you did for me.
RB 36:1-3
Sister Clare Rolle, OSB, a member of St. Martin Monastery, Nassau, Bahamas, received a national award on October 9, 2023.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas bestowed the rank of Companion of the Order of Merit on Sister Clare. Among other accomplishments, Sister Clare organized ministry to people with HIV/AIDS.
The Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery joyfully congratulate Sister Kathleen Atkinson, founder of Ministry on the Margins, and all of her team members and volunteers, for being awarded the Bush Prize: North Dakota.
Ministry on the Margins is a sponsored ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery.
The following excerpts are from Strengthen ND and the Bush Foundation:
Ministry on the Margins is committed to supporting those who fall through the cracks during times of transition through inclusive hospitality and a space of welcoming, direct service and case management, and resourceful community-based partnerships.
• Ministry on the Margins was selected for its track record of innovation with small and large interventions, service pipeline development, and behavioral health adaptations.
• Small innovations include: health/wellness partnerships, providing vision services, haircuts, manicures/pedicures/foot care, and acupuncture.
• Large innovations include: working with municipal, county, and law enforcement leaders to establish the Coffee House. The Coffee House is open from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am as a space where homeless individuals can stay overnight.
• Ministry on the Margin’s work is driven and influenced by the needs of homeless individuals, the law enforcement community, elected leadership, service providers (including public health), and the faith community.
Clockwise: Bubbles with children, chapel at Ministry on the Margins, and feeding the hungry
Celebrating 10 Years of Ministry
On October 25, 2023, Ministry on the Margins celebrated its 10th anniversary. Thank you to all who meet the critical needs of people who may otherwise fall through the cracks in society. Through your loving service, hospitality, mentoring, prayers, and outreach, you make a tremendous impact.
Gratitude and blessings to all who are a part of this amazing ministry. Thank you for “walking the walk,” each day!
Sister Kathleen Atkinson from Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, ND
Bishop Felton with the Canonical Stewards of Duluth Benedictine Ministries and the leaders of the sponsored ministries.
September 28, 2023 the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minnesota celebrated the transfer of sponsorship to their new Ministerial Public Juridic Person, Duluth Benedictine Ministries with Eucharist and a luncheon.
Since the founding of St. Mary’s Hospital in 1888 and the College of St. Scholastica in 1912, the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery have been sponsoring Catholic Health Care and Catholic Education. Over all these years the ministries have undergone many changes, but one thing has remained, the unwavering and steadfast support of the Sisters. Just like the pioneering Sisters who started these ministries of health care and education over a century ago, the Sisters today continue to be pioneers and leaders in what it means to be sponsors of Catholic health care and education.
Sponsorship within the Catholic Church is defined as “a formal relationship between an authorized Catholic organization and a legally formed health system, hospital, nursing home, college (or other institution) entered into for the sake of promoting and sustaining Christ’s health or education ministry to people in need.”
In creating Duluth Benedictine Ministries and transferring the sponsorship of their ministries, namely The College of St. Scholastica, the Catholic entities of Essentia Health, Benedictine, St. Mary’s Health and St. Francis Regional Medical Center to this newly approved Public Juric Ministerial Person, the Sisters are ensuring that their mission and their ministers continue.
The Mass, that was celebrated by the Very Reverend Daniel Felton, Bishop of Duluth, was attended by the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery, leaders from Duluth Benedictine Ministries, the sponsored ministries and others involved with the work of the Sisters. Within the Eucharistic Celebration, there was a transfer of sponsorship ritual and the commissioning of leader. The transfer of sponsorship that was officially recognized by the Vatican December 8, 2022.
That in all things, God may be glorified!
RB 57.9
Pins that were blessed by Bishop Felton and presented to the leadership of the DBM and the sponsored ministries.
The sisters of St. Paul’s Monastery have been serving God and the people of the Twin Cities area and beyond since 1948. We are thankful for God’s blessings over the past 75 years, and most especially for the many wonderful people that God sends to journey with us, walking along Monastery Way.
St. Paul’s Priory was founded on June 22, 1948, when 178 sisters from Saint Benedict Convent came from St. Joseph, MN to begin a new community on 301 Summit Avenue in St. Paul, MN. The sisters of Saint Benedict’s Monastery sent us a beautiful bouquet of roses for our chapel to celebrate our 75th anniversary.
Click here to listen to the song “I Wisdom Am With You,” written by Sister Christine Manderfeld from St. Benedict’s Monastery. We are grateful for Wisdom leading us these 75 years.
Celebration of our Founding Day
We celebrated with a special Mass on June 18 with many friends and guests. Abbot John Klassen from Saint John’s Abbey presided. Pictured here (clockwise) are: 1. Abbot John Klassen presiding at Mass. 2. Sisters Joyce Willenbring, Karen Rose, and Michaela Hedican from St. Benedict’s Monastery with Sisters Catherine Nehotte and Jacqueline Leiter from St. Paul’s Monastery with the statue of St. Benedict. Sister Colleen Quinlivan from Saint Benedict’s Monastery is not pictured. 3. Sisters Lucia Schwickerath, Linda Soler, Mary White, and Louise Inhofer in the courtyard. 4. Sisters Paula Hagen, Mary Lou Dummer, and Virginia Matter in the courtyard with the statue of Mary. 5. Sisters Eleanor Wartmann and Catherine Schoenecker in the cloister walk with Saints Scholastica and Benedict. 6. Sisters Sharon Schiller and Karen Sames.
New Book Celebrates 75 Years of Community, Prayer, and Ministry
The new book Walking Monastery Way captures the last 25 years of the monastic life of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Paul’s Monastery. The book shares the joys, challenges, and gratitude of the sisters. It is truly a memoir of many voices with stories from sisters, oblates, and friends. Sister Lucia Schwickerath, pictured here, is the editor and moving spirit who collaborated with many others to make the book come to fruition. Please click below for more information about the book.
The Monastery is hosting a special exhibit in our art gallery featuring the works of 16 artists who work in pottery, sculpture, tapestry, painting, photography, iconography, and mosaics. Artists expressed Benedictine values in a beautiful and unique way. Participating artists include four oblates, ten friends, and two sisters. Here in the slide show you can see samples of the beautiful art from the exhibit.
In this video, Sister Jacqueline Leiter, from St. Paul’s Monastery in Saint Paul, Minnesota, shares a reflection about this painting and Benedictine servant leadership.
Sister Karen Rose was installed as prioress at Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, MN, on Sunday, June 4.
Left and right: Bishop Patrick Neary of the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota, blesses Sister Karen Rose at her installation.
Center: A sister expresses her support for Sister Karen.
Top left: The new Leadership Team: Sister Karen, prioress; Sister Sharon Nohner, subprioress; Sister Jeanne Marie Lust, treasurer; and Sister Colleen Quinlivan, secretary.
Top right: Sister Karen with the president of the College of St. Benedict, Dr. Brian Bruess, and his wife, Dr. Carol Bruess.
Center: Sister Karen addresses the congregation at the installation Mass.
Bottom: Sisters express their support for the new prioress during the rite of installation.
In this video, Sister Idelle Badt from Annunciation Monastery in Bismarck, North Dakota, shares her insights from the Leadership Colloquia about difficult personalities.
In this video, Sister Lisa Maurer and Sister Kathleen Del Monte, both from Saint Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minnesota, share their insights about styles of leadership.
In this video, Sister Karen Rose and Sister Colleen Quinlivan, both from Saint Benedict’s Monastery in Saint Joseph, Minnesota, share their insights on self-care for leaders.
Presidents of the four U. S. congregations of Benedictine sisters had a taste of the Indy 500 at Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Indiana. The presidents were attending the June 10-17 chapter of the Monastic Congregation of St. Gertrude. The Beech Grove sisters treated chapter participants to an Indianapolis 500-themed dinner which included photo opps with race-related paraphernalia. Left to right: Sister Nancy Bauer, president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict; Sister Jeanne Weber, who was re-elected to a second term as president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Gertrude during the chapter; Sister Lynn McKenzie, president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Scholastica; and Sister Dawn Annette Mills, prioress general of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.
Sister Nancy Bauer, president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict, celebrated the first week of Easter with the sisters of St. Placid Priory in Lacey, WA, a member monastery of the congregation. The April 11-15 visit marked Sister Nancy’s first trip to this far west Benedictine community which was founded in 1952 by sisters from St. Benedict’s Monastery in central Minnesota.
St. Placid Priory has twelve sisters, two novices who will soon make their first profession, and a cat. The priory building is surrounded by towering Douglas fir trees which can stretch more than 300 feet into the air. The Pacific Ocean and Mount Ranier are not too far away. In other words, the priory sits in a sea of natural beauty.
St. Placid’s is a community that balances contemplation with action. The sisters provide spiritual ministries through The Priory Spirituality Center. Sister Monika Ellis creates colorful designs in her art studio. Sister Laura Swan writes books on monastic topics. The priory is home to a gift shop that provides religious books and articles that can be ordered online.
Sister Nancy was treated to a photo expedition to Quinault Rain Forest which is about two hours from the priory. At the end of her visit, the congregation president was puzzled about just one thing. When she asked about the cat’s name, she got four or five different answers. It seems the sisters who hang out with kitty each have their own name for her.
The visitators and Prioress of Saint Mary Monastery: Sisters Jennifer Mechtild Horner, Nancy Bauer, Nicole Kunze, and Susan Hutchens
There are two must-see places in Rock Island, IL. The first is St. Mary Monastery and the sisters there will direct you to the second place which is Whitey’s Ice Cream.
The nineteen sisters of the monastery welcomed a three-member visitation team in mid-February. The team included Sister Nancy Bauer, president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict; Sister Nicole Kunze, prioress of Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, ND; and Sister Jennifer Mechtild Horner, former prioress of Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Beech Grove, IN.
During the February 16-20 canonical visitation, the team had the opportunity to tour the monastery, visit with each sister, learn about their new solar panels, and enjoy the natural surroundings and a sparkling snowfall. The team joined the sisters in their daily Liturgy of the Hours and at the common table.
Not only did the sisters supply the team with enough snacks to stock a grocery store, they directed them to the local Whitey’s Ice Cream where they had their choice of flavors such as black raspberry chip, peanut butter pretzel bark, white tiger paws, and, well . . . yes . . . vanilla.
The team members returned to their home states with expanded hearts and waists.
Sisters Sheila McGrath and Rachel Bergschneider, Sisters Jackie Walsh, Sandra Brunenn, and Catherine Cleary, and the tabernacle in the monastery chapel
Clockwise: Sister Sandra Bruenenn, former prioress of St. Mary Monastery, and Sister Stefanie MacDonald, a preschool teacher and member of the council fo the monastic congregation. Sister Roberta (Bobbi) Bussan, subprioress of St. Mary Monastery and director of Benet Retreat House. Sister Marilyn Roman in the monastery acrchives. Sister Nicole Kunze and Sister Judith Ann Croegaert, who chaired the Visitation Steering Committee for the Monastery. Sister Margaret Murphy.
Sister Jonathan was adorned with corsages, a tiara, and a sash for her 100th birthday celebration. She is pictured with her niece, Kirstene Herda.
Sister Jonathan Herda, a member of Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph. MN, celebrated her 100th birthday on February 21, 2023.
Sister Jonathan grew up on a family farm in Lonsdale, MN, and made her first profession in 1944 and her perpetual profession in 1947.
After first profession, Sister Jonathan became a registered X-ray technician and served in that capacity in various locations, including St. Cloud, MN, and Ogden, UT. In the 1970s, she switched to Clinical Pastoral Education and became a certified hospital chaplain, serving in Tacoma and Spokane, WA, and Bismarck, ND. In more recent years, she has vigiled with sisters of her own community in their final days.
In 2019, on her 75th jubilee of profession, Sister Jonathan said, “My mission is to bring the love of Jesus to whomever I meet, wherever I am sent.”
“My mission is to bring the love of Jesus to whomever I meet, wherever I am sent.”
From the top left, clockwise: The Sisters of Saint Benedict’s Monastery bless Sister Karen Rose after her election as prioress. Sister Nicole Kunze pins a corsage on Sister Karen Rose at the rite of acceptance of election. Sister Karen Rose with the facilitators of the discernment process: Sister Kimberly Porter, left and Sister Lynn McKenzie right.
Sister Karen Rose will serve as the eighteenth prioress of Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, MN. Sister Karen was elected for a six-year term on Saturday, February 25, following a discernment process. The rite of installation will take place on Sunday, June 4. Sister Karen will succeed Sister Susan Rudolph.
Sister Karen was born in Nantwich, England, She studied philosophy and theology at Oxford University and earned a doctorate in nursing at Manchester University. She entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery as a postulant in 2007, made her first profession in 2009, and perpetual profession in 2012. She is currently the director of the monastery’s Office of Mission Advancement.
The discernment process was facilitated by Sister Kimberly Porter, a member of St. Walburg Monastery, Covington, KY, and Sister Lynn McKenzie, a member of Sacred Heart Monastery, Cullman, AL, and president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Scholastica. Sister Nicole Kunze, vice-president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict presided at the canonical election.
Saint Benedict’s Monastery was founded in 1857 and currently has 157 members.
President and Prioresses of the Monastic Congregation of Saint Benedict attending the Conference of Benedictine Prioresses meeting
The president and the prioresses of seven member monasteries of the Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict (MCSB) attended the gathering of the Conference of Benedictine Prioresses (CBP) at Sacred Heart Monastery, Cullman, AL, February 1-8. They joined prioresses and presidents of the Monastic Congregation of St. Scholastica and the Federation of St. Gertrude as well as the prioress general of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and prioresses of several women’s monasteries that are not affiliated with a federation or congregation.
Along with Sister Nancy Bauer, president of MCSB, the following prioresses attended: Sister Susan Rudolph, Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, MN; Sister Beverly Raway, St. Scholastica Monastery, Duluth, MN; Sister Catherine Nehotte, St. Paul’s Monastery, St. Paul, MN; Sister Angela Hoffman, St. Placid Priory, Lacey, WA; Sister Nicole Kunze, Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, ND; Sister Susan Hutchens, St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, IL; and Sister Marva Coakley, St. Martin Monastery, Nassau, Bahamas.
During the meeting Sister Nicole Kunze was elected chair of CBP for a three-year term and Sister Susan Rudolph completed her term as a member of the Core Planning Committee.
Along with business items, participants met in small groups to talk about matters of interest in Benedictine monasticism today, such as autonomy of monasteries, collaboration among monasteries, and the current phenomenon of monasteries coming to completion.
The CBP session included two days of a joint meeting with abbots of the men’s Benedictine monasteries and presidents of their congregations. Presentations at the joint meeting focused on care of the sick within our monasteries. Brother John Mark Falkenhain, OSB, a monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey, addressed mental health concerns and a team of caregivers from Mount St. Scholastica Monastery in Atchison, KS, talked about the various forms of dementia and care of the dying. The team included Sister Esther Fangman, prioress, Renee Porter and Stacey Davis.
Sister Nancy jotted down comments made by prioresses during the CBP meeting. Following are some samples.
“We have just moved into our new monastery.”
“We moved into our new monastery four years ago. We have replaced our dishwasher four times.”
“We need a bookkeeper.”
“We need a secretary.”
“The youngest in our community is 75.”
“We decided we will give temporary housing to Ukrainian refugees.”
“Oblates give us energy.”
“In 2020, we made the decision that we didn’t know what our future is, but whatever it is, we’re going to do it together.”
Sister Marva Coakley, prioress of St. Martin Monastery, Nassau, Bahamas, Sister Susan Hutchens, prioress of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, IL, and Sister Beverly Raway, prioress of St. Scholastica Monastery, Duluth, MN, participate in conversation at a session of the CBP.
Sister Susan Rudolph, prioress of Saint Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, MN, and Sister Rosann Ocken, prioress of Norfolk Priory of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters in Nebraska, exchange candlelight for the celebration of the Feast of the Presentation.
Sister Catherine Nehotte, prioress of St. Paul’s Monastery in Minnesota, provided back and neck massages during the CBP meeting. Here she provides a massage to Sister Joanna Burley, prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, Bristow, VA.
Sister Angela Hoffman (left), prioress of St. Placid Priory, Lacey, Washington, and Sister Marva Coakley (back right), prioress of St. Martin Monastery, Nassau, Bahamas, with prioresses from other congregations.
Presidents of the men’s and women’s Benedictine congregations at St. Bernard Abbey, Cullman, Alabama
A presidential selfie at Larkwood Falls in Cullman, Alabama. Presidents of the Benedictine women’s congregations, from left to right: Sister Jeanne Weber, president of the Federation of St. Gertrude; Sister Dawn Annette Mills, prioress general of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Clyde, MO; Sister Nancy Bauer, president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict; and Sister Lynn McKenzie, president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Scholastica.
The prioresses and presidents of the women’s Benedictine congregations met with the Benedictine abbots and presidents of the men’s congregations at St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama. Pictured with Sister Nancy Bauer, president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict, is Abbot President Jonathan Licari of the American Cassinese Congregation. Sister Nancy and the abbot president are members of neighboring monasteries in central Minnesota – Sister Nancy is a member of Saint Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, MN, and Abbot President Licari is a member of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, MN.
A Prioress of MCSB Elected Chair of Conference of Benedictine Prioresses
The prioress of a member monastery of the Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict (MCSB) has been elected chair of the Conference of Benedictine Prioresses. Sister Nicole Kunze, prioress of Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, ND, and vice-president of MCSB, will serve a three-year term as chair of the conference whose membership includes more than forty Benedictine prioresses and presidents. She was elected during the February 1-8 gathering of the prioresses and presidents at Sacred Heart Monastery, Cullman, AL. Sister Nicole succeeds Sister Aileen Bankemper, St. Walburg Monastery, Covington, KY.
Sister Nancy Bauer, OSB, visited two of the “island monasteries” of the Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict in December. Sister Nancy arrived at Monasterio Santa Escolastica in Humacao, Puerto Rico, on December 6, and traveled from there to St. Martin Monastery, Nassau, N.P., Bahamas, on December 10. These were Sister Nancy’s first visits to the Caribbean monasteries in her role as president of the monastic congregation. These were not official visitations but rather opportunities for Sister Nancy to become reacquainted with the sisters in the two communities.
The six members of Monasterio Santa Escolastica extended warm Benedictine hospitality to Sister Nancy. Their dog, Suzie, greeted her with a few growls before warming up to her after receiving some treats directly from the president’s hand.
Sister Nancy accompanied Sister Mary Ruth Santana to Colegio San Benito, the school founded by the sisters in Humacao and now directed by Sister Mary Ruth. Sister Nancy had the chance to cheer on the girls’ volleyball team, visit classrooms, stop in at the nurse’s office which is staffed by Sister Maria Ramos Feliciano, and even sell hot dogs at the Myriam Pacheco Event, a track and field competition named in honor of the late Sister Myriam Pacheco. She also witnessed the damage to the school buildings from Hurricanes Maria and Fiona and learned that the school has not yet received grants from FEMA that were promised after Hurricane Maria in 2017.
At the monastery, Sister Nancy enjoyed meals prepared by Sister Vivian Maldonada and chatted with Sister Angela Berrios about her novitiate classmates back at St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, MN. She also became reacquainted with Sisters Carmen Davila and Margarita Rodriguez.
In Nassau, Sister Marva Coakley, prioress of St. Martin Monastery, fetched Sister Nancy from the airport. When they arrived at the monastery, Sister Annie Thompson was mixing a batch of her famous coconut and pineapple tarts, with the assistance of Sister Janis Coakley. In the next few days, Sister Agnes Johnson baked dozens of rum cakes to be distributed as Christmas gifts.
Many of the sisters, including Sister Ena Albury, recalled with fondness their earlier years in religious life when they lived at St. Benedict’s Monastery and attended the College of St. Benedict or taught in local parochial schools. Sister Mary Benedict Pratt toured Sister Nancy through the beautiful 200-year-old house that is now the monastery’s guest and retreat center.
Sister Nancy enjoyed conversations with Sister Clare Rolle, who had worked with AIDS patients, and caught up with Sister Agatha Hunt outside at the Marian grotto. She also visited Sisters Jacinta Neely and Vernice Wilson in the monastery infirmary.
Sister Nancy returned from the Caribbean to a white winter wonderland, with a package of coconut candies from Puerto Rico and a pair of rum cakes in her suitcase.
Sister Laura Suhr (left) and Sister Bridgette Powers (right) with Sister Susan Rudolph, prioress of Saint Benedict’s Monastery.
Sisters Bridgette Powers and Laura Suhr made perpetual profession as members of Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, MN, on July 11, 2022. Both sisters grew up in Minnesota and both graduated from the College of St. Benedict. As of December 2022, both have completed master’s degrees in theology at St. John’s University School of Theology, Collegeville, MN.
Sister Bridgette works in the monastery’s Spirituality Center and directs Benedictine Friends, a program which establishes relationships between students of the College of St. Benedict and sisters of the monastery. Sister Laura directs the monastery’s Girls, God and Good Times summer camp.
Sister Bridgette Powers signs her perpetual profession document on the altar of Sacred Heart Chapel at Saint Benedict’s Monastery.
Sister Laura Suhr professes perpetual vows at Saint Benedict’s Monastery.
Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict 