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.
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.
The Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict held a Chapter meeting in July 2022. At that time, prioresses and delegates of the member monasteries elected Sister Nancy Bauer as president for a six-year term. Sister Kerry O’Reilly completed her term. The Chapter will meet again in 2025.
Sister Nancy (left) was installed as president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict on July 24. She is pictured here with outgoing president Sister Kerry. Sister Nancy and Sister Kerry are both members of St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota. We are grateful for Sister Kerry for her seven years of dedication to the monasteries of our congregation and for Sister Nancy’s yes to serving as president for the next six years. May God bless them both.
Sisters from ten member monasteries of the Monastic Congregation of Saint Benedict gathered at St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota in July.
Came to Pennsylvania from St. Walburg Abbey in Eichstatt, Bavaria in 1852
Arrived in St. Cloud, Minnesota in 1858
By the time of her death in 1862, Benedictine convents had been founded in St. Marys and Erie, Pennsylvania; Newark, New Jersey, and St. Cloud, Minnesota; Covington, Kentucky; and Chicago, Illinois.
In 1852, Benedicta Riepp, along with two other Benedictine sisters came to the United States to educate immigrant children in St. Marys Pennsylvania. This is the key to the front door of their home, the first Benedictine convent in the United States.
The Sisters of St. Martin Monastery in the Bahamas discerned as a community and re-elected Sister Marva Coakley as Prioress. Sister Linda Soler facilitated the election.
